[laika]

Here are some examples from www.kikkertspesialisten.no

Swarovski 10x50 SLC WB get 10/12points for resolution and 9-/12 for image brightness.
Swarovski 8x32 EL get 10/12 for resolution and 7+/12 for image brigthness.

Everyone accept that the biggest binocular is the brightest one,but why give both binoculars 10 points for resolution? You can of course see more details with the one with highest magnification!.

Someone will of course say it is wrong to compare 8x magnification to 10x,but why is it then OK to compare a 50mm lense with a 32mm when speaking about brightness?

[Art Thorn]

In fact, resolution is related to aperature (Dawes Limit), so comparing binoculars with different objective lens sizes makes no technical sense. So why compare at all? I think these comparisons are just so people can have a starting point. My personal favorite binoculars are 10 power, one pair with 32 mm objectives and one pair with 42 mm objectives, and one pair roof prism and one pair porro prism. But that is only after using many different binocs. I still found all of the reviews usefull, as a starting point.

[Leif]

Originally Posted by Art Thorn

In fact, resolution is related to aperature (Dawes Limit), so comparing binoculars with different objective lens sizes makes no technical sense. So why compare at all? I think these comparisons are just so people can have a starting point. My personal favorite binoculars are 10 power, one pair with 32 mm objectives and one pair with 42 mm objectives, and one pair roof prism and one pair porro prism. But that is only after using many different binocs. I still found all of the reviews usefull, as a starting point.

In practice resolution is determined not just by aperture, but also by optical quality, and optical design. Aperture sets the upper theoretical limit.

[laika]

At www.betterviewdesired.com Steven Ingram use a so called NEED chart,perhaps that's a better way to evaluate resolution?

[Art Thorn]

That does not solve the problem, because you will see that more magnification increases the NEED score.