Which point-and-shoot cameras still have an optical viewfinder?
Asked 8/15/2011
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I’m looking for a compact point-and-shoot camera with an optical viewfinder rather than relying only on the rear LCD. It seems like most newer models have dropped this feature. Are there still lower-cost options, and is there an easy way to identify models that include an optical viewfinder when shopping?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
5
There are still a few but they are a dying breed. The cheapest one would be the already mentioned Canon A1200 but there are also ultra-compact and larger models too.
There are a number of forces that conspire to the optical viewfinder's demise:
- More compactness: The viewfinder takes space, so removing it lets cameras be smaller.
- Larger LCDs: On small cameras, they now often cover the entire vertical height.
- Wider and longer zooms: This makes it more difficult to make an optical viewfinder.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
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Yes, but they’re increasingly rare. Optical viewfinders on compact cameras have mostly disappeared because manufacturers prioritize smaller bodies, larger rear LCDs, and wider/longer zoom ranges, all of which make an optical finder harder to include.
Examples mentioned by users include the Canon PowerShot A1200, Canon SD780, Canon SD800 IS, Canon SD1200 IS, and older Canon G-series models. If you’re shopping used, older compact cameras are more likely to have this feature.
A practical note: on many point-and-shoots, the optical viewfinder is basic and may not show much shooting information. Some users find it mainly helpful in very bright sunlight, while relying on the LCD the rest of the time.
To identify cameras with this feature, check the specifications for “optical viewfinder” or look closely at product photos for a small finder window above the lens. Trying cameras in person can also help you decide whether the viewfinder is actually useful for your needs.
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