Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 review

The best compact binoculars for clarity and quality, but be prepared to pay for it

5 Star Rating
Swarovski CL Companion 10x30
(Image: © Sebastian Oakley/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

If you are looking for the best optical quality binoculars that are also lightweight for carrying long distances, and that let you see your observations from a far distance, the Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 is possibly the best pair of compact binoculars you can buy to date.

Pros

  • +

    Amazing build quality

  • +

    Superb optical clarity

  • +

    Lightweight & compact

Cons

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Eye cups could be better

  • -

    Accessories don't match the price

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

If you're a keen wildlife spotter looking for a compact solution to carry around with you while on a hike, visiting your local nature reserve, or just curious about what is on the horizon, a pair of the best compact binoculars is just the thing to get you out of the house and into the wilderness. 

If price isn't a concern and you want the best optical quality on the market to date, then this pair of Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 compact binoculars are just the thing to let you observe wildlife from as close to 3 meters all the way up to 132 meters – with crystal clear vision.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Sebastian Oakley
Ecommerce Editor

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 is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and 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 street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.