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M100 and no viewfinder

Started Feb 12, 2020 | Discussions
Andy01 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,188
Re: M100 and no viewfinder
3

Bob in NV wrote:

The M100 with a kit lens seems like such a bargain at $350 from most vendors. My worry is using a camera with no EVF. Of course I use my iPhone as a camera all the time and don't really think about the lack of a viewfinder. But my more "serious " camera, a Nikon DSLR has an optical viewfinder, and I just think of cameras as having viewfinders.

I just am looking for a portable camera with better IQ and more control than my phone. And one that I can carry with me most of the time. Are M100 owners happy even without an EVF?

TIA,
Bob

This is a personal thing that depends on personal circumstances.

My thoughts;

  • If you wear glasses full time, or have good eyesight and don't need reading glasses, may not be a problem.
  • If you live in a climate where very bright direct sunshine is not the norm, may not be a problem.
  • If you are using relatively short lenses that are easy to hold out in front of you, may not be a problem.

But if you are like me;

  • Needs glasses only for reading / seeing detail - LCD is a pain because I generally don't wear prescription glasses walking around, so I would need them to see detail on LCD. A VF (EVF or OVF) has diopter adjustments, so not a problem.
  • I live in Queensland, Australia where most days are bright sunshine throughout the year. Seeing detail on the LCD in bright sun is difficult, sometimes impossible (same as a phone), so you end up guessing and hoping for the best.
  • Trying to hold a decent zoom at full extension out in front of you is challenging for most.

And I did try the original add-on EVF on a M3 years ago and found it to make the camera an awkward shape and size. I replaced it with a M5 which is smaller/neater than M3 + EVF, and a whole lot more user friendly - at least for my situation.

Colin

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J A C S
J A C S Forum Pro • Posts: 20,521
Re: Spending more buying M50 (with EVF) might SAVED you more MONEY

007peter wrote:

Bob in NV wrote:

The M100 with a kit lens seems like such a bargain at $350 from most vendors. My worry is using a camera with no EVF. Of course I use my iPhone as a camera all the time and don't really think about the lack of a viewfinder. But my more "serious " camera, a Nikon DSLR has an optical viewfinder, and I just think of cameras as having viewfinders.

Its the AGE thing. None of my camera have EVF and it doesn't bugs me, then again I am not old:

I though that old people did not like EVF?

Pradipart Regular Member • Posts: 131
Re: M100 and no viewfinder
1

Bob in NV wrote:

The M100 with a kit lens seems like such a bargain at $350 from most vendors. My worry is using a camera with no EVF. Of course I use my iPhone as a camera all the time and don't really think about the lack of a viewfinder. But my more "serious " camera, a Nikon DSLR has an optical viewfinder, and I just think of cameras as having viewfinders.

I just am looking for a portable camera with better IQ and more control than my phone. And one that I can carry with me most of the time. Are M100 owners happy even without an EVF?

TIA,
Bob

Absolutely no problem. I can shot with any camera i have and never complain because of lacking of something in that particular camera. When i shoot with DSLR, i never miss my M. And when i shoot with M, i never miss my DSLR.

fstopx2 Senior Member • Posts: 1,088
Re: M100 and no viewfinder
2

Andy01 wrote:

Bob in NV wrote:

The M100 with a kit lens seems like such a bargain at $350 from most vendors. My worry is using a camera with no EVF. Of course I use my iPhone as a camera all the time and don't really think about the lack of a viewfinder. But my more "serious " camera, a Nikon DSLR has an optical viewfinder, and I just think of cameras as having viewfinders.

I just am looking for a portable camera with better IQ and more control than my phone. And one that I can carry with me most of the time. Are M100 owners happy even without an EVF?

TIA,
Bob

This is a personal thing that depends on personal circumstances.

My thoughts;

  • If you wear glasses full time, or have good eyesight and don't need reading glasses, may not be a problem.
  • If you live in a climate where very bright direct sunshine is not the norm, may not be a problem.
  • If you are using relatively short lenses that are easy to hold out in front of you, may not be a problem.

But if you are like me;

  • Needs glasses only for reading / seeing detail - LCD is a pain because I generally don't wear prescription glasses walking around, so I would need them to see detail on LCD. A VF (EVF or OVF) has diopter adjustments, so not a problem.
  • I live in Queensland, Australia where most days are bright sunshine throughout the year. Seeing detail on the LCD in bright sun is difficult, sometimes impossible (same as a phone), so you end up guessing and hoping for the best.
  • Trying to hold a decent zoom at full extension out in front of you is challenging for most.

And I did try the original add-on EVF on a M3 years ago and found it to make the camera an awkward shape and size. I replaced it with a M5 which is smaller/neater than M3 + EVF, and a whole lot more user friendly - at least for my situation.

Colin

I hated the evf on the m3 for the reasons you stated. Never again with the external evf's.

Gesture Forum Pro • Posts: 10,236
Re: M100 and no viewfinder
2

I like the approach that Fuji and Sony take on many APS-C models and Panasonic with Micro 4/3rds with a small viewfinder in the corner.

Pwe01 New Member • Posts: 1
Re: M100 and no viewfinder
2

Just came across this post, I am rocking the m100 for 4 months now, it's a really good camera that can take really good DSLR worthy stills being an extra small package, you can still pick new ones for super cheap, so if you are looking for a small super portable mirrorless camera that has RAW + Manual + semy automatic modes like aperture prio or shutter prio, get the m100 you won't be sorry, I miss the viewfinder sometimes, but then when I get to carry that tiny camera around and still take super nice pictures with it I understand the trade-off and I never regret buying it.

you can check out my photoblog here all the pictures there have been taken with the m100 https://prawiejakja.tumblr.com/

Cheers!

Psxpetey Forum Member • Posts: 83
Re: M100 and no viewfinder

On sunny days you really feel the need for an evf. however if you are trying to get shots at weird angles it doesnt matter I always wanted an evf on the m100 but the size youreally can complain if the m50 was the form factor of the m100 id be in heaven

Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,481
Re: M100 and no viewfinder

I love to shoot via the flip screen from waist level or above my head with all my cameras. However, right now I am in Portugal and the sun is incredibly strong, so even with a matte screen I have to use the EVF, to see enough details for good composition.

That said, I don't like articulated screens because they stand out so much. However, I can see its advantage for vertical macro and low position work.

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