Great beginner binoculars - Nikon Prostaff 7S 8x30mm Waterproof Binocular

The Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 Binoculars offer a great user-friendly experience that everyone can enjoy.
From what I’ve read, 8x30s/8x32s can suffer from blackouts. (Fluttering shadows at the edge of the image which can affect the viewing experience). This problem leads to people having to figure out how to properly place the eyecups to their eyes to minimize the blackouts. This can be a bit of an annoying process.
But this isn’t the case with the Prostaff 7s. Anybody can put it to their eyes and share the same experience with no issues. They are much more user-friendly than my Opticron Explorer 8x32s in this regard (which are $100 more). This is easily the number one feature in these smaller sized binoculars and is why they make a great option for beginners. (Note: I don’t wear glasses, so I can’t speak to how these would handle with those who do wear them).
The other positive I noticed while using the Prostaff was the brightness. While the colors seemed fine, the brightness popped out to me when compared to my less expensive pair.
The small size and weight are a plus when it comes to portability. It weighs less than a pound and is easy to carry on a hike.
Another great feature is the close focus. While listed as 8.2ft, I was able to focus on objects just under 6ft. (~5.9ft in my use). A lot of fun for getting up close to bugs or nature.
Now let’s talk about the negatives.
The big one here is the sharpness. While it’s not bad, It’s not great either. I would say it’s decent but leaves room to be desired. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend them for serious birders or nature watchers.
But if you’re ok with decent sharpness, you’ll be glad to know that the sharpness across the field of view is excellent. My wife preferred it (and the smaller FOV) over my more expensive pair.
Speaking of Field of View, it is a bit narrow. The best way to describe it is like looking through a tube. It was noticeable to me while viewing, but my wife didn’t seem to mind when she used it.
The other negative is the quality of the exterior armor. While it is comfortable and seems like it could take a bump or two, you can tell in the hand the armor probably wouldn't last a long time. (Maybe a couple years with normal wear and tear).

Overall, I recommend the Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 to beginners and kids for the great user-friendly experience. But if you’re a serious birder or nature watcher that wants the extra sharpness – I would look elsewhere.