Nikon Action 10x42 review: bargain binoculars for birders on a budget

Get ready for Action! Do these conventional-looking binoculars live up to Nikon’s reputation for optical excellence or seem old hat? It’s certainly the case that if anyone asked me to picture a standard pair of binoculars, I’d visualize something very close to the Nikon Action 10x42.

Boasting a traditional – some might say 'classic' – Porro prism-type design and a specification marrying a regulation-issue 10x magnification to a bigger-than-average (and theoretically brighter and crisper) 42mm objective lens, Nikon is pitching these chunky binoculars at beginners. In truth, that’s just a nicer way to say the Nikon Action 10x42 is a budget offering.

An added masterstroke, then, to call this series 'Action'. Put the word 'Action' beside anything, and it immediately sounds more exciting, with barely a need to mention that this is the successor to Nikon’s Aculon A211 series.

So, is this an option that will get those seeking an affordable, solidly built pair of binoculars from a recognizable, respected brand hot under the collar? Will it satisfy those who are not only searching for an everyday observational device but one especially suited to twitchers and wildlife watchers, thanks to a respectably wide field of view and decent lens size?

Nikon Action 10x42: Specifications

Nikon Action 10x42: Price

The first surprise is that anything this sizable and solid from Nikon is this affordable, though the 'Made in China' box sticker may partly indicate why. The manufacturer’s official suggested price for Nikon Action 10x42 binoculars is a very reasonable-sounding $129 / £129 / AU$189, which, on initial inspection, feels like a lot for very little, and is very much in line with the pricing of Nikon’s existing Aculon A211 series, which this succeeds.

A shoulder strap and soft carry case are also included in the box, along with front and rear lens caps. Hold these binoculars in your hand, and even before using them in earnest for the first time, you’ll feel like you've got yourself a real bargain, with a cost much lower than expected given the build. A very good start!

Nikon Action 10x42: Design & Handling

As noted in my introduction, the Nikon Action 10x42 binoculars feature a classic Porro prism design with an aluminum-alloy construction. A little chunky and unwieldy, they’re not the pocket binoculars that many of us would typically choose to start with.

But of course, squeezing in a large-ish 42mm objective lens was always going to necessitate a pair of binoculars of a certain size, as the preceding Aculon A211 range proved.

Plus, with a rubberized exterior enabling a firm grip and protecting against accidental knocks, the build quality is excellent for the price. Impressively, held in both hands, the Nikon Action 10x42 binoculars in no way feel like a 'budget' option.

A welcome extra that's not always guaranteed at this price is the inclusion of multi-layered lens coatings to maximize light transmission, contrast, clarity, and overall crispness. Also present are turn-and-slide rubber eyecups to aid visibility and enhance personal comfort, allowing for adjustment depending on whether I’m using them when wearing glasses or not. The right-hand eyepiece is encircled by a dioptric adjustment ring for fine-tuning focus. While this control feels a little stiff, that very fact does allow for precise adjustment.

Sitting directly between the eyepieces but lifted significantly above them is a large, ridged focus dial, which I feel has just the right amount of give. While it’s easy to locate this control by feel with eyes pressed against the binoculars’ eyecups, those with smaller hands may find it a bit of a stretch due to the device’s overall breadth. Happily, I can manually adjust interpupillary distance to line up exactly with my own eyes – the binoculars featuring a familiar folding mechanism – while the 16.1mm eye relief is generous.

Should potential purchasers be considering tripod-mounting this pair for prolonged periods of observation – if operating out of a hide, for example – then think again, as no screw thread for direct tripod mounting is provided. However, Nikon offers optional TRA-2 and TRA-3 tripod adapters at an additional cost.

More generously, Nikon has included both rear eyepiece and front lens protectors in the form of plastic caps that can be slid off or peeled off, respectively. I can see these getting lost fairly easily, however, as they managed to detach themselves from the binoculars when I was transporting them in my rucksack.

Handling feels intuitive from the get-go. These binoculars feel reassuringly sturdy when gripped with both hands, and surprisingly, given the low price, they seem like they will last for a while. What we don’t get, however, is a waterproof construction, so that is something to bear in mind if you’re envisioning using these in more challenging conditions.

Nikon Action 10x42: Performance

One of the key claims from Nikon for these binos is a wide field of view of 119m at 1,000 meters, making them a potential choice for wildlife watchers and birders needing to pan with and track flighty or skittish subjects, rather than closer subjects – especially as the minimum focus range is a so-so 16.4 ft (5m).

In practice, while I was able to pick out birds on branches, I found them ideal for general-purpose daylight viewing. If you’re going to be regularly continuing observation into the early evening, going for the larger 10x50 model in this range for marginally improved low-light performance might be a better bet.

Having tested a pair of Leica-branded binoculars directly before handling the Nikon Action 10x42, which is roughly a sixth of the Leica Noctivid Compact 10x25's asking price, I wasn’t expecting to be particularly impressed by the Nikon’s image quality. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Larger glass has resulted in a bright, crisp, and clear image; plus, even though I was searching for instances of chromatic aberration, like purple fringing on branches of a tree where it meets a clear blue sky, I found it hard to find fault.

Overall, the Nikon Action 10x42 delivers a performance that belies its budget price tag. It adds up to a great deal for anyone wanting sharp views who doesn’t mind bulkier binoculars to go with it – or perhaps is deliberately looking for a sturdy, robust option.

Nikon Action 10x42: Verdict

What appeals to me most about the Nikon Action 10x42 is that I get a well-specified pair of binoculars from a major brand at a very affordable, cost-of-living-crisis-conscious price.

On the downside, they feel bulkier and weightier to me than most beginners would want, especially if sightseeing rather than staying relatively static, and the design is rather old-fashioned without appearing to be deliberately retro. I guess it’s a matter of personal taste as to whether that appeals.

More positively, the chunky size and weight ensure they sit well in the hand, and viewing is largely free from image judder caused by any slight hand tremor, without necessarily needing a tripod, after all. These excellent binos are an ideal choice for budget-conscious wildlife watchers.

Alternatives

Also offering great value for those on a budget, the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binos are a lot more portable. Yes, they are slightly less powerful, with 'just' 8x magnification, but the one-pound (465g) weight is far more manageable. As ever, it is a trade-off between specification and size, but these everyday 'bins' deliver a good performance for a wide variety of observational opportunities.

Needing more magnification and a brighter image to go with it? Another good buy that doesn’t stint on build quality or performance is the Celestron Nature DX 12x56. While that specification sounds generous for the outlay, it adds to the overall weight at over 2.2lbs (1kg), and I did notice occasional instances of chromatic aberration.