The Swarovski brand is legendary amongst birdwatchers the world over, and for good reason. Their binoculars have consistently been some of the best quality optics around, with a price to match. Imagine my surprise when I was given a pair of entry-level Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 binoculars to review. Having never used a pair of Swarovski’s before, I was obviously excited!
Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 Binoculars review
This is my Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 Binoculars review for birdwatching. This review is based on a review pair, serial number KE1220145A. I was only able to use these binoculars for just under 3 weeks. Birdwatching locations include coastal mudflats, inland wetlands, open woodlands and lowland jungles in Malaysia as well as the Philippines.
I have been birding for over 10 years and have used a pair of Nikon Prostaff 7s since 2017. In 2024, I switched to the Optisan 8×34 LR ED and also have a pair of Optisan 10×34 EVR II.
What I received:
- Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 Binoculars, Anthracite (black colour).
- ‘Urban Jungle’ carrying pouch/bag (green)
- Objective and ocular lens caps (attached to the binoculars)
- Neck strap (already attached to the binoculars)
- Bag strap
Take note:
- There are two different colour schemes to choose from: Green or Anthracite
- There are also three ‘variants’ to choose from: Urban Jungle, Wild Nature and Northern Lights.
- The main difference between the variants is the carrying pouch and neck strap design.

Specifications
Specifications were obtained from the product’s page on Swarovski’s official website.
- Made in Austria
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective lens diameter: 30 mm
- Closest focusing distance: 3 m
- Field of view: 7.6 degrees (132m / 1000m)
- Eye relief: 16 mm
- Interpupillary distance: 55-74 mm
- 90% Light transmission
- Waterproofing: up to 4m (13 ft) Inert gas filling
- Weight: 490 g
- Dimensions (mm): 127 x 55 x 118 (length x height x width)
- RRP: USD 1449 / GBP 1150 (just under MYR 6500)
The CL Companion series also comes in a 10x magnification model, which is slightly more expensive. There is also a limited edition ‘Habicht’ version, which is much more expensive.
Finally, all Swarovski’s binoculars have a 10-year warranty (5 years manufacturer + 5 years goodwill).
Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 Binoculars – out of the box:

Design
Swarovski is well-known for making stylish products, and the CL Companion 8×30 is certainly no exception. The review copy I received is black and looks nice, but the green option looks better, in my opinion. Moreover, the green colour scheme is more associated with the Swarovski brand.
Size and build
The binoculars are compact and lightweight, weighing only 490 grams. Even so, the build quality is excellent, and the armour feels solid. The rotating eyecups twist out smoothly and snap in place, providing generous eye relief.
Lens covers
The rubber objective lens covers are secured via rubber rings around the barrel of the binoculars. They can be easily detached from the binoculars.
The ocular lens covers are threaded to the neck strap, which is a pretty standard design.
Focusing dial
This is positioned ergonomically in the middle, with a generous rubber grip. The dial turns smoothly without being over-responsive.
Neck strap
The neck strap with the ‘Urban Jungle’ package is underwhelming. It’s a very basic and uncomfortable neck strap without any padding whatsoever.
(However, the ‘Wild Nature’ and ‘Northern Lights’ variants do come with padded neck straps)
Carrying Pouch
The ‘Urban Jungle’ is a smart-looking carrying pouch that feels durable and well-made. Unlike the neck strap, the strap for the pouch has adjustable padding.

Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 Binoculars – field performance
It’s worth repeating that I’ve only used these binoculars for just under 3 weeks.
Performance

As expected from Swarovski’s binoculars, the images are razor-sharp and crisp. I did not observe any colour fringing or other distracting optical effects.
During the short time I had these binoculars, I used them primarily in open areas, such as mudflats, freshwater wetlands, and open woodlands. They were excellent in these environments.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to test the binoculars in low-light rainforest environments. I only used them in one session, and they performed similarly to my 8×34 binoculars but much better than my old 8×42 binoculars.
Additionally, I found that the optics are good for backlit subjects. On one occasion, I could discern and identify a severely backlit bird (a Pink-necked Green-Pigeon), whereas my birding companions struggled to do the same. Impressive!
Keep in mind that the 30mm objective lens diameter means these binos won’t be able to collect as much light as 42mm (or larger) binoculars. This is simple physics. Thus, if you need low-light performance, you’ll need to find a model with a larger objective diameter.
The minimum focusing distance of 3m is decent enough. However, many similarly specced binoculars have a 2m minimum focusing distance. In my experience, a nearer minimum focusing distance is invaluable for tracking forest understory birds. This is because the birds can be relatively close and often flit around rapidly.
Handling

Even with its compact dimensions, the CL Companion 8×30 is still very ergonomic. It’s comfortable to hold in both hands, and you can even use it with one hand if necessary. Nevertheless, users accustomed to larger-sized binoculars may find that the smaller size takes a bit of getting used to.
The rubber objective lens covers flip-out and dangles well away, not impeding the view, even when I tilt upwards. Throughout my time using these binos, the covers remained securely in place.
Additionally, these binoculars’ lightweight and compact dimensions make carrying them around a breeze. Any weight reduction is very welcome since I walk a lot and carry a heavy camera when birding. Also, it’s easy to pack in my typically cramped birding backpack, especially compared to my previous larger (and heavier) 8×42 binoculars.
Now, the nitpick….
The neck strap with the ‘Urban Jungle’ variant is uncomfortable. It rubs against the back of my neck, which is uncomfortable, especially on long birding sessions.
Thankfully, the ‘Wild Nature’ and ‘Northern Lights’ variants have padded neck straps. I didn’t get to try these straps, but they look decent (based on images on their website). If you’re interested in the CL 8×30, my advice is to go for these variants instead. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend extra to purchase a new binocular strap or harness.
Summary of my Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 Binoculars review:
Pros:
- Excellent performance, especially in good light. It is rather good in certain backlit situations as well. Images are razor sharp, with no distracting optical effects.
- Excellent build quality, in keeping with Swarovski’s reputation.
- Stylish design, in common with other Swarovski’s products.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Ocular lens covers are securely attached and are detachable.
- The carrying case is stylish and very well-built.
Cons:
- Pricey. There are other similarly specced binoculars out there that perform just as well but at half the price.
- The minimum focusing distance is 3m, which isn’t as good as the competition.
- The included neck strap (‘Urban Jungle’ variant) is uncomfortable to wear.
These binoculars are suitable for:
- Birders looking for lighter gear (or backup binoculars for hiking, travelling, etc.)
- Bird photographers who carry heavy equipment
- Hikers/mountaineers – where every kg counts
- General purpose use for nature observation (birds, animals, insects, flowers, etc)

Conclusion
The Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 binoculars perform precisely as you would expect. These binoculars are stylish while delivering sharp and crystal-clear images, especially in good light. Additionally, the lightweight and compact form factor are plus points.
Having said that, competing models from other manufacturers offer similar performance but at a much more affordable price point. Ultimately, whether the CL Companion 8×30 is the right model for you depends on whether you can afford it in the first place.
If you’re keen on Swarovski and have the cash to burn, take a look at their NL Pure series. These are even more expensive but are probably some of the best binoculars money can buy.