Elk,
Following the test mentioned in my first post, I got myself a Leica 10x25. I also felt that I could hold them much better than the shorter 8x. And you are certainly correct with respect to shore birding.
I wonder, however, about your statement concerning rain forest birding. My main binoculars are Leica 8x32BAs. When I had a chance to use them extensively in the Peruvian rain forest five years ago, I had two complaints. One, being the inadequate close focus for those close but elusive antbirds (and your Swaro 10x25 should do worse in this respect). Two, the inadequate brightness under early morning forest floor conditions. Here, too, I'd expect all compacts to be even less suited. These experiences make me search for something in the x42 range; and that was the actual purpose for my testing. But instead of coming up with a decision there, I fell in love with those 10x25 Ultravids.