I had the former, but sold them recently. Today I got a superb deal on a 2nd-hand, unused pair of the latter, and bought them on a whim. I won´t bother with the tech-specifications, which are available elsewhere. Just a few quick observations:
The 10x30 are extremely compact, light and provide a nice, easy and stable view. Comparatively cheap, I could get better views with them than with far more expensive 10x binos by Swaro or Nikon. This was made most evident at an airshow during the summer, when I brought various binos for the kids, and had a chance to compare. With the 10x30 Canons, I could study the pilots in the cockpits as they flew past. Quite incredible, once you´ve got used to the slight "shift" and occasional re-focus of Canon IS binos. However, with birds ar fairly close quarters, the image often appeared rather "lifeless", even though I could discern more detail. I can´t quite explain this, as it sounds contradictory - more detail, less "life"? A little dull, or flat, or lacking in contrast, perhaps.
I hadn´t intended buying the IS 10x42 L, I just went along for a look. I took my 8.5x42 Swarovisions, and Nikon EII 10x35, just for comparison. After five minutes comparing, I decided to take the Canons, at half the price of a new pair. They simply stunned me. I took them to a local harbour and could get incredible views of very distant birds over the water. Very steady IS-system, far less "shift" or re-focus required than in the non-L series versions, superb glass, incredibly flat field. More off-centre CA than in Swarovisions (hardly surprising!), lateral CA and pincushioning quite evident, but not a problem. Darker than the Swarovisions, this quite evident at twilight. In very demanding conditions, CA on flying birds can be seen, but again, not right in the centre and it doesn´t detract from the incredible quality of the view. Been out tonight looking at stars with them, I wish I knew something about astronomy because these are stunning. At close quarters, i.e. in close foliage, they suffer from the problem of all IS-binos, i.e. more "shift" and refocussing required, and the benefits of IS aren´t so evident as a pair of 8x binos can be hand-held satisfactorily. Great eyecups with loads of eye-relief (and I wear glasses).
These are fairly chunky monkeys, at 1.1kg, but with one palm almost underneath, they´re not hard to hold at length. Quite comfortable with the thumb of the focussing hand curled around the eyepiece, fingers on top. Around the neck they could be a problem over time, but I envisage carrying them in the well-padded neoprene case over the shoulder.
I reckon the IS 10x42 L aren´t binos for all occasions, but at medium-to-long distance, as long as you don´t mind the weight/build, they´ll cover most eventualities.
The 10x30 are extremely compact, light and provide a nice, easy and stable view. Comparatively cheap, I could get better views with them than with far more expensive 10x binos by Swaro or Nikon. This was made most evident at an airshow during the summer, when I brought various binos for the kids, and had a chance to compare. With the 10x30 Canons, I could study the pilots in the cockpits as they flew past. Quite incredible, once you´ve got used to the slight "shift" and occasional re-focus of Canon IS binos. However, with birds ar fairly close quarters, the image often appeared rather "lifeless", even though I could discern more detail. I can´t quite explain this, as it sounds contradictory - more detail, less "life"? A little dull, or flat, or lacking in contrast, perhaps.
I hadn´t intended buying the IS 10x42 L, I just went along for a look. I took my 8.5x42 Swarovisions, and Nikon EII 10x35, just for comparison. After five minutes comparing, I decided to take the Canons, at half the price of a new pair. They simply stunned me. I took them to a local harbour and could get incredible views of very distant birds over the water. Very steady IS-system, far less "shift" or re-focus required than in the non-L series versions, superb glass, incredibly flat field. More off-centre CA than in Swarovisions (hardly surprising!), lateral CA and pincushioning quite evident, but not a problem. Darker than the Swarovisions, this quite evident at twilight. In very demanding conditions, CA on flying birds can be seen, but again, not right in the centre and it doesn´t detract from the incredible quality of the view. Been out tonight looking at stars with them, I wish I knew something about astronomy because these are stunning. At close quarters, i.e. in close foliage, they suffer from the problem of all IS-binos, i.e. more "shift" and refocussing required, and the benefits of IS aren´t so evident as a pair of 8x binos can be hand-held satisfactorily. Great eyecups with loads of eye-relief (and I wear glasses).
These are fairly chunky monkeys, at 1.1kg, but with one palm almost underneath, they´re not hard to hold at length. Quite comfortable with the thumb of the focussing hand curled around the eyepiece, fingers on top. Around the neck they could be a problem over time, but I envisage carrying them in the well-padded neoprene case over the shoulder.
I reckon the IS 10x42 L aren´t binos for all occasions, but at medium-to-long distance, as long as you don´t mind the weight/build, they´ll cover most eventualities.