Swarovski EL SV 10×50

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  50 mm
Magnification:  10x
Exit pupil: 5 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 20 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 17 mm
IPD:  56 – 74 mm
RFOV:  6.6  degrees = 115 m
AFOV (according to spec.):   62 degrees
Minimum focus distance (measured): 2.85 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3m to infinity (measured): 550 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 4 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): 5.5 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 1‘111 g
Made in: Austria

*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

Remarks:

Not hugely larger than the Swarovski EL SV (“SwaroVision”) x42 models (see separate posts), the 10×50 offers the same stunning optical performance, including a very flatfield image and sharpness almost to the edge, plus more brightness in low light situations, all in a relatively compact and easily hand-holdable body. In the “upper league” of 10×50 binoculars, only the Leica Ultravid (see https://binocular.ch/leica-ultravid-10×50-hd-plus/) and the Meopta MeoStar (see https://binocular.ch/meopta-meostar-10×50/) are similarly light and compact, and same size competitors with porro prisms are usually considerably larger and heavier, e.g. the excellent Fujinon FMT-SX2 (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/fujinon-10×50-fmt-sx2/). This is why you meet binocular enthusiasts who, thanks to the unique combination of performance and size, consider this EL SV “the best 10×50 binocular available”. But you can also meet people who think that this is simply the best binocular – full stop.

Ratings: