Pentax DCF ED Binoculars

The DCF ED binoculars are Pentax’s latest update to their previous best binocular line. The DCF ED binoculars come in three different models: the 8x32, 8x43, 10x43, and 10x50. The most popular 32 and 43 sizes will be compared and contrasted in this review. Like their predecessors, the EDs are designed to compete in the high-end optics market at a lower price. Relative to the SPs, the price is significantly higher, but so is the performance. The EDs cost $799 for the 32-mm version, and $899 and $999 for the 8x43 and 10x43 versions respectively (all prices are Optics4Birding prices). This puts them right in the middle of binocular prices… yet their performance, weight, and other design qualities compete with some of the most expensive optics. At this price level these are hard to beat.

As with all DCF binoculars, the EDs are a roof-prism design, fully sealed (JIS class 6 = submersible to 1 meter) and nitrogen-purged to be water-, dust- and fog-proof. DCF ED binoculars are made with magnesium alloy chassis to minimize the weight, and are slightly more compact than the DCF SPs. Their dimensions are: 5.5 inches high by 4.9 inches wide on the two 43-mm models and 5.0 inches high by 4.9 inches wide on the 32-mm model. The corresponding weights are 25.3 oz on the 8x43 model, 25.6 oz. on the 10x43 version, and 23.9 oz. for the 8x32 binocular. One thing interesting about the DCF ED line is that the 43- and 32-mm models all have an identical interpupillary distance of 58-74 mm. That is actually a fairly narrow range, meaning that these might not be a comfortable fit for people with particularly wide or narrow faces. In fact, the dimensions and overall look of the EDs is very similar to the DCF SPs: both have the same dark green rubber armoring with black accents, the same broad, shallow thumb grooves on the ocular tubes and the same focus knob. Visually, the EDs are almost indistinguishable from the SPs.

The significant differences are all in the optics. The EDs may well be the brightest binoculars we’ve seen in the under $1000 price class. The ED glass contributes to the superb light transmission (part of it is in the coatings of course), but also helps the image sharpness and clarity. We also appreciated the high contrast of the image. Overall, the image quality was excellent. The flat-field performance with the DCF EDs was pretty good. The EDs showed relatively little pin-cushioning, although there was a very slight tendency towards color aberration on bright high-contrast edges both at the field edges (where some is usually seen) and in the middle. The optics of the EDs improve on the already good performance of the SPs in the minimum close focus: the two 43-mm models focus down to about 5 feet, which is significantly better than industry average in this character. The 8x32 has an even more impressive close focus of 3.5 feet, though it should be noted that this occurs with significant field separation at anything less than 4 feet. Not surprisingly with such good close focus capability, the depth of field is a little shallower relative to other binoculars in this class. The field of view (FOV) at 1000 yards is identical to that of the corresponding DCF SP models for all three DCF EDs. The 32-mm binocular has a 393-ft FOV, with the 8x43 and 10x43 models at 330 and 315 feet respectively. This would rank them a little below average for the 8x43, and right on average for the other two.

A lot of the rest of this discussion is going to sound a lot like the DCF SP review, because the two lines are very similar in a lot of their peripheral characteristics. Both lines have high-resolution, phase-coated prisms, multi-coated (Penta-Bright™) optical elements, and water-repellant coatings on exposed lens surfaces. The lenses are of the hybrid aspherical type, which requires less glass and reduces certain optical distortions. The result is great light transmission, and image sharpness and resolution. The color fidelity is excellent. The focus mechanism is, for all intents and purposes, identical for the two lines. All three EDs went from minimum close focus to infinity in about 1.6 turns of the knob, which makes them just a bit slow relative to other binoculars. Eye relief is 17 mm on the 8x32 and 10x43 models, but 22 mm on the 8x43 model. That is slightly better than average on the 8x32, almost exactly average on the 10x model, and well above average for the 8x43!

The DCF EDs have the same excellent eyecup adjustment mechanism as the DCF SPs. The eyecups adjust with a helical twist through 3 positions stabilized by detents. The diopter adjustment is a twisting rubber ring on the right ocular, but the mechanism is fully locking. To adjust, pull the ring out towards the ocular to unlock it and twist in either direction to achieve the desired focus. Push it down to lock it securely in place. This is an excellent diopter adjustment mechanism. In these two important properties, Pentax has done quite well.

The rain guard is a pair of loose-fitting, hard plastic cups joined by a flexible bridge region. The strap threads through a bracket on the left side; the right-hand bracket is gapped so the guard can be slipped onto or off the strap at will. This is basically a sound design, but the rain guard fits way too loosely on all three models. Thus, if the rain guard needs to be kept in place, we recommend threading the strap through the right hand bracket as well. The lens caps are quite well designed. They are soft rubber caps that fit snugly into the armored ends of the barrels, each attached to a tether that allows it to swing down out of the way of the field of view. The tethers attach to a screw-in plate that when removed, reveals a tripod attachment site. This design is pretty good, though it could be improved by making the tethers a little longer on the 32-mm model; the two 43-mm models have slightly better tether lengths.

The case is padded, dark green cordura with a black leather bottom and black trim. The Velcro closing flap has openings through which the binocular straps fit, so the whole assembly can be worn over the shoulder. This is the exact same case as used for the DCF SPs, which is fine, because it’s an excellent case. One thing we like is that it is large enough to admit the binocular with the eyecups all the way up, so they don’t have to be twisted down every time the binocular is put away. The strap is also the same as on the SPs: a black nylon web strap, about an inch wide behind the neck and completely unpadded. Admittedly, on a 23-oz. binocular, not a whole lot of padding is required for comfort. The strap attachment poles will allow easy substitution by virtually any other kind of strap if desired.

Frequent readers of these pages will remember that we really liked the DCF SPs (we still do!). The DCF EDs average about $300 more each than their corresponding SP models. The reason to consider laying out the extra money is performance. The optical performance of these binoculars competes favorably with the best offered by any manufacturer in the under $1200 price class. The DCF SP line is still a great value at their price level but the EDs clearly outperform them optically. Choosing a binocular remains a very personal thing and there are a huge number of binoculars available on today’s market. All the same, we expect a lot of birders to begin choosing the Pentax DCF EDs.

Pentax DCF ED Binoculars - current price and availability