Do I need a viewfinder for point and shoot?

[Paul Tremblay]

I am switching from film to digital and want to take a point and shoot to my beach vacation. I have narrowed my choices down to two cameras:

1. Canon PowerShot A1400

2. Nikon COOLPIX P310

I really lean towards the Nikon, but I have always had a viewfinder on my cameras, and worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me, especially in bright sun. The Canon camera has a viewfinder.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?

 

[brianj]

Paul Tremblay wrote:

I am switching from film to digital and want to take a point and shoot to my beach vacation. I have narrowed my choices down to two cameras:

1. Canon PowerShot A1400

2. Nikon COOLPIX P310

I really lean towards the Nikon, but I have always had a viewfinder on my cameras, and worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me, especially in bright sun. The Canon camera has a viewfinder.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?

The LCD is generally quite compromised in a bright beach scene situation, but seldom useless, and in extreme cases like the sun shining directly on the LCD from behind some sort of shading will be required possibly from your other hand.

I use a P&S in such situations and although it can be difficult it is not impossible.

Brian

 

[KCK14]

In the sun, the LCD will be invisible. It will be a true Point & Shoot. You will point it in the general direction and hope. It works - leave at full wide angle and then crop in post.

 

[Peter Jonas]

Paul Tremblay wrote:

I am switching from film to digital and want to take a point and shoot to my beach vacation. I have narrowed my choices down to two cameras:

1. Canon PowerShot A1400

2. Nikon COOLPIX P310

I really lean towards the Nikon, but I have always had a viewfinder on my cameras, and worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me, especially in bright sun. The Canon camera has a viewfinder.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?

Hi Paul,

I think having a viewfinder is a matter of individual preference. I feel that in the end only you can decide, and there is no absolute right or wrong in this regard.

I have been using cameras with viewfinders since 1984. In 2010 I bought a compact camera with no viewfinder to carry it with me always for travel. I had never given this a thought beforehand, and I only realised how badly I wanted to have a viewfinder when I did not have one.

I could never feel comfortable without the viewfinder and it turned out to be a dealbreaker for me. I sold the compact within 3 months, and I now know that I just cannot enjoy a camera without a viewfinder.

It is a very wise step to consider this before you buy, but it is not easy to be able to form an opinion about it without actually having a canera. You never know, your outcome, however, may be complete different. You may think it is a revelation to finally get rid of that old school viewfinder.

I am sorry I have not been able to be more help, but good luck with your new experience, and do let us know how you feel about it.

 

[howardfuhrman]

You ask a very good question. I find when you do not have a VF, your subject is diifficult or impossible to see on the LCD in bright light. An EVF is a big asset. The EVF is a compromise that is lost when you want a small pocket camera. If you purchase a Panasonic LX7, an accessory EVF is available, it adds significanty both to the cost and bulk.

 

[yooperguy]

My experience is yes, a viewfinder is often necessary on a bright sunny beach, and other similar light situations. The viewfinder on the Canon is an optical tunnel with no shooting information, but at least you can see what most of your scene will be, since it's not a 100% view. The Nikon without an optical viewfinder will be the one that is most challenged on the sunny day scenario.

One option I've used with success is a Clearviewer. My Canon G9 has the optical tunnel viewfinder, but I want to see 100% and all my settings, so I got a Clearviewer for it. I also got a Clearviewer for my Samsung NX100, before I was able to get a good deal on it's optional EVF. I would suggest you consider a Clearviewer, and no I do not have any relationship with the company. The Clearviewer makes your LCD seem like a large EVF. It's easy to shade in bright light, but I tend to wear a hat with a brim to help matters.

http://clearviewer.com/

Dennis

 

[salla30]

good reply. Exactly my findings. I have 2 cameras, RX100 and NEX5N both without VF.

I don't find the lack of VF a big problem, I have become so used to not using them. I use live histogram to help me with exposure in these cases (i use manual mode).

If you are going for simple p&s, then you will probably be reliant on auto-mode and won't have this option.

It will thus be much harder to gauge exposure. The only other way is to view post shot and check histogram then (if your camera has the option)

For framing, you can usually see what you need to frame a shot even in direct sunlight (as brian says, you may need to shade the screen somewhat).

 

[areichow]

I think it depends a lot on your habits, needs, and physical capabilities. I've not used a viewfinder for a decade, in all seasons and all weather, even on my Canon SD1000 which included a dinky optical viewfinder.

As long as you don't have problems with your eyesight or have a bad tremble you really shouldn't need one. Personal preference is another matter...

 

[Glen Barrington]

It's a personal preference thing.

 

[Lumixdude]

An electronic viewfinder will provide an option when the LCD screen becomes invisible e.g. shooting into direct sunlight in the middle of the day. On other occasions, no it's not necessary. How often do you shoot directly into the sun? It's a shot I use seldom for its dramatic effect to get flare, it's not an average shot, for me at least.

A camera that has a hot shoe will give you the option to mount a viewfinder whether optical or electronic, it might be worth considering if you think you might need one down the track.

 

[Henry Falkner]

salla30 wrote:

For framing, you can usually see what you need to frame a shot even in direct sunlight (as brian says, you may need to shade the screen somewhat).

The main problem I have in sunlit conditions is to extrapolate the mirror image of my face in the LCD, so I have to shade my face. My hand is not big enough, so I must remember to have my cap with me.

Henry

 

[Draek]

Paul Tremblay wrote:

I am switching from film to digital and want to take a point and shoot to my beach vacation. I have narrowed my choices down to two cameras:

1. Canon PowerShot A1400

2. Nikon COOLPIX P310

I really lean towards the Nikon, but I have always had a viewfinder on my cameras, and worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me, especially in bright sun. The Canon camera has a viewfinder.

Then you probably do need one.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?

I can get by without a viewfinder and find the LCD screen usable enough, but that's the thing: *I* can get by, *you* probably won't, given your own expectations. Besides, the A1400 is among the best compacts in its price segment, so though it probably won't be up to the standards of the originally-much-pricier Nikon, you won't be getting a terrible camera either.

For what it's worth though, two years ago I took my Canon A1200 with me to the beach and used the LCD almost exclusively until its batteries died, then I switched to a pair of alkalines and the OVF; didn't have a problem with either.

 

[Draek]

Erm, no, shooting directly into the sun is the one circumstance where you never, ever want to be using an OVF. Better to kill a few pixels off your sensor than your own eyeballs.

 

[salla30]

aha, good point. I don't know, i just don't seem to have (notice?) problems. Maybe Ive not used a VF in so long, i don't know what i am missing.

Next time Im shooting in sunshine, Ill try and make some mental notes.

 

[Mahmoud Mousef]

Paul Tremblay wrote:
...worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me...

I'm one of these people that doesn't understand how anyone can live without a viewfinder on their cameras (assuming they want to take plenty of photos outdoors with it), so file my thoughts under "must have a viewfinder".

If I really don't care how things turn out and don't need to see results as I work (or if the camera offers some other compelling advantages I can't seem to get elsehwere), only then can I accept not having one.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?

All those I've tried have been practically useless in bright sun; some of them very nice cameras but just not appealing enough for all types of shooting and I feel like I'm one step away from using a phone.

I wish there were more good info on that Canon 1400; I'm tempted by it.

 

[Alleg1]

Mahmoud Mousef wrote:

Paul Tremblay wrote:
...worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me...

I'm one of these people that doesn't understand how anyone can live without a viewfinder on their cameras (assuming they want to take plenty of photos outdoors with it), so file my thoughts under "must have a viewfinder".

If I really don't care how things turn out and don't need to see results as I work (or if the camera offers some other compelling advantages I can't seem to get elsehwere), only then can I accept not having one.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?

All those I've tried have been practically useless in bright sun; some of them very nice cameras but just not appealing enough for all types of shooting and I feel like I'm one step away from using a phone.

I wish there were more good info on that Canon 1400; I'm tempted by it.

I agree, I would not not be happy without a decent viewfinder (either Optical or EVF).

Apart from visibility issues, in my opinion, better stability can be achieved by holding the camera against the face and tucking in the elbows rather than holding it away from the body.

Having said that, an articulating screen and/or IS system might help overcome this problem.

 

[scorrpio]

You can always opt for one of these (or similar)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-8x-3-LCD-...pt=US_Viewfinders_Eyecups&hash=item4ac5668870

 

[hjr13]

I always want a viewfinder, but on most p&s cameras they are next to useless. The view is so small and dim it isn't even worth having one.

 

[jrtrent]

Well, I do anyway. It's not that it's impossible to take pictures without one, but, as others have mentioned, I've often ended up seeing little or nothing on the LCD display and had to guess at what might end up in the shot. It's hardly what I would call "composing" a picture--I just can't see it well enough.

When I've been out on day trips with friends, it often happens that people without viewfinders simply put their cameras away because they can't see the screen well enough to enjoy picture-taking. The small, tunnel-like, 80% coverage or so optical viewfinder on my Nikon P7100 is probably very similar to the one on the A1400; no, it's not a great viewfinder, but it does give a clear, easy-to-see view no matter how bright and sunny the weather is. I may need to do a bit of cropping at home to get the picture I saw through the viewfinder, but at least I could see a picture through the viewfinder!

 

[Lin Evans]

Hi Paul

You won't be able to read the LCD with sunlight behind you without some sort of sunshade. You probably will not be able to fine focus manually at all and on the beach, my suggestion would be to forget about being able to use the camera to even frame effectively without an Xtend-a-View, Hoodman, Carry Speed or other serious sunshade/magnifier.

My suggestion: Buy the camera with the EVF - you won't be sorry...

Best regards,

Lin

Paul Tremblay wrote:

I am switching from film to digital and want to take a point and shoot to my beach vacation. I have narrowed my choices down to two cameras:

1. Canon PowerShot A1400

2. Nikon COOLPIX P310

I really lean towards the Nikon, but I have always had a viewfinder on my cameras, and worry that the lack of a viewfinder on the Nikon will frustrate me, especially in bright sun. The Canon camera has a viewfinder.

For a modern point and shoot such as the Nikon P310, can one get by without a viewfinder on a bright beach? Does the LCD screen give one enough of an image by which to compose the picture, or is it useless?