photo by Penywise at http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/196794
What To Look For
Birdwatchers know that opportunities to observe a rare species don't come along very often. When they do, you must seize the moment ,and there's no better tool for this than a good camera binocular.
The best camera binoculars have well matched camera and binocular components.
The camera should have a bright, clear LCD display for previewing photos and deciding which ones to retake. It should also have an optical zoom, memory card slot and video capture function. Anything over five megapixels is overkill. You can get by with a lot less.
A good all around binocular magnification and objective lens size, for field use, is 7 by 35. To maximize light transmission and image clarity, look for fully multi-coated lenses with BAK-4 prisms.
Common Pitfalls
The most common shortcoming of camera binoculars is poorly matched components. To reduce production costs, manufacturers are tempted to cut corners on the camera or binocular. They might leave out critical functions or sacrifice quality. If half of your purchase is junk, it makes the whole thing seem worthless. Don't let this happen to you.
Battery life and type can also be an issue. LCD screens draw lots of power and an inefficient design or poor battery choice will increase your cost of ownership. If the camera requires a hearing aid battery, instead of the more common AAA, it will be more expensive and inconvenient in the long run.
Where To Buy
OpticsPlanet.com is a great place to buy digital camera binoculars. It's a top 500 internet merchant with an excellent selection of sale priced units, a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and free ground shipping.
You can also use the search engine at eopinions.com to look up a products that interest you. The user reviews and links to low prices will save you time and money.
It never hurts to call local sporting goods stores and camera shops. They might have what you need at a great sale price, with expert advise and support.
Before charging your card, check the seller's reputation, make sure the site is secure and read the fine print.
Cost
The Bushnell Image View 10x25 is a good starter unit for anyone on a tight budget. It's priced from $57 to $90.
The Celestron VistaPix 8---32 has an excellent camera and binocular at a reasonable price. It goes for $80 to $168.
The Barska 8---32 Point N View is a state-of-the-art unit with a futuristic look. It's available for $170 to $400.
