Point & Shoot - No Viewfinder?

[debg]

I'm looking for a point & shoot for my husband... I have the Canon S5 IS but he'd like something smaller to take kayaking (quiet, lazy river kayaking - not white water kayaking) and when we cruise. I've narrowed it down to a couple different cameras but neither has a view finder. Having never owned a camera like this, and thinking that I personally would not like one like this, I hesitate to buy either of them. But, I read reviews and both get excellent overall marks, and especially for the screen/viewing, even in full sun, and I know other people have no problem with this type of camera.

Any pros/cons or assurance you can give me that for a point & shoot, a view finder isn't especially necessary? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? If I didn't like both of these cameras so much, I'd just choose something else.

Thanks for any/all help/suggestions.

debg

 

[ElizK]

Using the screen on the back of the camera rather than a viewfinder will use batteries much more quickly, but I actually started doing just that. The screen more accurately showed the framing than the viewfinder did. That's all I use now.

 

[BriarRose59]

I purchased my Canon PowerShot SD800IS because it had a viewfinder. I would not consider a camera without one. I have changed my tune, however, because I never use the viewfinder now. I only use the screen. I took this camera on a Baltic cruise this past summer and photographed all day at the ports and did not have a problem with the battery running out. I did buy an extra battery to have with me just to be safe, but never had to use it. Next time, I will buy a P&S without a viewfinder because the screens are larger.

 

[caniswolfie]

The problem with most of the point and shoot viewfinders is that they aren't very good. They are usually offset from the lens and give you a slightly different perspective on what you are shooting. They also give you a smaller view of what the photograph will contain and will not give you a good idea of what filters and focusing will do to the image.

They are a different animal than the Digital SLR viewfinders which actually let you look through the lens as you frame your image. They also give you more information while you are looking through them (such as shutter speed, aperature, ISO, and meter reading). Using a point and shoot viewfinder after using a SLR viewfinder is usually a disappointing experience.

Some point and shoots try to emulate the SLR viewfinder by using an electronic viewfinder on the cameras, which is basically a small LCD inside the camera that you view through a viewfinder hole.

 

[debg]

Thank you very much, everyone! It's good to hear from people who thought as I did - that view finders are a must - and have since discovered that they're not, necessarily. Of course I still need to make my final decision - I'm debating between one of the Olympus Stylus SW (waterproof) cameras and the Canon Powershot SX100. I'm really torn, given that DH will be using it mostly when kayaking I like the waterproof (he's a bit of a clutz, haha) and the fun colors, but the I like the Canon camera more. I'm one who likes a longer zoom... but I have to remember that I won't be the one using the camera.

Thanks again for your replies.

debg

 

[seashoreCM]

The screen viewfinder gives a much more accurate view of what you will actually get in the picture, but I have a hard time holding the camera steady in front of me with just two hands. So I would frame the shot with the right amount of zoom and try to remember what is in the exact center, then use the peephole viewfinder and center the same object and use my head to help steady the camera.

When the screen viewfinder brightness is optimized for outdoor use, it will not at the same time give you an idea of how light or dark the picture will come out. The camera may or may not offer a menu choice in this matter. Some cameras allow you to brighten and darken just the viewfinder using small steps. This may reveal when the real pictures's shadows are buried or when the real picture's highlights are washed out.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[Gdad]

I bought a Pentax W30 just for kayaking- it works great even after I dropped it in the river. (Its waterproof.)

 

[debg]

I bought a Pentax W30 just for kayaking- it works great even after I dropped it in the river. (Its waterproof.)

Thanks! I'll check this one out too. Waterproof is important, haha.

Great picture, btw!

debg

 

[emmabelle]

Canon Powershot SX100. I'm really torn, given that DH will be using it mostly when kayaking I like the waterproof (he's a bit of a clutz, haha) and the fun colors, but the I like the Canon camera more. I'm one who likes a longer zoom... but I have to remember that I won't be the one using the camera.

Thanks again for your replies.

debg

I have the Canon sx100 and I really like it as a point and shoot. I don't miss having a viewfinder. Here are some recent pic's with it.