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Hi, I'm trying to find Binoculars with built-in camera (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Gerardine
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I'm going to move your thread to the Binocular sub-forum and you will be notified if someone posts a suggestion.
We're glad you found us and thanks for taking a moment to say hello. Please join in wherever you like
I'm going to move your thread to the Binocular sub-forum and you will be notified if someone posts a suggestion.
Amazon and the like have many such devices and they are all frankly terrible and should be avoided. Poor quality binoculars attached to a poor quality camera.
There have been a couple of attempts to make a better quality product none of which have been particularly successful, the only one on the currently on the market is the Swarovski dG, a monocular and camera hybrid.
There is a thread discussing it here https://www.birdforum.net/threads/swarovski-dg.386706/
Canon make a camera that can be used like a monocular the Powershot Zoom
www.canon.co.uk
There is a thread discussing it here https://www.birdforum.net/threads/canon-powershot-zoom-monocular.395775/
There have been a couple of attempts to make a better quality product none of which have been particularly successful, the only one on the currently on the market is the Swarovski dG, a monocular and camera hybrid.
There is a thread discussing it here https://www.birdforum.net/threads/swarovski-dg.386706/
Canon make a camera that can be used like a monocular the Powershot Zoom
Canon PowerShot ZOOM Telephoto Monocular - Cameras
Capture every detail with our lightweight pocket-size super zoom monocular camera that takes 12MP photos and full HD video.
www.canon.co.uk
There is a thread discussing it here https://www.birdforum.net/threads/canon-powershot-zoom-monocular.395775/
Hi,
yeah, a superzoom camera is is probably a better buy. Take one with a decent electronic viewfinder if you want that "looking through the instrument" feeling
The main selling point (at least for some) of the Swaro dG is integrated Merlin Bird ID app, so you can look through it, snap a picture and the device gives you an ID. Otoh the Merlin App is also available for smartphones and if you have an app to connect to your camera on there too, you can also quickly snap an image and feed it to Merlin picture ID on the smartphone if needed...
The Canon one seems to be similar image quality wise, just without the Merlin app (and w/o the Swaro size pricetag).
Joachim
yeah, a superzoom camera is is probably a better buy. Take one with a decent electronic viewfinder if you want that "looking through the instrument" feeling
The main selling point (at least for some) of the Swaro dG is integrated Merlin Bird ID app, so you can look through it, snap a picture and the device gives you an ID. Otoh the Merlin App is also available for smartphones and if you have an app to connect to your camera on there too, you can also quickly snap an image and feed it to Merlin picture ID on the smartphone if needed...
The Canon one seems to be similar image quality wise, just without the Merlin app (and w/o the Swaro size pricetag).
Joachim
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I, too, agree with the superzoom route. I'm beginning to use my Nikon P900 more and more instead of my bins, particularly when I'm walking (hobbling) around.
I've managed to identify no end of distant birds that I was struggling with through my binoculars.
I've managed to identify no end of distant birds that I was struggling with through my binoculars.
your best bet is to get a small lightweight DSLR with a lightweight lens. My current kit is a Nikon D5300 with 300/4 PF, and before that a Canon SL2 with 55-250
Suntail Hawk
New member
Hi good people!
Sorry if I am a little late to the party! I hope someone with a little experience can help me out with a little advice here.
I really like the concept of these devices mentioned above:
Swarovski DG
Canon Powershot Zoom
(I would like the Swarovski AX best, but right now that seems a little above my budget.)
I assume that the concept hasn`t been overly succesful, as both the DG and the Powershot Zoom seem to be taken off the websites of their producers, but I really like the concept and consider buying one.
I find both on ebay or other sites (new or demo versions from photo stores and the like).
The DG is 3-4 times more expensive.
Here is my question: If the DG is more expensive, where is the difference? Will I miss something when I buy the cheaper one?
Why I like them? I want to carry them with me on hikes and quickly identify the birds and other animals I encounter.
I don`t at the moment have high aspirations as an ornithologist or as a fotograph - for me it is just something that can make hiking more fun as an aside.
Maybe I will get hooked and want to do more serious birding once I get the taste? I don`t know, but right now these instruments seem like really clever entry level devices for me.
They seem very expensive for that purpose, but I might still do it - I don`t really understand the difference, though, and I can`t find a direct comparison.
(I understand why the Swarovsvki AX is more expensive, with two oculars and more integrated software, but with these two, they seem similar to me).
Best regards and thanks in advance for positive replies!
Sorry if I am a little late to the party! I hope someone with a little experience can help me out with a little advice here.
I really like the concept of these devices mentioned above:
Swarovski DG
Canon Powershot Zoom
(I would like the Swarovski AX best, but right now that seems a little above my budget.)
I assume that the concept hasn`t been overly succesful, as both the DG and the Powershot Zoom seem to be taken off the websites of their producers, but I really like the concept and consider buying one.
I find both on ebay or other sites (new or demo versions from photo stores and the like).
The DG is 3-4 times more expensive.
Here is my question: If the DG is more expensive, where is the difference? Will I miss something when I buy the cheaper one?
Why I like them? I want to carry them with me on hikes and quickly identify the birds and other animals I encounter.
I don`t at the moment have high aspirations as an ornithologist or as a fotograph - for me it is just something that can make hiking more fun as an aside.
Maybe I will get hooked and want to do more serious birding once I get the taste? I don`t know, but right now these instruments seem like really clever entry level devices for me.
They seem very expensive for that purpose, but I might still do it - I don`t really understand the difference, though, and I can`t find a direct comparison.
(I understand why the Swarovsvki AX is more expensive, with two oculars and more integrated software, but with these two, they seem similar to me).
Best regards and thanks in advance for positive replies!
I have the Powershot Zoom. It's mediocre, but so is the DG, so they are more for documenting than photography. You can see some samples in my review here:
blog.majid.info
I don't know if it is possible to make a decent camera in the form factor of a monocular or binocular barrel. The smallest camera I've found that yields acceptable results is an APS-C like my Fuji X-T4 with a 750-250mm or 0-300mm lens.
Canon Powershot Zoom review · Fazal Majid's low-intensity blog
I don't know if it is possible to make a decent camera in the form factor of a monocular or binocular barrel. The smallest camera I've found that yields acceptable results is an APS-C like my Fuji X-T4 with a 750-250mm or 0-300mm lens.
Small lenses and tiny sensors doesn’t make for good images. Decent image stabilisation is needed to help deal with the lack of light in these things. Tech also ages badly. A decent, cheap pair of binos will give you lovely detailed views of whatever you point it at for as long as you don’t drop them too hard. My parents 35yr old zeiss are still great and I have a 1960s vintage pair that still provide very good views. I’d love to take nice images of things I see, but I don’t fancy the cost and added bulk of doing so. Maybe in the future I will swap spotting scope for a decent DSLR, though I’d still carry a wide pair of 8x to help me find things.
Suntail Hawk
New member
Hi,I have the Powershot Zoom. It's mediocre, but so is the DG, so they are more for documenting than photography. You can see some samples in my review here:
Canon Powershot Zoom review · Fazal Majid's low-intensity blog
I don't know if it is possible to make a decent camera in the form factor of a monocular or binocular barrel. The smallest camera I've found that yields acceptable results is an APS-C like my Fuji X-T4 with a 750-250mm or 0-300mm lens.
thank you for your answer! I read your review and looked at the pictures - they are not great, as you said, but decent.
I wonder what does the DG better, since ot costs a couple hundred extra? Do you know?
Best regards
No, I don’t have one but I had looked at test photos somewhere, they didn’t seem appreciably better.
Suntail Hawk
New member
Okay, thanks, this is good to know!
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iseegeorgesstar
Well-known member
Can the swarovski ax visio not be used in a recording capacity? or did i misunderstand that binocular?
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Gerardine post 1,
On the WEB-site of House of Outdoor I have published a power point overview of Multi-functional binoculars. Part of it is devoted to binoculars/telescopes with built-in camera's.
Gijs van Ginkel
On the WEB-site of House of Outdoor I have published a power point overview of Multi-functional binoculars. Part of it is devoted to binoculars/telescopes with built-in camera's.
Gijs van Ginkel
Sure it can
, as long as you don‘t expect superb camera performance. The AX is designed primarily for bird identification, so wildlife calendar photos are not its thing.iseegeorgesstar
Well-known member
Well, I guess in terms of a "the glass is half full" outlook ... at least the future looks promising.Sure it can
TY.
