Of all of the fashions within the renewed Nikon Motion vary launched in 2026, the Motion Zoom 10–22×50 is certainly probably the most attention-getting, with its zoom functionality from 10x to 22x magnification.
These are Nikon’s third-generation 10-22×50 binoculars, constructing upon the previous designs of 2007’s Motion VII Zoom XL 10-22×50 and 2013’s Aculon 10-22×50 in 2013. The brand new design encompasses a beneficiant 16.3mm of eye reduction, a tricky aluminum chassis and up to date optics.
We discovered them to be a flexible pair of binoculars, and used them at 10x magnification to find objects earlier than zooming in to 22x for a better look. Altering magnifications is definitely executed with a lever on the fitting eyecup, however the optics do undergo from the sacrifices required when producing a binocular with zoom performance.
Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars evaluate
Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars: Design
- Robust aluminum chassis
- Simple magnification change
- Large focus dial
Together with the fastened magnification fashions within the Motion collection, the Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars have the identical sturdy, light-weight aluminum chassis. This helps to guard the cautious association of lenses required for zooming, in addition to making the binoculars extra sturdy with out including additional weight.
The truth is, the 2026 Motion Zoom 10-22×50 is 0.4 oz (10 grams) lighter than the earlier Aculon mannequin. That is essential for the stargazer or hiker who could have already got numerous heavy gear to hold, the place small quantities could make all of the distinction.
The outside of the binoculars is roofed in a textured rubber armor, which supplies good grip whereas scanning the skies. A chunky focus dial between the barrels is simple to search out along with your fingers and use, enabling you to regulate focus rapidly whereas observing. Focus touch-ups are often required when altering magnification.
Specs
Design: Porro prism
Magnification: 10-22x (zoom)
Goal lens diameter: 50mm
Exit pupil: 5.0mm (10x) – 2.27mm (22x)
Angular subject of view: 3.9 levels (10x)
Eye reduction: 16.3 mm
Weight: 2.09 lbs (950 g)
Dimensions: 8.0 x 7.9 x 2.6 in (202 x 200 x 66 mm)
Magnification is definitely modified with the fitting eyecup zoom lever, which is pushed down with the fitting index finger to maneuver from 10x via to 22x. On the underside of the fitting eyecup, there are printed white numbers on the physique in an effort to additionally set the magnification exactly at 12x, 15x and 18x. This helps with observing targets that do not require the total 22x zoom, and permits an astronomer to be extra exact of their observations.
When shifting the zoom lever, the lenses within the eyepieces slide ahead and backward, altering the space to the target lenses on the entrance of the binoculars. This adjustments the efficient focal size and magnification of the binoculars.
50mm goal lenses let loads of gentle via the binoculars when stargazing, delivering a shiny picture at 10x magnification and serving to you to identify faint objects.
Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars: Efficiency
- Good for star-hopping then zooming in
- Noticeably dimmer at 22x
- Wants a tripod for overhead views at 22x
The 22x magnification on the Nikon Motion Zoom is the strongest out of your entire vary, with the following one down being the 16×50. Throughout handheld commentary, the zoom performance was good for evening sky objects that weren’t too excessive overhead or terrestrial commentary at horizontal and downward angles.
We have been capable of see the highest portion of the Orion constellation with the magnification at 10x, with a shiny Orion’s belt and smudgy Orion nebula (M42). Switching to 22x magnification, we received a close-up view of the three stars making up Orion’s belt and the dog-star Sirius to its left. At 22x these factors of sunshine have been way more spectacular however the binoculars dealt with stars significantly better than diffuse objects such because the Orion Nebula, which regarded pretty unimpressive at 22x. We truly received a greater view of the Orion Nebula with the NIkon Motion 16×50.
The utmost exit pupil on the Motion Zoom is 5 mm at 10x magnification, however when absolutely zoomed in at 22x, the exit pupil drops to 2.3 mm, successfully halving the quantity of sunshine your eye is receiving. This makes the view appear dimmer and was particularly noticeable when observing Orion’s nebula and through terrestrial viewing in daylight.
We discovered the Beehive Cluster by star-hopping from Castor to Pollux after which to the star cluster. We used the 10x magnification for star-hopping earlier than zooming in to get a greater view of the Beehive cluster, but it surely was nonetheless disappointing. The wide-field view of the Beehive Cluster throughout the triangle of Most cancers at 10x was significantly better than the zoomed-in dim view at 22x. Paired with the elevated handshake from overhead commentary with no tripod, it was much less rewarding than observing at decrease magnifications.
For novices we might often suggest utilizing a tripod or getting an image-stabilized mannequin when utilizing binoculars with 12x magnification or over. It’s attainable to get sturdy views throughout handheld viewing by tucking your elbows into your chest or sides, however this solely works when observing on the horizontal or downwards. When trying immediately overhead, it was very exhausting to maintain the Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 nonetheless sufficient to make out any particulars when absolutely zoomed in.
This was additionally a problem when observing one other overhead commentary goal, Jupiter. When attempting to identify the faint line of its Galilean moons, the ensuing commentary was only a mess of shiny squiggles. This may undoubtedly be remedied with the usage of a tripod adapter and tripod, however remember that these equipment grow to be a necessity when stargazing overhead.
Wanting on the half moon was good and provided a spread of lunar views due to the magnification change, however once more, the upper magnifications required regular arms. The moon at 22x magnification additionally regarded considerably dimmer than the moon when noticed with the Nikon Motion 16x50s. Whereas it suffered from comparable ranges of handshake, 16x50s have higher gentle transmission due to their fastened magnification and wider exit pupil. At 10x magnification, the binoculars suffered from distortion across the edges of the view, however this disappeared when zooming into greater magnification.
Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars: Performance
- Rubber eyecups block gentle
- Versatile zoom vary
- Tripod adapter socket
The Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 is a flexible optical device and is beneficial when you find yourself not sure what stage of magnification you have to earlier than you exit. We examined them out with the opposite binoculars within the Nikon Motion vary, the 7×50, 10×50 and 16×50. If we have been going out for the night, we might often attain for these because it saved us having to take two totally different binoculars for wide-field and close-up viewing.
The zoom lever was extremely straightforward to make use of throughout commentary and touching up the main target with the main target wheel was straightforward with my center finger. That mentioned, viewing overhead objects at 22x magnification is closely marred by hand shake and could be improved with the usage of a tripod.
Similar to the remainder of the brand new Nikon Motion vary, the Zoom mannequin has a tripod adapter socket in-between the 2 barrels, hidden behind a screw-in Nikon emblem. In case you are planning on utilizing these for lots of high-magnification commentary, we might suggest shopping for the Nikon 7650 binocular tripod adapter and a price range tripod, just like the Manfrotto Element II tripod, to make sure you will get blur-free views of the celebrities.
(Picture credit score: Harry Bennett / Future)
We discovered the rubber eyecups have been actually comfy, and really most popular them to the exhausting, twist-up cups that the remainder of the Nikon Motion vary has. They blocked out any gentle within the setting much better than the twist-up cups and have been way more comfy on the attention sockets. Whereas the binoculars characteristic 16.3mm of eye reduction, stargazers who put on eyeglasses could also be dissatisfied by solely having two heights for eye reduction, with the rubber eyecups flipped up or flipped down.
(Picture credit score: Harry Bennett / Future)
The target lens caps are straightforward to take away and substitute however they are often fairly free and will get misplaced simply if not hooked up to a neck strap. The rubber eyecup covers stay fastened in place throughout transport and maintain the eyepieces clear for commentary. Nikon supplies a neck strap and comfortable carry case with these binoculars however the neck strap is fairly skinny, so if you’re planning on carrying them round for a very long time, contemplate getting a padded neoprene strap for binoculars for only $25.
(Picture credit score: Harry Bennett / Future)
How we examined the Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars
We examined the Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars in a metropolis park throughout the day and at evening in mid-March within the U.Okay. For stargazing, we examined them in a metropolis park with a Bortle scale between 5 and seven. Our main commentary targets have been Orion’s belt, Sirius, Jupiter, the waxing half moon and the Beehive Cluster within the constellation of Most cancers. For terrestrial viewing, we used them for locating birds in an area park and zooming in for up-close commentary.
Throughout testing within the U.Okay., nighttime temperatures have been on common between 46 and 54 levels Fahrenheit (8-12 levels Celsius). Seeing situations have been clear and through non-lunar viewing, the skies had minimal or no moonlight.
Person opinions
At time of writing, opinions for the Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 have been comparatively constructive, with customers praising the sleek zoom mechanism and agreeing with the quoted 22x magnification on the zoom.
Customers additionally favored the Zoom’s versatile magnification choices and the 50mm goal lenses for top views, however the normal consensus was {that a} tripod would vastly enhance commentary on the most magnification.
Do you have to purchase the Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars?
Purchase it if:
✅ You want one binocular with diversified magnification: These binoculars have a variable zoom, from 10x via to 22x
✅ You’re a high-magnification newbie: Various magnification means you may apply higher-magnification viewing with out investing in a devoted pair
Do not buy it if:
❌ You wish to take a look at deep-sky objects with binoculars: The view is far dimmer at 22x than at 10x, which drastically reduces the brightness of nebulas and diffuse deep sky objects.
❌ You want super-still photographs: Except you purchase a tripod, you might be unlikely to get absolutely stationary photographs with these binoculars.
In case you are a binocular newbie or informal stargazer who desires variable magnification, these are an amazing buy. The construct high quality is strong and the zoom mechanism may be very easy, enabling you to look at from 10x via to 22x.
The zoom operate does imply that sacrifices must be made by way of gentle transmission, and at full magnification, the view is noticeably dimmer than at decrease magnifications. This reduces the brightness when observing deep house objects like nebulas, however for brighter objects and stars, they carried out nicely.
If you wish to observe ceaselessly at 22x magnification, although, we might suggest shopping for a tripod and binocular tripod adapter, in an effort to get pleasure from these evening sky wonders shake-free.
If the Nikon Motion Zoom 10-22×50 binoculars aren’t for you
When you want binoculars purely for wide-field observations, we might suggest the Nikon Action 7×50 binoculars or Motion 10×50 binoculars. They’ve fastened decrease magnifications and light-weight transmission is not sacrificed for the zoom performance. The construct is nearly similar to the Motion zoom mannequin.
When you want optics for taking a look at deep sky objects, we might suggest top-of-the-line telescopes, or a pair of binoculars with sturdy magnification and enormous goal lenses. Strive the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20×80 or Celestron SkyMaster 25×100 binoculars, each of which have bigger goal lenses than the Nikon Motion zoom. You’ll have to use a tripod with these, however the bigger goal lenses will provide you with a brighter view of dim objects.
If you’d like high-magnification views while not having a tripod, the Fujifilm Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 binoculars are an amazing selection. The target lens diameter is just 40mm, however the picture stabilization offers you a better stage of element that makes up for the decrease gentle transmission. For handheld use, the distinction is evening and day.
