From: Dave Cohen on
Robert Montgomery wrote:
> Are there any compact, lightweight cameras that have both a good
> telephoto capability (i.e. ten times zoom) and a viewfinder?
>
> I can find compact, lightweight cameras with ten times zoom, and compact
> lightweight cameras with viewfinders.
>
> But I have yet to find a camera that has all of these characteristics:
> � compact
> � lightweight
> � has at least a seven times zoom lens AND
> � has a viewfinder.
>
> I can hardly see the image on the monitors of cameras on sunny days
> because of all the light and glare � both in shooting mode and playback
> mode.
>
> It seems to me that any camera lacking a viewfinder is a camera for
> amateurs. And I don't understand why even amateurs wouldn't be bothered
> by this problem.

My guess is they are (at least I am), but short of starting your own
camera company what's to be done. I have to assume the stuff on the
shelves does well in the market. Once you get away from the shirt pocket
sizes there are some choices less expensive than G11 or DSLR.
>
> I can't understand why consumers don't demand viewfinders.
>
> I was even told by a clerk at a photography store that viewfinders are
> less frequent on the new cameras!
>
> Robert
From: Robert Montgomery on
Savageduck wrote:
> On 2010-07-21 07:00:07 -0700, Robert Montgomery
> <info-block(a)northern-data-tech.net> said:
>
>> Are there any compact, lightweight cameras that have both a good
>> telephoto capability (i.e. ten times zoom) and a viewfinder?
>>
>> I can find compact, lightweight cameras with ten times zoom, and
>> compact lightweight cameras with viewfinders.
>>
>> But I have yet to find a camera that has all of these characteristics:
>> • compact
>> • lightweight
>> • has at least a seven times zoom lens AND
>> • has a viewfinder.
>>
>> I can hardly see the image on the monitors of cameras on sunny days
>> because of all the light and glare – both in shooting mode and
>> playback mode.
>>
>> It seems to me that any camera lacking a viewfinder is a camera for
>> amateurs. And I don't understand why even amateurs wouldn't be
>> bothered by this problem.
>>
>> I can't understand why consumers don't demand viewfinders.
>>
>> I was even told by a clerk at a photography store that viewfinders are
>> less frequent on the new cameras!
>>
>> Robert
>
> Well, if you will settle for 5X "optical zoom" there is the Canon G11.

Thanks, Savage.

I recently bought a Samsung PL-150, which has a five times zoom. I
bought it for the front monitor, which allows for self-portraits, but I
find that it doesn't zoom enough and it lacks a viewfinder.

Robert

From: Robert Montgomery on
Irwell wrote:
> On Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:00:07 GMT, Robert Montgomery wrote:
>
>> Are there any compact, lightweight cameras that have both a good
>> telephoto capability (i.e. ten times zoom) and a viewfinder?
>
> The LCD is a viewfinder, you can always use a collapsible
> hood to obviate the sun wash-out and glare.

Thanks, Irwell.

Would a collapsible hood fit properly on all small digital cameras?

Robert
From: Robert Montgomery on
Rich wrote:
> On Jul 21, 10:00 am, Robert Montgomery<info-bl...(a)northern-data-
> tech.net> wrote:

>> But I have yet to find a camera that has all of these characteristics:
>> � compact
>> � lightweight
>> � has at least a seven times zoom lens AND
>> � has a viewfinder.
>
> Check out the latest P&S offerings on Dpreview.
>
> www.dpreview.com

Thanks.

Does anybody know of any offhand? I've already looked considerably at
http://www.photographyblog.com, but I can't find any.

Robert
From: J. Clarke on
On 7/21/2010 10:00 AM, Robert Montgomery wrote:
> Are there any compact, lightweight cameras that have both a good
> telephoto capability (i.e. ten times zoom) and a viewfinder?
>
> I can find compact, lightweight cameras with ten times zoom, and compact
> lightweight cameras with viewfinders.
>
> But I have yet to find a camera that has all of these characteristics:
> � compact
> � lightweight
> � has at least a seven times zoom lens AND
> � has a viewfinder.
>
> I can hardly see the image on the monitors of cameras on sunny days
> because of all the light and glare � both in shooting mode and playback
> mode.
>
> It seems to me that any camera lacking a viewfinder is a camera for
> amateurs. And I don't understand why even amateurs wouldn't be bothered
> by this problem.
>
> I can't understand why consumers don't demand viewfinders.
>
> I was even told by a clerk at a photography store that viewfinders are
> less frequent on the new cameras!

Forget "clerks in photography stores". Go down to Best Buy and look at
what's on display. They should have at least two models with what you
are looking for and may have others.

Or if you are in or near NYC, go down to B&H.