Olympus 8X21 DPC I

...compartment of the car - OLYMPUS with their reputation for high quality optical instruments provided a very effective solution.

My trusty East German Jenoptem binoculars had suffered long enough and it was time for something a little less chunky.

From an emotional perspective I have always been very comfortable with OLYMPUS optics - see my previous opinions on analogue and digital cameras.

In general, ...
...hit something!

Olympus claim 'UV Protection' suggesting there is some magical polymer inside the binoculars, this is advertising doublespeak admitting plastic optical elements - well it probably keeps the weight and cost down, and the razor sharp image certainly doesn't suffer.

I suspect if they were subjected to extremes of temperature thermal expansion, which is more significant with polymers than traditional glass ... more

I wanted a pair of compact binoculars to keep in my pocket or glove compartment of the car - OLYMPUS with their reputation for high quality optical instruments provided a very effective solution.

My trusty East German Jenoptem binoculars had suffered long enough and it was time for something a little less chunky.

From an emotional perspective I have always been very comfortable with OLYMPUS optics - see my previous opinions on analogue and digital cameras.

In general, they offer well designed and manufactured products which tend to occupy the middle of the price range, and give years of use.

I bought mine for £49.95 from my local ARGOS store, and because I bought something else at the same time taking my total purchase over £50, I got a £5 gift voucher - obviously these offers are only available at certain times.

Described as an 8x21 reverse porroprism design, this means you get 8x magnification (6.4 degrees field of view) with a 21mm objective lens - quite adequate for daylight use, in a 'compact' format - the front lenses step inwards towards the central axis instead of outwards in traditional binoculars.

I would far rather settle for better quality optics at a lower magnification rate than struggle with high magnification poorer optics, the images are less fuzzy, easier to get in view, and don't shake about as much.

Porroprism binoculars have for many years been considered better than the alternative 'roof prism' variety, and whilst modern materials and computer aided design have reduced that difference significantly, they are still cheaper and lighter.

The unit fits comfortably in your pocket, is about the size your palm but is still big enough to use two-handed.

The outer shell is metallic silver in colour, but I presume it's made of spray painted polycarbonate plastic, still, it makes each of the unit 'tidier' and there's no square corners to get scratched.

There is a nice touch where strips of grey cushioning 'rubber' have been applied to the casing - this makes the binoculars more comfortable to handle and provide slightly more protection against occasional bumps and knocks. They will also hide the machine screws holding the casing together.

I especially like the built-in soft plastic eye cups - these serve two purposes, stopping light entering your eyes from the side, but also reduces the chances of things touching the back lenses. If you insist on wearing glasses whilst using the binoculars, the cups can be folded forward, although my preference is to take my glasses off.

The front lenses are shrouded within the binocular casing, reducing the prospect of being touched, or worse still, scratched.

The binoculars came with a neoprene case (which I lost in less than 24 hours!) a couple of rear lens caps - which were always falling off, and a neck strap, which attached to one side of the unit - if only there had been two mounting points, it would have allowed them to hang flat against my chest instead of wildly swinging backwards and forwards waiting to hit something!

Olympus claim 'UV Protection' suggesting there is some magical polymer inside the binoculars, this is advertising doublespeak admitting plastic optical elements - well it probably keeps the weight and cost down, and the razor sharp image certainly doesn't suffer.

I suspect if they were subjected to extremes of temperature thermal expansion, which is more significant with polymers than traditional glass and metal, might result in temporary misalignment and subsequent degradation in optical quality, but I'm not planning on going to the North Pole or Sahara Desert!

Are they any good, are they worth the money, and would you still choose them now you have had a chance to try them out - yes, yes and without question!

There are cheaper binoculars which claim similar specifications, as indeed there are far more expensive alternatives.

Build quality is excellent - with no 'slackness' in the focusing mechanism, nor would I expect there to be any in a few years.

For the 'numbers freaks' here are the detailed specifications; - I would be very happy to explain each and every one of the headings, but will spare you this in the main opinion

Model: 8×21 DPC I
Type: Porro-prism type binoculars
Magnification: 8×
Objective lens diameter: Ø 21 mm
Exit pupil diameter: Ø 2.6 mm
Actual field of view: 6.4°
Apparent field of view: 51.2°
Field of view at 1000 m: 112 m
Eye relief: 11 mm
Diopter adjustment range: Over ±2 m-1
Eye interval adjustment range: 60-70 mm
Relative brightness: 6.9
Closest focal point: 2.2 m
Width (fully extended): 107 mm
Height: 82 mm
Depth (fully extended): 41 mm
Weight: 170 g
Optical coating: Mono-layer coated
Lens configuration: 6 elements in 4 groups
Other: UV protection Aspherical lens elements 

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