Sony's Digital Binoculars Get Smaller, Better, Cooler

Binoculars may seem archaic in the era of superzoom cameras, but they're still extremely useful in specific situations, such as observing wildlife. That's why Sony sees a bright future for its line of digital binoculars, which just got a big upgrade, and can even take photos and video.

The DEV-50 is Sony's second-generation digital binoculars, much smaller and lighter than the first generation at just 1.6 pounds and 6.3 inches long. The binocs can zero in on subjects with a 25x zoom that includes continuous autofocus.

Optical image stabilization will help a lot at higher zoom levels, keeping the image steady when you need to pan to track your target. In low-light conditions, the CMOS sensor can boost the brightness of the viewfinder with Hyper Gain mode, letting you see a little better in the dark. Read more…