Nikon Stabilized 12x25 S binocular review

尼康稳定12x25 S双筒望远镜评测

The Nikon Stabilized 12x25 S binoculars are my top recommendation for a compact binocular with image stabilization built in, all for under $650. It was back about three years ago in a previous review of the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 binoculars that I yearned for Nikon to release image stabilized binoculars, and thankfully, just a few years later, that wish has been fulfilled.

尼康稳定12x25 S双筒望远镜是我最推荐的内置图像稳定功能的紧凑型双筒望远镜，价格都在650美元以下。大约三年前，在之前对尼康Monarch HG 10x42双筒望远镜的评论中，我渴望尼康发布图像稳定双筒望远镜，谢天谢地，仅仅几年后，这个愿望就实现了。

They are little different in operation and quality from the Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB, aside from one exceptional additional feature: Image stabilization. This one inclusion transforms these binoculars so noticeably that, if given the choice and budget, I would never opt for an unstabilized compact binocular again. If the difference between not having a pair of binoculars is measured as a unit of one, then I would say moving from an unstabilized pair to a stabilized pair is another unit of one. The experiential difference by engaging the stabilization on these binoculars is so significant that they are comparable with regular binoculars many times their size.

除了一个特殊的附加功能：图像稳定，它们在操作和质量上与尼康开拓者8x25 ATB几乎没有什么不同。这一个内含物如此显著地改变了这些双筒望远镜，如果给我选择和预算，我再也不会选择不稳定的紧凑型双筒望远镜了。如果没有一副双筒望远镜之间的差异是以一为单位来衡量的，那么我会说从不稳定的双筒望远镜移动到稳定的双筒望远镜是另一个单位的一。通过在这些双筒望远镜上安装稳定装置，体验上的差异是如此显著，以至于它们可以与普通双筒望远镜相媲美。

However, they’re not without their limitations. Namely, the size of the objective lenses (25mm) makes views quite dark compared with large binoculars like a more generalist 42mm. But these are compact binoculars and as such, potential buyers should be aware that the trade-off between size and optical performance is initially met in the size of these objectives. In my opinion, and for their size and stabilization, they're some of the best binoculars you can buy.

然而，它们并非没有局限性。也就是说，物镜的尺寸（25毫米）使视野与大型双筒望远镜（如更通用的42毫米）相比相当暗。但这些都是紧凑型双筒望远镜，因此，潜在买家应该意识到，尺寸和光学性能之间的权衡最初是在这些物镜的尺寸中得到满足的。在我看来，就它们的尺寸和稳定性而言，它们是你能买到的最好的双筒望远镜之一。

Incredibly small form factor makes them ultra-portable

令人难以置信的小外形使它们超便携

Stabilization button easy to access and engage

稳定按钮易于访问和接合

Eyecups do not have stopping 'notches' when adjusting height

调节高度时，眼罩没有停止“凹口”

It’s unbelievable to think that Nikon has managed to keep their compact binoculars so small and lightweight, despite integrating an entire image stabilization (IS) system right in the center of the device that does not obstruct our fingers when operating. When compared with their other compact binoculars, such as the Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB, they truly do not take up much more space, with Nikon cleverly embedding all the electronics and controls in the center, bulked onto the hinge. This allows the center of mass to remain in the middle of the binoculars, which feels comfortable and intuitive when observing.

令人难以置信的是，尼康设法保持他们的紧凑型双筒望远镜如此小巧轻便，尽管在设备的中央集成了一个完整的图像稳定（IS）系统，在操作时不会阻碍我们的手指。与尼康开拓者8x25 ATB等其他紧凑型双筒望远镜相比，它们确实不会占用太多空间，尼康巧妙地将所有电子设备和控制装置嵌入中心，笨重地安装在铰链上。这样可以让质心保持在双筒望远镜的中间，观察时感觉舒适直观。

The stabilization can be turned on and off with a button on the top of the binoculars and I found its placement means accidental turning on and off is uncommon. Personally, I’d have liked the button to sit a little closer to the focusing wheel due to the way our fingers fell across the binoculars but because the device is so small, this is of little importance. We expect those with large hands would appreciate the added distance between the focusing wheel and IS button.

稳定功能可以通过双筒望远镜顶部的按钮来打开和关闭，我发现它的位置意味着意外打开和关闭是不常见的。就我个人而言，由于我们的手指放在双筒望远镜上的方式，我希望按钮离对焦轮近一点，但因为设备太小，这并不重要。我们希望那些手大的人会喜欢对焦轮和IS按钮之间增加的距离。

The objective lenses are set back in the tube assembly, which reduces the risk of bumping or scratching of the glass when placing down the binoculars and I think removes the need for lens caps when traveling, though those who like to keep their devices pristine may disagree.

物镜被放回管组件中，这降低了放下双筒望远镜时碰撞或刮伤玻璃的风险，我认为旅行时不再需要镜头盖，尽管那些喜欢保持设备原始状态的人可能不同意。

My only real grievance with the design comes in the eyepieces, or more specifically, in the adjustable eyecups themselves. They do not have, to our experience with them, notched sections to ‘stop’ the eyecups at different heights like some binoculars feature. They are also not water- or fogproof. Under testing, I have not found this to be a major issue (though I have not tested them under heavy rainfall) and the fogging was not an issue, but I tested them in the summer months in the UK, where temperatures were between 15-35 degrees Celsius (59-95 degrees Fahrenheit) where I would not expect to see significant fogging.

我对这个设计唯一真正的不满来自于目镜，或者更具体地说，是可调眼罩本身。根据我们的经验，它们没有像一些双筒望远镜那样在不同高度“停止”眼罩的缺口部分。它们也不防水或防雾。在测试中，我没有发现这是一个主要问题（尽管我没有在大雨下测试过它们），起雾也不是一个问题，但我在英国的夏季测试了它们，那里的温度在15-35摄氏度（59-95华氏度）之间，我预计不会看到明显的起雾。

Darker views than larger binoculars but stabilization makes up for this

比大型双筒望远镜视野更暗，但稳定性弥补了这一点

Stabilization works excellently both on land and on the water

稳定在陆地和水上都非常有效

Edges of the image circle are softer but center is sharp

图像圆的边缘较软，但中心较锐利

There’s no denying that the optical performance of the Nikon stabilized 12x25 binoculars are poorer than larger, generalist binoculars. But that is due to the design choices made to keep them compact. That is why direct comparisons to even Nikon’s own Prostaff P3 line, which retails at around half the price, should not be made. Even though the views are darker in these stabilized compact’s, and softness slightly greater than that of larger but cheaper binoculars, their appeal is in their minute size and weight.

不可否认，尼康稳定的12x25双筒望远镜的光学性能比更大的通用双筒望远镜差。但这是由于保持它们紧凑的设计选择。这就是为什么不应该与尼康自己的Prostaff P3系列进行直接比较，后者的零售价约为其一半。尽管这些稳定的紧凑型望远镜的视野更暗，柔和度也略高于更大但更便宜的双筒望远镜，但它们的吸引力在于它们微小的尺寸和重量。

The stabilization is truly very good. I tested them on land and sea, both during the day, at twilight and at night time and found they held up equally well in all scenarios. The stabilization isn’t the strongest I’ve ever experienced, with some of Canon’s image stabilized binoculars (such as the Canon 10x42L IS) able to hold views more solidly, I would estimate from experience by another 30-40%. However, they are far costlier and larger.

稳定性确实非常好。我在陆地和海上测试了它们，包括白天、黄昏和晚上，发现它们在所有情况下都表现得同样好。稳定不是我经历过的最强的，佳能的一些图像稳定双筒望远镜（如佳能10x42L IS）能够更稳定地保持视野，我根据经验估计还有30-40%。然而，它们要昂贵得多，体积也大得多。

When observing the night sky in areas between Bortle classes five and six, the commonest constellations and asterisms were larger and much more detailed than when viewed with the naked eye alone (as one might expect). M31 (Andromeda galaxy) was easily seen with averted vision and M42 (Orion nebula) was just about visible also, but any night sky objects fainter or smaller than these were not observed in and around towns with moderate light pollution.

当观察博尔特五级和六级之间区域的夜空时，最常见的星座和星群比仅用肉眼观察时更大、更详细（正如人们所料）。M31（仙女座星系）很容易被避开，M42（猎户座星云）也几乎可见，但在中度光污染的城镇及其周围没有观察到任何比这些更暗或更小的夜空物体。

Due to their small, roof prism design, views are sharp in the center but rather soft towards the edges of the image circle. This is a little frustrating, but expected. It makes star hopping more difficult as I had to move the binoculars between each star in a constellation or asterism to navigate, rather than using the (albeit limited) peripheral vision if the edges were sharp.

由于它们的小屋顶棱镜设计，视图在中心是清晰的，但在图像圆的边缘是柔和的。这有点令人沮丧，但也在意料之中。这使得跳星变得更加困难，因为我必须在星座或星群中的每颗恒星之间移动双筒望远镜来导航，而不是在边缘清晰的情况下使用（尽管有限）周边视觉。

Views were also unfortunately rather dark on the Nikon stabilized 12x25 binoculars, but it is commensurate with other compact binoculars of the same design. After many years as a photographer and binocular use, I would estimate that it’s around one to two stops darker than observing with the naked eye. It isn’t enough to discourage me from using them, and stars can still be seen easily, but it distances me slightly from the observed subject.

不幸的是，尼康稳定的12x25双筒望远镜的视野也相当暗，但它与相同设计的其他紧凑型双筒望远镜相当。作为一名摄影师和使用双筒望远镜多年后，我估计它比用肉眼观察要暗一到两个光圈。这不足以阻止我使用它们，星星仍然很容易看到，但它让我稍微远离了观察的对象。

I found this most noticeable during daytime observations, especially when spotting wildlife in darker, leafier environments or at twilight. At night, though, it is less noticeable, presumably due to the fact that at night we use our rod cells in our retinas to maximize light sensitivity.

我发现这在白天观察时最为明显，尤其是在黑暗、树叶多的环境中或在黄昏时观察野生动物时。然而，在晚上，它不太明显，可能是因为在晚上，我们使用视网膜中的视杆细胞来最大限度地提高对光的敏感性。

Unobtrusive controls retains function and aesthetics of previous compact models

不显眼的控制装置保留了以前紧凑型车型的功能和美观

Powered by 2x AA batteries, easy to replace from stores while traveling

由2节AA电池供电，旅行时易于从商店更换

Focus wheel is a little close to our forehead during observation

观察时对焦轮稍微靠近我们的额头

As with most compact binoculars, the size and weight benefit means they are not only ultra portable but pocketable even in the smallest of jacket pockets (even fitting inside jeans pockets, if the ingress of lint and detritus doesn’t put you off). Compared with the Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB it’s like Nikon just snapped its fingers and, much like a before-and-after TikTok video, the stabilizing mechanism magically appeared on the 12x25s without much apparent change in aesthetics

与大多数紧凑型双筒望远镜一样，尺寸和重量的优势意味着它们不仅超便携，而且即使在最小的夹克口袋中也可以放入口袋中（如果棉绒和碎屑的进入不会让你望而却步，甚至可以放入牛仔裤口袋中）。与尼康开拓者8x25 ATB相比，尼康只是打了个响指，就像TikTok前后的视频一样，稳定机制神奇地出现在12x25s上，美学上没有太多明显的变化

They are unobtrusive and simply constructed, clearly the result of clever design and engineering work, to produce something so seemingly simple. The binoculars take two AA-size alkaline batteries to power the stabilization, easily purchasable by anyone traveling, but a little wasteful compared to a rechargeable lithium-ion battery but Nikon states that two rechargeable (AA-size) Ni-MH batteries can be used.

它们不引人注目，构造简单，显然是巧妙设计和工程工作的结果，生产出如此简单的东西。双筒望远镜需要两节AA大小的碱性电池来稳定，任何旅行的人都可以轻松购买，但与可充电锂离子电池相比有点浪费，但尼康表示可以使用两节可充电（AA大小）镍氢电池。

The real difference with these binoculars compared to a similarly powered non-stabilized pair is being able to observe details that would otherwise be lost due to the shake from handholding the binoculars. I was able to not only see more smaller, fainter stars but also count them. All without the need for an awkward binocular adapter to convert them for use on a tripod. This was also true for observing the faintest satellites and tracking them through the night sky. The Starlink train was eminently trackable and so improved my stargazing experience beyond the usual static view to something much more dynamic.

与类似功率的非稳定双筒望远镜相比，这些双筒望远镜的真正区别在于能够观察到细节，否则这些细节会因手持双筒望远镜的晃动而丢失。我不仅能看到更多更小更暗的星星，还能数出它们。所有这些都不需要笨拙的双目适配器来转换它们在三脚架上使用。对于观察最微弱的卫星并在夜空中跟踪它们也是如此。Starlink列车非常容易追踪，因此改善了我的观星体验，从通常的静态视角到更加动态的视角。

The only real sticking points I have with these binoculars are where the focus wheel is placed. It’s, to my mind, placed far too close to the eyecups. Such that when I go to adjust the focusing wheel, I find myself rubbing my forehead with my finger and the face of the wheel also picks up friction on my forehead skin. Now, this may not be a problem with those who have shallower eye sockets or wear eyeglasses and so require the additional eye relief, but I thought it important to mention. It doesn’t prevent use, but it’s one feature I would suggest could be improved upon by either setting it farther back longitudinally along the binoculars, or by halving the width of the focusing wheel. However, I am also aware that this placement is likely a compromise by Nikon in order to accommodate the housing for the stabilization on the binoculars. Again, it’s not a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.

我对这些双筒望远镜唯一真正的症结是对焦轮的位置。在我看来，它离眼罩太近了。以至于当我去调整对焦轮时，我发现自己用手指摩擦我的前额，而对焦轮的表面也会在我的前额皮肤上产生摩擦。现在，对于那些眼窝较浅或戴眼镜的人来说，这可能不是问题，因此需要额外的眼睛缓解，但我认为有必要提及。它并不妨碍使用，但我建议可以通过将它沿着双筒望远镜纵向设置得更靠后，或者将对焦轮的宽度减半来改进这一功能。然而，我也意识到这种位置可能是尼康的妥协，以适应双筒望远镜的稳定外壳。再说一次，这不是交易破坏者，而是需要注意的事情。

The stabilization turns off automatically, but only after 60 minutes. This, Nikon states, is to save energy. But many other image-stabilized binoculars I’ve tested turn off after 10 seconds of inactivity, or when placed vertically on a tabletop. This is a feature I would also introduce to these binoculars, if such a thing is possible by the manufacturer.

稳定功能会自动关闭，但仅在60分钟后关闭。尼康表示，这是为了节约能源。但我测试过的许多其他图像稳定双筒望远镜在不活动10秒钟后或垂直放置在桌面上时都会关闭。这是我也会介绍给这些双筒望远镜的一个功能，如果制造商有可能的话。

Online reviews are wholly positive and users seem to be reporting that the stabilization is great (as we would agree). Their size, value for money and clear optics are favored. One consumer on Amazon states one negative being “[The] front lens protector is pulling off the eye adjustment. Seems like a poor design.” and we can confirm they are as described, different from the larger Nikon binoculars which usually have a rubber strap holding on the caps to the tube assembly. Ratings sit between 4 and 4.8 stars out of five, with the average ratings at time of writing being about 4.5 stars.

在线评论完全是正面的，用户似乎报告说稳定性很好（我们也同意）。它们的尺寸、性价比和清晰的光学器件备受青睐。亚马逊上的一位消费者表示，一个负面因素是“前镜头保护器正在脱离眼睛调节。似乎是一个糟糕的设计。”我们可以确认它们与描述的一样，不同于较大的尼康双筒望远镜，后者通常有一条橡胶带将盖子固定在管组件上。评分在4到4.8星之间（满分5星），撰写本文时的平均评分约为4.5星。

Tested in urban and suburban areas, I took the Nikon stabilized 12x25 to locations with Bortle classes 4, 5 and 6, providing a range of light pollution levels consummate with what regular town- or city-dwelling owners will observe.

在城市和郊区进行了测试，我将尼康稳定12x25带到了Bortle等级为4、5和6的地方，提供了一系列光污染水平，完全符合普通城镇或城市居民所观察到的水平。

They were used both in dry and wet conditions under light rain but never heavy downpours. Moving both from warm cars and houses out into colder evenings and nights. I held them with two hands, one hand and mounted them to a tripod but found the tripod use cumbersome and unnecessary due to the in-built stabilization, so I would not recommend this method.

它们在小雨中的干燥和潮湿条件下都使用，但从不在大雨中使用。从温暖的汽车和房子搬到寒冷的夜晚。我用两只手拿着它们，一只手把它们安装在三脚架上，但发现由于内置的稳定性，三脚架使用起来很麻烦，也没有必要，所以我不推荐这种方法。

On land, they were rock solid but I also tested them on various small fishing boats, larger water taxis and on bigger ferry ships. In all circumstances, they proved useful and performed impressively to observe wildlife and track seabirds during the day.

在陆地上，它们坚如磐石，但我也在各种小型渔船、大型水上出租车和大型渡船上测试过它们。在所有情况下，它们都被证明是有用的，在白天观察野生动物和追踪海鸟方面表现出色。

If you want to buy a pair of compact binoculars and you can afford the price tag of just under $650, then I would definitely recommend you purchase these. Yes, they’re slightly darker than viewing with the naked eye but that’s because they are so small and so lightweight (13.9 oz / 349 g without batteries). The stabilization is a game-changer, especially for the traveler or for someone who has difficulty with hand grip or arm strength.

如果你想买一副紧凑型双筒望远镜，并且你能负担得起不到650美元的价格，那么我肯定会推荐你购买这些。是的，它们比肉眼观察略暗，但那是因为它们太小太轻（不含电池为13.9盎司/349克）。稳定性是一个游戏规则的改变者，尤其是对于旅行者或手握或臂力有困难的人来说。

There are only two main reasons I advise you against purchasing these binoculars. If you do not have a requirement for compact binoculars or image stabilization, then you will find better optical characteristics (sharper edge-to-edge and better light transmission for brighter views) in larger binoculars like the Nikon Monarch M7 8x42, which are also around $200 cheaper.

我建议你不要购买这些双筒望远镜只有两个主要原因。如果你对紧凑型双筒望远镜或图像稳定没有要求，那么你会在尼康Monarch M7 8x42等大型双筒望远镜中发现更好的光学特性（更清晰的边缘到边缘和更好的透光率以获得更明亮的视野），这些双筒望远镜也便宜约200美元。

If stabilization is important, but again, size is not, then I would recommend you look at something from Canon’s image stabilized range, with the Canon 12x36 IS III being only slightly more expensive but providing much brighter views. However, they are larger and around 9.3 oz (265 g) lighter.

如果稳定很重要，但同样，尺寸不重要，那么我建议你看看佳能的图像稳定系列，佳能12x36 IS III只是稍微贵一点，但提供了更明亮的视野。然而，它们更大，轻约9.3盎司（265克）。