I'm trying to find a digital camera with an optical view finder. I know most of the bigger digital slrs come with these but I would like it on a smaller more point and shoot (beginner) & bank balance friendly camera. Are there any out there? all the compacts I look at have screens which i guess is to do with the size and lens... any ideas?
If you want an optical viewfinder you have to get a dSLR; smaller cameras with viewfinders have electronic viewfinders which are pretty crap, more of a gimmick than anything. Why do you want an optical viewfinder anyways?
I wish I could explain it but I can't. I was looking for a gift for the girlfriend who has mentioned she would like a camera with a view finder as she doesn't like trying to frame shots on screens or something similar but kinda baulked at £800 for a dslr or £500 for a bridge. Oh well maybe have to try another gift idea...
Actually you can get a very good starter DSLR from Jessops for £265 (after cashback) and IMO it's well worth considering -- check this. It's still a fair bit of money but that's what you pay for an OVF done properly!
Get an used Canon 5D (mkI - classic) and a 50mm F1.8 for her. Best entry to dSLR photography and to an decent OVF (fullframe). Shouldn't cost more then 500euro if you bargain hard enough.
Jeez guys there's no way there isn't a compact out here with a viewfinder. This is one example; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Power...UAPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353609204&sr=8-1 or even this cheapie; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Power...U2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1353609239&sr=8-12
The PowerShot's viewfinder is crap. Anyway, it's more expensive then the D3100 with lens in question so what's the point? I'm sure the A1300 is only worse. My advice: Get the D3100, and a 50mm 1.8G
Ok, so maybe the G12 is a waste of time, but for someone who just wants the ability to frame something without the need for a display, there's a big difference between £80 and £370. Also who the hell wants to be limited to a 50mm prime, that when paired with a D3100 you will get a portait lens, 75mm in real world terms. So essentially, you're talking £319 for the kit lens, plus another £140 for the 50 1.8G lens if you decide you need that. The nifty fifity 1.8D costs £80 and is manual focus only on the D3100. So yeah, if you have £320 to spend, then the the D3100 kit is a great buy, otherwise, there are cheap cameras if she's determined to have a viewfinder in a point and shoot. TL;DR version; this whole thread is pointless till we know the guy's budget.
Sorry - around £300 would be good I just didn't think it was possible from trawling amazon etc. so didn't put a price in. The D3100 looks really nice... and the A1300 at the other end of the price range might make a good little present if I chose to get her something else as the main one. big thanks for all the help.
The OVF on cheap cameras are gimmicky trash, as I said before (and as djzic corroborated) - they are present for the spec sheet only, not for serious use. On a dSLR the viewfinder is the whole point of the design - without it, there would be no reflex mirror. If your budget is £300 then there is no question: get the D3100 and you will both be happy.
From the point of view of trying to frame in harsh sun light the ovf on my older ixus is much better than the screen, the parallax error is as controllable as it was on any non slr that proceeded it.
Don't think an used item looks good in wrapping paper..... But this would indeed be a fantastic entry into photography. Much better than D3100's tiny cropped dark view finder. I went from an entry level film to D3100 and was massively disappointed with the view finder. It's just too small, not bright enough, that's only comparing to an entry level film SLR (EOS 300)
