Nikon Prostaff 3s 10×42 vs Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×42

Nikon Prostaff 3s 10×42 vs Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×42

Nikon’s Prostaff 3s and 7s are so alike that the distinction between them often goes unnoticed. But, if taken a closer look at the feature and properties, it’s easy to tell which binocular is the one for you.

Nikon Prostaff 3s is a high-reflective multi-coated binocular with a dimension of 15.0 x 12.9 x 5.1cm. It has higher magnification with a full-size objective lens which gathers light for higher-resolution observation of distant objects. 

The binocular has eco-free glass lenses, which are free of lead and arsenic. In addition, they have a multi-layer coating, which ensures improved light transmission and even helps scan the objects at a far distance. 

Hikers and birdwatchers like Nikon Prostaff 7s for their image clarity and great color contrast. They are carefully designed with an advanced optical system, which produces natural and accurate color images. The close focus distance of Prostaff 7s is 13.1 ft while its counterpart has a minimum focus distance of 9.8 ft. 

Nikon Prostaff 3s 10×42

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Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×42

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1. Magnification and Objective Lens Size 

Even though they appear the same to users, the performance capacity of Nikon Prostaff 3s varies from the 7s. It’s more impressive with the high-powered ocular lens that can magnify objects up to 10 times. 

Built on a cylindrical housing, the objective lens of Nikon Prostaff 3s improves the image quality, resolution, and contrast. Its large objective diameter of 42mm enhances the magnification power and makes the image brighter. 

With a clear field of view, Nikon Prostaff 3s can capture a wider area even with eyeglasses on. It’s designed with a high-eyepoint for long eye relief, high-precision images, and a large field of vision. 

2. Lens and Prism coatings 

Nikon Prostaff 7s has been designed with a high-reflective multi-layer prism coating to reduce the reflection of light at the glass surface. It’s done to increase the transmission of light and protect the lens from scratches, resulting from everyday usage. 

Phase-correction coating has been applied on the lense of Nikon Prostaff 7s to prevent loss of resolution and deliver high-contrast images. The objective lens of 7s has a supreme quality multi-layer coating as compared to the other model, which means it offers better transparency and visual comfort. 

There’s still more to Nikon Prostaff 7s as its internal reflection is much better than the 3s. It doesn’t wash off the image and performs great even in dim light conditions. If inclined the binoculars in internal lightning, it releases green or faint purple reflections. 

Like Prostaff 7s, 3s lenses are also multi-coated to avoid losing the light and provide a brighter image. It improves the properties of the lens and makes it flexible to spit the object. However, the internal reflection isn’t much in control at the Nikon Prostaff 3s 10×42. 

The roof prism of Nikon Prostaff 3s is coated with a silver alloy mirror for its high reflectance and greater durability. The prism coating on the exterior of the lenses serves as a mirror, providing sharper and crisper images than the aluminum. 

3. Construction 

The construction of both series of Nikon binoculars is great. But, with its superior performance and latest technology, the Nikon Prostaff 7s is more likable. The binocular is built tough for improved performance and longer service life, under various conditions. 

These binoculars are O-ring-filled and nitrogen-filled for better protection against fog and water. They are abrasion-resistant with high rigidity and eco-glass lenses, which provide a clearer and brighter view.

Prostaff 7s delivers sharper images with the help of a Phase-correction coated lens that’s suitable for all kinds of terrains. Since they are waterproof and fog proof, users don’t have to worry about eroding the binoculars while using them in the woods for hiking or birding. 

Nikon Prostaff 3s has an ergonomic design with rubber armor to prevent shock and provide a non-slip grip even in wet conditions. The body of the binocular is made of durable polycarbonate resin to give a lighter feel without cracking the binocular. 

Nikon Prostaff is relatively light as compared to the 7s with shock-resistant rugged rubber arm coating for a strong and secure grip. With an exit pupil diameter of 4.2mm, Nikon Prostaff 3s is compact and doesn’t have a bulky weight. 

3. Chromatic Aberration 

Chromatic aberration is an optical distortion that occurs due to the default of lenses to focus on various wavelengths of light onto the same point of convergence. The lens focal distance is determined by enabling a parallel beam of light to pass through it. 

It causes the color shift on the edges of some objects, affecting the image quality. Users are convinced that the Nikon Prostaff 7s is comparatively more impressive than the 3s as it displays on-axis chromatic aberration. Meanwhile, the Prostaff 3s shows lateral chromatic aberration, which causes color fringing. 

It affects the image quality and causes blurriness but, the aberration can be reduced to some extent by combining various lens elements with refractive indexes. Lateral Chromatic aberration is noticed at the edge of the image. 

4. Weight 

The weight of a binocular concerns users the most, especially those who are hiking or birdwatching in wild. They don’t prefer to have a hefty binocular, which just adds weight to their neck. Users generally prefer to have lightweight binoculars that are compact and easier to carry. 

For that matter, Nikon Prostaff 7s are slightly heavier than the 3s. They weigh almost 100g more than the other series of Nikon Prostaff. While the 7s measures a total weight of 650g, Nikon Prostaf 3s merely puts 550g on the scale. 

The smaller size binocular delivers more comfort and brighter images while allowing them to hold for a longer time period. Nikon Prostaff 3s has a lightweight frame, made of fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin, which provides high rigidity. 

It reduces the weight of binoculars by up to 60% while still maintaining high strength. Moreover, Prostaff 3s has high rigidity and is corrosion resistance, so very little time and effort is required for the maintenance of the binocular. 

5. Eye relief and eyecups 

Nikon Prostaff 3s has a long eye relief scope to provide a clear field of view even for the eyeglasses wearers. It lets users have enough room to adjust the distance of objective lenses from their eyes so the object can be easily snapped without vignetting. 

The binocular feature multi-click turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, which help find correct eye positioning for greater comfort and eye relief. They offer more flexibility and keeps the light away from entering the viewfinder. 

Meanwhile, the Prostaff 7s has relatively shorter eye relief than the 3s. Its eye relief measures 15.5m whereas the Nikon Prostaff 3s has 15.7m eye relief, providing a larger window for maneuver. 

This new model of Nikon Prostaff too has turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, which enable users to adjust the eye-relief for a perfect fit. It allows the user to rotate them according to convenience and prevents diminishing contrast.

6. Price 

For the quality and features, both the binoculars from Nikon are worth fighting for. They are the best bang for the buck with a solid construction, tasteful design, and compact size. Both the Nikon Prostaff series cost under US$200 but the 3s are slightly cheaper than the Prostaff 7s. It’s available for under US$150 whereas the 7s costs US$199 or even a few extra bucks. 

As for the quality, both models of Nikon binocular share incredible quality with longer and better performance. These binoculars are waterproof, so you can use them while hiking or birding without ruining or getting them damaged. 

Final Verdict

Nikon Prostaff 7s is definitely a better option than the Prostaff 3s in terms of construction, quality material, and features. It’s nicely designed with a smooth central focus and high reflective aluminum prism coating to increase light transmittance for a sharper and clearer view. 

It magnifies the size of the image, making it appear 10 times larger than the actual object. Prostaff 7s has a long eye relief design to provide a full field of view and focal length for users who wear eyeglasses. It serves all types of users, be it, birders, hikers, or a budding astronomer, who wants to observe the stars. 

Prostaff 3s also makes a great choice for bird watching, nature observation, hiking, and other outdoor activities. But, it might not come to good use for astronomers due to the poor light transmission.

Before buying Nikon Prostaff 7s, see what verified buyers are reviewing about it on Amazon.

Before buying Nikon Prostaff 3s, see what verified buyers are reviewing about it on Amazon.

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