I am naturally skeptical of anything described as revolutionary, but I
went to the Canon WebSite (http://www.usa.canon.com/press/013097.html)
and found the press release.

The stabilization schpiel is excerpted here:
"Canon Vari-Angle Prism and Optical Image Stabilization Technology
Anyone who has ever used a pair of binoculars knows that even the
steadiest of hands can sometimes produce shaky images that appear
unnatural and difficult to view. To eliminate this problem, Canon has
succeeded in developing an optical image stabilization system,
initially developed for use in its line of consumer video camcorders
and now incorporated into the Canon 15 x 45 IS binoculars.

The shake-free effect is the result of a specially-designed Vari-Angle
Prism which enables optical image stabilization. With optical image
stabilization there is no degradation of the image quality or loss of
field of view. When using "gyroscope-type" image stabilization
binoculars, several seconds are needed to allow the gyroscope's RPM's
to reach a certain speed before image stabilization can be obtained.
Canon's Optical Image Stabilization is initiated immediately upon
depressing the function button.

The Vari-Angle Prism is composed of two glass elements that are
joined by a flexible material forming a bellows. The area between the
glass is filled with a silicon-based oil developed by Canon. Highly
sophisticated sensors, which detect horizontal and vertical movement,
transmit data to a microprocessor that sends signals to a prism
actuator. The actuator adjusts the prism to the proper angle to refract
light and compensate for camera movement.

Through the use of Canon's renowned optical design technology, these
image stabilizing binoculars achieve both a high magnification of 15X
and a bright, sharp image with minimal distortion and color bleeding.
Also, by placing the anti-vibration vari-angle prism within the
optical system, Canon engineers were able to reduce the size of the
vari-angle prism and produce a more compact pair of binoculars.

The new 15 x 45 image stabilizing weatherproof binoculars are ideal
for any number of applications including nature, wildlife, sports,
marine use, aviation and astronomy."


I have never paid more than $150 for a pair of binoculars and am unlikely
to do so with these. And I would recommend a side by side comparison with
similarly priced binoculars for resolution, brightness and width of field
before spending this kind of cash on something that sound cool.




--
*********************************** I got the blues so bad one time
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * it put my face in a permanent frown
* mpatters at orednet.org * but I am feelin' so much better
*http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters* I could cake-walk into town