Birding reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 163 Reddit reviews across 13 subreddits and 38 posts to rank the best Birding brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/birding, r/canon, r/Binoculars, r/Nikon, r/birdwatching. Top-rated brands include Nikon (4.3/5), Vortex (4.8/5), Sigma (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews163
Subreddits13
Posts38
Brands41
Products77
163 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Nikon
4.3
(35)
"It’s an incredibly small and light lens for its focal length, making it ideal to carry on hikes and walks, and it’s taught me the art of learning how to approach birds and learn particular birds, comfort with your distance from them."
"I bought the Nikon 200-500mm in the end because it went on sale here for $899 brand new. Otherwise, I may have ended up with the Sigma."
"If you can swing it, I would highly recommend a used AF-S 500/5.6 PF. The 200-500 is very good, but the 500PF is better."
"No question. A used 200-500."
"The 200-500 is your best answer. Find a used one. Test it for centering. Go in peace."
"I have several pair of binoclars and I really like my Nikon Monarch M7s. I'd buy them again."
"M7s are as good as it gets at this price."
"The Nikon Monarch M7s are a great step up from cheapo binocs without breaking the bank."
"Nikon Monarch M7 is the best at this price. IMHO."
"I used a sub $100 pair for the first year of birding and just recently upgraded to a Monarch 5 (~$250) … I love the sharper brighter view."
#2
Vortex
4.8
(22)
"I use Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42s and I love them."
"I have Vortex Diamondback 10x42 and love them."
"Get good ones...Vortex 10x50 or 12x50. Waterproof and sturdy."
"Get good ones...Vortex 10x50 or 12x50. Waterproof and sturdy."
"I just opened my very first binoculars I’ve ever bought, the vortex diamondback 8x42... I’m seriously blown away at how good and strong these feel, and how beautiful the picture is."
"Vortex Razor HD is about 750-800."
"Got some of the last gen vortex vipers from bass pro shops for $300 and I'm incredibly stoked on them."
"High end Vortex will do nicely and the guarantee is amazing."
"Vortex Vipers."
"I have vortex diamondback 10x42 which I also love at the same price range."
#3
Sigma
4.4
(20)
"The Sigma 150-600mm is very popular on the birding subs."
"I've had the Sigma Contemporary version for a few years, first on my 5D Mark III and then on my R6."
"The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is a great option. It's a lot sharper than the original Canon EF 100-400mm L."
"I use a Sigma 150-600 Contemporary on my D7500, I'm super happy with it."
"I started with that camera and got the Sigma 150-600 Sport and got some really good pictures with it."
"Then I bought a second hand Sigma 70-300 with IS aaaaand it blew my mind at how awesome it is stabilizing even at 300mm."
"I've had it for about 2 years now and it works great, produces great quality photos."
"I second this. I’ve been using this setup for a few months. Got the lens refurbished, so was about $2k total. Super lightweight too."
"150-600 Sigma or Tamron maybe $500. I have a slightly older Sigma 150-500 that optically is very good but AF is a bit slow but usable."
"I use the Sigma 150-600 mm/F5-6,3 and sometimes even with teleconverter and under most conditions I don't struggle with the aperture either."
#4
Canon
4.7
(17)
"Second hand 400L 5.6 is an awesome birding lens."
"I’m loving the RF 100-500 on the R7."
"No problem, the RF 100-400 is a fantastic lens for the price!"
"Same, 200-800 + R7 was a game changer for me as well."
"The RF100-400mm is a great bang for bucks lens and really is the lens that knocks the EF 100-400mm adapted lens off the list."
"I have RF 200-800 and it's been absolutely great."
"RF 100-500 on my R5II is amazing."
"I’m a diehard 200-800 + R7 fan."
"If you can get a decent used copy of the EF 100-400 L II, that's the one you'll want."
"I have been using the EF-S 55-250 IS STM on a Rebel T5i for about a year and have really loved it."
#5
Panasonic
4.6
(9)
"Mpb currently has a lumix fz80 in excellent condition with a 6 month warranty for $239."
"Three votes for a Panasonic FZ80!"
"Definitely writing this camera down for my top 3 choices I might choose."
"Another vote for the Panasonic Lumix fz 80. I love mine and it serves the purpose I want it to well."
"I picked up a Lumix FZ80 last year for a little under $400 that I've been very happy with."
"FZ1000 , cheap sx50 hs , nikon d3200 or better and Tamron SP 70-300mm a005"
"I've got a Panasonic Lumix FZ80 (60x zoom, very lightweight) and a Nikon P1000 (125x zoom, bulky, 3+ lbs.) that I use for my bird photography."
"For that price, new, you are looking at a superzoom camera like a Panasonic fz-80."
"I used a succession of Panasonics over the years."
#6
Tamron
4.3
(6)
"I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get into birding and it's been my go-to whenever I go out."
"The di vc Tamron SP is a real bargain, use it on d3200. Down to £100 used !"
"The Tamron 150-600 G2 costs about 1400 eur new here in India."
"Why not the g2 from tamron 150-600, goes for about 600 eur used. Pretty good bang for the buck."
"They are equally good and sharp for birds."
"The Tamron 200-600 is also a good compromise between weight and reach."
#7
Merlin
5.0
(5)
"Have you ever used the Merlin Bird ID app? It identifies birds by their calls/songs."
"Merlin for ID help is goated. Also it’s completely free."
"Merlin is best if you don't know what the bird is."
"For sure!"
"It’s fantastic!"
#8
Svbony
5.0
(3)
"I recommend the Svbony SV202 8x42 ED for $143.99 at the Svbony website. I have them and I regard them as my best binoculars."
"My Svbony SV202 10x50 ED are excellent."
"We have an 8x42 pair (great, but from a company that COVIDed out of business), just got our second, an 8x32 pair that’s still on sale for $99, like them very well so far."
#9
Zeiss
5.0
(3)
"I love my Zeiss SFL 8x30's. I'm usually traveling out of a backpack, hiking, and on the road for months and am trying to minimize size and weight."
"Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 has fantastic optics."
"Zeiss terra ed 8x42 are great at $500."
#10
Olympus
5.0
(3)
"Get the OM-1 man, it's absolutely fantastic for birding."
"+1 for this. I have EM1 mk3 with 14-150mm lens. I sometimes do bird photography also."
"Lens: https://www.mpb.com/en-us/product/olympus-m-zuiko-digital-ed-100-400mm-f5-6-3-is."
#11
Birda
4.7
(3)
"The community on there are so knowledgable and super lovely."
"Lots of great features like a free global field guide."
"I use Birda. It has a social side and really good bird ID (both photo AI and community help."
#12
eBird
5.0
(2)
"I would say that the best ones exclusively for birds are ebirds and merlin id."
"Id use ebirds mobile app for lists and merlin id for id help."
#13
Collins
5.0
(2)
"Collins Bird Guide as field guide. Costs 15€ and it's totally worth it. Extremely good illustrations and good UI."
"For Europe, I like the Collins. It's perhaps one of the most complete guides."
#14
Merlin Bird ID
5.0
(2)
"Irreplaceable for identification."
"I’ve been using Merlin Bird ID and EBird!"
#15
Sony
4.5
(2)
"Recommend a6700. The bird's eye AF similiar to A7IV or even better."
"I shoot with the very popular Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 and haven’t struggled at that aperture for the vast majority of shots I want."
#16
B&H Photo Video
4.0
(2)
"A great place for comparing models is B&H photo."
"Take a look at B&H photo video and search superzoom cameras."
#17
Meade
4.0
(2)
"Meade Masterpro 8x42 on sale for $200 at Orion or Amazon. These are much better binoculars than the diamondback and P7, ED glass, field flatteners, and huge eye relief."
"Meade is a bit heavy which while liked by this reviewer"
#18
Oberwerk
4.0
(2)
"Oberwerk - they offer great binoculars in your budget."
"Oberwerk - they offer great binoculars in your budget."
#19
Fujinon
5.0
(1)
"The best binoculars I've ever had were Fujinon Polaris."
#20
Opticron
5.0
(1)
"Cornell (eBird, Merlin) suggests Opticron Oregon 8x42 for best value."
#21
Vortex or Swarovski
5.0
(1)
"Nearly every single birder I know... use 10x42s... Also please purchase from a company like Vortex or Swarovski."
#22
Etsy
5.0
(1)
"I have this poster hanging in our back room (I live on Oahu), and I frequently see all the birds shown here."
#23
Barr Lake State Park
5.0
(1)
"Barr Lake SP is the single best birding location in the entire state."
#24
Chatfield State Park
5.0
(1)
"Chatfield State Park is a national Audubon place."
#25
Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
5.0
(1)
"The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is excellent!"
#26
Carara National Park
5.0
(1)
"Try Carara National Park for bird watching."
#27
Swarovski EL
5.0
(1)
"I highly recommend letting him choose instead of surprising him."
#28
Nikon Monarch
5.0
(1)
"You will have to pry from my cold, dead fingers."
#29
Kowa 8x42
5.0
(1)
"I personally love them. I would get them again."
#30
Vortex Optics Crossfire HD 8x42
5.0
(1)
"She loves them—wide view, good clarity."
#31
Swarovski NL 10x42
5.0
(1)
#32
iNaturalist
5.0
(1)
"It's easy to use and good for birds."
#33
Kowa
4.0
(1)
"Kowa YF maybe? I've used the 6x30 for the last couple of years for watching nature. There is also a 8x30 in the series. They are very easy to use and light"
#34
SIGHTRON
4.0
(1)
"Excellent optics at an affordable price"
#35
Bresser
4.0
(1)
"The Bresser Hunter S.O.L. Phase ED 8x42 for $99.95 from Amazon."
#36
ScoopX
4.0
(1)
"The ScoopX 10x42 UHD for ~$100 from the r/binocularbuyinadvice moderator."
#37
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
4.0
(1)
"When I want to do some bird watching, I go to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge."
#38
Jaco
4.0
(1)
"You can see lots of great birds all along that costanera."
#39
Arenal
4.0
(1)
"I’ve seen Scarlet Macaws in the Tarcoles/Jaco area."
#40
iBird
4.0
(1)
"IBird moved to a subscription model which sucks."
#41
Nikon D3500
4.0
(1)
"The 70-300mm worked really well for me starting out."
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