And we have this from the Cornell Ornithological Laboratory Tests with and by hundreds of knowledgeable binoculars users (mostly birders and biased to 8x, but the Lab contends 10x and higher powered equivalents are on par). All are ranked by price category and quality.

(Note the overlapping between price categories, as I have cut off a category, based on optical Clarity/Crispness (with some overlap), when a less expensive price category over takes the lower entries of a higher price category. Also, Eyeglass Friendiness is a big zero for many of us but weighs here, as does Close Focus (for butterfly nuts) and Field of View which, within bounds, both are also big zeros for many of us. Clarity/Crispness, Feel and Focus Ease and Smoothness (not mentioned) are key for me. * = binoculars I have or have had in the same or a different power)

The Top in the Top class ($2000 and up)
1. Zeiss Victory T*HT 8x42 (27.7 oz.)
Superb image. Birds pop out from the background. Great feel in the hand and good eye relief.
Quality Index:4.8
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.7
Clarity/Crispness: 4.9
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.7
Close Focus: 6.2 ft
Field of View: 408 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $2,444

2. Zeiss Victory T*FL 8x32 (19.8 oz.) (highly desirable in my view)
A smaller, more comfortable binocular that's not too small--with all the
benefits of top-of-the-line glass and coatings. Gorgeous.
Quality Index:4.8
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.6
Clarity/Crispness: 5.0
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.9
Close Focus: 6.5 ft
Field of View: 420 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $2,055

*3. Swarovski Swarovision 10x42 EL (28 oz.)
Really a fantastic binocular. The open bridge design makes it feel good in the hand and the image quality is excellent.
Quality Index:4.7
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.6
Clarity/Crispness: 4.8
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.7
Close Focus: 4.9 ft
Field of View: 336 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $2,777

*4. Swarovski Swarovision 8x32 (20.5 oz.)
A smaller binocular with excellent glass and coatings. A superb image sized for smaller hands and lighter carrying weight.
Quality Index:4.7
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.8
Clarity/Crispness: 4.8
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.7
Close Focus: 6.2 ft
Field of View: 423 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $2,399

*5. Leica Ultravid HD 8x42 (27.9 oz.)
Exceptionally durable, constructed with top-notch materials, and Leica's legendary image quality. A great companion for long forays into the back of beyond.
Quality Index:4.7
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.4
Clarity/Crispness: 4.9
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.6
Close Focus: 9.8 ft
Field of View: 389 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $2,099

6. Leica Ultravid HD 8x32 (18.9 oz.)
Amazing brightness and crispness, with an exceptionally small size. Quality Index:4.5
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.3
Clarity/Crispness: 4.8
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.3
Close Focus: 6.9 ft
Field of View: 404 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $1,899

The New Midrange ($700-$1,999; the top in in midrange class)

7. Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 (22.2 oz.)
Testers loved this brand-new line from Zeiss. Smaller size makes them ideal for carrying along with lots of other gear. Super sharp and bright.
Quality Index: 4.8
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.8
Clarity/Crispness: 4.9
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.6
Close Focus: 4.9 ft
Field of View: 420 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $999

8.Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 (23.5)
A slightly larger version of the Conquest 32s, with larger objective lenses for better performance in low light. The image is bright, clear, and true to color.
Quality Index: 4.7
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.7
Clarity/Crispness: 4.8
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.6
Close Focus: 6.5 ft
Field of View: 384 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $1,077

*9. Leica Trinovid 8x42 (28.6 oz.)
A reboot of the long-admired Trinovid line--fantastic image and durability
priced for the midrange class.
Quality Index:4.5
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.2
Clarity/Crispness: 4.7
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.8
Close Focus: 11.4 ft
Field of View: 378 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $1,449

*10. Vortex Razor HD 8x42 (24.7 oz.)
Vortex is the high-end line from the trusted manufacturers at Eagle Optics.These binoculars have a good image and feel with great close focus.
Quality Index:4.3
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.3
Clarity/Crispness: 4.2
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.6
Close Focus: 6 ft
Field of View: 362 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $1,279

11. Swarovski CL 8x30 (17.6 oz.)
Great for people who like small-form binoculars, with a very nice image that is just slightly less sharp than the top-of-the-line Swarovision 8x32.
Quality Index:4.3
OUT OF 5 Overall Feel: 4.3
Clarity/Crispness: 4.3
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.0
Close Focus: 9.8 ft
Field of View: 372 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $1,054

12, Meopta Meostar 8x32 (20 oz.)
Reviewers noted good close focus and wide field of view. The image crisp, clear, and bright.
Quality Index:4.2
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 3.9
Clarity/Crispness: 4.3
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.3
Close Focus: 5.7 ft
Field of View: 420 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $959

The 400 to 699 Club ($425-$680; the top in the mid class)

*13. Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 (22.9 oz.)
Fantastic binocular for the price category. Sharp image; a great feel in the hand. The Nikon Monarch has been a popular line for years, and this is their new top of the class.
Quality Index:4.5
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.3
Clarity/Crispness: 4.5
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.7
Close Focus: 8.3 m
Field of View: 420 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $530

14. Opticron Verano BGA HD 8x42 (26 oz.)
An all-around solid binocular from a brand well-known in the U.K.
Good feel in the hand, popular open bridge design, and good close focus.
Quality Index:4.5
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.3
Clarity/Crispness: 4.5
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.7
Close Focus: 6.6 ft
Field of View: 366 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $641

15. Celestron Granite ED 8x42 (25.6 oz.)
Sharp and crisp; great close focus and field of view; colors seem warmer than real life. Open bridge design for comfort in the hand.
Quality Index:4.3
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.0
Clarity/Crispness: 4.3
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.5
Close Focus: 6.5 ft
Field of View: 426 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $440

16. Eagle Optics Golden Eagle HD 8x42 (24.2 oz.)
Features the tried-and-true design of the popular Eagle Optics Ranger but adds HD glass for a noticeably better image.
Quality Index:4.3
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.3
Clarity/Crispness: 3.9
Eyeglass Friendliness: 5.0
Close Focus: 5.1 ft
Field of View: 347 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $600

17. Vortex Viper HD 8x42 (24.2 oz.)
Compact and comfortable. Firm focus wheel that is easy to dial in. The close focus is excellent.
Quality Index:4.2
OUT OF 5
Overall Feel: 4.1
Clarity/Crispness: 4.3
Eyeglass Friendliness: 4.2
Close Focus: 5.1 ft
Field of View: 347 ft at 1,000 yd
Price (MSRP): $655