What do the different magnification levels on telescopes and binoculars mean?

Question

I keep seeing 40×60, 12×50 and 10×50. What do they mean and what would be the better option for different applications?

In: Technology

Answer 1

The first number is the magnification and the second is the objective size, the lenses farther from your face. Higher magnification reduces your field of view. Larger objective lenses can allow more light in. If you divide the objective size by the magnification, in the case of 8x42mm, 42/8 = 5.25mm, you get the exit pupil size. Having a higher exit pupil size can help you see better in low light environments.