7X50 vs 10X50 Binoculars – Which One is Better For You in 2024?

One of the most complicated things in the world is to decide which one you should choose when two equal products are in front of you. Similarly choosing one between 7×50 and 10×50 binoculars is also a difficult task and everyone seems to be confused.

The reason for the confusion is that both binos have almost similar magnification powers and the same objective lens size. Above all, their size and looks are also quite similar and these reasons are enough to make one confused

In this guide, we will talk about both of these binoculars and give you a clear answer to help you know which one is better for your choice. So, let’s get started.

Related Article: A Face-Off Between 10×50 and 12×50 Binoculars

What is better, 7X50 or 10X50 binoculars?

In this guide, I will take you to the result by taking small steps and guide you about every factor that counts when it comes to choosing the best one between the top two binos. At every point, I will make one optics as the winner to ensure that you keep in touch and know which one is going to be good for what purpose. Alright? Let’s get started.

1- Magnification power

One of the most important things that count in choosing binoculars is the magnification power. In the 7×50 vs 10×50, you can see the magnification is different in both binoculars which makes them very different from each other.

Note: The first number in the specification is said to be the magnification power which means how far or magnified the image you’ll be able to see with any specific binoculars mode.

So, in 7×50 binoculars, you are going to get 7x magnification power which is ideal for those outdoor activities that require you to keep moving like bird watching and hiking. The lower magnification gives you stable visuals and a wider field of view. Wider FOV means that they can help you in locating or finding the buck if you use them for hunting.

On the other hand, 10×50 binoculars will give you 10x magnification which means that you’ll be able to get 10 bigger visuals with these optics. However, do you need such higher magnification power? Ask yourself as higher magnification has many drawbacks. You won’t be able to get steady visuals.

However, some outdoor activities will force you to have high-magnification binoculars in your hands. For example, rifle hunting is a kind of hunting where you stay away from the bucks and see them from a distance. In such cases, having higher-magnification binoculars helps. 

Winner: So, which one will you choose? Which magnification should be chosen majorly depends on what reason you’re going to use binoculars. However, we love 7×50 binoculars and consider them the winner as they have more usability than 10×50 binos.

Also Read: What Does 7X50 Binoculars Mean?

2- Objective lens size

Objective lenses are present on the front of the barrel of binoculars and they function to capture light from the surroundings. Once the objective lens captures more light, then the prims and ocular lens process and give you brighter visuals. If more light is captured by the objective lens, it means brighter visuals you’re going to get and vice versa.

In 7×50 and 10×50 binoculars, both have an equal size of the objective lens. It means that both have an equal ability to capture the light and give you equal brightness in the visuals. So, in terms of thor visual quality, both binoculars perform equally well. 

Winner: As both optics have similar objective lenses it ends in a tie.

3- Size of binoculars

As said earlier, both binoculars have the same size as the objective lens. Keep in mind that the size of binoculars is directly proportional to the objective lens. The bigger-sized objective means that these binoculars are bulkier and slightly heavier than the usual binoculars. Both have almost the same weight and you’ll not like them if you’re not a fan of carrying heavier optics.

Winner: Both have the same weight and end up in a tie.

4- Stability of visuals

You get stable visuals when you are using binoculars with lesser magnification power. We have told previous guides that higher magnification makes your binoculars very sensitive to small movements. So, when you use such higher magnification binoculars the slight movement of your hands makes the visuals unstable.

But with 7×50 binoculars, you’ll get very stable and steady visuals and you won’t have to use a separate tripod stand for getting stable visuals. But if you choose 10×50 binoculars, then you’ll have to bear it as the stability will be lost and you’ll have to use a tripod stand to get stable visuals.

Winner: 7×50 binoculars will give more visual stability and win the race here.

5- Field of View

Field of view is the area or space that you see through the barrel of binoculars. With 7×50 binoculars, your FOV increases and you tend to get more space to locate or find your target. But with 10×50 binoculars, your field of view gets compromised and you get less area to find the target. 

Keep in mind that the field of view is inversely proportional to the magnification power. When you buy binoculars with very high magnification power, you get a very short field of view, which ultimately affects your viewing experience. 

Winner: As 7×50 binoculars give you a wider field view I announce them as the winner.

6- Exit Pupil

The exit pupil is the small hole or circle on the eyepiece from where the light leaves the binoculars and enters the eyes of the user. The bigger this hole or circle, the brighter will be the visuals and vice versa.

In the above section, I have attached an image of 7×50 binoculars and pointed arrows towards the exit pupil. In the previous guides, I have already guided you about how you can find the exit pupil of any binocular.

In 7×50, you get an exit pupil of 7.14mm and in the 10×50 binoculars, you get an exit pupil of 5mm. In fact in the images, you can also see the bigger exit pupil of 7×50 binos. It means that you will get brighter and better visuals with 7×50 binos.

Winner: 7×50 binoculars are superior due to their better exit pupil size.

10×50 vs 7×50 Binoculars – Which one is the ultimate winner?

Everything about these binoculars has been discussed above and you should be able to know which one is going to be perfect for your outdoor activities. If you are still confused, then I suggest you go with 7×50 binoculars as these binoculars give you decent magnification power, a good field of view, and ideal image stability.

But if your outdoor activity requires higher magnification power, then you don’t have any other way except to choose 10×50 binoculars as they are built to give you magnified images of very far or distant objects. I hope that you don’t have any confusion. Are you still thinking about my personal final choice? It’s 7×50 binoculars and the reasons are mentioned above.

7×50 vs 10×50 binoculars for astronomy

I want you to answer this now dude, and you should be able to answer by keeping the above details in your mind. Well, let me help you. For astronomy or stargazing, you will need higher magnification power to get more magnified visuals as the stars are very far away.

So with 10×50 binoculars, you will get more magnification power and it will be easier for you to get a good viewing experience of the stars, etc which are very far away. For astronomy, choosing 7×50 binoculars is nothing but a joke with your pocket!

Conclusion

Both 7×50 and 10×50 binoculars are good in many ways; choosing one is a really difficult task. However, we have gone into details of both binoculars to ensure that you make an informed decision. If you don’t need very high magnification then we suggest you choose 7×50 binoculars as they will give stable visuals with wider FOV.