Viewfinder Am I alone in wanting a viewfinder? I am in the market for a new compact camera, but I am finding my choices are limited because I like using a viewfinder for outside photos. I really have a hard time using the LCD display on bright sunny days. I understand there are space issues on compact cameras, but a camera without a viewfinder is almost useless to me. Viewfinder Am I alone in wanting a viewfinder? I am in the market for a new compact camera, but I am finding my choices are limited because I like using a viewfinder for outside photos. I really... » Read More Viewfinder Am I alone in wanting a viewfinder? I am in the market for a new compact camera, but I am finding my choices are limited because I like using a viewfinder for outside photos. I really have a hard time using the LCD display on bright sunny days. I understand there are space issues on compact cameras, but a camera without a viewfinder is almost useless to me. « Show Less
263008
I like having a viewfinder because you can turn off the LCD and greatly extend the battery life.
263009
I wondered if there were better LCDs out there for outside photos than on my last two cameras (Fujis). Anyway, I am gravitating toward a slightly larger camera with a nice optical zoom. On the high end, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35, and on the low end the Fuji S1500. These cameras tend to have viewfinders, but I need to do a lot more research before I make a final decision.
263010
You are definitely not alone in wanting a viewfinder. I am at the age where I need reading glasses and thus, if I am using the camera, I need to have glasses handy so I can see the LCD. This is very frustrating. And I am purchasing a camera with a high optical zoom feature primarily so I can use it outdoors, for nature shots. So having the LCD wash out in the bright light is also going to be frustrating.
263011
I would like a viewfinder too. I suspect it may be difficult to do one well on a 12x zoom. Viewfinders are a little inaccurate even on 4x zooms. So, it may be that the cost would be prohibitive.
263012
I agree that a viewfinder is a definite plus. But in my experience, the need for one varies with the camera's LCD properties. I have a 2006 version of a Sony 10X and the LCD is near worthless under bright sunny conditions. On the other hand, I've never missed one on my 5x Panasonic Lumix DMC FX500. Trials with my new 12x Panasonic ... ZS3 suggest that its LCD will be sufficient, too. By the way, the ZS3 has several options for setting the LCD that can help preserve battery life.
445182
Try looking into a Canon PowerShot A1000 IS. Has a viewfinder...under $150..Also uses AA batteries...another plus..
2251077
Yes, you can use the viewfinder or the display to not only shoot the pic, but also to review the pic. This was a must when deciding to purchase this camera since a display is not advantageous is sunlight conditions where a viewfinder works perfectly. The viewfinder also has a correction adjustment wheel to adjust the viewfinder to one's eyesight. Have had this camera (in red) and have used it in snowy ski hill and Carribbean beach conditions during the past couple of months and am most happy with both still shots and video.
2038625
NO, this camera doesn't have a physical view finder. I know it is a pain looking at the LCD in the sunlight. Had I known this before, I would have gotten the one with the view finder.The one you are looking for has 32 GB of memory inside it. The one I have has 16 GB and is the middle range Video Camera.
280821
Larry, I have done the exact thing you have been doing. I need/prefer optical viewfinders also and can't find one to suit my needs anymore. I wrote an email to Canon about a year ago, when I was camera shopping, asking why they are eliminating it on most of their new (new at that time) Powershots. The reply I got was that they're responding to consumers who are demanding larger LCD screens and don't need optical viewfinders. I replied that they should start reading forums to see how many people are lamenting the lack of viewfinders. Some people don't like to use the LCD because it eats up battery power. Others, like me, live in the desert with bright sunshine that renders the camera pretty useless with only a washed-out LCD screen. I asked the person at Canon to pass on my pleadings to Canon powers-that-be to not eliminate optical viewfinders. I also need a Powershot size with 6x or higher optical zoom for my business use, and I love my A720IS, but that was discontinued in 2008 so I can't buy another. I can't afford $300+ for a new camera. Canon appears to no longer care about consumer comments and just goes with the flow. I have three Powershots, but may have to move on to a non-canon if I can find a camera that better matches my needs. I can't be loyal to Canon if they no longer offer what I'm looking for.
1417032
Hi, well this is old-school camera, and the viewfinder is only a square little frame that you have to pull up from the top of the cameraI hope this helps. My daugther played with this for minutes, now I now I should have bought a digital one :) kids are just on other level these days
994844
This camera DOES HAVE a viewfinder!! Yes, I am frustrated by the new cameras coming out without viewfinders. It is very hard to see those LCD screens when you are taking photos outdoors. I LOVE this camera. I have 5 Nikon Coolpix cameras, and this is the best for its lightness, automatic lens cover, takes fabulous photos and picture perfect videos without the zoom making any noise if you zoom in and out. If I lost this camera, I would replace it with the exact same model.
45247
Hi Jeff, I have used this camera for over 3 years now. While I am not pleased with the amount of battery it uses it clicks very nice photos so I am ready to ignore that bit. On the battery saving aspect, I use the viewfinder as it uses a lot less battery in my observation. Also getting the big fat lens out and the Zoom in-out takes the most of out of the batteries. I typically use viewfinder and leave the camera on when I am walking around and clicking photos. This way the camera consumes less battery as it doesn't have to retract the lens in-out every time I switch it on-off. I just use the viewfinder and leave the camera on... hope this helps
1840917
I have never even noticed that it doesn't have a viewfinder. I take sunny beach pictures and have never noticed an issue.
1569306
Hello Mary. The LCD screen is the only viewfinder. I do not know if you can get a separate one. As for the memory, the camera has a small internal memory, however I do suggest that you get a memory card as you can only take a few photos before the camera is full.
1280622
when using the viewfinder: as soon as the camera senses proximity with your face, the screen turns off and remains off while the camera is held to the eye. the picture is previewed through the viewfinder so there is no reason to remove the camera and view the LCD screen while shooting. this is a wonderful feature when in brightly lit conditions where the glare prohibits viewing the images on the screen.
2191604
Leica offers an optical viewfinder that sits in the flash hot-shoe. I bought it. It is expensive, but it is of limited utility when the lens zooms in. I have never heard of any electronic viewfinder for this camera. Even so, this is a nice handy and versatile camera.
602192
There is no optical view finder and from my experience, that is the biggest flaw with this camera especially for outside sunny days. The LCD screen does tilt and I've had to use that many times to be able to see what I'm trying to capture. Although that does not totally compensate for not having a view finder.
968110
Did you ever find a camera under $150 with a viewfinder? I am looking for the same
1510315
No you cannot add an external viewfinder. This is a rather low cost camera & it would cost too much to add a viewfinder.
909791
I does have a viewfinder, it's small but useful for situations you describe. The LCD screen is very good also, about 1 million pixels vs 250 to 400 thousand for most point & Shoot cameras. The shutter to picture time (or Delay) is excellent, with a good UHS Class1 card, it's as quick as you can get w/o going to a full size DSLR.
287473
I haven't tried it in bright sunlight, yet. Good question though, as I hadn't thought about the lack of a normal viewfinder. Might hold on to my old camera just in case, it took great daytime shots but was poor in low light situations.