I always wanted a good set of binoculars with an integrated camera to share my experiences. It seems Steiner Optics listened, as they just introduced the eDiscovery 10×42, which is built around a fully integrated 4K camera and the company’s Steiner Connect 2.0 smartphone app. The combination represents Steiner’s first foray into bino-cam integration at this level, pairing analog optical performance with onboard digital capture in a single rubber-armored chassis.
The optical side of the eDiscovery runs 10x magnification through 42mm objectives with Steiner’s standard glass quality, autofocus, and an ergonomic eyecup setup. Field of view comes in at 108 meters at 1,000 yards with a close focus of 66 feet. The camera uses a Sony CMOS sensor to capture 4K video at 30 FPS and 12MP still photos directly through the objective lens. Video can also be recorded at 2.7K or 1080P, and both single and four-burst photo modes are supported. Content is written to 64GB of internal storage, eliminating the need for external memory cards.
Where the eDiscovery pushes into genuinely new territory is the Steiner Connect 2.0 app integration. Via Wi-Fi, users can stream a live view to up to five connected devices simultaneously, capture photos or video remotely without touching the binoculars, and transfer files directly to a smartphone or computer. The app also supports Google Lens compatibility, allowing real-time identification of wildlife, plants, and terrain features using the camera’s live feed.
The live streaming capability to five devices has obvious applications for guides and hunt teams. Is that a feature that changes how you think about glassing setups in the field? I’m pretty sure there are some units within Law Enforcement and surveillance that would be interested in this feature as well.
The chassis is nitrogen-filled and rated IP67 waterproof, submersible to one meter for 30 minutes. NBR Long Life rubber armoring covers the exterior. Power comes from a rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery, which Steiner rates at over 32 hours of observation time. A built-in display handles status readouts and menu navigation, and the unit is tripod-mountable via a ClicLoc neck strap attachment system.
Specs of the Steiner eDiscovery:
- Magnification: 10x
- Objective diameter: 42mm
- Field of view: 108 m at 1,000 yds
- Close focus: 66 ft
- Exit pupil: +5.0 / -0.5 mm
- Camera: Sony CMOS sensor, integrated
- Video: 4K 30 FPS, 2.7K, 1080P
- Photo: 12MP, single or four-burst
- Storage: 64GB internal
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi; live stream to up to 5 devices
- App: Steiner Connect 2.0 (Google Lens compatible)
- Battery: 18650 Li-ion, rechargeable; 32+ hrs observation
- Waterproofing: IP67, submersible to 1 m / 30 min
- Armoring: NBR Long Life rubber
- Nitrogen-filled: Yes
- Weight: 33.7 oz
- Dimensions: 5.1 x 5.8 in
- Finish: Black
- Item number: 23500000
- MSRP: $2,529.99
More information here: https://www.steiner-optics.com/products/ediscovery-10×42.
Would you pay a premium for binoculars with an integrated 4K camera, or do you prefer keeping your optics and recording gear separate?
