I don't miss the viewfinder at all, since I always had to squint a little, and wonder how my picture would come out. I prefer the screen view, since I can actually see the picture. (I don't think anyone would accuse me of taking great pictures though, so my opinion may not be worth much! I do know it's sometimes hard for people to make the adjustment from how they used to do something, opposed to what's ''improved''.) I have noticed that I can be more discreet when taking a picture now, rather than focusing on a subject with a viewfinder, which is sometimes helpful if the subject isn't keen on being photographed.

I have a Canon with a viewfinder and I have never used it. I much prefer the screen. Trying to compose a picture with that tiny VF is almost impossible now, and then the screen gets all smeared from my nose. The older I get the bigger the screen gets!

I don't miss it at all, and in fact, chose my Fuji for the large view screen/no vf.

I have one tiny camera with no vf and I do miss it on very bright days, when the sun is so strong that the screen is nearly black and I can't see what I'm snapping.
And I have a pretty bright, large screen but sunlight can be harsh here.

In strong sunlight I much prefer to use my bigger camera with viewfinder.

I purchased a digital camera for my mother for her birthday in February. In this case I was looking for a camera *with* a viewfinder, and there aren't that many around. I ended up getting her the Sony. I liked having the option of using either/or. She lives in Florida and the light there is usually so bright that the viewfinder works better outside.

What Momj said... I love the screen for composition...

My current camera (with the broken zoom) has a viewfinder and it is what I always use. I never got used to the screen. Just for a test, I took it outside and found that I really couldn't see the screen so well, but I could see just fine through the viewfinder.

However, very few new cameras have a viewfinder. So my dilemma is, do I get a camera with a vf that doesn't have other features I like, or get a camera with features I like and no vf?

Oh sigh. I thought about having the other camera repaired but when I looked into it it cost almost as much as a new camera.

Thanks for your comments. Maybe I learn to like the screen once I am forced to use it. IDK.

The newer cameras have much brighter screens than the older ones, so they are "better" in bright sunlight than they used to be. That being said, old habits die hard and I just can't quit holding that silly camera up to my head -- even without the viewfinder on it. My kids think I'm such an idiot!

And, as long as your are searching for a new camera I'd like to mention that I bought an Olympus Stylus 1010 a few months ago because of Sharon (Canarybird). I was convinced that it was the right purchase because her pictures are always so beautiful and she always raved about her little Stylus that she carried in her purse. And, I haven't been disappointed. I love that little camera. I'm planning to get them for my kids, too. Thanks, Sharon!!

Oh thank you Dlynn for your compliment! I'm glad to hear you're happy with your new camera. I'm also looking for a new camera for one of my daughters and after checking out the new model stylus, the 1010...I'm convinced that it will also be the best one for her. I hope it is also sold in Canada, as I can only see it online in USA web stores.

My Stylus 800 is now a few years old and it has 8 megapixels which is perfectly fine for me for posting to the web, but of course 10 megs is better when one wants to do cropping for using only part of an image.

I was up to the top of the volcano yesterday where Warner Bros. is filming a new version of Clash of the Titans and as I wasn't driving I was snapping pics out of the moving car with my little stylus.
Here's one of the lava fields taken from the open window of the moving car with that camera:

The sky colour up there is incredible....such an intense blue it looks unreal....and it was hot too.
I hope to post some pics over on the dinner thread of the meal we had while sitting under grape vines. It was delightful.

SharonCb

I thought I had to have a viewfinder as well so the last one I purchased does have it. I now find that I use the screen more. The option I absolutely cannot do without is the anti-shake feature. My hands move so much when I take a picture I really need that feature.

I went out to take some pictures of my sage in bloom yesterday and it was very difficult without a viewfinder. I really feel I wouldn't get another camera without one. Anti shake would be nice too. lol..

The biggest drawback, as we've seen here, is taking outdoor pix. I am used to the screen being dark in the sunlight - I just point and shoot, the pix turn out good. But if you do a lot of outdoor shots, then you may be more comfy with a VF.

I went ahead and ordered the Sony W290. It got great reviews and "meshes" with my old Sony. Here's hoping I can get used to not having a viewfinder. I bet I hold it up to my eye several times before I get used to it! It had a big screen -- 3 inches. I like it because it has a 5X zoom, the one thing I didn't like abut my old Sony. It has a 3X zoom.

Thanks for convincing me that I'll adjust to no vf.

I just had to get my digital camera out and see if it had a viewfinder. It doesnt. I never even missed it! I always use the LCD screen.

My elder daughter recently started a blog about Vancouver Island (link below) and was using an old HP Photosmart 2.1 megapixel camera I bought her about 7 years ago for her blog photos. She has done pretty well with it and has taken some lovely photos but it has broken down and has been burning up batteries so quickly that I mentioned how happy Dlynn was with the new Olympus Stylus 1010. They don't seem to have that model in the shops where my daughter lives so yesterday she bought another similar one...the Olympus Stylus 9000.
It has 12 megapixels and a 10 x optical zoom... wow!

Last I spoke to her she was charging up the batteries getting ready for a week long trip to a remote island where there is no electricity. She was looking forward to photographing bald eagles and wilderness seascapes, so she decided she needed a better camera. Now I'm looking so forward to seeing what she is going to do with this one.
It also has no viewfinder but the technology for bright LCD screens has improved since I bought my Stylus 800.

She's used to having a viewfinder but we'll see how she gets on with this one. I'm sure it will be okay.
I think I'm as excited as she is about it!

SharonCb

Here is a link that might be useful: Mich's West Coast Journal

Sharon, I will have a look at your daughter's blog from home. The photos are blocked at work. Thanks for the link!

Now I wonder if I should have gone with the Olympus. On Amazon the 9000 is a little more than I paid for the Sony and the 1010 is a little less. Hmmm. Maybe I will investigate further before I open the box. Your shots are amazing. I am not such a serious photographer, but can use all the help I can get.

Thanks for the additional info.

FYI...viewfinders are generally not accurate if you are not using a SLR (single lens reflex) camera. With an SLR, you are looking through the lens so you are able to accurately compose your picture. If you are not using SLR, you are looking through another portal; what you see in the viewfinder is not necessarily what the lens is seeing. By using the LCD screen, you getting an accurate depiction of what the lens is seeing and can better compose your shot.

I'm not a camera expert; just married to a shutterbug.