A good monocular has a number of advantages over binoculars and thus in certain situations and uses they can be the better option: It features an impressive burst rate of 10fps –and while this is by no means a sports camera, that kind of continuous shooting is enough to keep up with fast-moving subjects like birds (provided that you can keep up with them, as we'll get to!). A roughened rubber-coated surface offers a firmer grip, and focusing is a one-handed affair thanks to a focus ring just in front of the eyecup. The focuser isn't too stiff and provides enough resistance for fine-tuning your sights. If you're looking to try some night-time nature-spotting, then we recommend giving the Bushnell Equinox Z2 6x50 Night Vision Monocular a try. It's water-resistant for use in a variety of outdoor conditions and comes with a magnification factor that, at 6x, is bigger than a good proportion of monoculars with the nighttime capability, and comes with an effective light-gathering 50mm lens. So you're at the mercy of the camera's auto mode. And being a contrast AF-based system, that does lead to some exposure issues when shooting things like birds or buildings against an overcast sky –and there's also a slight color shift between the 100mm and 400mm lenses.

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Looking for a lighter alternative to a pair of binos? Get the perfect take-anywhere optic with the best monoculars

This monocular is another excellent choice for observing the Moon, offering slightly more magnification than its lighter competitor. With a 25x magnification and a slightly narrower field of view, it can focus on objects as close as 20-inches/50 cm away. The 42mm objective aperture lens makes it versatile, allowing you to use it during the day, in low-light conditions or at night-time. You'll have no trouble getting a closer and clearer look at the details of the Moon's craters with this monocular.

The strong points are that these have a really nice wide field of view, a decent amount of eye-relief and with the small 32mm objective are both compact and lightweight.Unsure where to start? Learn from the best, with our specially curated guide to help you find the best camera for beginners. The objective lens is wide in diameter at 40mm. The ocular lens, on the other hand, stands at 20mm. This means there is enough light that is allowed into the optic to allow you to get clear, crisp and bright images. You can also switch from FMC green film to HD blue film if you want because the BAK4 prism has both of these.

So what of image quality? The PowerShot Zoom uses a tiny 1/3in sensor and has an ISO 100-3200 range fixed to auto. Aperture and shutter speed are also automatic. A monocular has become popular among many die-hard explorers and hunting enthusiasts because of its small and compact size compared to the other two. A monocular is both lighter and smaller when compared to regular binoculars, and in our buying guides we look for a monocular that is lightweight, of good construction and that's able to withstand the abuse of the day-to-day activity of birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Magnification is also a big factor and we like to offer a wide range to suit everyone's preference. Budget is also an indicator, and within this buying guide you will find items to suit everyone's budget.

How monoculars differ

Key specs – Optics: 8x magnification, 25mm objective lens, fully coated ED lenses; Field of view: 6.8°; Exit pupil: 2.5mm; Eye relief: 15.3mm; Close focus: 1.6m; Weatherproofing: Waterproofing; Accessories provided: Soft case, strap; Length: 11.1cm; Weight: 162g Last but not least, it gives clear images due to the multicoated lenses. It also has a roof prism that enhances clarity.