Bushnell Legend 8x42 vs Nikon Action EX 10x50
Quick take: The Bushnell Legend 8x42 costs $10 less; the Nikon Action EX 10x50 reaches farther (10x vs 8x); the Bushnell Legend 8x42 has a wider field of view (393 vs 341 ft @ 1000 yds).
Field of view, to scale
Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration
Which one to buy
Where you plan to point it decides this, because the two are built for different jobs. The Nikon Action EX 10x50 is a big porro that owners recommend as a first stargazing binocular, praising sharp star fields and open clusters, a bright center from its aspherical eyepieces, and waterproof, nitrogen-purged sealing that handles dewy grass at night. The Bushnell Legend 8x42 is a roof prism for walking and hunting: 22.5 oz against the Nikon's 36.0 oz, 6 ft close focus against 23 ft, and a 393 ft field that owners say makes moving deer and turkeys easy to pick up. Both are discontinued, so either is a leftover-stock purchase, and they are $10 apart.
Legend owners point to a four-month field test from summer heat to ten below with no fogging, a 5.25mm exit pupil that held up at dawn and dusk, and a smooth focus wheel. They also say it ranked near the bottom against pricier glass, that edges soften in the outer part of the view, and that fringing trails stronger rivals.
Action EX owners love the view and the build, with many reporting a decade or more of service. But they describe it as heavy enough that neck carry is punishing, with 10x shake that calls for bracing or a tripod, coma and soft stars in the outer third, visible chromatic aberration on the moon, and a focus wheel that can stiffen in the cold.
Both have 17.2mm of eye relief, and owners of each say glasses work. For hunting, hiking and birding, the Legend is the binocular you will carry. The Action EX belongs on a deck, a boat or a tripod under a dark sky.
Bushnell Legend 8x42
For treestand hunters, casual birders and anyone who walks with a binocular, the lighter roof body and close focus make it the practical pick.
Nikon Action EX 10x50
Best for beginning stargazers and boaters who want big aperture for under $200 and will brace it or mount it on a tripod.
| Spec | Bushnell Legend 8x42 | Nikon Action EX 10x50 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$180 | ~$190 |
| Use case | General Purpose | General Purpose |
| Magnification | 8x | 10x |
| Objective | 42mm | 50mm |
| Exit pupil | 5.25mm | 5.0mm |
| Field of view | 393 ft @ 1000 yds | 341 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 17.2mm | 17.2mm |
| Close focus | 6 ft | 23 ft |
| Prism | Roof | Porro |
| Glass | ED | Eco-Glass |
| Coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Weight | 22.5 oz | 36.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.4 x 5.0 in | 7.0 x 7.7 in |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
Feature comparison
Bushnell Legend 8x42
- ✓ED Glass
- ✓Phase-Corrected
- ✓Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✗Magnesium Body
- ✗Locking Diopter
Nikon Action EX 10x50
- ✗ED Glass
- ✗Phase-Corrected
- ✗Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✗Magnesium Body
- ✗Locking Diopter
What birders say
Bushnell Legend 8x42
- ✓A four-month field test from 80-degree August evenings to minus-10 December days produced zero fogging and no significant complaints - the reviewer called the optical performance 'impressive' for the price
- ✓Big 5.25mm exit pupil pulls its weight at dawn and dusk - in low light it held its own against binoculars costing several times more
- ✓In a five-binocular comparison against glass up to $1,000, the sharpness differences were 'not large' and imperceptible during actual hunting
- ✓Wide field of view makes it easy to pick up moving deer, turkeys, or birds - a genuine strength of the 8x42 configuration in this line
- ✓Soft-touch rubber armor, smooth focus wheel, and functional twist-up eyecups drew specific praise in extended testing
- ✓The Legend name has real pedigree - the Legend Ultra HD generation built a loyal following among hunters and birders
- ✓RainGuard/EXO water-repellent lens coating 'worked as advertised' through rain, sleet, and snow in field testing
- ✓Backed by Bushnell's modern Ironclad-era warranty (20 years on this line), generous for a budget optic
- ✗In absolute terms it ranked near the bottom of a comparison against $200-$1,000 binoculars - fine glass for the money, but it isn't fooling anyone into thinking it's premium
- ✗Not the tool for extended glassing sessions on western hunts - the field tester specifically drew that line
- ✗Line-naming confusion is real: 'Legend' has covered the Ultra HD, E/L/M series, and the current version, and owners on forums regularly puzzle over which is which
- ✗Edge softness and distortion appear in the outer portion of the field - owners of the line note the last ~30% of the view isn't as clean as the center
- ✗The older Legend Ultra HD's magnesium chassis gave way to more cost-conscious construction in the current budget-priced version
- ✗Chromatic aberration control trails ED-glass rivals in high-contrast light, typical of its price bracket
- ✗No shoulder harness or premium accessories in the box - the included extras are basic
- ✗Bushnell's customer service reputation is weaker than Vortex's, which matters on a binocular you might own for decades
Nikon Action EX 10x50
- ✓A cult favorite on astronomy forums - stargazers call sharp star fields and open clusters 'absolutely fantastic' for the price
- ✓Fully waterproof and nitrogen-purged, the crucial upgrade over the cheaper Aculon A211 porro line
- ✓Big 50mm objectives plus porro-prism brightness make it a genuine low-light and night-sky performer under $200
- ✓Excellent 17mm-class eye relief with click-stop twist-up eyecups - unusually glasses-friendly for a big porro
- ✓Aspherical eyepiece lenses keep the central image crisp with minimal distortion
- ✓Textured rubber armor and hefty build that owners describe as tank-like - many report a decade-plus of service
- ✓Balances surprisingly well in two hands for a 50mm glass, with a wide comfortable stance
- ✓Tripod-adaptable, which astronomy owners consider essential at 10x magnification
- ✗Heavy - well over 2 pounds, so all-day neck carry is punishing and most owners move to a harness or tripod
- ✗Outer third of the field goes soft, with stars near the edge showing coma and seagull shapes
- ✗Chromatic aberration is visible on the moon, bright planets, and high-contrast daytime edges
- ✗10x magnification amplifies hand shake - steady views really require bracing or a tripod
- ✗Bulky porro body won't fit any jacket pocket and needs a real bag for transport
- ✗A few long-term owners report optical degradation (increased coma) after years of hard use
- ✗Focus wheel can stiffen in cold weather - a repeated complaint from winter stargazers
- ✗Nikon officially positions it as a daytime instrument, so astronomy performance, while loved, isn't guaranteed by design
Bushnell Legend 8x42 vs Nikon Action EX 10x50: common questions
Is the Nikon Action EX 10x50 or the Bushnell Legend 8x42 better for stargazing?▾
The Action EX. Its owners call star fields and open clusters fantastic for the price, and its waterproof sealing handles dew. Expect soft stars near the edge and plan on bracing or a tripod at 10x. The Legend is built for daytime field use.
How much heavier is the Nikon Action EX 10x50 than the Legend 8x42 to carry?▾
Much heavier: 36.0 oz against 22.5 oz. Action EX owners say neck carry gets punishing and many move to a harness or tripod, while the Legend is a normal full-size roof that hunters carry all day in the field.
Are the Bushnell Legend 8x42 and Nikon Action EX 10x50 still available new?▾
Both are discontinued, so you are buying remaining stock. Check that the price is fair against current models, and confirm you are getting the current Legend rather than the older Legend Ultra HD, which owners describe as a different generation.