The first step in selecting a pair of binoculars is determining the power you want. Binocular power is represented by two numbers, as in these examples: 6×24, 7×50, 8×42, 10×42, and 12×36. The two numbers are not directly related; the first indicates the magnification and the second expresses the diameter of the objective lens.
— Magnification —
The first number, which is always the smaller of the two, expresses the amount of magnification that the binoculars allow for. This is an indication of how much nearer the viewed image will seem when looked at through the binoculars. Even though bigger sounds beneficial, this is not always the situation with binoculars. Picking the correct magnification will vary depending on your intended usage.
Lower magnification binocularstypically those that are 7x and lower allow for a larger field of view which makes targeting objects far awaylike animals, ships, or birdseasier. A larger field of view also makes it easier to follow movement of the object being observed. Since lower magnification binoculars take in more of the scene, they collect more light. As a result, the resulting...