for those of you who have used both 8 x 42 and 7 x 50 binoculars, did you notice a big difference in image stability?
A big difference. It's a lot easier for your mind to stabilize 7x.
Easier still at 6x. But 8x gives you more detail, and faster, and
for most people it's stable enough. A quick all-around scan is best at 6x,
possible at 7x, blurred at 8x. But...most people have a look at 1x (eyes),
and point at an item of interest at 8x, and see the plumage quicker.
8x helps a lot with distance too. Shake starts to erode that advantage at 10x,
and it's extremely hard to follow a critter close in.
I liketo use lower power and wider field if I go somewhere new to me
and dense/close. 8x if you know about where you'll be looking or
the sounds can steer you. 6x30 is great if your target is zipping around,
though. The mind knows what's 'off screen' well at that power.