Premium Canon glass, pocket-sized price: $170 off the Canon Zoom Monocular

(Image credit: Future)

The Canon Zoom Monocular in black has quietly slipped into bargain territory, and at $199 at B&H it’s now one of the more interesting pocket optics deals around.

Down from $369, this $170 saving turns what was once a niche premium accessory into a genuinely tempting impulse buy for wildlife watchers, sports fans, travellers, and anyone who likes to keep a bit of reach in their jacket pocket.

Canon’s reputation for optical quality carries straight over into this compact monocular. Despite its small size, the glass delivers a crisp, contrasty image that feels unmistakably Canon, with clean edges and good colour fidelity. It’s the sort of optic you can pull out quickly at a race meeting, on a coastal walk, or while travelling, without the bulk or fuss of full-size binoculars.

The built-in zoom is what sets this monocular apart from simpler fixed-power alternatives. Being able to dial in your framing makes it far more flexible in real-world use, whether you’re tracking distant wildlife or picking out architectural details across a cityscape. Image stabilisation helps keep things steady at higher magnifications, which is a real bonus in something this compact.

In terms of design, the Canon PowerShot Zoom feels well thought out. It’s lightweight, discreet, and easy to operate one-handed, making it ideal for situations where carrying extra kit just isn’t practical. Slip it into a coat pocket or small bag and it’s there when you need it, without shouting for attention.

At its original price, this was a specialist luxury. However, at $199, it becomes far easier to recommend. For photographers who already trust Canon glass, or for anyone looking to upgrade from bargain-bin optics, this deal puts premium performance within reach without the usual premium price tag.

If you’ve ever considered a monocular but struggled to justify the cost, this is the moment. With $170 knocked off the asking price, the Canon Zoom Monocular in black feels less like a novelty and more like a smart, everyday companion for seeing a little further, wherever you happen to be.

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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and holds a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since his film days using a Nikon F5. He saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still, to this day, the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, the British Equestrian Writers' Association.

He is familiar with and shows great interest in 35mm, medium, and large-format photography, using products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2, shooting Street/Documentary photography as he sees it, usually in Black and White.

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