Digital Camera Binoculars - Are They Worth the Hype?
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Are digital binoculars the future? There are so many different applications one can think of for a digital camera. Who doesn't like to take pictures?
Family events, sporting events, and nature trail hikes are all great places to snap that perfect picture and to preserve that special memory for all time.
A regular digital camera can hold a ton of images but adds an extra piece of equipment to carry into the field.
They can also be difficult to use. Finding, then zooming in and capturing a photo of a bird isn't that easy.
What can a birdwatcher do?
For starters, how about binoculars with a digital camera.
That's right, no more fiddling around in your pouch or your backpack to find the digital camera, in order to take a picture of something you've been viewing through your binoculars.
Now you can just push a button, and take that picture easily. Sounds like paradise, doesn't it?
It does to any outdoor enthusiast who has ever tried to take a picture of something they were viewing through their binoculars.
But Are They Any Good?
Today you can buy a perfectly good pair of digital binoculars for about five hundred or more. Of course, there is a lot of junk on the market today.
You can buy much cheaper binoculars with a camera, but they are likely to break more easily and are a waste of money in the long run.
The first thing you should do, is check out some of the reviews that are available on the Internet and in some sporting goods magazines.
That way, you can get an unbiased view of the different products and make a wise, informed decision.
Next you should make sure you understand all the fancy talk you are sure to be exposed to by the people who are knowledgeable about digital binoculars.
Terms like Megapixels and video slots can quickly frustrate those of us who prefer English.
By learning the terms and being aware of their meaning, you will be harder to con, and also you will be able to make a more informed decision.
These are heavier than regular binoculars (those that don't have a camera of any kind) but technology advances have made them smaller than they used to be, and they aren't too much of a burden to carry around.
What's New in This Field
When this article was first published and even when last updated, Binoculars with a Phone Adapter weren't around, until now.
These can be carried and set on a tripod, attach your phone to the left eyepiece with the adapter and you're ready to go.
Your phone camera is then used to record or photograph what you see. I'm excited about these. Your phone's camera is the perfect way to capture and send your photos.
You already know how to take and send photos with your phone. Battery life and storage are also knowns so no worry there. So, if interested, check out some Binoculars with Phone Adapter.
Drawback
The main con against using your phone is that it's probably not the best for hiking in the woods as it takes a while to set up. But if you're using it at home around the feeders and want to share with family and friends, it would be great.
It would also work well for grabing photos of the kids playing sports or at school concerts where you can't get close enough for your phone's camera.
Final Thoughts
On a personal note, I still use a pair of Nikon 8245 ACULON A211 8x42 binoculars for viewing and a COOLPIX P900 Camera for photographing when out birdwatching.
My camera has a 83x zoom which I need for website publishing. It gets me closer without the birds scattering. Nice to have but not everyone needs that much zoom.
Plus, I have to use a tripod when using that much zoom power to keep the camera still. It's best used for studying a known nest site from a distance.
