....Thanks Chosun,
I'm glad I made the follow up post now, as I feel the 10x42 isn't going to suit my needs. However, my interest in the 10x50 has been ignited again.
You say you find it very steady to hold but this is the one thing that worries me about this binocular. Is it really a binocular for handheld use?
Dan, you mentioned earlier that you are aware that what you would be receiving are personal opinions, and indeed that is true - so in the final analysis the best compromise is going to be what works for you.
The 10x50 SV certainly has an enticing view.
Just to offer more completeness of information, it does fit my large hands very well, and I can hold it very steady. At a kg it is heavy, and so you should think how that will affect your particular styles of use as time goes on - ie. if you also find it nice to hold, and steady to hold, how long will you be able to use it for at a stretch? What about after a strenuous hike up a hill - what then? Do you become fatigued? and how does that affect the steadiness? Also, how will you carry it - do you want a kg hanging around your neck? Will you use a sling? Or a harness?
For comparison I also find the 42mm SV's to be heavier than I would desire in a 42mm binocular. There's not much in it with the 50mm, that's what rules the 10x42 SV out for me - plenty of 'personal' drawbacks and no really tangible advantages.
The other thing to consider with a 10x is the depth of field - it is narrower in the 10x than a 8.5x /8x. .... how will this go when you are doing the more closed in, closer woodland component of your mixed viewing? Bear in mind that the SV focus is not lightning quick.
Along with the 10x50 SV, another bin I would check out in the 10x vs 8.5x question is the NIKON 10x42 MHG. It ticks many boxes - 120m Fov tick, light weight tick (~2/3rds of the 10x50 SV, and ~80% of the 8.5x42 SV). You are going from a ~5mm EP with either of the SV's though down to 4.2mm so factor that into the equation for dusk/dawn and deep shadow viewing. You would have to carefully compare them optically - brightness, depth of field, Chromatic Aberration, glare handling, across the field sharpness, panning, and plain old fit to your face/eyes /ease of use, and see if they match what the SV's offer for you. On the upside the MHG focuser is likely to be noticeably better and faster too, and the cost may be around half of the SV's. You should also consider Warranty and customer support in your Country.
That's my best advice, compare away, and get what compromise ticks the most boxes for you and suits you best. Ideally you would finalize say two selections and purchase them on trial (or hire a 2nd one) and compare them over a week or two, and return the less suitable one. If this is not possible, then compare your purchase carefully with the options along the lines that I have mentioned - good luck! Don't do your head in too much, your 8.5x42 is a fine all rounder.
Chosun :gh: