Nikon PROSTAFF 7S
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15.5mm
- Field of view
- 325 ft. at 1000 yds (6.2° real)
Maker specs: Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 10x42
Binoculars under $200
Shop 7 binoculars for a first serious pair, mostly 10x42 roof models, and compare sealing, prism coatings and eye relief side by side. Prices change often, so check the current price on the product page before you buy.
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Card specs come from each maker's published specs, so a card shows only the facts we could match to that maker. A card name may not show the size: the Nikon Prostaff 7S here is the 10x42. The Nikon Aculon 10-22x50 is a zoom Porro, and Occer sells its 12x25 as a compact pair.
- 7 models
- 7 with our score out of 10
- 5 with maker-listed specs
Our picks under $200
Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars
- Size
- 12x25
- Field of view
- 273ft/1000yds
- Prism
- BAK4
Maker specs: Occer 12x25 Compact
Celestron Nature DX 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 14mm (0.55")
- Field of view
- 304 ft (101 m) at 1,000 yds/m; 5.8°
Maker specs: Celestron Nature DX 10x42
Nikon Aculon A211 10-22x50
- Size
- 10-22x50
- Eye relief
- 8.6mm @10x
- Field of view
- 199 ft. at 1000 yds (3.8° real)
Maker specs: Nikon ACULON A211 10-22x50
Bushnell Legend L-Series 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 18 mm
- Field of view
- 340 ft at 1,000 yd
Maker specs: Bushnell Legend L-Series 10x42
The full ranked list
The full lists these picks come from, with our notes on every pair.
- Best Binoculars Under $200 Reviews
7 picksHighest score: Nikon PROSTAFF 7S
Compare binoculars under $200
Scroll sideways to see every comparison field and Shopping action.
| Model | Magnification | Objective (mm) | Eye relief | Field of view | Maker’s model | Shopping action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon PROSTAFF 7S | 10x | 42 | 15.5mm | 325 ft. at 1000 yds (6.2° real) | Nikon PROSTAFF 7S 10x42 | |
| Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars | 12x | 25 | 273ft/1000yds | Occer 12x25 Compact | ||
| Celestron Nature DX 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 14mm (0.55") | 304 ft (101 m) at 1,000 yds/m; 5.8° | Celestron Nature DX 10x42 | |
| Nikon Aculon A211 10-22x50 | 10-22x | 50 | 8.6mm @10x | 199 ft. at 1000 yds (3.8° real) | Nikon ACULON A211 10-22x50 | |
| Bushnell Legend L-Series 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 18 mm | 340 ft at 1,000 yd | Bushnell Legend L-Series 10x42 |
2 models without a maker’s figure record are listed in the picks above.
Questions about your first good pair
What are the best binoculars for value for money?
For value, start with a waterproof 10x42 roof pair: the Nikon Prostaff 7S 10x42, our top-scored pair here, is listed by Nikon as waterproof and fogproof. Our binocular numbers guide points bird watchers and wildlife viewers to 8x42 or 10x42.
From there, compare sealing, coatings and eye relief on the cards. Our ranked under-200 review explains each pick.
Should my first good pair be roof or Porro?
Choose roof if you will carry the pair all day. Nikon notes the straight light path of a roof prism gives a slim, compact body, while Porro pairs are larger.
Roof prisms need coatings to work well: Celestron explains that phase coating stops the "muddy," lower contrast image a roof prism can give. Among the cards here that list a prism type, the Aculon 10-22x50 is the only Porro.
Is a zoom binocular a good idea?
Only if you really need the extra power now and then, because the trade-offs show in the specs. Nikon lists the Aculon A211 10-22x50 at 33.9 oz with a 3.8 degree field and 8.6 mm of eye relief at 10x.
Celestron's Nature DX 10x42 in this grid lists 22.2 oz, 5.8 degrees and 14 mm. At 22x the zoom goes well past the 12x Nikon recommends for general use, and Nikon also highly recommends a tripod.
Are 12x25 compact binoculars bright enough?
In good daylight, yes; at dusk, not really. A 12x25 has an exit pupil of about 2.1 mm (25 divided by 12), close to the 2 mm Nikon gives for the eye's pupil in daylight but far below the 7 mm it opens to in the dark.
A 10x42 gives 4.2 mm, which is why it stays brighter late in the day.
How much eye relief do I need with glasses?
More is better: Nikon recommends binoculars with longer eye relief for eyeglass wearers.
In this grid, Bushnell lists 18 mm for the Legend L-Series 10x42 and Nikon 15.5 mm for the Prostaff 7S 10x42, against 8.6 mm at 10x for the Aculon zoom. Our guide on binoculars and glasses covers setting the eyecups.
How to choose your first serious binoculars
Spec lines a good roof pair should show
Look for four lines on the maker's sheet: phase-coated prisms, BaK-4 glass, fully multi-coated optics, and waterproof with gas filling. Nikon explains that phase-correction coating limits the loss of resolution a roof surface can cause.
| Spec line | What it does | Listed for |
|---|---|---|
| Phase-coated prisms | Keeps a roof pair sharp and contrasty | Celestron Nature DX 10x42 |
| BaK-4 prisms | Passes more light to the eye | Nature DX 10x42, Bushnell Legend L-Series, Occer 12x25 |
| Fully multi-coated | Multiple coatings on every glass surface | Celestron Nature DX 10x42 |
| Waterproof, gas filled | Keeps out water and inside fog | Nature DX 10x42; Nikon Prostaff 7S (waterproof, fogproof) |
Choose 8x or 10x for a first pair
Choose 8x for a wider, steadier view and 10x for more detail at distance. Our numbers guide notes that lower power generally gives a wider field of view, which helps you follow moving subjects such as birds, and Nikon adds that higher power shows more hand shake.
Sizes of the binoculars in this grid
The table counts each size in the grid with its exit pupil; most cards here are 10x42, and the others are an 8x32, the 10-22x50 zoom and the compact 12x25.
| Size | Models | Exit pupil, calculated |
|---|---|---|
| 10x42 | 3 | 4.2 mm |
| 10x50 | 1 | 5.0 mm |
| 12x25 | 1 | 2.1 mm |
Confirm the size and seller on the product page
Check that the size on the product page matches the card, because one model name can cover several sizes. Then check the seller and the checkout total. Prices change often, so check the current price on the product page before you buy.
When to look at the Under $300 collection
Look at the Under $300 collection if color fringing around bright edges bothers you, since several makers there list ED glass. Celestron says ED glass virtually eliminates chromatic aberration, also called color fringing.