A Work Commenced October 25 2026.
Product: Artesky 15 x 42 ED IS
Country of Origin: China
Chassis: Magnesium alloy with rubber armouring
Exit pupil: 2.8mm
Eye Relief: 13mm
IPD Range: 57-76mm
Correction Angle: +/-3 degrees
Field of View: 75m@1000m(4.3 angular degrees)
Power Source: 2x AAA batteries(user supplied)
ED Glass: Yes, FK-61
Waterproof: Yes IPX-7 specification
Fogproof: Yes
Weight(without batteries): 790g
Operating Temperature Range: -20C to +55C
Accessories: Rain guard, objective lens covers, neck strap, lens cleaning cloth, soft carrying pouch, user manual.
Price(UK): £599.00
The low-cost, high performance binocular revolution continues apace, with new models made in the far East now competing favourably with established European brands. This not only applies to traditional binoculars but also to the image stabilised binocular market. Here I showcase a remarkable new model from Artesky featuring highly portable 15 x42 ED optics in a fully waterproof chassis and retailing for well under £1000.
Artesky is an Italian company founded back in 2014 by Stefano Seveso and based in the northern Italian town of Brenna, Lombardy, where it specialises in selling high-end astronomical equipment for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers across Europe and beyond. Stefano’s son, Luca, reached out and invited me to conduct a review of their Artesky 15 x 42 ED image stabilised binocular. After perusing its specifications, I wholeheartedly accepted the invitation.
First Impressions
The unit arrived well packaged. The instrument was found inside a nicely padded Cordura soft case. It’s a convenient size, having the weight of a typical 8 x 42 binocular. The Artesky 15 x 42 ED has a magnesium alloy chassis overlaid by a grippy rubber armouring that affords great protection from the elements. On the underside of the binocular you’ll find the battery compartment.Unlike the flimsy covers seen on the Canon and Nikon stabilised binoculars, the Artesky protects its battery compartment using a sealed cover that screws in by hand and which maintains its IPX-7 rating.
The focus wheel sits in the middle of the bridge. It operates very smoothly and precisely with no free play, taking two full turns anticlockwise to go from closest focus to just beyond infinity.
The eyecups on the Artesky 15 x 42 ED are very nice indeed: comfortable to press your eyes against and are readily adjusted for eye relief. They twist up and hold their positions very rigidly. Eye relief for the bespectacled among us is tight however: I was not able to access the entire field with my (non-progressive)glasses on.
To activate the IS mode, you turn the lever to the ‘on’ position. Conveniently, a green light between the eyepieces lets you know that electronic stabilisation is active.
Tipping the scales at just over 800g with two AAA batteries installed, the Artesky is light enough to carry round your neck for long periods of time. It feels great in the hands: indeed, it has far nicer ergonomics than any of the Canon IS binoculars I’ve tested in the past! Sure it takes a little practice to position your fingers right but after a few minutes you’re off to the races.
To be Continued………