14 Best Spotting Scope for Birding in 2024

The best spotting scope is an essential piece of kit for bird photographers. They help you spot your feathered subjects at great distances or through thick vegetation. But which spotting scope is best for you?

Do you need a spotting scope with extensive magnification? Are you looking for something lightweight and portable? Is smartphone integration something you need? Or do you need a budget-friendly scope for backyard bird photography?

The Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope is our top choice. It gives you 18-55x magnification with a 65mm objective diameter. The optical quality is excellent. And the price is very reasonable for such a great piece of equipment.

What Is the Best Spotting Scope for Bird Photography?

The best spotting scope allows you to see faraway birds from your shooting location. The magnification they provide helps you identify and locate your winged targets, allowing you to get the best photo possible.

Thanks to the compact size, spotting scopes are more convenient when searching for birds in the wild. Bird photography lenses are large and heavy due to the big local length required. That makes them cumbersome to use when scanning the foliage, unlike a spotting scope.

Magnification is one of the key features to look for when buying a bird spotting scope. You need to think about how much magnification you need. If you’re shooting in your garden or a public park, you can work with a modest magnification level. But if you’re a bird photographer working in the jungle, the more magnification, the better.

You also need to look at the specification for objective lens diameter and field of view. Minimum focusing distance is also important. And you need to check the eye relief level. Check out the buyer’s guide at the end of the article if you need more information on spotting scope specifications.

Here’s a rundown of all the best spotting scopes for bird photography. But we take an in-depth look at each spotting scope in the following section.

9 Best Spotting Scopes for Bird Photography

Now we’ll look at each spotting scope in more detail. We’ve included a wide range of scopes in our list. We have spotting scopes with long magnification ranges. We have high-end and budget-friendly scopes. And we have traditional and more modern options.

The Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope deserves its place at the top of our list. It’s a fantastic piece of optical glassware. It has a fantastic build quality. And the price is more than reasonable. It’s perfect for spotting birds in the wild.

With a max magnification of 55x, you can spot birds from a great distance. You’ll be able to see birds in perfect detail, helping you identify species and align your shots. And thanks to the wide zoom range of 18-55x, you have excellent flexibility. You can see birds near and far.

You get edge-to-edge sharpness, so you can see your subject clearly through the scope. The multilayer glass coatings reduce lens flare and glare, so you get a clear view in all conditions.

The majority of bird photography is done outdoors, so it’s good to know this bird spotting scope is fully waterproof. Thanks to the rubber seals, you can use it rain or shine. The sealing is so thorough it’s even fog- and condensation-proof.

The Ultima 65 includes a T-mount adapter. This allows you to attach the spotting scope to your camera so you can take pictures through the scope. The results won’t have the quality of a true camera lens. But it allows you to get high-magnification shots with the spotting scope.

You can’t go wrong with the Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope. Celestron is a master of optical devices, making fantastic telescopes too. It’s a great place to start if it’s your first spotting scope. But the quality is so high that even seasoned bird photographers can also use it.

Nikon is one of the most trusted camera and lens manufacturers. And that quality carries over into this Nikon ED50 Fieldscope.

The actual level of magnification depends on the eyepiece that comes with it, which can vary depending on the seller. But the ED50 can give you up to 50x magnification, which is incredible reach. 

There are a total of nine different eyepieces available for the ED50, so it’s a matter of finding the best one to suit your needs.

You can also rely on the superb optical quality. The scope contains extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements, which reduce chromatic aberration and other imperfections.

Optical performance is also improved by the multilayer coating on the glass. These reduce flare, glare, and ghosting, so you can see your birds clearly through the scope.

The Nikon ED50 Fieldscope is a robust piece of equipment that is music to the ears of wildlife and bird photographers. It’s completely waterproof down to 1 m, so a few drops of rain are no problem. And the nitrogen-filled interior ensures the scope remains fog-free.

The Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope is the best option if you like bird spotting at dawn or dust. Thanks to the large 85mm objective lens diameter, the scope has a large aperture. That means the scope takes in more light, allowing you to view birds in low-light situations.

The glass also has an XR anti-reflection coating, helping more light into the barrel. That improves light transmission even more, giving you better low-light results.

You get excellent magnification. And there’s a wide zoom range of 20-60x, which gives you plenty of room to maneuver. The minimum focus distance is 36 ft / 11 m, so you can’t get too close. But the optical quality is sharp throughout the zoom range.

It’s fully waterproof, so you can use it outside in any weather. The inside is also fog-resistant, so the barrel remains clear. You also have the rubberized AmorTek protective coating on the outside of the scope. This also makes it easier to hold, making it even less likely for you to drop it.

Birds are often at their most active during dawn and dust. That means they are the best times to see many species in the wild. Light is at a premium during those hours, and the Vortex Optics Viper HD Spotting Scope is perfect for low-light situations.

The Celestron Ultima 100 Straight Spotting Scope is the best scope for low-light viewing. Thanks to the 100mm objective lens diameter, it has excellent light transmission. This is also helped by the anti-reflective lens coating that maximizes low-light performance.

It also gives you fantastic magnification, allowing you to zoom up to 66x. The large focus dial makes it easy to focus at any point in the zoom range. And the image quality is razor-sharp from corner to corner.

Digiscoping is also possible thanks to the integrated T-adapter. This allows you to hook up your digital camera to the Ultima 100 scope for long-distance image captures. You don’t have the same functionality as a proper bird photography lens. But the results can be impressive.

It’s a fully waterproof piece of kit, so you can use it in any weather. And it has an anti-fog design, so internal fog is never a problem.

The Celestron Ultima 100 Straight Spotting Scope is a brilliant piece of kit for amateurs and pros alike. It’s fairly priced, especially when you consider it comes with a carry case, T-adapter, eyepiece pouch, and lens cloth. It’s the perfect spotting scope for low-light birdwatchers.

The Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 Spotting Scope is an example of some of the finest optical glass. With exceptional build quality and supreme optics, you won’t find many scopes better than this. But the incredible quality comes at a cost, so you’ll need a big budget for this one.

The large 80mm objective lens diameter gives you excellent light transmission. The Swarodur and Swarotop coatings help with light transmission while also improving quality. They eliminate aberrations of all kinds.

The Swaroclean coating on the outer elements also protects the glass. They are protected against scratches and smudges, maintaining the highest image quality.

With rubber armoring throughout, the Optik HD-STS-80 is well protected. It’s shockproof and can withstand bumps and knocks. It’s dust-proof. And it’s fully waterproof down to 13 ft / 4 m, so raindrops pose no threat at all.

The superb eyepiece gives you a 60-80x magnification range. You can spot small songbirds from miles away with that kind of magnification. You do have to refocus when zooming in or out. But the helical focusing system gives you stunning sharpness.

There’s no denying the Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 Spotting Scope is a beautiful piece of equipment. Even the most demanding bird photographers will love it. But the price will be a problem for most people. It’s worth it if you have the budget for it.

If you want to connect your spotting scope with your smartphone, the Gosky HD Spotting Scope is your best option.

The Gosky HD spotting scope comes with a smartphone adapter, which allows you to see the magnified image on your phone screen.

It not only makes it easier to view, but you can also take photos with your phone. The results won’t be as good as those from a mirrorless or DSLR camera. But you still get great bird images you can share on social media.

The 60x magnification is really strong. And the 60mm objective diameter gives you plenty of light for daylight bird spotting. You won’t have many complaints about the glass quality. And the multilayer coatings help improve light transmission and visual quality.

Coated with rubber armor, the scope is well protected against knocks and scrapes. The rubber also gives you more grip, making it less likely to fall from your hands. And the O-ring seals make it completely waterproof.

The built-in sunshade at the front of the scope is a lifesaver in bright sunlight. You can even extend it to provide more shade if the sun is directly in front of you.

The Gosky HD Spotting Scope comes as a complete set. As well as the phone adapter, you also get a basic tripod with a control arm and a handy carrying case. It’s good value when you consider what you get for the price.

Leica has spent generations building its reputation as a luxury optics brand. And the Leica APO-Televid 82mm Spotting Scope fits perfectly in their catalog. 

You immediately notice the beautiful build quality. It feels sturdy and robust without being overly heavy. And the optics are incredibly sharp at all points in the 25-50x magnification range.

Unfortunately, the Leica 25-50x Aspheric Eyepiece is sold separately. But it’s another terrific piece of engineering from the Leica team.

The main scope barrel contains elements made of apochromatic glass, which reduces chromatic and spherical aberrations. The result is a sharp, clear image even in direct sunlight.

Filled with nitrogen, there’s no risk of the interior fogging up. The outer glass is also protected against scratches and smudges thanks to the AquaDura coating. And the main body is weather-sealed for use in all kinds of weather.

The quality of the Leica APO-Televid 82mm Spotting Scope is no surprise. And unfortunately, neither is the price. You do get your money’s worth in terms of quality. But considering you have to buy the eyepiece too, your budget will take a beating.

If you’re looking for a rugged scope that doesn’t weigh a ton, then the Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope is ideal. It’s strong and durable, suitable for the wildest of lifestyles. But it weighs just over 2 lbs. 

Starting with the optics, it’s an excellent all-rounder. It gives you a magnification range of 20-60x, which is plenty for most bird watchers. And the 65mm objective lens gives you a bright view even as dusk falls.

The high-quality glass is treated with a multilayer coating. It reduces aberrations and lens flare. And it helps with light transmission, giving you a brighter viewing image. It also has a built-in sunshade, so direct sunlight is less of a problem.

Durability is increased thanks to the rubber armor on the outside of the barrel. There’s a semi-detached cover for the objective lens. And it has full IPX7 waterproof protection. It can be fully submerged in water and come out working just fine.

The Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Spotting Scope is ideal for true outdoorsmen. Ruggedness is paired with usability. It’s equipped with an eye-to-focus eyepiece and a rotating tripod collar. And it’s protected for outdoor use.

The Athlon Optics Talos Spotter Scope gives you the best blend of brightness and affordability. Scopes with large objective lenses usually got a pretty penny. But this bird spotting scope has an 80mm objective lens yet remains budget-friendly.

The optics might not compare with the Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 or Celestron Ultima 100. But the view is still sharp throughout the 20-60x magnification range.

Optical performance is improved by the multilayer coating on the glass. It reduces imperfections like chromatic aberration and lens flare. And it helps more light pass through the objective lens, giving you even better low-light performance.

The rotating eyepiece is a lifesaver if you need to sit down while bird watching. And the telescopic eyecup also helps you find a comfortable viewing position. It’s also equipped with a built-in sunshade for better viewing in bright sunlight.

Focusing is quick and easy, thanks to the smooth focus ring. And it’s fairly lightweight, so it isn’t a burden when you’re traveling to your favorite birding locations. 

It’s a fully waterproof scope, so you can use it rain or shine. And it has been nitrogen purged to prevent fog buildup in the barrel.

The Athlon Optics Talos Spotter Scope comes with a protective carrying bag and a bench-height tripod. That’s a welcome surprise when you see the price. These extras add even more to the affordability of this bird-spotting scope.

Buyer’s Guide—Spotting Scopes for Bird Photography

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best spotting scope.

Main Spotting Scope Specifications

• Magnification range—20-40x probably provides the best field of view and brightness for bird watching. But 20-60x spotting scopes are typical. Make sure the optical quality doesn’t degrade too much at higher magnifications.
• Minimum focusing distance—This is the closest you can get to your subject while still having it in focus. It can be just as crucial for spotting scopes as for camera lenses. For instance, you might want to get a close-up view of a bird’s feathers to identify the species. However, there is a trade-off with magnification. So be sure to check both.
• Glass and coatings—Spotting scopes with ED (extra-low dispersion), FL (fluorite), HD (high density), and APO (apochromatic) glass produce clearer, sharper images. These high-quality coatings also reduce eyestrain.
• Field of view—This shows the visible width at 1,000 yards (or meters). A wide field of view is better for scanning the scene or for fast-moving birds, but you won’t get the same level of magnification.
• Focus mechanism—Most scopes have a single focus knob. But Leicas have one for coarse focus and one for more precise tuning. Nikon and Swarovski scopes have a helical focusing system with a rubberized band on the actual barrel or eyepiece. The latter’s reduced “travel” is less accurate. But that makes it faster to switch from close to distant subjects or keep the focus on fast-moving birds.
• Straight or angled spotting scope—Straight scopes have a more familiar feel. But an angled scope is better for looking at the stars or sitting down and sharing!
• Eyepieces—Some spotting scopes come with multiple eyepieces. The idea is you can use the lower-magnification ones with a broader field of view to scan the scene. Then you can switch to a higher-magnification eyepiece to examine your subject in detail. Alternatively, you could just zoom in using the same eyepiece.
• Objective lens size—This is usually between 50 and 80mm. A bigger front lens (or “aperture”) gathers more light, which produces more clarity and detail and a brighter image.
• Exit pupil size—This measures the image’s brightness and should be at least 1.3mm (or the diameter of your pupil). It’s the objective lens diameter divided by the magnification. So a 20-60x scope with an 80mm objective lens would have an exit pupil of 1.33mm at 60x.
• Eye relief—The ideal distance between your eye and the eyepiece. It should be at least 16mm if you wear glasses.
• Weather sealing—Fog, rain, snow, dust, heat, and cold can all be problematic. So look for waterproof and anti-fog (nitrogen- or dry-gas-filled) models with rubber coatings.
• Weight—Higher-magnification scopes are generally heavier. But they may save you hours of hiking, so it’s a trade-off!
• Price—As with all photography equipment, the price is a major consideration. There is a spotting scope for every budget on this list.

Spotting Scope Accessories

All these scopes are powerful, so you might want a tripod to hold them steady. That is unless you spend a lot of time in a jeep on safari! It doesn’t have to be that sophisticated or expensive, though.

If you want to take pictures or videos of what you see (called “digiscoping”), you could also invest in a Tactacam Spotter LR. It is a camera attachment that fits onto the eyepiece. It boasts one-touch 4K recording capability (plus live streaming), slow-motion features, and durable rubber housing.

What Is Digiscoping?

Digiscoping is where you attach your camera to your spotting scope. You mount the scope to your camera via the lens mount using a T-mount adapter. This allows you to view the magnified image through your camera and take images. 

Using a 500 or 600mm lens is great for bird photography. But sometimes, even a super telephoto lens doesn’t get you close enough. By using a spotting scope and T-mount adapter, you can get magnification equivalent to an 800mm lens. 

However, digiscoping does have its problems. Firstly, the image quality from a spotting scope is rarely as good as a proper telephoto lens. 

You also lose the functionality of a proper lens. You lose autofocus and tracking features. And spotting scopes don’t have an adjustable aperture.

The objective lens is the aperture of a spotting scope, so the light transmission depends on the diameter. This is usually equivalent to something like f/8 or f/16, which is quite slow and restrictive. 

What Is the Best Camera Lens for Bird Photography?

When it comes to bird photography, you need the biggest focal length you can get your hands on. Distance will always be a problem when photographing birds, even in your back garden. That’s why you need a long focal length to compensate.

A lens like the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM is ideal for bird photography. The 600mm max focal length will be enough for many bird snappers. And it has built-in optical stabilization to compensate for the slow max aperture when fully zoomed in.

It’s also available for several different lens systems, including Canon EF and Nikon F.

The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM is an affordable super-telephoto prime lens for mirrorless cameras. It has optical image stabilization that gives you five stops of exposure compensation.

The Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is the perfect bird photography lens if you have a Nikon DSLR. Or if you’re using a Nikon mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR.

Sony users can also try bird photography with the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS.

If you want to see more options, check out our full list of the best lenses for bird photography.

Conclusion: The Best Spotting Scopes

The best spotting scope for bird photography allows you to see birds clearly from great distances. Of course, the very best optics come at a high price. But we’ve included plenty of excellent bird spotting scopes at more affordable price points.

The Celestron Ultima 65 Straight Spotting Scope is our top choice. The optical quality is excellent and you get a high level of magnification. It’s robust enough for a life outdoors and the price is more than reasonable.