Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 vs Nikon Action EX 10x50
Quick take: The Nikon Action EX 10x50 costs $30 less; the Nikon Action EX 10x50 reaches farther (10x vs 8x); the Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 has a wider field of view (377 vs 341 ft @ 1000 yds).
Field of view, to scale
Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration
Which one to buy
Nikon's own lineup frames this choice: a light modern roof prism for birding against the waterproof porro that astronomy owners have recommended for years. The Prostaff P7 8x42 costs $30 more, weighs 20.8 oz against 36.0 oz, focuses to 9.8 ft against 23 ft, and is still sold new. The Action EX 10x50 is discontinued, so it may be hard to find new.
For daytime birding and hunting on foot, the P7 is the better binocular by a distance. Owners describe a bright, crisp center, a wider field than some pricier Nikons, and handling slim enough for one hand, plus oil- and water-repellent outer lens coatings. Its 20.2mm of eye relief and 5.25mm exit pupil make it easy with glasses and at dusk. The recurring complaint is the focus wheel: enough owners report gritty or uneven units that checking yours on arrival is standard advice. No ED glass means some fringing on high-contrast subjects.
The Action EX earns its keep at night. Owners call star fields and open clusters fantastic for the price, and its waterproof build handles dew. The 50mm objectives gather more light, but 10x amplifies shake, the outer third of the field goes soft, and at 36.0 oz most owners move to a harness or a tripod.
As the one binocular you carry, the P7 is the clear choice. The Action EX is a second binocular for the yard and the night sky, and only worth chasing if a good one turns up.
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
The better all-round binocular for birders and walking hunters, with the eye relief and weight for all-day carry.
Nikon Action EX 10x50
For stargazing from the yard or deck if you can still find one; it is discontinued, so new stock may be scarce, and at 36.0 oz it wants a tripod or harness.
| Spec | Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 | Nikon Action EX 10x50 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$220 | ~$190 |
| Use case | Birding | General Purpose |
| Magnification | 8x | 10x |
| Objective | 42mm | 50mm |
| Exit pupil | 5.25mm | 5.0mm |
| Field of view | 377 ft @ 1000 yds | 341 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 20.2mm | 17.2mm |
| Close focus | 9.8 ft | 23 ft |
| Prism | Roof | Porro |
| Glass | Standard | Eco-Glass |
| Coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Weight | 20.8 oz | 36.0 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.6 x 5.1 in | 7.0 x 7.7 in |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
Feature comparison
Nikon Prostaff P7 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
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42
- ✓Dielectric prism coatings at a $170 price point - a genuinely brighter image than the P3 and most direct competitors
- ✓Wider field of view than the Monarch M5 - forum users doing side-by-sides call the FOV and weight 'a definite win for the P7'
- ✓Light for a full-size 42mm roof, noticeably easier on the neck than the Vortex Diamondback HD it's often cross-shopped against
- ✓Sharp central image that owners say matches binoculars well above its price - several M5 buyers admitted the gap was smaller than expected
- ✓Oil- and water-repellent coatings on the outer lenses - rain beads off and fingerprints wipe clean, a feature usually reserved for pricier glass
- ✓Fully waterproof and nitrogen-purged with a reassuringly grippy rubber armor
- ✓Long eye relief with click-stop eyecups keeps eyeglass wearers happy
- ✓Slimmer single-hinge-style handling than the Diamondback - owners praise how manageable the bridge is for one-handed use
- ✗No ED glass, so chromatic aberration is visible on high-contrast subjects - the main optical gap versus the Monarch M5
- ✗Focus wheel quality is the most repeated complaint - some units feel gritty or inconsistent, and a few owners exchanged theirs
- ✗Edge-of-field softness is noticeable when panning, typical of the class but behind the Monarch line
- ✗Accessories remain budget-grade: basic strap, soft pouch, and lens caps owners routinely lose
- ✗Only a modest step up from the P3 in daylight - some owners say the extra $60 only shows at dawn and dusk
- ✗Occasional sample variation reported on forums - worth checking collimation and focus feel on arrival
- ✗Glare suppression is average when shooting toward low sun
- ✗Resale value is soft because the Prostaff name sits in Nikon's budget tier, even though performance is closer to mid-tier
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
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 vs Nikon Action EX 10x50: common questions
Is the Prostaff P7 8x42 or the Action EX 10x50 better for birding?▾
The Prostaff P7 8x42. It weighs 20.8 oz against 36.0 oz, focuses to 9.8 ft against 23 ft, and owners praise its bright center and easy handling. Action EX owners describe theirs as a two-handed binocular that works best braced or mounted.
Should the Prostaff P7 8x42 focus wheel worry me more than the Action EX 10x50's?▾
It's the one recurring complaint from P7 owners: a minority report gritty or uneven focus and exchanged their units, so buy where returns are easy and test it in the first week. Action EX owners say its focus can stiffen in cold weather, so neither is perfect.