Ok, the EVF vs OVF has been done to death around here. I am not trying to kick start another flame filled debate on the merits of either one. All I wish to do is report my feelings after using an EVF and an OVF camera for the past 8 months.
First a bit about myself so you know where I am coming from. I got my first camera, a Kodak Brownie in the 50s. My first SLR was a Minolta STR-101. I shot a Nikon F2 SLR for 25 years. I switched to digital in 1997 with a Kodak DC-20. I buy a new digital camera at least once a year. I shot Canon for the last five years until I switched to Sony last summer. The two cameras I own are an a55 which I primarily use my 200-500 and my a330 I usually have my 18-55. However I do switch the lenses around from time to time and I use my 75-300 only occasionally. My primary targets are wildlife, specifically birds.
I switch back and forth between OFV and EVF many times during the course of the day. Now I know everyone here is screaming at me that the a330 has one of the worst viewfinders ever created. But there are also many who will claim that the EVF on the a55 is the worst viewfinder ever created. However, I like both viewfinders better that the one that was on my Canon 50D.
Anyway, after using both systems for the last 8 months I am hoping that OVFs will die and be replaced in every DSLR made by every manufacturer. Of course that won't happen. But that is how much I prefer the EVF. My opinion has nothing to do with the optical quality of the image I see in the viewfinder. It is because of the spirit level and the information available on the EVF screens. The first screen is the one I like the best. All it contains is a small square in the middle for focusing (I only use the center focus point) and along the bottom is f stop, aperture, exposure compensation and a little icon for the stabilization.
If I push the display button, which is conveniently located under my thumb it brings up the second screen with the level added. This level is absolutely priceless, especially when used with the Sweep Panorama mode (which is spectacular itself). It makes shooting perfect panoramas almost every time very simple. A second push of the button and you have a whole screen full of useful information overlayed. This includes battery charge information (49%), number of shots left and a GPS icon amongst other things. And I don't have to move my eye away from the viewfinder to either find the button or view the info.
With all this helpful info available I really feel like it is serious downgrade when I switch back to the OVF. As far as tracking moving objects I much prefer the EVF. I shot mainly in burst mode and I much prefer the "slide show effect" over the black-white-black-white effect I get with the OVF, and that includes my 50D. However the "slide show effect" does not hamper my ability to track moving objects.
The bottom line for me is that I will never buy another camera with an OVF.
--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
First a bit about myself so you know where I am coming from. I got my first camera, a Kodak Brownie in the 50s. My first SLR was a Minolta STR-101. I shot a Nikon F2 SLR for 25 years. I switched to digital in 1997 with a Kodak DC-20. I buy a new digital camera at least once a year. I shot Canon for the last five years until I switched to Sony last summer. The two cameras I own are an a55 which I primarily use my 200-500 and my a330 I usually have my 18-55. However I do switch the lenses around from time to time and I use my 75-300 only occasionally. My primary targets are wildlife, specifically birds.
I switch back and forth between OFV and EVF many times during the course of the day. Now I know everyone here is screaming at me that the a330 has one of the worst viewfinders ever created. But there are also many who will claim that the EVF on the a55 is the worst viewfinder ever created. However, I like both viewfinders better that the one that was on my Canon 50D.
Anyway, after using both systems for the last 8 months I am hoping that OVFs will die and be replaced in every DSLR made by every manufacturer. Of course that won't happen. But that is how much I prefer the EVF. My opinion has nothing to do with the optical quality of the image I see in the viewfinder. It is because of the spirit level and the information available on the EVF screens. The first screen is the one I like the best. All it contains is a small square in the middle for focusing (I only use the center focus point) and along the bottom is f stop, aperture, exposure compensation and a little icon for the stabilization.
If I push the display button, which is conveniently located under my thumb it brings up the second screen with the level added. This level is absolutely priceless, especially when used with the Sweep Panorama mode (which is spectacular itself). It makes shooting perfect panoramas almost every time very simple. A second push of the button and you have a whole screen full of useful information overlayed. This includes battery charge information (49%), number of shots left and a GPS icon amongst other things. And I don't have to move my eye away from the viewfinder to either find the button or view the info.
With all this helpful info available I really feel like it is serious downgrade when I switch back to the OVF. As far as tracking moving objects I much prefer the EVF. I shot mainly in burst mode and I much prefer the "slide show effect" over the black-white-black-white effect I get with the OVF, and that includes my 50D. However the "slide show effect" does not hamper my ability to track moving objects.
The bottom line for me is that I will never buy another camera with an OVF.
--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
). My current opinion is that the EVF is quite usable on the A55 and I agree that the level is fantastic especially for someone like myself who can seem to get a straight horizon.
