Rating: 
Summary: cool but not that great
Review: I was recently given these image stabilized binoculars as a gift and they are simpley astounding. While their optics are quite good without the image stabilization engaged, with it engaged they are phenomenal. Despite steady hands (I'm a surgeon) there is always some high frequency tremor that causes the image to quiver. Even with the superb optics of far more expensive binoculars such as Zeiss or Leica the limitting factor in resolution becomes this high frequency quiver. With Canon's image stabilization engaged the image becomes essentially rock solid and not only substantialy sharper but also more restful on the eyes. Image stabilization is a true leap forward in binocular design and is a great example of how a high tech advance makes a good product fantastic. Quite frankly, Canon's image stabilized binoculars make traditional binoculars even from high-end Euopean brands obsolete. Don't buy an expensive pair of binoculars without trying these first!
Rating: 
Summary: Astounding Advance
Review: I was recently given these image stabilized binoculars as a gift and they are simpley astounding. While their optics are quite good without the image stabilization engaged, with it engaged they are phenomenal. Despite steady hands (I'm a surgeon) there is always some high frequency tremor that causes the image to quiver. Even with the superb optics of far more expensive binoculars such as Zeiss or Leica the limitting factor in resolution becomes this high frequency quiver. With Canon's image stabilization engaged the image becomes essentially rock solid and not only substantialy sharper but also more restful on the eyes. Image stabilization is a true leap forward in binocular design and is a great example of how a high tech advance makes a good product fantastic. Quite frankly, Canon's image stabilized binoculars make traditional binoculars even from high-end Euopean brands obsolete. Don't buy an expensive pair of binoculars without trying these first!
Rating:
Summary: A real surprise
Review: I've been a binocular junkie for years. I've specialized in high end glasses, particularly Leitz, Swarovski and Hensoldt (when I could get them). Two years ago, in anticipation of a trip to Kenya where I would spend the days in a moving LandRover, I thought I'd try the (then new) Cannon 10x30 Image Stabilizers. I was just blown away! The optics are excellent and the weight is surprisingly light. But the image stabilizing feature is just fabulous. There is simply no wiggle when holding these binoculars (and I'm a big coffee drinker). While they won't compensate for big rolls, jumps and twists in a moving car, they eliminate all the vibration and result in much less eye fatigue. In my opinion, it's a case of technology having obsoleted a very fine product. Take my word, do not spend over $500 for fixed binoculars without first trying the image stabilized Cannons. It's a revelation.
Rating:
Summary: 10x binoculars that will amaze you!
Review: I've owned a pair of Leica 10x binoculars and have always been very happy with their superb optics and excellent quality. My only problem was that at 10x magnification, I was unable to keep them perfectly steady when viewing something - a problem I figured I'd just have to live with. Then I was in my local camera shop and saw a pair of Canon 10x30IS binoculars on display. I thought I'd try them just to see how close they came to my Leica's in optical quality. Boy, was I surprised! Not only were the optics very good, but with the image stabilization turned on they blew my Leica 10x away! I could see so much more detail, with less eye strain and in a lightweight package. I bought them on the spot, and sold my Leica 10x to a friend - the Canon 10x30IS is my one and only choice for a 10x binocular now!
Rating:
Summary: Why image stabilization is a revolution in binoculars
Review: If you want to get a quick idea why image stabilization (IS) is the next revolution in binoculars, that's easy: take any binoculars that you can get and look through them at some object (a printed page of paper with several font sizes is ideal). Then look again at the same object from the same distance, but this time with the binoculars moudnted on a steady support (don't touch em!). You will notice that the actual resolution increases by a factor of at least 2 or 3 when mounted. That is, you can discern details that are at least two or three times smaller, because mounting eliminates the smear caused by the shaking of your hands. IS is like having this support available any time and anywhere you need it by a push of a button! In most conditions, the practical resolutions I can get with my Canon IS cannot be matched by any hand-held, unstabilized binoculars in the market, including those fancy Nikons, Swarovskis, Leicas and Zeiss that cost three or four times as much. No matter how good (and how expensive) is the optics of these top-of-the-line binoculars, their limiting factor in the field is the shaking of your hands. You may have heard that IS is important because it eliminates eyestrain and headaches, or because you can use the binoculars from a boat or a moving car. While these are good reasons to buy the Canon, the best reason is that they let you see much more detail in any given distance. And this is the reason why you buy binoculars in the first place.If you are a birder like me, and you are looking for a top of the line binoculars, do not buy anything before you try this one. In my opinion IS is going to revolutionize the whole field, so a costly pair of Swarovski or Zeiss, that normally could be considered as a good investment for life, will not be top of the line anymore in two or three years. In addition to the IS, the Canon has quite good optics, good field of view and is much smaller and lighter then most models you probably considered. This makes the Canon very close to the ideal birding binoculars: Highest resolution, less weight, and less money. I did not have the opportunity to test the larger Canon IS models, but I don't think I'd buy them even if I had the money, because they are twice as heavy and (very important for birding) has smaller field of view. Note one general disadvantage of the Canon, however: They are not as tough as the top roof prism binoculars. They are water resistant but not water proof, and the IS requires batteries (a pair of NiMH for several hours of birding. This is the digital camera procedure: get a charger and at least one replacement set). While the binoculars feel sturdy, dropping them is not good for the IS mechanism, and this is probably why Canon gives only one year warranty. So the Canon are not the best pair to take for an expedition in Alaska, but for a Sunday birder like me, these are easily the best in their price range, and probably the best in any price.
Rating:
Summary: WOW! Did I mention WOW?!!!
Review: If you're planning to spend a little extra on a pair on binoculars, why not these? I was very surprised on how small and light these 10x30IS binocs were. I basically bought them for marlin fishing because I wasn't going to spend $4000+ for gyros. This stabilization gizmo really works. I have a Canon camcorder with this feature and that's why I bought them. I paid $300 plus I get a $50 rebate! So I ended up paying $250. WHAT A DEAL! After receiving these I promptly went outside and started using them. I was watching guys work on a 20 story building over a mile away and could see the color of what they were wearing, with no shaking! I removed them and saw nothing more than a dot on the horizon. I'm impressed! Now, the only thing Canon needs to do to improve this little gem is waterproof them and put rubber armor on them. I would gladly pay the difference.
Rating:
Summary: Uncanny!!!!
Review: If you've never experienced image stabilization, you owe it to yourself to try it. The first instant you observe it, you can't believe your eyes and brain. It's like magic. Hyperbole? No. Fact? Yes. The device is operated by AA batteries (as I recall) and is activated by a light press of a small, comfortably placed button. Press the button, see the image stop shaking. Release the button, see vibrations. Uncanny. Magic. Without a doubt, the best binoculars I've ever used. Makes 10 power and above useful in a hand-held glass.
Rating:
Summary: Canon 10x30 IS binoculars
Review: Marvellous. Imagine you have a medium power binos always with a stand only 650grams. The view is obviuosly better than those of 7x or 8x. Once you press the button and can feel what a wonderful invention in your hands. You certainly would hope not to go back to unstabilised ones.
Comfort, excellant optics are the first and instant impressions while I use it. The color rendition is perfect. It can be grouped into the world class like Leica and Swarovski. Balance on hands is just very good. The Canon's engineers nust pay thosands of hours in designing the body.
It should be treated very careful. I think lots of sophiscated mechnical and electronic parts are within the bino.
I just love it.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably Clear Optics
Review: My husband and I are amateur birdwatchers so I was a bit hesitant to spend close to [price] for a pair of binoculars, but on the recommendation of a bird expert, we did. Wow, what a difference! They're lightweight, but sturdy, and the stablizer feature effectively holds the image constant. We can clearly see the EYE MOVEMENT of the red-tailed hawks who nest on our property. We have a pair of 16 x 32 Bushnell binoculars ([price]) and the same image is fuzzy and indistinct. Even though the Bushnells have a higher magnification, the quality of the optics are poor--there is fuzziness around the outside of each of the lens, and it's impossible to focus to a sharp, clear image to eliminate this. On the other hand, the Canon binoculars are like looking through a freshly cleaned picture window in your living room. The one problem we have with the Canon binoculars is that we own only one pair!
Rating:
Summary: How Canon I go Back
Review: These are, simply put, the best compact binoculars out there. There is no way of ever going back to binoculars without an image stabilizer. I am going to sell my telescope ( Celestron G5) because the views of the moon I am seeing through the 10x30 are crisp, clear, and astounding.....and I can take them anywhere ( contrary to my Celestron - great scope - but for obvious reasons, a pain to cart everywhere)
I didn't think I would see this much detail...the ImageStabilizer really brings out the clarity and quality. It really is strange to think there are many out there who have 10 power binoculars and have to deal with the jitter, which in turn lessens, in my new opinion, the charm of using binoculars. I compared them with a Leica Trinovid ( a Binocular at 3 times the price) and the difference was slight. The quality of the Leicas may have been overall, better- but the 10x30's Image Stabilizer allowed you to have a more pleasureable viewing experience...Like moving from a double bed to a Queen - or even a King - I can never go back to conventional binoculars - this is a must buy!!!
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