• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Gadgets
  • Tablets and e-Readers
Why have they removed viewfinders from most digital cameras?
Paace
13-11-2008
I have been using a film camera for years and now want to try out these new slim, megapixel digital cameras. I don't understand why most manufacturers no longer include an optical viewfinder in their cameras. I know they've substituted a small screen but this means you have to get batteries and for me looking at a screen is an inferior option to looking through a viewfinder. Also I need glasses to read and it would mean fiddling with my glasses. I know in the reviews they talk of parallax with the viewfinder but I never had a problem in getting the exact picture using an optical viewfinder.

I was going to buy a Panasonic TZ4 or TZ5 but they seem to have abandoned including the viewfinder. So I think I'll go for one of the Canons Ixus 85 IS which got good reviews and has the best of both worlds an optical viewfinder and a screen if I need to use it.
njp
13-11-2008
Having an optical viewfinder means having a separate, complex moving lens system (you'd want it to zoom along with the main lens, right?). It uses up space that could otherwise be used for a larger screen. They tend to be too small to be truly useful (it's not at all like looking through the optical viewfinder on an old SLR!). Most manufacturers have come to the conclusion that it's better to ditch it, and most consumers seem to agree.

I have a Lumix TZ3 with no viewfinder, replacing a Canon Ixus 50 that had a much smaller LCD screen and a teeny weeny optical viewfinder. I can honestly say I haven't missed it at all.
killjoy
13-11-2008
The reason is cost
Paace
13-11-2008
Originally Posted by killjoy:
“The reason is cost”

Please explain. All film cameras used a viewfinder.
Ventilator
13-11-2008
Originally Posted by Paace:
“Please explain. All film cameras used a viewfinder.”

Yes, but they don't have the CCD ('lens') and LCD ('viewfinder') technology that digital cameras require.
moisie
13-11-2008
Originally Posted by Paace:
“I know they've substituted a small screen but this means you have to get batteries.”

Err, you'd still need batteries for a digital camera - even without a screen.
MrKev
13-11-2008
Obviously there is a lack of understanding on the OP's part of how digital cameras differ from film cameras.

The way they capture an image makes a simple viewfinder impossible. There would need to be an expensive moving system as mentioned above which simply isn't cost effective on a lot of cheaper digitals.
The Phazer
13-11-2008
Originally Posted by MrKev:
“The way they capture an image makes a simple viewfinder impossible. There would need to be an expensive moving system as mentioned above which simply isn't cost effective on a lot of cheaper digitals.”

Eh, not so much.

But they're simply pulled because they cost a few pence to put in and take up room. And consumers prefer smaller cameras and money to viewfinders.

Phazer
kyussmondo
13-11-2008
Viewfinders on point and shoot digital cameras are a bit pointless anyway. Looking through the viewfinder will just show what is in front of you without the zoom etc. It is better using Liveview for this. Viewfinders on Digital SLR's are different and are in a lot of cases the only way to take photos.

I haven't explained that well, but yeah lol.
njp
13-11-2008
Originally Posted by kyussmondo:
“Viewfinders on point and shoot digital cameras are a bit pointless anyway. Looking through the viewfinder will just show what is in front of you without the zoom etc.”

The ones I've owned have all zoomed the viewfinder along with the main lens, but really cheap cameras or ones with only digital zoom may well behave in that way.

The main problem (zoom or not) is that they are pretty much useless. It's a bit like looking down a tunnel.

To the OP: I'm fairly sure you'll soon learn to do without the viewfinder. It was a "required" feature for me too, until I saw the error of my ways.
Toxteth O'Grady
15-11-2008
I find the viewfinder on my camera very useful when somewhere very bright where I can't see the screen properly
martytoo
16-11-2008
Originally Posted by Toxteth O'Grady:
“I find the viewfinder on my camera very useful when somewhere very bright where I can't see the screen properly”

I know the problem, my current camera doesn't have a viewfinder but the next one I get certainly will. Like you say bright light just washes the LCD out so you can't see what you're doing.
big_beardy_stu
19-11-2008
OK setting a few things straight (I hope):

Manufacturers actually went and asked the consumers who, on the whole, said 'give us a bigger screen'.

Lots of digital cameras with viewfinders actually have an LCD in the viewfinder housing, its not optical.

If you go with an SLR, you pretty much have to use an optical viewfinder - the DSLR has basically replaced the film with a CCD so they've kept the mirror. Of course if you've got a mirror in front of the CCD you cant record the image and play it on the screen (although I hear they're putting 'live view' on newer DSLRs).

You can get shrouds for the screen that will shade it if you've got problems with viewing the screen, and newer screens are getting brighter.

Hope some if this helps lol
Swansea Stu
21-11-2008
Originally Posted by moisie:
“Err, you'd still need batteries for a digital camera - even without a screen.”

I think he means that with an optical viewfinder you wont need batteries to use it like a telescope. As opposed to a digital viewfinder or just a screen.
scorpio20080
21-11-2008
If your looking to buy a new camera, this one here from Sony has an optical viewfinder. Its 7.2 megapixels and not too pricey - £57.46... Its quite a good little camera as well...

Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Cyber-s.../dp/B000MVWPZA
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map