DSLR - see shot thru playback screen?

[Snurk71]

Was talking cameras yesterday at the in laws and SIL swore up and down that there is a DSLR available that you don't have to look through the eyepiece - that you can frame the shot through the playback screen like you can on a P&S.

Is this true/possible? I said no, but thought I would check with the experts here to be sure.

Thanks

 

[allie5]

There are a couple - the new Canon 40D does this and I believe one of the Olympus models offer it too. E-330 (just googled!)

I think it will start to filter into new model DSLRs now. Im not a big fan of Live View but it has its fans I guess!

 

[handicap18]

Canon and Nikon have started adding a live view LCD. The Canon 40D has it and I'm guessing the new 1Ds Mark III as well, possibly 1 or 2 other bodies (1D Mark III for example), but the 40D would be their current least expensive with it. Nikon has also added it on the new D300 and D3. The D300 was release a few days ago and if it hasn't already, the D3 will be release shortly (though its $5000).

I also believe the 4 or 5 bodies that Olympus has incorporates the live view LCD, but thats about it for now.

Over the next few years you'll probably see this technology being incorporated to Canon and Nikon's lower level dSLR's. I would assume that Pentax would get on the bandwagon as Sony over the next few years as well.

 

[mabas9395]

I'm sure someday I will upgrade my Canon and that upgrade will probably have Live View as well, but I will never use it.

You can't really tell what is in focus or not, it uses more battery power, and it is much much harder to hold the camera steady with your arms stretched out.

 

[tennisfan]

I hope it doesn't come into all the new DSLR as I don't like it, I never use it on my sister's p&s.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

You can't really tell what is in focus or not

Actually, it allows for something like a 10:1 zoom, so you it can be better for focus control than a standard viewfinder, at in some situations.

 

[Gdad]

New Nikon D300 has a live view mode- not something you would use all the time but as Mark pointed out- with the ability to zoom in it could be usefull in some situations- tripod mounted macro shots being one example.

 

[Master Mason]

I don't think it is really for holding at arms lenght to shoot with a dslr, but more aimed at when the camera is sitting on a tripod or as an aid in shooting connected to your computer.

I have had the capabilty since sept when I got my 40D and to be honest, I haven't even tried it to see what it would be like, or to even look to see how you would turn it on. It's not a feature I needed or wanted, it just happened to be in the camera that had other things I wanted.

 

[MICKEY88]

if the screen tilts as my minolta A2 screen does... it is great for photojournalism,, makes shooting over a crowd much easier

 

[Josh125]

The rumored 450D will have it, maybe..ha.

It is very helpful for macro shots.

 

[Groucho]

I think that most/all of the Olympus DSLRs of the past few years have had it - "live view" is usual terminology used.

Now it's getting common on mid-level and high-level DSLRs from other manufacturers. The newest Canon and Nikons have it and apparently the Pentax that'll be officially announced on 1/24/08 (can you tell that I'm counting down the days? ) will have it - that'll probably be the K20D. (Specs-wise, it's supposed to match/beat the 40D and D300, but they're keeping a tight lid on details.)

It's not used like a point-n-shoot LCD though, as it either can't focus or can't focus as well, viewfinder use is limited (and on the Olympus ones, it contributes to a somewhat smaller and dimmer viewfinder, though apparently the newest ones improve it but the smaller sensor means a smaller viewfinder than other DSLRs), and you won't be shooting video with it. Like the others, I don't think I'd find it very useful - the exception would be manually focusing from a tripod, where you can zoom in on the image to do fine focusing.

 

[0bli0]

my 1dmk3 does this. it does not provide af, but you can either zone focus and use it to take photos overhead or magnify on a tripod (as pointed out, great for macro). fwiw i do not use it - i've only tried it out and found it to be pointless for my style of shooting.

 

[GrillMouster]

Autofocusing tends to be slower when using Live View. Also, as others have mentioned, you can achieve steadier shots by using the eyepiece rather than the LCD screen. The best way to hold a camera (when not on a tripod) is up against your brow (looking through the eyepiece), with one hand cradling the bottom of the camera/lens, and both elbows tucked in close to your body.

Others have already posted various DSLRs that offer Live View. The only time I would consider using it is if I'm forced to shoot over the heads people in front of me or if I'm shooting with the camera so close to the ground that I can't compose through the eyepiece. In those scenarios, a swiveling LCD screeen, as I have on my point & shoot, is great. There have been instanced in the last couple of years that I wish my DSLR had Live View with a swivel screen. I'd like to get the new Nikon D3 or D300.