The Canon 18x50 IS is a high-magnification image-stabilised binocular for viewing distant subjects — from a stadium's upper deck to distant sport such as surfing or skiing — at a magnification that would otherwise be difficult to hold steady by hand. Canon's image stabiliser counteracts hand tremor by up to ±0.7° in all directions, letting the high 18x power be used without a tripod, though the water-resistant body also carries a standard 1/4"-20 tripod socket for extended viewing sessions.

Optically it combines a Porro prism design with field-flattening lenses for edge-to-edge sharpness and ultra-low dispersion glass elements for clarity, over a 3.7° angle of view. Eye relief is 15mm, and close focus reaches down to about 6 m (19.7 ft). The objective lenses are threaded to accept 58mm filters and lens hoods.

Key features

• ±0.7° image stabilisation for hand-held high-magnification viewing
• 18x magnification, water-resistant housing
• Porro prism optical design with field-flattening lenses
• Ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements
• 3.7° angle of view
• 15mm eye relief
• Close focus to about 6 m (19.7 ft)
• Accepts 58mm filters and lens hoods; standard 1/4"-20 tripod socket