What Does 10-22×50 Binoculars Mean? A Comprehensive Guide

If you are new to the world of binoculars and it’s your first time buying a pair of binoculars, then you must have come across a problem that as soon as you enter the optical gadget store, you become bombarded with figures like 10-30×50, 12-50, 30×60, 10-22×50, etc.

So, if you are perplexed about what does 10-22×50 or any of those other numbers on the binoculars mean, you need not worry. Here we are going to solve this teeny tiny problem of yours by telling you precisely what does 10-22×50 means and what these numbers add to the functionality and performance of binoculars.

So without further ado, let’s learn more about binoculars and the numbers embossed on their surface.

Key Highlights

• The 10-22×50 signifies variable magnification, ranging from 10 times to 22 times.
• The number 50 represents the diameter of the objective lenses in millimeters, influencing light gathering capability.
• These binoculars offer versatility for various viewing scenarios, from wider fields at 10x to detailed observations at 22x.
• The 10-22×50 configuration is often favored for celestial observations due to its adjustable magnification and light-gathering capacity.

What Does 10-22×50 Mean on Binoculars?

The first number you see on the binoculars is the magnification, while the second represents the effective objective lens diameter. So 10-22, in the case of 10-22×50, represents the variable magnification which is the number of times the optical gadget enlarges your desired sight of view, which means that while using these binoculars, you will be able to see the view 10 to 22 times magnified as compared to the one seen by the unaided eye. As this unit offers variable magnification, it is up to you to see the bigger, broader picture or zoom in on the details of the view. 

Effective lens diameter or objective lens diameter is the second number written on the binoculars, like 50 in this case, which shows the size of the aperture, which controls the amount of light transmitted. Now, if you are wondering what the magnification and effective objective lens diameter are, don’t worry, as we will have a detailed discussion about them.

Magnification

The magnification of the binoculars is the degree to which a pair of binoculars brings the world closer to your eyes, which means that while using 10-22×50 binoculars, you will be able to see the view 10 to 22 times magnified as compared to the one seen by the unaided eye. 

But one thing to keep in mind is that the higher the magnification is, the narrower the field of view is. Thus with an optical gadget providing a massive magnification, there are chances that you would miss the bigger picture of the view; therefore, the rule of “the bigger, the better” doesn’t work in the case of magnification. 

Another vital thing to consider is that using a pair of binoculars providing a magnification of more than 10x often comes with the problem of the image’s shakiness. The use of a tripod is recommended to resolve this issue.

Most specialists agree that the optimum magnification for a pair of binoculars lies somewhere between 7x and 10x, depending on the purpose for which you want to use particular binoculars. For instance, you need a magnification of 10x or higher for astronomy binoculars.

Objective Lens Diameter

Objective lens diameter shows the size of the aperture, which controls the amount of light transmitted; thus, a hefty objective lens like 50 mm displays excellent light-gathering ability. Hence, the larger the lens diameter, the more light it transmits and the brighter the view you would get. 

Moreover, the size of the objective lens also directly impacts color reproduction. Let’s be honest; everyone wants a pair of binoculars that provide bright and sharp imaging from dusk to dawn. It will help if you consider the option that offers you a large, at least 42mm or 50 mm objective lens diameter that can ensure a quality view with true-to-life color from sunrise to sundown.

An important thing to consider is that the objective lens’s size directly impacts the binoculars’ size and weight. Therefore a pair of binoculars with a large objective lens like 50 mm weighs more than its counterparts.

Exit Pupil

Lastly, something is not written on the body of the binoculars, but it makes a lot of difference in the viewing experience that your binoculars offer. This factor is none other than the exit pupil. The exit pupil is the breadth of the stream of light leaving the eyepiece of the binoculars.

It is a virtual aperture in an optical gadget and a small bright circle that can be seen in the eyepiece’s middle. The exit pupil number is something you should also consider because it tells how much brighter your image would seem to be in low-light conditions. The higher the exit pupil number is, the brighter the image you will get. 

It is calculated by dividing the objective lens’s diameter by the magnification it provides and is usually expressed in millimeters. 

Now, in the case of 10-22×50 binoculars, the exit pupil on the lowest magnification, 10x, is 50/10 = 5 mm. On the other hand, at the highest magnification setting, 22x, is 50/22 = 2.3 mm.

Now, this 2 mm exit pupil at the highest magnification is quite average, and there is no doubt that it does an excellent job in daylight. Still, when it comes to nighttime, it is better to choose the lowest magnification setting of the binoculars to enjoy a brighter view.

How to Choose the Best 10-22×50 Binoculars?

Binoculars are an excellent tool for the outdoors. They are handy for bird watchers, photographers, and sportspeople. But the binoculars are so much more than that. They are also a great way to see the world from different perspectives.

The best binoculars will have various features like excellent picture quality, crystal-clear images, and optically stabilized systems. These features make the picture clearer. If we are looking for distant views, these types of binoculars are what we need to have as they provide clear pictures. Moreover, the best ones will be chosen from various brands, so you can buy something that fits your needs and budget.

So following are some of the features you should consider while buying 10-22×50 binoculars.

Field of View

The field of view accounts for the total area or the horizontal width of the view you can grasp with a pair of binoculars without moving your head. In the case of the field of view, the broader, the better rule sets in as with a wider field of view, you would be able to spot the thing you want to focus on instantly, and it would ensure that you won’t miss out on any crucial or once in a lifetime moment.

A field of view wider than 315 feet at 1000 yards (105m at 1,000 meters / 6.0°) would serve its purpose justly.

Lens Coating

The binocular lens coatings mostly add to the light transmitted through the lens. Hence increases the brightness, saturation, and contrast of images with better color reproduction and color fidelity, where contrast means the difference in luminance between adjacent bright and murky areas.

The higher the contrast is, the sharper and more brilliant the imaging is perceived to be. It will help if you look for fully multi-coated lenses, as they have several coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces with different refractive indices. The fully multi-coated optics being on the high-end ensures the amount of reflected light to its lowest.

At the same time, it considerably increases the optical performance and ensures impressive low-light performance. Last but not least, the fully multi-coated lens also guarantees the absence of any chromatic aberration. Thus, the best binoculars for surveillance should have fully multi-coated optics.

Eye Relief

So no doubt that with a high magnification like 22x, you have to make a compromise in the eye relief, but that does not mean that it should be wholly forgotten. Eye relief is the optimum distance between your eyes and the eyepiece of the binoculars.

More precisely, it is the distance from the eyepiece lens’s outer surface to the point where the exit pupil is formed. The viewer can only grasp the whole essence of the picture if his eye is within this distance.

Prism Type

Prism serves to invert the otherwise upside-down images so that you can see the view as it is. The binoculars come equipped with either a Porro prism or a Roof prism.

A Roof prism is lighter in weight, smaller in size, with more optical precision, and a bit more expensive than the bulky Porro prism, which, on the other hand, offers greater depth perception. 

Durability and Weather Resistance

Durability is a feature you should pay attention to while buying a pair of binoculars. Most binoculars now offer rugged rubber armoring that adds an extra layer of protection for the binoculars and gives them a firm grip. Apart from that, you can only sometimes predict the weather when you are out on the field to watch your favorite sporting event or artist’s concert.

So you and your optical gadget should always be ready for any erratic change in weather. So it will be best if you look at the model’s durability. Hence your binoculars should provide you with features like waterproofing, fog-resistance, scratch-resistance, dust proofing, etc. so that you won’t have to worry about the view’s haziness in a humid environment or the accidental water splashing on your 10-22×50 binoculars.

Budget 

Budget is also an essential factor that drives your binoculars choice. We suggest you go for something other than a cheap option because, in most scenarios, the price of a product reflects the quality and features it offers. Think of it as a long-term investment because you never know by choosing a cheap product.

You might spend more on repairs or replacement than investing in a pair of optically precise and substantially useful quality binoculars.

How to Choose The Best Tripod For 10-22×50 Binoculars?

The first thing you need to do before buying a binocular tripod is to identify what type of binoculars you want to use, as we are going to use the 10-22×50 binoculars, so this much is sorted. You can move directly to the second step. 

After identifying the binoculars you want to use, look for a tripod that is compatible with it. Choosing the best binocular tripod for your needs is a challenging task. There are many factors to consider when searching for the right one. Some of these factors include: how much weight they can carry and what kind of terrain you will be hiking or backpacking on to see whether or not the tripod is stable enough for that terrain.

You should also consider the tripod’s construction material, aluminum or carbon fiber, etc. The last thing you will need to do before buying a tripod is decide whether you want an adjustable height or a fixed height and what the tripod head is like.

What are The Best Zoom Binoculars?

These days, binoculars come in a wide variety, and it may not be apparent where to look first to get the ideal pair that meets all your needs. To simplify this scenario, we have gathered the best zoom binoculars under one roof. So let’s read and enjoy it!

Some of the best zoom binoculars to satisfy your inner astronomy enthusiast are

1. Nikon 10-22×50 Aculon A211 Binoculars
2. Bushnell Legacy WP 10-22X50 Zoom Binoculars
3. Celestron – UpClose G2 10–30×50 Binoculars
4. BARSKA Gladiator 10-30×50 Binoculars
5. Pentax UP 8-16X21 Compact Zoom Binoculars
6. Olympus 8-16×40 Zoom DPS I Binoculars
7. Barska Gladiator 25-125X80 Zoom Binoculars
8. Celestron SkyMaster 15-35X70 Zoom Binoculars
9. Nikon Aculon 8-24X25mm Compact Zoom Binoculars
10. BetaOptics 20-144X70mm Military Zoom Binoculars

What are The Uses Of 10-22×50 Binoculars?

Birdwatching

If you enjoy birdwatching, you should invest in a good pair of zoom binoculars, like 10-22×50. They give you the power to either opt for the bigger picture with a broader field of view or magnify to view the intricate details on the bird’s wings. So with 10-22×50 binoculars on the lowest magnification, owing to a larger exit pupil and a wider field of view, you can quickly identify fast-flying and camouflaged birds.

Hunting

To be successful in the wild, it is crucial to identify a target animal and then catch it, and to do this; you need a pair of binoculars. The farther you are from your target, the more valuable a binocular will be when you are out on the hunt. A good pair of binoculars can make all the difference when you visit the woods.

One of the most critical aspects of successful hunting is spotting the target before they notice you! So, with 10-22×50 binoculars in hand, you can spot the prey with its lower magnification setting. Afterward, you can zoom in using the higher magnification setting to catch more details of the prey.

Sports

Choosing the correct binoculars would transform your sporting experience from dull and drab to excellent quality without upsetting your budget.

So whether it is your favorite ice hockey or horse racing, energetic football matches, or well-practiced cricket tournaments, the best binoculars for sports with variable magnification like 10-22×50 will ensure you never miss out on even a tiny detail of your favorite game. 

Astronomy

10-22×50 binoculars are one of the best tools for viewing the night sky. They are commonly used in astronomy as they provide a wider field of view at their low magnification setting. They can also get a magnified view of distant celestial objects like moon craters and stars on their highest magnification setting. 

What are The Pros Of 10-22×50 Binoculars?

Some of the pros of 10-22×50 binoculars are

1. Variable zoom magnification allows you to opt for the bigger picture or zoom in for more details according to your preference. 
2. A hefty objective lens that allows brighter images owing to good light transmission

What are The Cons Of 10-22×50 Binoculars?

Some of the cons of 10-22×50 binoculars are

1. It is heavy 
2. The magnification of more than 10x comes with image shakiness problems, so you need to mount it on a tripod.

Which is Better, 10-30×50 or 10-22×50 Binoculars?

Whether 10-30×50 binoculars will serve you right or the 10-22×50 one depends on an array of factors like the purpose for which you will use them, their optical performance, durability, and your budget.

Magnification

Well, 10-30×50 binoculars have a slight upper hand over their 10-22×50 counterparts because their highest magnification is higher, which means that if 10-22×50 binoculars bring the world 22 times closer to your eyes, the 10-30×50 ones provide you with 30 times magnified view.

Field of View

We all know that FOV has an inverse relation with magnification. So 10-22×50 binoculars have the upper hand over their 10-30×50 binoculars (at the highest magnification setting).

Low Light Performance

The low light performance generally depends on the effective objective lens diameter, which is the same for both units. Now the other factor responsible for low light performance is the exit pupil, which is the same for both the units at the lowest magnification setting. Still, at the highest magnification setting, it is 2.3 for 10-22×50 and 1.7 for 10-30×50 binoculars, which gives 10-22×50 binoculars an upper hand over the 10-30×50 ones.

So, both binoculars have pros and cons, but 10-22×50 binoculars are a step ahead of the 10-30×50 ones owing to their better optical performance.

Conclusion

Finally, the discussion on what does 10-22×50 mean on binoculars has ended. Finding the ideal pair of binoculars is a challenging endeavor, mainly because there are so many options available with various features. By discussing the specs you should consider before buying, we have done our best to make the process simpler for you.

After reading this in-depth analysis, we hope you fully comprehend what does 10-22×50 mean on binoculars.

Have a nice day!

References

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00235723
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1755-3768.1978.tb01375.x
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0042698981900055
• https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/2054/0000/Monocular-and-binocular-mechanisms-of-contrast-gain-control/10.1117/12.171149.short

FAQs

How Much Does a Good Pair Of Binoculars Cost?

When it comes to binoculars, there is a wide array of binoculars of different sizes and features in the market whose price ranges from inexpensive and entry-level binoculars worth $50 to more than $2,000 for high-end high-spec ones. So, all in all, it depends upon your preference regarding which binoculars you want to go for. Still, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a pair of binoculars unless you are a professional who does not withstand even a little hiccup in the equipment.

Are Nikon 10-22×50 Binoculars Good?

The Nikon 10-22×50 binoculars offer versatile 10-22x zoom magnification, ensuring clear and detailed views. With multi-coated eco-glass lenses, BaK-4 Porro prisms, and durability features like waterproofing, dustproofing, and shockproofing, these binoculars are ideal for hunting or birdwatching in various conditions.

What Can Binoculars Be Used For?

Binoculars magnify distant views and are used for many purposes, including birdwatching, hiking, hunting,  wildlife viewing, stargazing, watching concerts and musical performances, golfing, sporting events, surveillance, and theatre.

Which is Better 10×42 or 12×50 Binoculars?

It depends on your specific needs. The 10×42 binoculars offer a larger field of view, making them suitable for general use, while the 12×50 binoculars provide higher magnification and better low-light performance, ideal for activities like astronomy or wildlife observation in dim conditions.

Are 10×50 Binoculars Powerful?

Yes, 10×50 binoculars are considered powerful, providing 10 times magnification and a 50mm objective lens diameter for bright and detailed observations.

What is The Best Size of Binoculars For Distance?

For distance viewing, opt for binoculars with a magnification of 10x and an objective lens diameter of 42mm. This combination provides a good balance between image detail and brightness, making them ideal for observing objects at a distance.