Viewfinder: Am I alone in wanting a viewfinder?
263010
You are definitely not alone in wanting a viewfinder. I am at the age where I need reading glasses and thus, if I am using the camera, I need to have glasses handy so I can see the LCD. This is very frustrating. And I am purchasing a camera with a high optical zoom feature primarily so I can use it outdoors, for nature shots. So having the LCD wash out in the bright light is also going to be frustrating.
1849828
There is no view finder. The lens is a wide angle type and I've not had any issues with it not picking up a good field of view.
1270777
The viewfinder is an optional accesory, and with the baterry you can buy extra baterry for a few dollars, I recomend you buy another one, because It last for about. 70 min on continue use.
2252649
Yes, which is one of the reasons I chose it. I use the viewfinder 50% of the time.
1906429
You can use the DX lenses... the viewfinder will look like this though: http://www.cplc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/image-circle.jpg
119783
M. Dean, can you elaborate a bit? I'm having the identical dilemma. Never owned a digital camera, and the SX110 looks neat, but am thrown by lack of viewfinder and bulkiness.
263012
I agree that a viewfinder is a definite plus. But in my experience, the need for one varies with the camera's LCD properties. I have a 2006 version of a Sony 10X and the LCD is near worthless under bright sunny conditions. On the other hand, I've never missed one on my 5x Panasonic Lumix DMC FX500. Trials with my new 12x Panasonic ... ZS3 suggest that its LCD will be sufficient, too. By the way, the ZS3 has several options for setting the LCD that can help preserve battery life.
343160
Unfortunately not. It's the one thing I miss, being an old fashioned camera user. I did find that I quickly got used to it though since most do away with the view finder these days for a good screen (this camera has a nice, clear, large one). A little difficult in bright light.
1840918
Correct there is no viewfinder. I didn't have much trouble with the screen in bright sunlight. Took the camera to Cabo San Lucas for vacation and it worked great. And I should add that it will depend somewhat on how sensitive your eyes are in the sun and if you are wearing sunglasses. I had sunglasses with a medium tint. I didn't find it to be an issue like it is on a lot of smart phones.
1097534
Sorry no viewfinder. But the camera is great even without the viewfinder. Has a grid setting on the LCD screen and has stabilization. The 20x zoom is awesome. I now take this camera on vacation instead of my expensive Nikon.
954595
Not easy Liz! It irritates me that virtually all the "fit-in-your-pocket" manufacturers have eliminated the optical viewfinder. Knowing this in advance the sx280 has the best features/results of this type of camera in it's price range. See www.cnet.com for a good review of this camera.
1097535
Unfortunately, viewfinders are almost non-existent in non-slr cameras, including this one. Great camera, but if you're nearsighted or the viewscreen is in bright light the image can be hard to see without glasses or a hood.
909791
I does have a viewfinder, it's small but useful for situations you describe. The LCD screen is very good also, about 1 million pixels vs 250 to 400 thousand for most point & Shoot cameras. The shutter to picture time (or Delay) is excellent, with a good UHS Class1 card, it's as quick as you can get w/o going to a full size DSLR.
2191604
Leica offers an optical viewfinder that sits in the flash hot-shoe. I bought it. It is expensive, but it is of limited utility when the lens zooms in. I have never heard of any electronic viewfinder for this camera. Even so, this is a nice handy and versatile camera.
263011
I would like a viewfinder too. I suspect it may be difficult to do one well on a 12x zoom. Viewfinders are a little inaccurate even on 4x zooms. So, it may be that the cost would be prohibitive.
1547865
The viewfinder is very small, I've gotten in the habit of not using it. Haven't used it for either bright sunlight or actions. However, it is one of the few cameras in this class with a viewfinder, and I am glad to have it. One of the reasons why this camera appealed to me. Will check these two conditions. I am extremely satisfied with the camera so far.
1985455
I am definitely looking toward the x10. Viewfinder, manual zoom, unique sensor geometry. It's almost perfect on paper and the sample images look great.