The best binoculars with cameras don't just bring the faraway closer; they let you capture it too. Imagine you've spotted a rare bird and want to take a photograph as a register of the sighting. Spotting scopes may offer special attachments for attaching cameras (a pursuit known as ‘digiscoping’), but binoculars typically don’t.
The solution, other than awkwardly trying to hold both your phone and binoculars steady enough to take an image that way, is to use the best binoculars with an inbuilt camera. As you might imagine, these devices are relatively rare and somewhat niche, but a handful do exist, and we've tested several, putting them through their paces in the field. (we've also included a couple of compact alternatives of a monocular with a built-in camera, from Canon and Rexing).
Whilst a few are designed for normal daylight viewing and recording, many camera binoculars are night vision scopes for viewing wildlife (or other types of surveillance after dark. Other specialist models are thermal imaging binoculars - that are solely designed to display and record the heat signature of the subject.
To make our choices, we evaluated the resolution offered by the camera in each device as well as the magnification provided by the binoculars and the size of the objective lens, and of course how well they work in practice. You might also want to see our pick of the best binoculars in general.
The quick list
This is the luxury camera binocular binoculars offering great image quality. Made from highly-respected Austrian optical specialist Swarovski, they have state-of-the-art built-in AI tech that can identify the bird or animal you are observing.
These more compact binoculars might look a bit plastic-y, but they're light, affordable and well suited to everything from watching wildlife to concerts, sports or more general surveillance.
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A monocular can be a great compact alternative to binoculars. We were impressed by the image quality from the camera in this sleek option from Canon. It can shoot 12MP stills and 1080P video at 30fps.
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Night vision
We love the versatility of these digital camera binoculars. They provide infrared-powered night vision with the ability to record greyscale images and video at night as well as color imagery during the day.
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These Pulsar binoculars are designed for thermal imaging - showing you the heat signature of an object or animal day and night. They also offer a built-in laser rangefinder, and a rugged weatherproof design
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This neat budget monocular can shoot video or stills in daylight - or in darkness, thanks to built-in night vision. It is great for observing nocturnal goings on, but the recorded image quality is not great.
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For nearly two decades Seb worked as a pro sports photographer, specializing in equestrianism.Living in Cornwall, he is also a big country sportsman who can be often found in or around the shooting field, sailing on the open sea, or taking part in other country pursuits, and quite often has either a pair of binoculars, a monocular or a scope in his hand.
The best binoculars with cameras in 2025
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Best camera binoculars overall
✅ High quality optics: Swarovski is a master of binocular quality, and this pair doesn't disappoint
✅ Futuristic AI tech: a digital overlay can identify the birds you spot without you taking your eye off them
❌ If you have a limited budget: the optical quality, beautiful design, and AI tech combine to make a high ticket price
Swarovski is a luxury binocular brand, with top-quality optics that demand top prices. The Optik AX Visio is its most ambitious pair of binos to date adding state-of-the-art AI electronics that don't just give you a great view of the subject, but help you identify it too
These world's first smart binoculars can identify the bird or animal that you have spotted - with some 9,000 species in its databank to work from. In our tests, it correctly identified half a dozen different types of wildfowl - but then failed to a freshwater turtle. But this digital overlay is impressive nonetheless – and you can of course capture 13MP stills or Full HD video of your sighting for further research back at base. You should note, however, that you need to pair the binos with your smartphone in order to replay the images that you shoot.
The optical quality of the binoculars is impressive, and weighing just over 1kg, these are lighter than you might expect. The 10x32 specification means that these are best used in daylight - and are not bright enough for low-light observation.
Sure these are expensive, but they are beautifully designed - and offer a level of functionality that simply is not available from other binoculars. As such these are much better value than they might first appear.
Read our full Swarovski Optik AX Visio 10x32 review for further details.
The best budget binoculars with camera
✅ Unique design: Features a flip-up 2-inch LCD display screen on top, rather than integrating a viewfinder into the binoculars.
✅ Versatile usage: Suitable for wildlife watching, concerts, sports, or general surveillance.
❌ Operational range disappointment: While it claims a 500-metre range, images at this distance aren't very impressive.
❌ No night vision: Lacks any night vision capability, limiting low-light usability.
This relatively compact pair of binoculars is more plactic-y looking and don't have night vision, but they're cheap and portable, weighing just 450g. The design is somewhat unusual in that they have a flip up 2-inch LCD display screen on its top plate rather than incorporating the camera viewfinder into the binoculars themselves. The camera itself sits between the lenses at the front and the shutter button is between the eyepieces, designed to fall under the forefinger of the right hand. In essence, the binoculars and the digital camera operate as separate devices.
The core features here are a maximum 12x magnification married to a 32mm objective lens. Once again, 5MP stills and 1080P video are recorded to a removable microSD card, with up to 32GB capacity supported. The slot is between the eyepieces. The operational range is claimed to be approximately 500 metres, but we found that images at this distance are not a lot to look at. At closer distances, we found image quality to be acceptable and comparable to many phones.
Note that this pair of binoculars is sold under a variety of brand names, depending on where you shop, including Camonity, Dreamy, Ansee and Acuvar. This may be the reason for some apparent variations in what exactly ships – some customers have reported being surprised to find a memory card included. That may not inspire confidence, but we think that at this price, these provide good value for watching wildlife, concerts, sports or more general surveillance situations where you simply want to capture a register of something far away.
The best binoculars with camera for travel
✅ High image quality: Surpasses other binoculars in image quality, as expected from Canon.
✅ Autofocus: Makes the device easier to use, ensuring sharp images without manual adjustment.
❌ Short battery life: Only lasts around one hour or 150 images, which may require frequent recharging.
❌ No microSD card included: Requires separate purchase of a microSD card for image storage.
OK, so this isn't a pair of binoculars, but it actually beat the binoculars on our list for image quality. Since it's made by the camera manufacturer Canon, you would hope image quality to be good, but we were still pleasantly surprised. The built-in image stabilization plays a role here, and we also loved the inclusion of autofocus, which can make using the device much easier.
Weighing just 145g and available in either black or white, it's conveniently portable and can easily be slipped into a jacket pocket. It also fits snugly in the grip of the palm while resting against the eye socket in use, further helping to ensure a steadier view. The optical zoom is relatively modest compared to other options on our list, at just 3x, but it can be expanded from its maximum 400mm optical setting via 2x digital zoom to provide a maximum focal length equivalent to 800m.
Video capture resolution is a respectable Full HD 1080P at 30fps, while 12MP stills are provided via a 12.1MP 1/3-inch CMOS sensor. The closest focusing distance is one metre. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity means that images (saved on a microSD, not supplied) can be shared with a smartphone via the Canon Connect App, which we find a convenient option.
We were less impressed with the mere one-hour battery life, or around 150 images. The positive here is that the lithium-ion battery can be recharged via USB. There's no infrared night vision facility, so this is an option for daytime use.
Read our full Canon PowerShot Zoom review for more details.
The best night vision binoculars with camera
✅ Effective operational distance: While 900ft is an overstatement, it performs well up to 300ft.
✅ Seven-stage sensitivity range: Offers adjustable sensitivity for better performance in various lighting conditions.
❌ Daytime performance issues: The viewfinder struggles in bright sunlight, causing highlights to blow out.
❌Bulky and heavy: The heaviest binoculars on the list, which may make them less portable or comfortable to handle.
These night vision binoculars with a camera proved to be a bit bulky to handle, and they're the heaviest on our list. However, we found that this gives them a reassuring solidity. The highlight is that they record in Full HD, both day and night. They provide a seven-stage sensitivity range and claim to have an operational distance of around 900ft. We think that's vastly overstated, but we found them good for up to 300ft.
We liked the placement of the buttons on the top, which provide access to 4x digital-only magnification, video recording and the ability to capture 3 megapixel stills. Videos and photos are written to the microSD card, and we were happy to find that a 32GB card could hold up to 2 hours and 38 minutes of video footage or up to 9999 3-megapixel images.
We thought the 2.31" electronic viewfinder did a good job under heavy contrast conditions at night, but we found it less ideal during the day since highlights would blow out in bright sunlight. A Micro-USB cable is included, both for charging and or fdownloading images, which increases the practicality of the device. Overall, we think this is a very solid product for the price, with the biggest drawback being the size and weight.
Read more: Sigweis Night Vision Binoculars review
Best camera binoculars for thermal imaging
If you want to find, observe and record heat signatures, then the Pulsar pair of binoculars offers an alternative view of the world. With its thermal imaging capabilities, it can detect heat sources at long distances - locating animals or people that are otherwise hidden. The built-in laser rangefinder enhances accuracy, giving users the ability to measure distances up to 1,000 meters.
In terms of build, the binoculars boast a compact, ergonomic design with easy-to-use controls. The 640x480 resolution display provides clear visuals, and the device offers multiple color palettes to adjust according to specific lighting conditions. Its weatherproof and durable build ensures it can handle tough conditions, whether in rain or extreme temperatures.
Read our Pulsar Merger LRF XP35 review
Budget camera monocular with night vision
For the price, this is a neatly-designed device that allows you to capture images in daylight or in total darkness, thanks to built-in night vision. This uses a monocular design, which keeps the size of the Rexing B1 Basic to a size that can easily fit in a coat pocket.
We were impressed with the nocturnal imagery - offering you different strengths of infrared power to peer deeper into the darkness, with a maximum range of over 150m.
The device handles like a camcorder, with a hand strap that makes it comfortable to use and hold steady - although a monopod or tripod is recommended for maximum stability. The water-protected buttons are big, which is great for outdoor use - but are a bit clunky in operation. Focus can also be a touch fiddly as the LCD is so small, although with persistence fine control is possible. Unlike other monoculars, you hold the screen some distance away from you, and use both eyes.
Images and video however are disappointing, due to the small image sensor used.
Read our Rexing B1 Basic review
How to choose the best binoculars with camera
To choose the best binoculars with cameras for you, we recommend first deciding if you want to be able to use them at night or only during the day. After this, like with any binoculars, you'll need to think about size and magnification.
As any scholar knows, 10x42 denotes a 10x magnification and a lens measuring 42mm in diameter. That’s a constant. Higher numbers may suggest better performance, but it’s about finding that sweet spot that suits you. After all, a large objective lens and a generous magnification can also mean a large and weighty pair of binoculars, and those with more magnification can also be harder to keep steady.
Other factors to consider when choosing the best digital camera binoculars is battery life (some have inbuilt rechargeable batteries) and storage space (some take memory cards while others have inbuilt storage, which limits how many images you can store).
How we tested the best binoculars with cameras
We compiled this guide to the best binoculars with cameras based on a combination of experience from our own hands-on reviews and a thorough comparison of specs and features and customer reviews.
At Digital Camera World, we have many years of experience of reviewing both cameras and binoculars, so it made sense to add this product area to our field of expertise. For our reviews, we tested each device in a range of different conditions during the day and, in the case of the night vision binoculars with cameras, at night.
We evaluated the comfort and practicality of each device and compared image resolution, the magnification provided by the binoculars, the size of the objective lens, storage space and battery life, any additional features and value for money. Our aim was to choose the best binocular cameras for different needs and budgets.
FAQs
Are there binoculars that can take pictures?
Yes, if you've already read our guide above, you'll have seen that binoculars that can take pictures do exist. These binoculars, or monoculars in one case in our guide, have built-in digital cameras that allow you to capture images or video of what you see through them. It's a much more convenient option than trying to hold your cameraphone to your binoculars and keep the two devices steady enough to take a shot.
How do digital camera binoculars work?
Digital camera binoculars work in a comparable way to a digital camera. They take photographs or video of the magnified image that you see when you look through the binoculars by using an inbuilt digital camera. The quality of the images captured will depend on the quality of the camera.
Some binocular cameras use a memory card, like a camera, while others have internal storage, which has a limited capacity. In both cases, the images can then be downloaded onto a computer as with a digital camera.
Can you take a photo through binoculars?
Yes, it is possible, and it's a method that's free if you already have a pair of binoculars and a camera. Due to the size of the devices and the size of the eyepieces in binoculars, it's is usually most practical when using a cameraphone. Try to hold the binoculars firmly pressed against the back of your phone. The difficulty is holding both devices steady enough to be able to get a decent picture.
