5X zoom and view finder

[DavidO]

I am looking for a digital camera for taking pictures on vacations and general use.
I would like a 5X or so zoom (old camera was 3X and seemed to be too little many time) and I also want a view finder. If it is relatively compact for easy transport that is a plus. Decent pictures of course. Preferably under $200. Any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: DavidO
I am looking for a digital camera for taking pictures on vacations and general use.
I would like a 5X or so zoom (old camera was 3X and seemed to be too little many time) and I also want a view finder. If it is relatively compact for easy transport that is a plus. Decent pictures of course. Preferably under $200. Any suggestions?

Thank you!

If you go to DCResource.com, under "reviews", they have a camera database where you can select important features, like zoom, optical viewfinder, etc.

 

[996GT2]

Just wondering...why is an optical viewfinder so important to you in a point and shoot? Most P&S viewfinders have pretty bad frame coverage and are absolutely tiny...definitely not something to use on a regular basis. I know they are helpful when you shoot in bright sunlight, but most of the time I find that I can get away with just shading the LCD viewfinder with my hand.

That said, if you really want an optical viewfinder, then the Canon A590 IS is a great, inexpensive choice. It's got a 4x zoom, optical viewfinder, great image quality (for a P&S), some useful features, and comes in at just a tick over $100:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16830120256

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Just wondering...why is an optical viewfinder so important to you in a point and shoot? Most P&S viewfinders have pretty bad frame coverage and are absolutely tiny...definitely not something to use on a regular basis.

Excellent point!

 

[DavidO]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Just wondering...why is an optical viewfinder so important to you in a point and shoot? Most P&S viewfinders have pretty bad frame coverage and are absolutely tiny...definitely not something to use on a regular basis. I know they are helpful when you shoot in bright sunlight, but most of the time I find that I can get away with just shading the LCD viewfinder with my hand.

Maybe I am just a creature of habit. It seems easier to hold the camera steady with the view finder, but having said that I have not really tried using the LCD too often. I have noticed the issue you mentioned with my old camera not accurately showing the coverage size in the view finder though.

Maybe I need to update myself and not use one. It seems that more and more cameras don't have one. I'd appreciate more opinions on why I should or should not need and use a view finder.

Thank you,
David

 

[996GT2]

You don't even really need to "hold the camera steady" so much anymore, since most point and shoots (including the Canon I listed above) have built in optical image stabillization. This means that you can shoot without blur at shutter speeds of as low as 1/5 sec, provided that your subject is not moving.

The problem with P&S viewfinders is that most of them are quite bad...none of them can hold a candle to a true DSLR viewfinder. If you want the viewfinder composing experience with something that's bigger and offers 100% frame coverage, you might want to look into a camera with an electronic viewfinder, which is essentially a small LCD mounted where the viewfinder should be. EVFs are quite usable on a day to day basis and certainly better than the small optical viewfinders on most point and shoots. Plus, an EVF has 100% frame coverage and displays additional shooting information much like a DSLR's viewfinder.

The Panasonic FZ28 is their newest EVF superzoom. Look into that if you really appreciate having a viewfinder. If you can get over not having one, then the Canon A590 IS and Panasonic LZ8/LZ10 are three very good choices. All cost between $100 and $150, which is quite a bit lower than your target price. The A590 IS has a 4x zoom with optical IS; both of the Panasonics have 5x zoom with optical IS; the zooms on the Panasonics go slightly wider than that on the Canon, which is helpful when you can't move very far back for a shot.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
You don't even really need to "hold the camera steady" so much anymore, since most point and shoots (including the Canon I listed above) have built in optical image stabillization. This means that you can shoot without blur at shutter speeds of as low as 1/5 sec, provided that your subject is not moving.

Actually, I have to disagree with you a little bit there. Image stabilization isn't perfect, it doesn't always work in an ideal fashion, and can only compensate for a limited amount of movement, and also only certain kinds of movement. For example, IS is less effective with back-and-forth movement as it is with side-to-side.

David, your thought of being able to hold the camera steadier when looking through the viewfinder is pretty accurate, IMO. It is more effective to hold the camera steady when placed up against your head, rather than holding it a couple of feet away to look at the LCD. Unfortunately, digicams over the last few years have either provided very small viewfinders or none at all. Years ago, digicams had much better viewfinders - not as good as an SLR, but still usable.

 

[DavidO]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. Based on comments here and another thread I have decided to go with the Panasonic LZ8. I can join the rest of the world and not use a view finder. I did look at the A590 at the store and it is bigger than I wanted is why I started considering other options and the Panasonic is getting good recommendations and ratings.

Thanks,
David