Anyone have a digital cam w/ "rotating LCD screen"? Do you like it?

[fa mulan]

I've been looking at the Canon A640 (10 megapixels, 4X zoom, under $300). This would become our main family camera (trips, kids, soccer, recitals & esp. our upcoming Disney trip ) replacing a Fujifinepix and Nikon coolpix. (We also have a Rebel EOS manual camera, but it's too bulky to take on trips.)

But the Canon A640 has a rotating LCD screen. At first I thought it was a negative - - more to fidgit with, looks breakable. Reviewers see it as a real positive (can shoot from above for example). Does anyone have a camera w/ this screen, and do you like it for family use?

Thanks!!!

 

[AndrewWG]

I have the Canon S2 IS that has the rotating screen and it is priceless for those shots over peoples heads, from wierd angles, etc. If the camera has everything else you want, then buy it. You won't regret it.

 

[makinorlando]

I have the S2 as well and like the rotating screen. I don't use it too frequently, but as the PP said it comes in handy when you want to shoot something at an odd angle or over something. When not swiveled out you can either have the LCD facing out or it turns and the LCD is protected when not in use as well.

 

[ukcatfan]

I had the S1 and we now have the S2. It has been very durable. I would not worry about it breaking.

Kevin

 

[fa mulan]

Looks like I can't go wrong w/ it. The A640 looks smaller than the S2 - - and I like that compactness.

Now to find the best price. . .

 

[donaldduck1967]

My Oly c5060 has one. I've had it for 3 yrs, never had any issues with it and it comes in very handy, espically in crowds.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My first digital was a Nikon 990, then a 995, both had a swivel/split body. I became very use to the flexibility of viewing. When Ireplaced the 995, the swivel LCD was one of my top priorities, one in fact that pretty much negates, for now at least, DSLR's. It is a great feature, very dependable, durable.

 

[WDWAurora]

Well, first of all, it's fun posting after Dan Murphy.

I knew when I saw the S3 IS that I would love the swivel screen. After we bought it, was even more sure. It's fabulous. I love protecting the screen by keeping it closed. DH just used it two weekends ago to take better pics of a bride and groom despite the crowd during a cake cutting. It's just all around useful. It's super durable, no issues there, even when the 4-yr-old nephew yanks on it.

 

[klmall]

I have had a Canon PowerShot G5 (my "make-shift" dslr with add on lenses etc.) with a swivel LCD screen for 3+ years now and absolutely love it. The versatility in pre-viewing shots in different light conditions is so helpful. While I haven't had to hold it up over a crowd too often (DS at 6"2' does that for me) I like the fact that it can be turned inward and protected when necessary. One of my friends scratched her non-swivel screen when sliding her keys into her purse; no functional but a big aesthetic loss!

 

[ukcatfan]

I have had a Canon PowerShot G5 (DSLR, Dan) with a swivel LCD screen for 3+ years now and absolutely love it.

Not at all trying to be rude, but the G5 is not a DSLR. As far as I know, there are no DSLRs with rotating screens. It is mainly b/c until very recently you had to use the viewfinder to compose the shot. There are now a few out that let you use the LCD, so we may see a rotating screen in the next generation or two of DSLRs.

Kevin

 

[klmall]

Kevin - You are correct! I'll edit my statement above. I think of my G5 camera as a make-shift dslr because I do add lenses and I do use the viewfinder almost exclusively for composing pictures but it's not. It is a very capable camera which has almost limitless manual capability for an amateur. Weight is a big issue for me and I'm not ready to switch to a somewhat larger, heavier especially when I add lenses DSLR camera yet (but probably will someday).

Thanks for the input.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm getting used to it on my S3. I haven't needed it (yet) for angled shots, but what I do like about it is that I generally keep it closed which forces me to use the viewfinder which I find helps me take my time a little more and better compose the shot.

 

[alan]

Count me as another lover of the flip-out screen (on my Canon Pro1). It's great in many circumstances - crowds have already been mentioned but don't forget it's also great when you want to get a low angle but don't want to lie on wet or mucky ground.

Take this as an example, a photo of Dunfermline Abbey. It had been raining just before I took this snap - there was no way I wanted to be lying on the ground to take it!



regards,
/alan

 

[0bli0]

speaking of Dan Murphy, it is a very popular bottleshop here in oz...

my r-d1 has a rotating screen. but unlike typical usage, the screen basically rotates to be visible or not visible. i always have mine in a not visible position (lcd turned in to body) because i use the camera exactly like a film rangefinder so i don't look at the screen at all.