Pentax DCF XP Binoculars

The DCF XP binoculars are a relatively new product line added to Pentax’s already impressive array of binoculars. The DCF XPs are 33mm binoculars featuring a very compact design, lightweight chassis and state-of-the-art coatings and optics, all for a very low price. The DCF XP binoculars come in 8x and 10x models, and we received both models for review. The short story is: we liked them very much. The long story is why, and that story is the rest of this review.

On first impression, the DCF XP binoculars are very much like their larger cousins, the DCF SP line. The black rubber armoring has the same feel, the barrels are of roughly the same thickness, and they have the thumb divot to increase comfort in the hand. In fact, the DCF XPs have much the same feel and shape that we loved on the DCF SPs. There are other similarities with the DCF SP line, but these really aren’t clones. We mentioned the compact design, but these aren’t true compact binoculars. Rather, they are just small roof prism binoculars: both models measure just 4.8 by 4.2 inches. They have a polycarbonate fiber chassis that makes them super light - we weighed them at just 18.4 and 18.2 ounces for the 8x and 10x models respectively.

The DCF XP binoculars are fully sealed and nitrogen-purged, so they are dust-proof, waterproof and internally fog-proof. Pentax claims they meet JIS-6 standards, meaning they won’t leak even if submerged to a depth of 1 meter. All DCF binoculars feature BaK4 prisms, and Pentax’s proprietary PentaBright™ multi-coating on all optical elements inside the binoculars to increase light transmission for bright, high-contrast images with less flare. The DCF XP binoculars are fully phase-coated just like most high-end optics today for improved sharpness and resolution.

Other features of the DCF XP optical package are the minimum close focus and the field of view. The DCF XP models are listed in the Pentax literature as close-focusing to about 4.9 feet. In fact, this is correct and not correct at the same time. We found that both models will actually focus to well under this distance, but with a concomitant loss of optical performance. We still had sharp image at 3 feet, but at anything under about 5.5 feet, the optical field tended to partially collapse to just one ocular tube, usually that of the viewer’s dominant eye. As more and more high-end binoculars hit the market with amazing close focus capabilities, we find that exact measurement of this character is difficult, and that the measured length varies from person to person. In any case, anything less than 5 feet is excellent performance for close focus, and you have to give the XPs high marks on this characteristic. The 8x model boasts a 342-foot field of view at a range of 1000 yards, while the 10x model is listed at 279 feet. This is probably the only characteristic in which we would grade the XPs poorly as neither of these is particularly stellar for the respective magnifications. For example, the 8x32 DCF SP has a 393-foot field at 1000 yards.

The focus knob on the DCF XP binoculars is large and features a smooth easy action, requiring 1.33 full turns to go from minimum close focus to infinity. This is merely average performance in this regard, but with the action as precise and smooth as it is, bringing things in sharply and quickly is not a problem. Eye relief is 20 mm on the 8x model and 18 mm on the 10x model, both excellent. The DCF XPs feature a helicoid eyecup adjustment mechanism much the same as that of the DCF SPs. This mechanism features 4 positions: full out, full in, and two positions in between marked by detents. This is a great mechanism on the whole, pretty much as good as anything out there, although we have some reservations about the design. For one thing, it differed on the two models we received for review. On the 8x, it was crisp and stiff, and held all 4 positions well. On the 10x model, it was mushier overall and we could only find 3 positions, and it was harder to tell by feel when the middle position had been reached. We can’t tell if this is a genuine difference between the models (if so, why?!) or if this is an issue with quality control. We have had a pair of DCF SPs for a long time, and have noted some problems with the helicoid eyecup adjustment on some pairs of those as well.

We want to mention the diopter adjustment mechanism because it’s something Pentax did well. Those of you who read these reviews regularly know that we are partial to locking diopter adjustment mechanisms, particularly those with graduations marked on the ocular, to aide those whose eyes require unequal settings. The DCF XPs don’t have a locking mechanism. Instead, they have a twisting ring that moves through a large series of closely-packed and very stiff detents. In fact, it’s a challenge to move this ring on purpose, so it’s not going anywhere by accident. Pentax did incorporate graduation markings to help you remember unequal settings in case someone resets it without your permission. This is an elegantly simple and effective mechanism.

Other minor matters we haven’t covered yet include the lens caps and rain guard. The objective lenses are covered by pliable rubber caps that fit inside the barrels snugly – maybe a bit too snugly, as they’re sometimes difficult to wrestle into place. The caps are attached to the binocular by tethers held in place by a large screw into the bottom of the hinge connecting the two barrels. The tethers are a bit short, which means they may blow up and obscure the view under windy conditions. Still, this isn’t too bad a design. They lose points with us on the rain guard, which is made of flexible but smooth and hard plastic and designed to attach to the strap by a detachable bracket. The real problem is that nothing really holds the rainguard in place. It would have been better to design exactly the same shape in the pliable rubber used for the lens cap – this would have stayed in place better.

The strap is virtually identical to that of the DCF SPs: a thin nylon-like, flattened cord that gets about 0.75 inches wide where it passes around the neck. It is adequate, though it could have been more comfortable. The bottom line is, how comfortable a strap does one need to hold a binocular that only weighs 23 ounces?! We really like the case, which is only slightly less opulent than that of the DCF SPs. It’s a padded cordura type affair with a synthetic leather bottom and a Velcro closure flap. The binocular fits easily inside, and the strap stays out so you can sling it over a shoulder.

Overall, we rate the Pentax DCF XP line quite highly. They have excellent optical performance, great ergonomic design, and are very reasonably priced. The MSRP for the DCF XP binoculars is $558 for the 8x model and $598 for the 10x version, but you can find them for as low as $399 and $429 respectively. This puts them in the high end of the low cost bracket among modern binoculars, and for this kind of performance, they are a superb value.

Pentax DCF XP Binoculars - current price and availability