Compact with optical viewfinder??

[Emmadw]

I've got a Canon Powershot A640 -which I very much like - one thing I particularly like is the viewfinder. I know (from some other posts in here) that makes me a bit of a dinosaur, but my reasons are:
1: I feel more stable holding it against my face.
2: I don't have to have the screen on - thereby saving power.
3: I can see through it in sunlight.

I've also got a Samsung PL60 - which, to be fair, has a screen that's fairly visible in bright(ish) sun (not tried it in really bright conditions), and is definitely more portable, and the batteries seem to last a reasonable time; but, for me the extra weight etc is worth it.

A friend has used both of them & agrees with me that she'd rather have the viewfinder (I did my best to persuade her that I'm archaic, and that no viewfinder is the way to go). There seems to be increasingly fewer (affordable) compacts with viewfinders. The G10/11/12 seem to exist, but few others. (other than an ultra cheap kids SpongeBob Squarepants underwater one ... but that didn't have a screen anyway!)

Do you think that the days of compacts with viewfinders are over, or do you think there will be enough demand to bring them back in the £100-200 range, rather than only those at the top end of compact?

[svc23]

Emmadw,
I am with you on this one so that makes two dinosaurs.

I have just bought a Canon SX130is which is a nice little camera but the absence of a viewfinder is driving me mad ! I just can't get a hold on this holding the camera out in front business at all. Moreover, I wear glasses for reading so every time I wish to make a shot I have to don them to check the camera settings, make adjustments, etc.

However, I am coming to the conclusion that the viewfinders on compacts such as the G10/11/12 aren't the answer because they provide no info , so one still has to refer to the screen. Therefore, unless you are happy to set the camera to auto ( which is odd on a camera that purports to be for enthusiasts ) the viewfinder only serves as a compositional aid for simple quick shooting and not much else.

I think cameras such as the Canon G series / Nikon P7000 / etc would be much better with an EVF, enabling camera settings to be made without having to refer to the screen at all, like a DSLR. I can't understand why, when EVF's are common on bridge cameras, manufacturers seem to think that they're not warranted on high end compacts.

I love the portability of a compact and for the moment I will continue to pop my 130is into my pocket evry time I leave the house. However, I will also be saving my money for a Panasonic LX5 which at least offers the option of an add on EVF.

To answer your question. Yes, I think that sadly the days of compacts with viewfiders are over, especially at the lower end of the price range.

Steve.

[loweswood]

Make that 3 dinosaurs. Can't beat the viewfinder at the eye. Plus, even with IS holding at arms length is a recipe for blur!!!

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by svc23

However, I am coming to the conclusion that the viewfinders on compacts such as the G10/11/12 aren't the answer because they provide no info , so one still has to refer to the screen.

Yeah, it was one of the reasons for me going with the G11 but the reality is I rarely use it - whereas I use the articulation of the screen all the time (but then I use the angle finder on my 7D all the time too!). But when I need it (framing as much as bright conditions) at least it's there!