The catch
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
The exact-page evidence does not show that the P3 has the P7’s locking and non-stick features.
Side by side
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 vs P7 8x42 Compared: P7 has a locking diopter, though it lists no extra eye relief
Quick verdict
The Prostaff P7 8x42 is the pick for its documented locking diopter and non-stick lens coating. Take the P3 only when a better current complete offer outweighs those extras. Either one has to fit your glasses, 56 to 72 mm eye spacing and subjects at least 9.8 ft away. Both list 20.2 mm eye relief and a 377 ft field, so the P7 supplies no extra listed eye relief, although its actual eyecup fit still deserves a separate tryout.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Pay for a setting that stays, if its loss is the interruption
The locking diopter on the P7 is there to keep the setting from drifting when the pair gets handled or carried. It helps most when one person keeps returning to the same adjustment. Sharing changes that, because each viewer still has to set up the pair for their own eyes. The lock holds one setting and cannot remember several.
Where this comes from
According to Nikon, the P7 lock guards against accidental adjustment. It cannot keep a separate setting for each viewer.
The catch
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
The listed field stays the same width, eye relief does not grow and the closest focus does not come nearer.
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
- Why pick it
- You find a better current complete offer worth more than the P7 extras. The P3 must fit your glasses, 56 to 72 mm eye spacing and subjects at least 9.8 ft away.
- The catch
- The exact-page evidence does not show that the P3 has the P7’s locking and non-stick features.
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Why pick it
- The documented locking diopter is a must, with subjects at least 9.8 ft away, eye spacing from 56 to 72 mm and eyecups that fit your eyes or glasses.
- The documented oil- and water-repellent lens coating is what you want, with subjects at least 9.8 ft away, eye spacing from 56 to 72 mm and a successful eyecup or glasses fit check.
- The catch
- The listed field stays the same width, eye relief does not grow and the closest focus does not come nearer.
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What this page compares
Adjustment and coating features are what the P7 adds, and three basic viewing-fit limits of the P3 8x42 stay the same.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Looking for a documented locking diopter
The lock is confirmed for P7, which stays an option only if subjects are at least 9.8 ft away and the 56 to 72 mm range and eyecups fit. Evidence from the exact page doesn’t establish the feature for P3.
- Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
- Depends
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Better fit
Observe a balcony feeder 8 ft away
A listed near-focus limit of 9.8 ft applies to both.
- Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
- Not suitable
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Not suitable
Need longer listed eye relief than the P3 has
P7 has the same 20.2 mm in its specification.
- Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
- Similar
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Similar
Looking for a documented oil- and water-repellent lens coating
Nikon specifies it for P7. Choose on that feature only if the 9.8 ft closest focus, 56 to 72 mm range and eyecups fit as well. No cleaning-time or scratch-resistance advantage is claimed.
- Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
- Depends
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Pay for a setting that stays, if its loss is the interruption
The locking diopter on the P7 is there to keep the setting from drifting when the pair gets handled or carried. It helps most when one person keeps returning to the same adjustment. Sharing changes that, because each viewer still has to set up the pair for their own eyes. The lock holds one setting and cannot remember several.
How we worked this out
According to Nikon, the P7 lock guards against accidental adjustment. It cannot keep a separate setting for each viewer.
Neither works for an 8 ft feeder, whatever the price
Each model lists a closest-focus distance of 9.8 ft. If your viewing point is fixed at 8 ft, stepping up from the P3 to the P7 does nothing for focus. Either move the viewing point or look at a pair that really focuses closer.
How we worked this out
The exact-model specifications show an identical closest-focus distance for both. A higher series number gains you nothing there.
Coating and glasses clearance are separate issues
On the P7, Nikon documents an oil- and water-repellent coating for the objective and eyepiece lenses. It protects exposed lens surfaces and leaves the listed eye relief alone, which is 20.2 mm on both models. So if your worry is getting the full view through glasses, test the eyecups with your frames. Do not assume the coating upgrade fixes it.
How we worked this out
A coating claim and an eye-relief figure cover different ground. Nothing here implies a test of cleaning speed, scratch resistance or comfort.
Option A
Nikon, Prostaff P3 8x42
Prostaff P3 8x42
Try it with your own frames, since the eye relief is specified at 20.2 mm. Before ordering, measure your viewing distance, as it will not focus on anything closer than 9.8 ft.
- Best for
- You find a better current complete offer worth more than the P7 extras. The P3 must fit your glasses, 56 to 72 mm eye spacing and subjects at least 9.8 ft away.
Facts we checked
- Objective and magnification: 8x42
- Eye relief of 20.2 mm
- Field of 377 ft at 1,000 yd
- Closest focus of 9.8 ft
Option B
Nikon, Prostaff P7 8x42
Prostaff P7 8x42
The 20.2 mm eye relief and the locking diopter are what earn this model a spot on your shortlist. On a small balcony, a feeder may still be too close, as close focus is 9.8 ft.
- Best for
- The documented locking diopter is a must, with subjects at least 9.8 ft away, eye spacing from 56 to 72 mm and eyecups that fit your eyes or glasses.
Facts we checked
- Objective and magnification: 8x42
- Eye relief of 20.2 mm
- Field of 377 ft at 1,000 yd
- Closest focus of 9.8 ft
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 | Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnification and objective | 8x42 | 8x42 | You get an added equipment feature, and the optical size stays the same. |
| Eye relief | 20.2 mm | 20.2 mm | Going to the P7 brings no extra listed eye relief. |
| Field at 1,000 yd | 377 ft | 377 ft | The P7’s published search window is no wider. |
| Closest focus | 9.8 ft | 9.8 ft | A fixed subject nearer than 9.8 ft is outside both models’ range. |
| Documented convenience features | No locking or non-stick feature established by this exact-page evidence | Locking diopter and non-stick lens coating | Pick the P7 because of a feature that is documented, and don’t credit it with an optical gain nobody measured. |
| Body dimensions and weight | 5.9 by 5.1 inches, 20.3 oz | 5.9 by 5.1 inches, 20.8 oz | Both take up the same space in a bag, and the 0.5 oz gap is small. |
| Eye-spacing adjustment | 56 to 72 mm | 56 to 72 mm | Users outside this hinge range are excluded by either one. Check every user and try the actual eyecups. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
- A feeder on the balcony at 8 ft is nearer than this pair’s 9.8 ft closest-focus limit allows. The P7 has the same limit, so neither pair handles that fixed distance.
With Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- The eye-spacing range of 56 to 72 mm is the same as the P3’s. Someone who needs a narrower or wider setting will not be fitted by a pair that gets shared.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You find a better current complete offer worth more than the P7 extras. The P3 must fit your glasses, 56 to 72 mm eye spacing and subjects at least 9.8 ft away.
Go with Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42. On eye relief, field width and close focus, the listed figures equal the P7’s.
The documented locking diopter or non-stick coating has to matter to you. Beyond that, the P7 must fit your glasses, 56 to 72 mm eye spacing and subjects at least 9.8 ft away.
Go with Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42. A documented locking diopter ring is what the P7 adds.
A user sits outside the shared 56 to 72 mm range, or your fixed subject is nearer than 9.8 ft
Neither model fits. Both models fall short of that. A focus or fit limit stays in place no matter what locking ring or lens coating you get.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the binoculars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 |
|
| |
| Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42
You find a better current complete offer worth more than the P7 extras. The P3 must fit your glasses, 56 to 72 mm eye spacing and subjects at least 9.8 ft away.
See price & reviews on AmazonNikon Prostaff P7 8x42
The documented locking diopter is a must, with subjects at least 9.8 ft away, eye spacing from 56 to 72 mm and eyecups that fit your eyes or glasses.
The documented oil- and water-repellent lens coating is what you want, with subjects at least 9.8 ft away, eye spacing from 56 to 72 mm and a successful eyecup or glasses fit check.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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