The catch
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
Lower magnification for distant detail
Side by side
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 vs Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 Compared: Eye relief falls from 20.2 to 15.7 mm as 10x brings more distant detail
Quick verdict
If glasses stay on and you want the longer eye relief, look at the Prostaff P7 8x42 first. The 10x42 is the choice for distant detail, adding 25% magnification at a small cost in field width, though eye relief falls from 20.2 to 15.7 mm.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Normally you lose more field, but here the loss is small
Only 10 ft of listed field width is lost on the 10x42, and it gains 25% magnification. For a distant stationary subject, that trade is more interesting than the 8x and 10x labels by themselves would suggest.
Where this comes from
At 1,000 yd the fields are 377 and 367 ft, a reduction of 10/377, or 2.7%. Magnification goes up from 8x to 10x.
The catch
Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
Published eye relief is 4.5 mm shorter
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Why pick it
- Glasses are on and you want the option with longer eye relief
- You plan an evening trial of your own to compare its larger calculated exit pupil
- The catch
- Lower magnification for distant detail
Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
- Why pick it
- You mostly watch distant subjects that stay still
- 10x magnification is worth shorter eye relief to you
- The catch
- Published eye relief is 4.5 mm shorter
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What this page compares
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 vs 10x42. You get 25% more magnification from the 10x for just 2.7% less field width, though it gives up 4.5 mm of eye relief. See how your glasses fit.
Two P7 models of almost the same size, where the gap in eye relief is far bigger than the gap in field width.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Birding with glasses on from a set chair
The 8x42 has more eye-relief allowance to try out.
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Better fit
- Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
- Depends
Seeing distant detail by day
With the 10x42 you get more magnification and only a small stated loss in field.
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Good
- Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
- Better fit
On the balcony, a feeder is 8 ft away
Each needs the subject farther away.
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Not suitable
- Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
- Not suitable
You stay where you are while watching into dusk
The exit-pupil geometry isn’t the same, yet this research doesn’t name a winner for low-light image quality. Compare the view and eye fit for yourself.
- Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- Depends
- Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Normally you lose more field, but here the loss is small
Only 10 ft of listed field width is lost on the 10x42, and it gains 25% magnification. For a distant stationary subject, that trade is more interesting than the 8x and 10x labels by themselves would suggest.
How we worked this out
At 1,000 yd the fields are 377 and 367 ft, a reduction of 10/377, or 2.7%. Magnification goes up from 8x to 10x.
Glasses are where the real compromise shows
Published eye relief is 4.5 mm shorter on the 10x42. A buyer who wears glasses could lose more usable view through a poor personal fit than the field table implies.
How we worked this out
The eye relief figures are 20.2 and 15.7 mm. This doesn’t measure the usable field with any particular pair of glasses.
Stepping up does not bring the feeder any closer
Close focus ends at 9.8 ft on both models. When a small balcony puts the feeder 8 ft away, neither model works for that setup.
How we worked this out
Both official model pages list 9.8 ft close focus, and both adjust across 56–72 mm of eye spacing.
Option A
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
- Glasses are on and you want the option with longer eye relief
Facts we checked
- Magnification: 8x
- Scene width: 377 ft at 1,000 yd
- Eye relief of 20.2 mm
- Closest focus of 9.8 ft
Option B
Nikon, Prostaff P7 10x42
Prostaff P7 10x42
A 367 ft field and a locking diopter come together in the 10x42. The body looks much like the full-size 8x42, but eye relief is shorter.
- Best for
- You mostly watch distant subjects that stay still
Facts we checked
- Magnification: 10x
- Scene width: 367 ft at 1,000 yd
- Eye relief of 15.7 mm
- Closest focus of 9.8 ft
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 | Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 8x | 10x | 10x is a 25% step up from 8x. |
| Scene width | 377 ft at 1,000 yd | 367 ft at 1,000 yd | The 10x gives up just 2.7% of listed width. |
| Eye relief | 20.2 mm | 15.7 mm | For glasses fit, the 4.5 mm loss is the check that matters more. |
| Closest focus | 9.8 ft | 9.8 ft | An 8 ft feeder is beyond both. |
| Calculated exit pupil | 5.25 mm, calculated | 4.2 mm, calculated | The geometric beam is larger on the 8x42. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- It still can’t focus any closer than 9.8 ft
With Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42
- A smaller calculated exit pupil with the same objective diameter
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The 8x42 suits your own glasses better
Go with Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42. That fit is worth more than the extra magnification.
Distant detail is the priority and your glasses work well with both
Go with Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42. In that case the 10x is worth more, since the field-width loss is limited.
The balcony wildlife is close, at 8 ft
Neither model fits. A model with shorter close focus is needed.
Decision guide
How to decide
Start with the Prostaff P7 8x42 if you wear glasses and want the longer eye-relief candidate. Take the 10x42 for distant detail, since a small field-width reduction buys 25% more magnification, with eye relief dropping from 20.2 to 15.7 mm.
Normally you lose more field, but here the loss is small
Listed field width drops by only 10 ft on the 10x42, and magnification goes up 25%. With a distant, stationary subject, that trade is more interesting than the 8x and 10x labels alone would suggest. The fields are 377 and 367 ft at 1,000 yd, a reduction of 10/377, or 2.7%, and magnification climbs from 8x to 10x.
Glasses are where the real compromise shows
Published eye relief is 4.5 mm shorter on the 10x42. Someone who needs glasses could lose more usable view to a poor personal fit than the field table implies. The figures are 20.2 versus 15.7 mm, and usable field with any particular pair of glasses is not measured here.
Stepping up does not bring the feeder any closer
Close focus ends at 9.8 ft on both models, so neither one handles a small balcony that puts the feeder 8 ft away. The two official model pages each list 9.8 ft close focus, and both use 56–72 mm eye-spacing adjustment.
What this page can’t tell you
- Nothing here comes from hands-on sharpness, steadiness or brightness tests. The comparisons rest on manufacturer specifications and can be reproduced.
- Exit pupil is simple arithmetic, objective diameter over magnification. It proves nothing about measured light transmission or which pair wins in low light.
- Eye relief and body dimensions as published do not guarantee that your glasses fit or that the packed case clears.
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 P7 8x42 |
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| Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 |
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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 P7 8x42
Glasses are on and you want the option with longer eye relief
See price & reviews on AmazonNikon Prostaff P7 10x42
You mostly watch distant subjects that stay still
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