Man you all are speaking my language right now.
Like Brummie said, for serious field use, where the binoculars will be worn out ready for use, the weight is a much bigger factor than size. Size really matters when you're packing, like for space-constrained travel or casual "throw it in the bag" use.
When I'm birding, my binoculars are out and ready to go, and I'm fine with a large 32mm (my EDG 10x32 are my most used binoculars and the pair I chose to take with me to Oaxaca earlier a few weeks ago).
I just got a pair of Zeiss Victory 8x25 and the optics are first rate, truly "mini alphas", but even these still have the fussy handling of a compact for me, at least at initial use. The tiny eyecups + long eye relief + small body means I have to work a bit to keep them aligned to my eyes, so they are almost more fatiguing to use hand-held than a larger binocular that I can hold more naturally.
I'm thinking I may need to try the 8x30 Monarch HG. I really didn't like the ergos of the 8x30 Swaro CL and I'm sensing that Zeiss 8x25 won't be comfy enough for that "compact / go-anywhere but still has good optics/handling" role for me. I actually love the ergos of the GPO 32mm but the optics are not quite at the level that I'm hoping for. Maybe I need to try the Opticron Traveler ED?
If you're not keen on a 25mm bin, there are two clear options, at least in my opinion, for what you describe - the two top 8x30 bins, the Swaro CL-B and the Nikon MHG. There are myriad threads on them here, they are both excellent, and they're even a good notch smaller and lighter than the 32mm FL or UVHD.
Actually, since I had the Swaro 8x30 CL-B and have the UVHD 32mm, I need to point out that the Swaro CL is NOT smaller than the 32mm UVHD. The barrels are slimmer and it weighs a bit less (on my scale it's ~475g vs ~530g) but the Leica is significantly more compact in terms of length. You can see in this photo how short the 32mm UV is and how the 30mm CL is almost as long as the much bulkier/heavier Kowa Genesis 33 or Zeiss Conquest HD 32.
