Nikon PROSTAFF P7 8x30 Binoculars

I've updated this review as I now have the 8x30 and the 10x30 versions of these P7's (that will already tell you that I Iike them a lot!).Surprisingly...+ contrasty, really helps to pick out detail in low contrast areas, a real asset.+ sharp over 3/4 of the field of view (in the case of the 8x that's a *VERY* wide FOV).+ very 3D rendering (esp the 8x), distinct layers of distance (usually only seen in porro-prism bins).+ brightness more than expected for a x30 bino, no complaints, I now rarely use my x42 bins.+ feels good in the hand, like a full-size binocular but shorter.+ good colour distinctions.+ very glare resistant and eye-cups shield side light well (better then the Nikon Monarch).+ doesn't vignette easily (other bins can be prone to dark sides if eyes not exactly aligned to eyepieces).+ right dioptre is a pull, turn, pushed back in, design, so it can't be accidentally adjusted - great!+ eyecups extend a *generous* distance (helps reduce side shading/vignetting), a definite positive.+ focus wheel (nearly-) one and half turns from min to infinity, so there's controlled accuracy.+ the strap lugs don't dig into your hands at all. Many other semi-compact bins have very badly placed and sharp/hard lugs that do dig into your hands, these don't, very good!Sharpness and resolution is excellent. The optical qualities are what I'd expect in the £500 bracket - so astonishing to find them here. The 8x has a noticeably very wide FOV (for roof prism bins), and acceptably sharp nearly to the sides./With many binoculars to avoid vignetting/shading to the sides (if you don't wear glasses), even with the eye-cups turned fully out you need to look down slightly and rest the top of the eyecup on your eyebrows to gain a bit more distance to the eye-pieces. With these P7 bins one notch in from fully out requires this approach (so good if you're sitting down where your head might be slightly inclined down). The great thing is with the cups fully out you can rest the large eye-cups more over your eye-sockets (with head comfortably vertical when standing), there's enough distance, then you get excellent shielding from stray side light./So I have the 8x and now the 10x. Which is best for you?...Many many years ago (30-40 years ago), I remember it was often recommended to use 7x bin's for bird spotting, maybe due to less shake, so 8x seemed generous. 10x was for those whose 'eyes where bigger than their belly', i.e. wanting more than they could actually eat or use. Then there was talk that CA and resolution were made worse by 10x over 8x, problem magnified. I went along with this. Now I've revised where I stand, mainly because optics technology has moved on! So, optically the 10x is just as good as the 8x. The decision on whether you want 8x or 10x rests purely on whether you'd like a very wide field of view... so the 8x (great for finding birds in flight or for big landscapes), or you want to home-in on details the 10x (and have a steady hand). I'd say if you primary aim is birds and wildlife the 10x are awesome, they really do bring you usefully closer to your subject - they have that 'telescope view'. The 8x are much more relaxed - and 'wide-screen' theatrical. I'd say if you are fairly new to binoculars, either are excellent! - due to the ease of getting a clear view due to the wide eye-pieces and generous eye-cup extension, crisp resolution etc, but for general viewing definitely the 8x, for homing-in the 10x.BTW, 8x = a 400mm camera lens, 10x = a 500mm camera lens (on a full-frame camera).The issues (are inconsequential and negligible, though I thought worth mentioning...) :- Some chromatic aberration (CA) is noticeable even close to the centre of the frame, but I'm being picky, unless you're a pro used to £800-£1500 bins you won't notice it. I notice it, but it doesn't bother me - in the slightest. The excellent contrast and good sharpness will override the CA. I have other binoculars (that are not ED) and they have lower CA, but are worse in many other regards.- With the 8x there's some pin-cushion distortion, which when panning landscapes you will notice the so-called 'rolling ball' effect, not as bad as some (even Swarovski!) but it's there. Not a big issue for me, as I don't pan much, and the sharp, contrasty and wide view more than makes up this. The 10x versions are flatter, don't exhibit any 'rolling ball' effect when panning (though I'd say the 10x with their less wide FOV are best for more fixed stationary inspection, than panning, anyway).- The body maybe for some be too bulky for a 'semi-compact' x30 binocular. If you're not wanting them as a pocketable binocular, then their nice 'roundness' is great as they hold well - not fiddly, they feel great. I've tried getting them into a few of my coat pockets and they just don't really fit, or if squeezed in don't want to come out! - does depend on your pocket size though.- The eyecups have three extending positions, they click into place 'above average' - so very good, but I still I wish the cups clicked into place more firmly. To be fair they are better that most, but having used Viking bins - where it's impossible to 'push-retract' the eye-cups in, they are not the best of the best, though as I say most bins are worse than these in this regard - so don't overly worry about this - they work well./Overall very very good, do I recommend them? - for the price (under £400) a big definite !!YES!!

Lightweight, easy to use and clear vision. Some aberration of crisp mountains against blue skies, etc, but very useable and I'd need to spend over a grand on a pair to overcome that issue!

Fabulous binoculars really happy with them and recommend

I own two pairs of Leica binoculars and hands down these are better.

Love these to bits... Just buy them. Small enough to carry. Function is outstanding..

Bought these as a pressie for a friend and had a peek before wrapping them. Clear view, no distortion that I could see, easy to focus. Light to hold. Case is a bit cheap as is the strap but for £120 or thereabouts I couldn’t fault them. Reviews suggest P7 are better than P3 so I went for these. Hope recipient is as impressed as I am. I have bins from Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss so have an idea of what works. Vortex is another good value brand if you are in the market for OK quality at a good price. Recommended.

Amazon need to improve packaging.Precision binoculars delivered. They came via Amazon Germany.I was shocked to see that delivered in brown paper bag. So no protection for delicate item in transit. Why no amazon box???I would be wary of ordering such items again from Amazon.Binocular are for a present. I hope the transit has not knocked the lens/ prisms out of alignment.....Not acceptable Amazon.

P7 8x30 - These are a great fit in the hand and are quickly focussed with one hand.The eye relief has 3 settings (i) against the binos (ii) mid (iii) extended. Mid works best for me.8x magnification offers great stability when viewing and at relatively close range is perfect for viewing creatures. I have also been able to read the company name on the side of a ship at 1.5 miles. I’ve used a 10x at this size and noticed a slight tremble when used over an extended time but did not notice it at this magnification.The 30mm size fits perfectly in the hand and you shouldn’t fatigue from holding them. The grips is also rubberised giving a secure grip but nice feel. I haven’t had a bounce test but they seem like they will survive the odd accidental knock when being used outdoors.The binos are great and my only grumble is that the strap that comes with it is thin but that’s not a dealbreaker and I’ll pick up a thicker one up online at some point.I’ve had cheap binos before and never understood the hype about binoculars until I got these. You definitely get what you pay for.