Customer Reviews

Pentax DCF XP 8x33 Binocular

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased these binoculars to keep in my car. Their compact dimensions (4.2 x 4.8 inches) fit perfectly into the storage bin of the drivers' side door and their relatively modest price makes leaving them in the car all the time less of a risky proposition. Finally I'll always have binoculars handy if I want to pull off the road to examine an interesting landscape or look at birds or wildlife.

The focusing mechanism is excellent, they seem exceptionally rugged given their light weight (17 oz), and the proven Pentax waterproof construction makes them worry-free in all kinds of weather. The 33mm objective lens provides slightly more light gathering than typical 8x32s although the 342' wide field of vision is not as wide as some competitors'. I compared these in person with other brands' similar priced 8x32s and preferred the Pentax DCF-SP, overall, to anything else in the $300-$400 price range, although the case and neck strap are not impressive. The price these are being sold for on Amazon at the time of my review is a fair "street price".

Another reviewer opines he is disappointed in the "optical quality" of the DCF-SP 8x33. It's not clear whether his complaint is about image resolution, color reproduction, brightness or contrast. To verify my satisfaction with this Pentax model I just took mine out on the front porch and scoped a telephone pole about 200' away as well as a fog shrouded hillside with these Chinese-made Pentax's as well as one-year old pair of German-made Steiner Peregrine 8x42s (street price more than double this Pextax) and Japanese-made Nikon 8x32 SE poro prisms (street price $300 more), both of which have highly rated optics. In my opinion the Pentax provided just as good resolution as the German 8x42s when reading numbers on the distant telephone pole but not quite as good as the Nikons. The color rendition and contrast of the Pentax may not be quite as good as the more expensive binoculars but that's to be expected. Binocular technology has improved a lot in recent years and my pair of Pentax DCF-SP 8x33s has optics comparable or superior to the finest, most expensive binoculars of 8-10 years ago.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants a reasonably priced, compact, lightweight, weatherproof binocular.

I just received this product from Amazon and immediately took it out in my yard to try it out. I must say that I will try more extensive field use before I make my final decision but so far the optical quality of these glasses disappoints me. I guess there was a good reason why they were marked 50% off. Other Pentax products that friends have shown me impressed me, but not these. I can't help feeling that it's because they were manufactured in China and the Chinese cannot equal the expertise of the Japanese in manufacture of optics. I'd charge about $150. for this product and no more. They are simply not worth it. Some of the features are really nice, like the close focus, lightweight and compact design and the twist out eyecups. Unfortuneately, the optical quality leaves much to be desired.