Over the years I have come to really appreciate the performance of a larger objective lens, since I do so much of my wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk. To put it another way, having a really powerful magnification factor isn't much of a benefit if the creature you're looking at remains murky and indistinct due to low light. Before buying a pair of binoculars, make a short list of the situations you will use them in most often. If the top two or three are around my yard, at sporting events, and on short walks in the park close to home, you don't need a pair of binoculars with either high magnification power or an especially large objective lens you'll be using your binocs in full daylight, over fairly short distances. Another important factor with binoculars is the overall quality of the glass and other materials that go into it.
Quality can be a very big influence on overall performance.
Durability is another critical factor. The old adage about getting what you pay for definitely applies to binoculars. There's simply no substitute for high-quality glass and workmanship. But, again, you may not need a high-end pair of binoculars for the activities you pursue most often. All rights reserved.