[magpie]

I am thinking of buying a compact camera to keep in my pocket at all time, for those opportunities you get when you don’t have a camera with you.
The only one I can find with a viewfinder is a Cannon powershot 1100a
It will also replace my daughters Samsung which went on the blink when she was in Goa last week. I am not a fan of the screen only cameras so a viewfinder is a must.
Any advice would be welcome.

[Dabhand16]

Compacts with viewfinders are like chicken's teeth!

The only ones I can think of are some Canon models - the Ixsus and A series, I think, and some Sony models.

[bain]

i have the olympus C-765 with the optical viewfinder essentially it's a view of the optical screen but using the viewfinder where you can alter all your settings able to frame the shot just like using a dslr

[silkstone]

My wife has the Canon A1100 IS and it's a great little camera!

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Digital Camera - Silver 2.5: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[WOODY]

HOW ABOUT THE CANON G10, HAS A VIEWFINDER AND SCREEN.

FANTASTIC CAMERA, PLENTY OF FEATURES, PRODUCES EXCELLENT RESULTS

[silkstone]

The G-series cameras need a large pocket and a larger wallet!

[brian wright22]

My wife has an Ixus purely because it has an optical viewfinder as well as the LCD.
Here are a few of the current Canon Ixus compacts that have the optical viewfinder.

Ixus 980 IS, 85 IS, 970 IS, 80 IS, 95 IS & 100 IS. IS=Image Stabiliser system.
There are a few others that are still available from dealers but are not classed as current production.
I hope this helps.
Brian

[magpie]

All of your posts have been helpfull,I intend on getting my hands on a few of these cameras over the weekend, before I look for a internet bargain, fingers crossed.
I had a look in the local PC world last night but they did not have one compact with a viewfinder.

Thank you all for your help.

[brian wright22]

You have a couple of camera shops in Newcasle upon Tyne , such as Bonser's & Jessops, you can try these which will have a much better knowledge based staff than PC World.!!

[magpie]

I bought my first SLR from Bonser's many years ago,it was a fujica not sure of the model.

[samleo]

Originally Posted by silkstone

The G-series cameras need a large pocket and a larger wallet!

I've had two and they are just not worth the money;greatly overhyped ,they just do not deliver the goods!

[grounded]

I am also looking for one, but I need one with a wide angle lens, at least 28mm, and not too expensive. I will keep my eagle eye on this thread.

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by grounded

I am also looking for one, but I need one with a wide angle lens, at least 28mm, and not too expensive. I will keep my eagle eye on this thread.

The Panasonic LX3 has a 24mm lens.

There are two or three compacts that have wide lenses. One is the Panasonic TZ series. The TZ8/10/26/27 all have 25mm lenses and the ZX1 and ZX3 - only one away from your target!

The Sigma DP! has a 16mm lens - but I have no idea what this translates into 35mm equivalent.

[Markulous]

The DP1 uses the same sensor as in my SD14 - hence the quality of shots But it doesn't use a 'proper' viewfinder though you can get an extra "high performance view finder VF-11" (sticks on the hotshoe! )

"The DP1 is equipped with a 16.6mm F4 lens, equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm SLR camera, which has been designed exclusively for the DP1"

[Dookie]

Go get a used Canon Powershot A80 or A85 or even the A90 I believe..they will be cheap (dirt cheap) but great cameras with full manual controls and a viewfinder indeed!
I hate liveview as well!

[grounded]

I ended up buying an automatic, no manual settings, compact Panasonic F3, A wide angle, 28mm to 112mm , 12 mp, It has no viewfinder but the screen lightens or darkens according to the conditions, To see a picture look up doggie in the domestic animal section. Up to now I am satisfied with this relatively cheap camera.