Hi,
Image Stabilised (IS) binoculars get over the problem of shake. You might say you could mount them on a tripod, but that defeats the purpose of binoculars.
So far so good. But how about weight? Even 1kg IS binoculars get tiring to hold up after a (quite short) while.
I use my 12x36 IS binocs for variable star observing and I can see much more than with my good quality 10x50s. They are a little over 500g in weight. I think the 15x50 IS are just over a 1kg in weight.
I have seen the 10x42 advertised, but I think the lower power means you are not pushing the IS capability as far as you should (There again you might like the wider field).
In short, few things that I purchased, am I more pleased with.
John
  