Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 review: binoculars with a built-in zoom to get closer to your subject

A big magnification is great when I want to pull the faraway up close and personal. Unfortunately, the higher the magnification, the narrower the field of view. This means it’s sometimes hard to track subjects once they start moving about.

But what would happen if there were one catch-all device that didn’t necessitate a compromise? Enter zoom binoculars, of which the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 is the latest example. If you’ve ever wanted to shift from a wide field of view to a higher-powered close-up – and back again – then here’s an example worth considering. There’s also the added enticement of a large multi-coated 50mm objective lens to let in as much light as possible and thereby allow observation to continue for longer, even into the hour of dusk.

As with the rest of its non-zoom Action range, which succeeds the previously available Aculon A211 series, Nikon is marketing these Chinese-manufactured binoculars as beginner-friendly. Part of that is down to the asking price, which looks very reasonable indeed on paper. But a specification like the one quoted above has resulted in a large, not particularly light pair of binoculars, with a very traditional – perhaps dated – look. So, potentially it’s not all good news, especially if portability is a key concern.

On a more positive note, there will be those who actively prefer a chunkier pair of Porro prism binoculars (as opposed to typically more compact roof prism alternatives), including those with bigger hands. The increased size and weight also help to maintain a steady view when handheld. It’s worth noting there’s no image stabilization mechanism built into these binos, and there’s no tripod screw thread either. Ultimately, whether the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 delivers for you will be partly a matter of personal taste.

What I’m concerned with for now is how they perform and whether the very affordable asking price has meant any corners have been cut. We shall see…

Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50: Specifications

Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50: Price

Though the price puts the Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50 at the top of Nikon's seven simultaneously released Action binoculars series for 2026, at $179 / £179 / AU$299, it’s still not going to break the bank.

And even if this were a 10x50 specification model without the option to vary magnification up to 22x, what’s being asked still seems very fair. I found this newer model to be cheaper than the older Nikon Aculon A211 series binos with similar specifications, which likewise received praise at the time for their value-for-money proposition.

If you need the ability to vary magnification in one device and don’t mind a chunky and weighty build in comparison with compact roof prism binoculars, I believe you won’t go far wrong in checking out the Nikon Action 10-22x50.

Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50: Design & Handling

With a regular Porro prism-type design, my first impression of these binos is that they look and feel distinctly old school – despite their newness. However, there is a trick up the manufacturer’s sleeve that raises them above a traditional viewing device for pulling the faraway closer. As noted in my introduction, Nikon is affording us the option to smoothly zoom between a standard 10x magnification and a generous 22x with a flick of our thumb. And another plus: a body big enough to house a 50mm objective lens has ensured that it can be used handheld without any slight hand tremor causing visible image judder. At least at lower magnification.

In practice, grip is further aided by the soft yet firm rubber-armored exterior, while weight is kept down – yet solidity supplied – via an aluminum alloy construction. However, they still weigh as much as a regular bag of sugar, so I wouldn’t want to be hand-holding these to observe for longer than strictly necessary. One option would be to use them with a tripod. No screw thread for direct attachment is included, but Nikon does offer adapters to allow this, as optional extras.

Also found in the box is a soft canvas carry pouch the size of a primary school satchel, a shoulder/neck strap, and protective caps for both front lens elements and rear eyepieces. Although these binoculars are physically big at a width of 7.9in (200mm), length of 8in (202mm), and depth of 2.6in (66mm), a central folding mechanism allows for the variation of interpupillary distance between 56–72mm, so they best match up with my own eyes.

Instead of the familiar dioptric adjustment ring encircling the right eyepiece, there’s a lever for incrementally adjusting magnification from the minimum 10x to the maximum 22x option. This can be operated via the forefinger or thumb when hand-holding. It's slightly stiff to the touch, but this promotes a slow and steady zoom transition that is probably easier for my brain to cope with, especially if going between the two extremes of magnification and back again.

Further incremental settings marked on the same ring are set at 12x, 15x, and 18x magnification. There’s no 'click' when we arrive at each setting, meaning that the zoom operation is smooth.

Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50: Performance

With a huge objective lens potentially gathering lots of light and multilayer lens coatings further maximizing transmission and doing a great job of it, in my opinion, the Nikon Action 10-22x50 binoculars are a definite option for those wanting flexibility when it comes to magnification, plus clear and crisp views in a variety of conditions.

It’s worth noting, however, that zooming in immediately presents a noticeably narrower field of view and a tunnel-like effect, particularly pronounced at the maximum 22x setting, with the requirement to re-adjust focus as you do so.

It’s at the minimum 10x magnification that the view appears brightest and sharpest, with a good level of contrast and three-dimensional depth delivered. Indeed, at this setting, as with the Nikon Action 10x42 binoculars I was testing out at the same time as these, results seem to transcend what I would expect of 'budget' binoculars. I struggled to find any instances of chromatic aberration/purple fringing, either, despite looking for it in bright conditions; so, bravo to Nikon for that.

One further caveat, though: the more I increased magnification, the trickier I found it to hold the binoculars sufficiently steady to be able to avoid image judder and a shaky-looking view. So that’s something to take into consideration when weighing up whether this option is right for you.

If you’re regularly going to be using the maximum 22x magnification option, especially for prolonged periods of observation, investing in Nikon’s optional tripod adapters for this model may prove a must. It’ll also give your hands and arms a rest.

Nikon Action Zoom 10-22x50: Verdict

Allowing for both wide-angle viewing and detail-rich close-ups, there’s flexibility in these zoom binoculars for sure. But unfortunately, I found them a little too big and heavy at just shy of 2.2lbs (1kg) for my personal taste. That’s despite the aluminum build attempting to keep the setup relatively light and manageable, as well as reassuringly solid-feeling.

Clarity and brightness of image, at least at the 10x setting, is particularly impressive – and their value for money really cannot be faulted. So, if you have larger hands or bulging biceps and are prepared to handhold these binoculars for extended periods (or invest in Nikon’s TRA-2 and TRA-3 adapters so they can be tripod-mounted), then go for it.

Alternatives

If you don’t need zoom binoculars and can put up with a slightly less bright lens if not observing in the early dawn or dusk, check out the great value-for-money, well-performing Nikon Action 10x42. Bulky they may be, but I personally recommend these options for twitchers and wildlife watchers looking for budget 'bins' that don’t cut corners when it comes to quality.

Want to match the huge 50mm objective lens and have slightly more to invest? Then why not blow the vacation budget on the Zeiss SFL 10x50 binoculars? They are the brightest and lightest in their class for the specification on offer, and their maker is one of the world’s top optics experts, so expect ultra-high-definition performance that is second to none.