Why no Viewfinders?

**stepheno** · 30-12-2007, 20:20

I'm looking for a pocket sized compact but everyone I look at has no viewfinder

Now this seems a bit silly since a viewfinder is more sensible in that there is no screen reflection, increased battery life and overall better for framing. Does anyone know of a good compact with a viewfinder with 7mp+, 3x zoom and ideally IS inbuilt. TIA.

**Dabhand16** · 30-12-2007, 20:27

I think there are some Canon Ixus models 70/950/960, the Powershot 'A' series and also Sony models with viewfinders. Sadly, the makers are bowing to the consumer who wants a big LCD.

brian wright22 · 30-12-2007, 21:14

I agree Dabhand and would think that those consumers that are happy with an lcd only, rarely take any pictures in the sun outdoors?. Also the camera is much cheaper to manufacture without an optical viewfinder, thats why they prefer to manufacture them.

Steve400 · 30-12-2007, 22:01

I got my sis the Canon A710 Powershot IS, it has pretty much all you said with a viewfinder and LCD screen. I may be mistaken but i'm almost sure you can turn the LCD screen off if you so wish!

i have used the camera a few times and i'd def recommend it!

Steve

**stepheno** · 31-12-2007, 11:04

Much obliged for the feedback

I'll have a look at those Canons.

_MB_ · 31-12-2007, 11:26

Nursing a broken Ricoh GX100 back to health, will let you know if I get it to function again, it has a groovy little viewfinder that slides into the hotshoe.

Les Meehan · 31-12-2007, 12:13

What do you need a viewfinder for? Haven't you heard that the correct way to hold a digital camera is at arms length so that you can create those really nice camera shaking photos that will never leave your computer disk!

Like film, for the consumer market, viewfinders are history: long live progress!!

Come on folks, when has consumer needs ever had an influence on camera makers! They remove the viewfinders simply for economic reasons NOT consumer needs. Let's face it, serious photographers are only a minority in the industry its the happy snappers that provide the profit for camera makers.

Hooky · 31-12-2007, 12:24

I use a Sony DCS W70 its an excellent little compact. Good image quality, excellent functionality and robust metal build quality. 7mp, 3x zoom. Battery charge will last for appx 600 shots.

Doesn't have IS but I must say it doesn't really need it.

Only potential drawback is it uses ProDuo memory cards, so you may need to fork out for those.

HTH Alan

***Dave*** · 31-12-2007, 14:52

What , you guys use a viewfinder or LCD screen

I just shoot from the hip

emmettleffel · 01-01-2008, 12:36

I have a Casio Exilim EX-Z4u, 4.0 megapixel and it is a superb pocketable camera ( that can get into buildings and venues that larger cameras can not !).

It has a zoomable viewfinder and superb picture quality

30-12-2007, 20:20	#1 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,439	Why no Viewfinders? I'm looking for a pocket sized compact but everyone I look at has no viewfinder Now this seems a bit silly since a viewfinder is more sensible in that there is no screen reflection, increased battery life and overall better for framing. Does anyone know of a good compact with a viewfinder with 7mp+, 3x zoom and ideally IS inbuilt. TIA.

30-12-2007, 20:27	#2 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,722	Re: Why no Viewfinders? I think there are some Canon Ixus models 70/950/960, the Powershot 'A' series and also Sony models with viewfinders. Sadly, the makers are bowing to the consumer who wants a big LCD.

30-12-2007, 21:14	#3 (permalink)
brian wright22 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 1,187	Re: Why no Viewfinders? I agree Dabhand and would think that those consumers that are happy with an lcd only, rarely take any pictures in the sun outdoors?. Also the camera is much cheaper to manufacture without an optical viewfinder, thats why they prefer to manufacture them. Last edited by brian wright22 : 31-12-2007 at 19:48.

30-12-2007, 22:01	#4 (permalink)
Steve400 Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kells, N.Ireland Posts: 810	Re: Why no Viewfinders? I got my sis the Canon A710 Powershot IS, it has pretty much all you said with a viewfinder and LCD screen. I may be mistaken but i'm almost sure you can turn the LCD screen off if you so wish! i have used the camera a few times and i'd def recommend it! Steve

31-12-2007, 11:04	#5 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,439	Re: Why no Viewfinders? Much obliged for the feedback I'll have a look at those Canons.

31-12-2007, 11:26	#6 (permalink)
_MB_ Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 826	Re: Why no Viewfinders? Nursing a broken Ricoh GX100 back to health, will let you know if I get it to function again, it has a groovy little viewfinder that slides into the hotshoe.

31-12-2007, 12:13	#7 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Why no Viewfinders? What do you need a viewfinder for? Haven't you heard that the correct way to hold a digital camera is at arms length so that you can create those really nice camera shaking photos that will never leave your computer disk! Like film, for the consumer market, viewfinders are history: long live progress!! Come on folks, when has consumer needs ever had an influence on camera makers! They remove the viewfinders simply for economic reasons NOT consumer needs. Let's face it, serious photographers are only a minority in the industry its the happy snappers that provide the profit for camera makers. __________________ Les Meehan www.zone2tone.co.uk www.creativeinsightworkshops.com

31-12-2007, 12:24	#8 (permalink)
Hooky Getting Comfy Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mid Cornwall Posts: 129	Re: Why no Viewfinders? I use a Sony DCS W70 its an excellent little compact. Good image quality, excellent functionality and robust metal build quality. 7mp, 3x zoom. Battery charge will last for appx 600 shots. Doesn't have IS but I must say it doesn't really need it. Only potential drawback is it uses ProDuo memory cards, so you may need to fork out for those. HTH Alan

31-12-2007, 14:52	#9 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	Re: Why no Viewfinders? What , you guys use a viewfinder or LCD screen I just shoot from the hip

01-01-2008, 12:36	#10 (permalink)
emmettleffel Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Banbury,Oxon Posts: 770	Re: Why no Viewfinders? I have a Casio Exilim EX-Z4u, 4.0 megapixel and it is a superb pocketable camera ( that can get into buildings and venues that larger cameras can not !). It has a zoomable viewfinder and superb picture quality

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