ZEISS SFL 50 : Oryx. La tienda del amante de la naturaleza, Oryx. La tienda del amante de la naturaleza

New ZEISS SFL 50 mm

High brightness without significantly increasing size or weight

ZEISS SFL 8x50, 10x50 i 12x50

In birdwatching and wildlife observation with binoculars, the most commonly used objective lens diameter has traditionally been 42 mm. It’s considered the best balance between brightness, weight, and size, comfortably supporting 10x magnification. Recently, among high-end models, 32 mm lenses have gained popularity for their compactness and because they lose little brightness thanks to the outstanding light transmission of premium optics.

Despite offering 40% more light-gathering capability due to their larger front lenses, 50 mm binoculars had fallen out of favour because of their increased size and weight.

Once again, ZEISS has stepped up to challenge established norms by expanding its successful and renowned SFL binocular range with three new models featuring 50 mm objective lenses and 8x, 10x, or 12x magnification.

The SFL series first impressed in 2023 with its two initial models, 8x40 and 10x40, thanks to innovative design features. A 2 mm reduction in lens diameter and the use of thinner lenses, among other improvements, allowed ZEISS to offer binoculars that were 30 or 40% lighter than their premium counterparts, without compromising optical performance.

The new ZEISS SFL 50

The new SFL 50 models weigh only 872 g and measure just 16 cm in length. Their UHD (Ultra High Definition) optical system consists of 10 extra-low dispersion glass lenses, a Schmidt-Pechan prism system, and aspherical eyepiece lenses that minimise chromatic aberration and maximise light transmission. ZEISS’s T* and LotuTec coatings ensure minimal light reflection and reliable protection against moisture and dirt.

A magnesium housing keeps the binoculars lightweight and rugged. The slim bridge further reduces weight and positions the focus wheel ergonomically. Thanks to the Smart Focus System, you can focus quickly and precisely from a close 1.8 m to infinity in just 1.4 turns of the wheel.

Their field of view is also impressive: 122 m at 1,000 m for the 10x, 131 m for the 8x, and 105 m for the 12x model, all outperforming most 42 mm equivalents.

42% more light

With a lens diameter of 50 mm, these models capture 42% more light than a binocular with a 42 mm lens.

Larger exit pupil improves viewing comfort and reduces eyestrain

The new 50 mm SFL binoculars, especially the 10x50, are clearly an exciting new option for birdwatchers.

They offer significantly more brightness with the weight and size of smaller-diameter models, combined with excellent optical quality, superb ergonomics, a wide field of view, a shorter minimum focusing distance than any similar model, and a more accessible price point than top-tier models from ZEISS and competitors. It's likely we'll soon see many nature enthusiasts enjoying their capabilities in the field.

Field test

Francesc Kirchner, from the Oryx team, put them to the test on the Svalbard Islands. Here's his thoughts:

"Shortly after their release, I had the chance to take the SFL 10x50 on an unforgettable trip to the Svalbard Islands. While brightness wasn't an issue due to the midnight sun, I still fully appreciated their outstanding optical performance, with exceptional clarity, colour fidelity, and minimal chromatic aberration — even when viewing bright snow and ice."

"During boat outings along the great Isfjorden fjord, I had my first ever sightings of one of the North Atlantic’s most iconic alcids, the little auk (Alle alle), which breeds here in the world’s largest colony of over a million pairs across numerous cliffside colonies."

"One particularly memorable moment was observing a calm pair of rock ptarmigans (Lagopus muta) that came within just 4 or 5 metres."

Technical data


	SFL 8x50	SFL 10x50	SFL 12x50
MAGNIFICATION	8x	10x	12x
LENS DIAMETER	50 mm	50 mm	50 mm
LIGHT TRANSMISSION	90%	90%	90%
PUPIL EXIT	6.25	5	4.16
FIELD OF VIEW AT 1.000 m	131 m	122 m	105 m
MINIMUM FOCUSING DISTANCE	1,8 m	1,8 m	1,8 m
PUPIL RELIEF	18 mm	18 mm	18 mm
WATERPROOF	400 mbar	400 mbar	400 mbar
LENGHT	16 cm	16 cm	16 cm
WEIGHT	855 g	872 g	872 g
PVP ORYX	2.095 €	2.145 €	2.195 €