The Olympus 10×21 RC II WP is a pocket-size pair of binoculars with 10× magnification, 21 mm lenses and a waterproof housing. It weighs 215 g, folds to 107 × 88 × 38 mm and rides in our daypack for lookouts, walks and wildlife at camp. I paid $84 for it.
What’s in the box
Roof-prism style compact binoculars with a rubber-coated body, multi-coated lenses, a centre focus wheel and a dioptre ring on the right eyepiece. The two barrels fold together on a central hinge, and they come with a neck strap and a soft mesh pouch.
What we like
- Folds into a pocket, 215 g
- Waterproof housing
- Sharp daylight views
- Smooth focus and dioptre
What we don’t
- Shaky at 10× without support
- Dim at dusk (21 mm)
- Basic mesh pouch
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Olympus |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight | 215 g |
| Objective lens | 21 mm |
| Size | 10.7 × 8.8 × 3.8 cm |
| Magnification | 10× |
| Water rating | Yes |
| Included | Neck strapPouch |
In the field
In daylight the view is sharp, with natural colours and good contrast, and 10× brings a distant cliff line, a bird in a tree or a sign across a valley close enough to read. The multi-coated lenses keep glare down unless the sun is right at the edge of the view. Focus is quick: the wheel turns smoothly with no play, so you can go from near to far in a moment.
The catch with 10× in a small pair is shake. Held loosely, the image wobbles; brace your elbows against your chest or rest on a railing and it settles. At dusk the 21 mm lenses run out of light, as all pocket binoculars do, so they’re for daytime viewing rather than spotlighting at night.
Build and controls
The rubber coating gives a good grip with cold or damp hands, and the waterproof housing means light rain or sea spray at the coast isn’t a worry. The hinge is tight and holds your eye spacing where you set it, the eyecups twist up and down for glasses wearers, and the dioptre ring on the right clicks in fine steps, so you set it once for your eyes.
Size and weight
Folded, they fit a jacket pocket or a pack’s hip-belt pocket, and at 215 g you don’t notice them. That’s the point of a pair like this: they come along on every walk and lookout because they’re no bother to carry. The mesh pouch is basic, so for rough trips a padded case is worth having.
Binoculars comparison
We’ve also tested the Vulness 8×21 mini binoculars. They’re lighter at 160 g and a little cheaper, but the Olympus has more magnification (10× against 8×) and a waterproof housing. Both have 21 mm lenses, so neither is bright at dusk. For lookouts and wildlife, the Olympus; for the lightest pocket pair, the Vulness.
This one Olympus Binoculars |  Vulness 8×21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | Yes | No |
| Magnification | 10× | 8× |
| Objective lens | 21 mm | 21 mm |
| Weight | 215 g | 160 g |
| Price paid | $84 | $80 |
| Our score | 9.1 | 8.9 |
Conclusion: Olympus 10x21 binoculars RC IIConclusion
The Olympus 10×21 RC II WP is a small, tough pair of binoculars that you’ll actually carry: 215 g, folds into a pocket and shrugs off rain. Daylight views are sharp and the controls are smooth. 10× needs a steady hand, the 21 mm lenses struggle at dusk and the pouch is basic, but for lookouts and walks it’s a great buy. I paid $84.
Olympus 10x21 RC II WP balances portability and clarity in a pocketable waterproof design.
Daylight views are crisp, controls are intuitive, and the foldable body is easy to carry. Low-light performance is modest due to the 21 mm objective, which suits daytime use.
- Hikers
- Campers
- Travellers
Yes. I paid $84 for a 215 g waterproof pair that folds into a pocket and is sharp in daylight. For dusk viewing, look at bigger lenses.
