Rating: 
Summary: These will be much used because they are uniquely useable
Review: A grad student tried a pair of these Canon image stabilized binoculars at an observatory's star party and while he thought the binocs were very fine, he didn't agree with all the other astronomers around him that they were that much better than normal binocs..........
As for myself, I read every review I could find before deciding to purchase these 10x30 IS Canon binocs. I've had them for nearly a week now and have done some careful observing and decided to share my thoughts to help others who may be "sitting on the fence" and worried about the occasional bad review seen here or elsewhere.
I will be using these binocs for many kinds of observing , but
mostly for astronomy, nature observing and for the fun of using them -- they are very enjoyable to just plain use 'em.
Astronomy use puts optics to a severe test, but these performed far better than expected, and I expected rather much. First, I didn't expect the brightness to be so good. For a 10x30, they are clearly letting through almost all of the light entering the objective lenses, even with all those elements and prisms. I own a wonderful set of french APX 10x60 military naval binocs, and these little Canons were actually brighter on daylight objects and offered truer colors, too. Color fringing is very minimal, but visible on very bright objects in the night sky and at the edges of light-colored objects in daylight, but only if you are really trying to see it. On bright stars, there is some flaring, but lesser stars are tiny and tinier dots of light, just as they should be -- not as fine as you'd see in the finest apochromatic refractors, but about as fine as you'll see in any 10x30 binocular. Image sharpness is excellent all the way to the edge of the field of view and the image "snaps" into focus just like a good refractor telescope. For some reason, I find that the image is at its most superb about halfway to the edge and I most enjoy seeing the stars just below dead center for a relaxing and most crispy view. At 60 degrees apparent field of view, this is wide enough that you don't feel like you're looking down a tunnel, as on some binocs where this specification is only about 45 degrees or so. The 3mm exit pupil on these is a bit small and does make your adjustment of the binocs rotating eyepiece turrets more critical and does add a bit of fatigue keeping the eyepieces centered on your eyes. By comparison, my french 10x60s with their huge 2" oculars offer a much more relaxed view -- assuming you have them mounted on a stable platform though. On the plus side, a 3mm exit pupil is better for those with eye astigmatism who prefer not to wear glasses while observing. The binocs will accomodate your near or far sightedness naturally and as the light will only be using 3mm of your eye opening, astigmatism is usually not a problem. So take off your eyeglasses and you'll enjoy using these even more.
As others have said, the image stabilization is the breakthrough feature of these 10x30s and the other Canons in their IS line-up. When I HOLD down (not just click on) the IS button, in about six seconds the image goes from terribly shaky and rather unpleasant to view to moderately stabilized to locked-in full stabilization. If you let go of the button, the image immediately reverts back to "shakey as ever". And if you press the button again without much delay, you don't have to wait the six seconds for full stabilization, but only a fraction of a second in practical use. Some have written that the IS feature causes a lessening of resolution or sharpness in the image, but not in these 10x30s -- the image is tack sharp.
The image stabilization works perfectly for most practical uses. If you shake like Mohammed Ali, these binocs will not help you, but if you have a reasonably stable set of arms, these will do the rest to give you a virtually motionless view -- even while someone (else!) drives the car on your next trip.
A few minor nits, or how Canon can make these even better!
The focus is so wonderfully sharp and precise that Canon needs to put a finer thread screw on the focusser as it is a bit hard to obtain precise focus without constantly overshooting. This will cost Canon about nothing to improve. Oh, and I DO like the fact that the objectives move when you focus and not the eyepieces. In most binocs, pressing against the eyepieces will cause defocussing. And for a few pennies, Canon could integrate a flip-down-and-under objective lens cover which would certainly be nice. Or maybe even a simpler two-piece combination objective and eyepiece cover set that connect to each other with stretchcord on each side -- simply pull off and use -- stretch back-on and protect. Finally, as even alkaline batteries will last 4 hours continuously using the IS, why not change the IS "press and hold" button to and on-off switch with 5-minute auto-off. Gets to be a bit of a bother holding the button down all the time you are looking through them. Canon, are you listening?
So, what's my bottom line? Well, if you were to lay a pair of $1200. Zeiss binocs of similar power on the table along with a pair of these Canons I would still choose the Zeiss. Surprized? Allow me to explain: I sell the Zeiss on eBay and use that $1200. to buy FOUR pairs of these Canons which offer far higher practical resolution and fun over all the other binocs out there. Christmas is coming and these Canons have more WOW factor than anything I can think of for the money.
Oh, as for that grad student at the observatory who didn't think much of these binocs on first use -- when informed the next night that he had to HOLD the IS button and not just click it, he changed his mind somewhat .......... LOL
Rating:
Summary: Six Month Award
Review: About once every six months I buy something where the quality or functionality blows me away. It's probably more likely through e-commerce when you've never actually seen the product (power of low expectations). Anyway, these 10x30 IS binoculars get the six month award. I looked at [more expensive] image stabilized binoculars and these are hands down better. No jerky movement when panning -- Excellent stabilized image... No achromatic distortion, bright, clear flat image out to the edge, wide field of view, huge focusing range, ample eye relief, gigantic exit pupil, no backlash in the focuser, all in a lightweight small package. I'm going to buy more stuff I've never seen.
Rating:
Summary: Canon brings a true revolution in binoculars!
Review: Although expensive, my experience trying the 10x30 with Image Stabilizer from Canon in a store was unbelievable
At the push of a button the image was rock steady allowing to finally see near diffraction-limited details, this in my hands! I could read signs at the other end of the room. I never thought IS correction could be so effective. And optics are great anyway, even with no IS.I give it a 5 star (even if the 10X is a bit week, a zoom module would help, and there is no dig camera inside!). This binocular or rather technology is definitely a revolution, like color TV was to black and white TV. Forget about your other binoculars (unless they are IS too)! Note: Are they going to install the same technology on a conference laser pointer so even after a cup of coffee the spot is rock steady?
Rating:
Summary: Awesome, Totally Awesome!!!
Review: As we get older, our vision can get worse and our hands are not as stable. Enter Canon with this wonderful product. I read all of the reviews prior to purchasing, and believe me, the reviewers are telling the truth. The clarity and stability of the image are incredible. Two caveats though: 1)These binoculars overpower close-in situations, such as in a small theatre or entertainment venue and 2) Buy rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries or at a minimum, carry fresh, spare alkalines. When the batteries go dead (as they did in the middle of an Aretha Franklin concert for me), the binos. still function, but you lose the image stabilization feature. Even without image stabilization, the image is very clear! I would also advise careful handling of these binoculars, due to the sophisticated electronics. The price may seem high when compared to inferior binoculars, but once you try them, you'll feel that these binoculars are actually a bargain. Wish I could add more superlatives, but others have already beat me to it!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome, Totally Awesome!!!
Review: As we get older, our vision can get worse and our hands are not as stable. Enter Canon with this wonderful product. I read all of the reviews prior to purchasing, and believe me, the reviewers are telling the truth. The clarity and stability of the image are incredible. Two caveats though: 1)These binoculars overpower close-in situations, such as in a small theatre or entertainment venue and 2) Buy rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries or at a minimum, carry fresh, spare alkalines. When the batteries go dead (as they did in the middle of an Aretha Franklin concert for me), the binos. still function, but you lose the image stabilization feature. Even without image stabilization, the image is very clear! I would also advise careful handling of these binoculars, due to the sophisticated electronics. The price may seem high when compared to inferior binoculars, but once you try them, you'll feel that these binoculars are actually a bargain. Wish I could add more superlatives, but others have already beat me to it!
Rating: 
Summary: A Wish Come True*
Review: Canon's 10x30 IS Binoculars are magnificent for viewing even the tiniest bird far away and up a tree! With the IS technology you will not loose sight of your prey as it swoops and dips in flight. It is wonderful to be able to see details you never knew existed, right in front of you.
My only Christmas wish was for a pair of these binoculars and I have enjoyed them nearly every day since. Try some before you buy any other kind and surprise yourself too.
Rating:
Summary: A Wish Come True*
Review: Canon's 10x30 IS Binoculars are magnificent for viewing even the tiniest bird far away and up a tree! With the IS technology you will not loose sight of your prey as it swoops and dips in flight. It is wonderful to be able to see details you never knew existed, right in front of you.
My only Christmas wish was for a pair of these binoculars and I have enjoyed them nearly every day since. Try some before you buy any other kind and surprise yourself too.
Rating:
Summary: Binoculars nice - Canon service and case not so good
Review: Got these binoculars for my wife at Christmas this year so they are about 3 months old. We went on around 5 short hikes when the stitching binding the strap to the case came completely out of one side dropping the case to the ground. I emailed Canon expecting an apology and a new case. I got the apology, but it was with an explanation that the cases have NO warranty and I was out of luck. After spending over $300 on this product by a well-known company with a high reputation and owning it only 3 months, I expected better. The binoculars are nice, but what happens when the strap on your unwarranted case breaks, drops and breaks your binoculars, and you call Canon? Very poor quality cases. Right now I cannot use the binoculars because I have no case and have to figure something else out. So what good are great binoculars you cannot use? Binoculars - 5 stars; Case - 0 stars; Canon - 1 star
Rating:
Summary: Binoculars nice - Canon service and case not so good
Review: Got these binoculars for my wife at Christmas this year so they are about 3 months old. We went on around 5 short hikes when the stitching binding the strap to the case came completely out of one side dropping the case to the ground. I emailed Canon expecting an apology and a new case. I got the apology, but it was with an explanation that the cases have NO warranty and I was out of luck. After spending over $300 on this product by a well-known company with a high reputation and owning it only 3 months, I expected better. The binoculars are nice, but what happens when the strap on your unwarranted case breaks, drops and breaks your binoculars, and you call Canon? Very poor quality cases. Right now I cannot use the binoculars because I have no case and have to figure something else out. So what good are great binoculars you cannot use? Binoculars - 5 stars; Case - 0 stars; Canon - 1 star
Rating:
Summary: Safari Necessity
Review: Having been on two safaris with inferior binoculars, I sought a good pair and was lucky enough to stumble onto the Canon 10X30IS. I compared them to the Leica 8X and Minolta 8X and was thoroughly amazed. There is simply no comparison. Buy enough batteries and you will not need anything else. I was so amazed at how well they worked, I bought another pair for our travelling companions as a gift. You simply cannot go wrong with these on safari. This should be mandatory gear for safari or any moving use.
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