electronic viewfinder vs lcd screen manufacturer

While some photographers like the natural view offered by an optical viewfinder, an electronic viewfinder brings the advantage of being able to see the effect of the exposure, white balance and Picture Style settings being applied. If you apply the Monochrome Picture Style, for example, the image you see in the EVF will be mono, while with an OVF it will remain colour. This means you can use the image in an EVF to assess whether your settings suit the scene and to be confident you will get the result you want before pressing the shutter button. That"s especially helpful if, for example, the subject is backlit and you might need to use some exposure compensation.

Another advantage of an EVF is that it can compensate for low light levels, which means you always have a clear view of the subject. Conversely, with an optical viewfinder you"re seeing the scene with the ambient light level, which means that in dark conditions it can be difficult to compose a shot or to focus.

In addition, when you"re using an EVF you"re actually looking at a small screen, and even though this has a very high refresh rate, an OVF can be more comfortable over a long period of usage. This means that if you"re shooting wildlife or sports where you have to keep your eye to the viewfinder for a very long time waiting for the action to happen, an OVF could be preferable.

The benefits of the viewfinder and LCD screen are often compared with one another. Depending on whom you ask, you might hear remarkably different opinions on the usability of the two.

As discussed above, photography is all about precision. Viewfinders have been around long before LCD screens, and therefore many photographers find viewfinders more comfortable to work with.

Viewfinders offer much more precision when you are shooting, especially on a bright day. It allows you to focus on the small details. Viewfinders reduce image distortion and capture an accurate image. That’s why most DSLRs and high-end mirrorless cameras today still have viewfinders.

Running out of battery is a nightmare for photographers, especially if you don’t have any spares. That’s why viewfinders are considered optimal in these situations. Viewfinders use comparatively much less battery than LCD screens.

If you are shooting in an area where electricity is scarce, or don’t have access to a charger or backup batteries, the viewfinder will be a better choice for you.

Viewfinders are very convenient to use and provide smooth handling. When looking through the viewfinder, it’s easy to keep the camera steady. This makes the viewfinder an optimal choice when you need to zoom in or have a slightly heavier camera.

For many people, this extra effort of adjusting your eyeglasses is troublesome. However, some viewfinder cameras have a built-in diopter that can help make it easier to use with glasses.

Viewfinders can be much smaller compared to LCD screens. As a result, you may not be able to see everything you’re capturing in the viewfinder accurately. This drawback is very important for photographers who want to preview every single detail when taking a picture.

To see details on viewfinders, especially the electronic ones, you have to zoom in on the frame. However, this can lower the resolution of the preview. Luckily, if most of your shots consist of zoom shots, this may not bother you much.

What sets LCD screens apart from viewfinders is their ability to provide 100% image coverage to the photographer. In comparison, cameras with a viewfinder offer around 90-95% of the image, sometimes less.

What you see through the viewfinder doesn’t always end up in the final result. Small details can be crucial. That’s why this 5-10% difference in image coverage can be a significant reason why you might choose an LCD screen over the viewfinder.

When you are in a lower field-of-view, framing can be much more difficult. Many people can’t take a picture while lying on the ground using a viewfinder. This is where LCD screens come in. Flexible LCDs make it easier for you to capture images when you can’t reach awkward angles.

LCD screens produce great results for night photography. LCD screens are often used for night photography due to their bright image playback quality. They help you focus on the small details when you are shooting at night.

An evident shortcoming of the LCD screen is its lack of utility on a bright day. Because of the glare, many people cannot use their LCD screen at all on a sunny day. It’s hard to see anything on the LCD except the reflections.

Another drawback to using an LCD screen is its difficulty in handling it. Holding the camera while looking through the LCD screen is difficult and takes a lot of effort, especially when you are zooming and trying to be precise.

Another disadvantage of LCD screens is the fact that they can easily overexpose your image. This should not be a problem for seasoned photographers who can improve the quality of the image with better handling and precision.

Those were some of the benefits and drawbacks of using a viewfinder and LCD screen to consider. So, which one is best? The answer depends on your personal preferences and budget.

If you’re a traditional photographer, you’ll probably be more comfortable with the viewfinder. If you are a photographer who likes to focus on small details and image quality, you should opt for the LCD screen.

Most modern digital cameras have two ways to let the user see what he/she is going to shoot and to compose their images. The first way is using the viewfinder, and the second way is using the LCD screen on the back of the camera.

A viewfinder is one of the most basic elements of any camera, it is the part of the camera that you hold up to your eye and look through it to preview an image before you take your shot. There are two types: Optical Viewfinder (OVF), which is usually found only on DSLR cameras, and electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is common in a compact, bridge, and mirrorless cameras.

Optical viewfinders (OVFs) are part of the known design of the DSLR cameras. It presents an unfiltered and unaltered view of the scene as you compose your shot. A DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex camera) is so-called because it has a reflex mirror. This reflects light coming in through the lens up into an optical viewfinder (OVF) via a pentaprism that ensures you see the scene the right way round through the camera’s eyepiece. This means that with an OVF you are seeing what the lens sees, reflected but unprocessed.

Looking through an optical viewfinder is no different than looking through a window: nothing is changed in any way, shape, or form. An OVF lets you see exactly what your shot will look like, and it shows you a world that’s clear and contrasty, and real.

OVFs have no issue with accurate color rendition or screen refresh rates, nor do they struggle in low light; they are just like windows. Camera manufacturers provide the viewfinders with information along the bottom of the screen, such as an exposure bar, key camera settings, etc. OVFs also have indicators for focus points as well as framing guides.

A phenomenon is known as viewfinder blackout (You can’t see the image while pressing the shutter button), because, the mirror in a DSLR camera flips up and out of the way to let light pass through to the image sensor. During this process, the OVF goes completely dark. It is not an important issue, but when you are shooting fast-moving subjects, the short viewfinder blackout period can be enough for the subject to move around quite a bit.

In a mirrorless camera design, the mirror and the pentaprism are removed from the design, so there is no optical viewfinder. Instead, an electronic viewfinder (EVF) is adapted.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) uses the information from the imaging sensor to display an image on a small LCD or OLED screen. This means that an EVF shows the image that the sensor outputs, which can be significantly different from the view through the lens.

Electronic viewfinders will show exactly what your scene will look like when photographed, and let you see instantly, in real-time, whether your shot is exposed correctly or not.

Viewfinders are smaller compared to LCD screens. As a result, you may not be able to see everything you’re capturing in the viewfinder accurately. This drawback is very important for photographers who want to preview every single detail when taking a picture.

However, it is a completely different matter when it comes to DSLR, although it is still possible to compose images on the rear screen in what is known as

When you switch a DSLR to Live View mode, the reflex mirror is lifted out of the way and the shutter is opened. Light can now pass through to the CMOS sensor, where the image is formed, and this is displayed live on the rear LCD display. In this way, Live View works just like using a mirrorless camera.

When using the LCD screen you can zoom in close on a specific area to make sure it is focused and can easily judge whether it is tack sharp or just a bit fuzzy. For most DSLRs, there will be an option in one of the menus to enable a button on your camera to zoom in during Live View and even set the percentage of zoom which tells you how much it will magnify the image.

When you are shooting at a lower or higher angle (not at eye level), framing can be much more difficult. Many people can’t take a picture while lying on the ground using a viewfinder. This is where LCD screens come in. Flexible LCDs make it easier for you to capture images when you can’t reach awkward angles.

Some modern cameras have the ability to do various types of effects like selective coloring, miniature, and black-and-white, among many others. Think of them as though you are adding filters, but in real-time. Using the LCD screen allows you to experiment with different types of creative image effects, and see how they can affect your photography before you even click the shutter.

The LCD screen has a distinct advantage in low light where the image on the LCD will be brightened so it is easier to see your subject and compose, whereas the viewfinder will become dim as the light fades.

The biggest drawback with LCD screens is probably shooting in sunlight. Depending on the quality of the screen, you may not be able to use it in bright sunshine because of the glare. All you see are reflections off the screen. In addition, the crystals contained within LCD screens tend to flare in bright sunlight, making the situation worse.

Holding the camera at arm’s length while looking at the LCD screen, and then keeping the camera steady while zooming in on a subject takes effort. When you use the LCD screen this way, you often end up with a blurry image. It is better to use

In most cases, it is best to use the viewfinder. However, if you like the convenience of an LCD, or you wear glasses, use the LCD. It is mostly a matter of personal preference.

Using an LCD screen is most useful when shooting static subjects as looking at the rear LCD panel at arm’s length and trying to take pictures is not recommended. Instead, the camera should ideally be placed on a tripod to allow the full benefits to be attained. This makes the LCD screen perfectly suited to still life, landscape, architectural photography, and EOS Movie shooting.

While some photographers like the natural view offered by an optical viewfinder, an electronic viewfinder brings the advantage of being able to see the effect of the exposure, white balance and Picture Style settings being applied. If you apply the Monochrome Picture Style, for example, the image you see in the EVF will be mono, while with an OVF it will remain colour. This means you can use the image in an EVF to assess whether your settings suit the scene and to be confident you will get the result you want before pressing the shutter button. That"s especially helpful if, for example, the subject is backlit and you might need to use some exposure compensation.

Another advantage of an EVF is that it can compensate for low light levels, which means you always have a clear view of the subject. Conversely, with an optical viewfinder you"re seeing the scene with the ambient light level, which means that in dark conditions it can be difficult to compose a shot or to focus.

In addition, when you"re using an EVF you"re actually looking at a small screen, and even though this has a very high refresh rate, an OVF can be more comfortable over a long period of usage. This means that if you"re shooting wildlife or sports where you have to keep your eye to the viewfinder for a very long time waiting for the action to happen, an OVF could be preferable.

The LCD screen on digital cameras cuts out the need for this process as images can be viewed immediately after they are taken and adjustments can be made to improve your shots straight away.

One question I get asked a lot by readers is whether they should use their digital camera’s LCD screen or viewfinder to frame their shots. I suspect that the majority of camera owners do use the LCD but there are a number of arguments both for and against it. Let me explore a few:

Convenience – Perhaps the main reason that people use the LCD is convenience. Rather than having to fire up the camera, raise it to your eye, squint through it (on many point and shoot models it’s quite small) etc… using the LCD means you simply switch the camera on and from almost any position you can snap a shot.

Size – As I hinted above – many models of digital cameras have very small view finders and when compared with the LCD (usually between 1.5 and 2.5 inches these days) there is really not that much of a comparison.

Instant Playback – shooting with the LCD means that after you take your shot you will immediately see the shot you’ve taken flashed onto the screen. You can see this if you use the viewfinder too by lowering the camera but it adds another action to the process.

Creativity – using the LCD opens up all kinds of creative opportunities for your photography by meaning that you don’t have to have the camera at eye level to be able to get your framing right. You can instead put it up high or down low and still be able to line things up well.

Framing Inaccuracy of Optical Viewfinders on Point and Shoots – one of the most common complaints about using the viewfinder on digital cameras is that what you see through it is slightly different to what the camera is actually seeing as the view finder is generally positioned above and to the left of the lens which means it is slightly different (a problem called parallax). Most viewfinders that have this will give you a guide as to where to frame your shot but it can be a little difficult – especially when taking close up/macro shots. (note that not all point and shoot cameras have optical viewfinders – some have electronic ones (see below).

Obstructed View – on some models of point and shoot digital cameras a fully extended zoom can actually obstruct the view from your viewfinder. This can be quite frustrating.

Glasses Wearers – if you wear glasses you might find using the viewfinder of your Digital camera more difficult. Many these days do come with a little diopter adjuster to help with this.

Battery Killer– the LCD on your camera chews up battery power faster than almost any other feature on your camera. Use it not only for viewing shots taken but lining them up and you’ll need to recharge a lot more regularly.

Camera Shake – when shooting with the LCD as a viewfinder you need to hold your camera away from your body (often at arms length). This takes the camera away from your solid and still torso and into midair (only supported by your outstretched arms) – this increased the chance that your camera will be moving as you take the shot which will result in blurry shots.

Competing Light – one problem that you will often have with framing your shots using the LCD is that for many cameras, shooting in bright light will make it difficult to see the LCD – leaving it looking washed out. Digital camera manufacturers are trying to overcome this with brighter and clearer screens but using the viewfinder instead of the LCD will generally overcome the problem.

DSLRs – most DSLRs do not give you the opportunity to use the LCD as a viewfinder at all. I suspect that this feature will become more available however as I hear it being asked for quite a bit. I’m not sure I’d ever use it though as DSLR view finders are generally larger and are a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) meaning you can be sure that what you’re looking at through the view finder is what the image will be when you shoot.

Electronic View Finders (EVF)– another type of view finder that is found on some point and shoot digital cameras is the EVF one. This overcomes the problem of your viewfinder and camera seeing slightly different things by giving you an exact picture of the scene you’re photographing in the viewfinder. This happens simply by putting a little LCD in the viewfinder.

Ultimately the choice in using the LCD or viewfinder will come down to personal preference. I have used a variety of digital cameras over the past few years and find myself using both methods depending upon the shooting situation and the camera. Some cameras have large and clear viewfinders (like my DSLR) and so I use them. Others have tiny viewfinders (in fact my latest point and shoot, the Fujifilm Finepix F10, doesn’t have one at all).

Given the choice between a great viewfinder and great LCD I’d probably opt for the viewfinder – call me a traditionalist but it just feels right for me.

Which is better for photography, optical vs electronic viewfinders? It’s a tough question, one that’s been argued about for years, even as EVF technology was introduced, upgraded, and upgraded some more.

In this article, I aim to give a thorough overview of OVFs vs EVFs. I’ll cover the pros and cons of both viewfinder options, and I’ll explain why you might prefer to use one over the other.

By the time I’ve finished, you’ll hopefully know which viewfinder technology you prefer, and you’ll be able to confidently decide whether EVFs or OVFs are the way forward.

A viewfinder is one of the most basic elements of any camera; it’s what you use to look at the scene you plan to capture. When you hold your camera up to your eye, whether you’re photographing with a DSLR, mirrorless, film camera, or point-and-shoot device, the tiny little hole you look through is known as the viewfinder.

Now, not all cameras offer viewfinders. Some forego it altogether and just have a giant LCD screen on the back (in fact, you almost certainly own one of these models – a smartphone!). But it’s common for cameras to include a viewfinder along with the rear screen, especially higher-level models designed for serious enthusiasts and professionals.

Since most cameras these days include some sort of LCD display, you may be wondering: Why do we even need viewfinders in the first place? Can’t I just compose using the rear LCD?

Well, even in today’s fast-paced, tech-centric world, there is a myriad of reasons why you might prefer to compose your shots with the viewfinder instead of the rear LCD screen. Here are a couple of major ones:

The scene appears much larger in a viewfinder compared to an LCD, which gives you a better sense of how your picture will look, improves your ability to compose, etc.

Which brings me to the two types of viewfinders popular today: optical viewfinders and electronic viewfinders. Let’s take a look at each option in turn.

Optical viewfinders (OVFs) use decades-old technology, yet still have many staunch supporters. Their most important benefit, and the reason many photographers prefer OVFs over EVFs, is that they present an unfiltered and unaltered view of the scene as you compose your shot.

Looking through an optical viewfinder is no different than looking through a window: nothing is changed in any way, shape, or form. An OVF lets you see exactly what your shot will look like, and the view is not dependent on any type of fancy technology in order to function, plus it shows you a world that’s clear and contrasty and real.

In fact, optical viewfinders work even if your camera is turned off, in much the same way that looking through binoculars, a telescope, or even a paper towel roll can be done without a battery. Consequently, OVFs have no issue with accurate color rendition or screen refresh rates, nor do they struggle in low light; they’re windows, and your eye is simply peering through the glass.

Most optical viewfinders also have information along the bottom of the screen, such as an exposure bar, key camera settings, etc. OVFs also provide indicators for focus points as well as framing guides.

One of the most important OVF drawbacks is that you can’t see the image when you take a picture, a phenomenon known as viewfinder blackout. When you press the shutter button, the mirror in a DSLR camera flips up and out of the way to let light pass through to the image sensor. During this process, the OVF goes completely dark.

Viewfinder blackout isn’t very noticeable when using fast shutter speeds, but if you are shooting at about 1/30s or slower, you will see a big, blank box of nothing – just for a brief moment when you take a picture. In most situations, this blackout period is not going to make or break the photograph, but it can cause issues if you are shooting fast-moving subjects. In those cases, the short viewfinder blackout period can be enough for your subject to move around quite a bit.

Another disadvantage of optical viewfinders? They show you the world as it really is, not as it will appear in your final photograph. The OVF sees what your eyes see, which is notnecessarily what your camera sensor sees.

A handful of years ago, electronic viewfinders (EVFs) couldn’t compete with optical viewfinders – but EVF technology has come a long way, and they’re now used by plenty of professionals. What makes them so valuable?

Well, an EVF is a tiny, high-resolution screen that you hold less than an inch from your eye. Since it is entirely digital, it can show you a wealth of information and data – in additionto a representation of the scene you’re photographing. You can see things like a live histogram and a digital level, highlighted in-focus areas (i.e., focus peaking), focus guides, and more.

Also – and perhaps most important of all – electronic viewfinders show exactly what your scene will look like when photographed, notwhat the world in front of the lens looks like. Therefore, electronic viewfinders will let you see instantly, in real-time, whether your shot is exposed correctly. That way, you can make adjustments on the fly and fix exposure mistakes before they manifest.

As you might expect, there are some important downsides to EVFs. For one, they consume a lotof power; cameras that rely on electronic viewfinders tend to have much shorter battery lives compared to their OVF-laden counterparts, and many photographers who use EVF cameras are in the habit of carrying spare batteries.

Also, though electronic viewfinders show you a good representation of what your final image will look like, they’re not perfect. In low light, EVFs can get pretty grainy, which is problematic for frequent night shooters. And while EVF clarity is decent (and getting better all the time), there’s an obvious difference between EVFs and OVFs in everysituation.

Like many aspects of photography, it all comes down to what will suit you and your needs as a photographer. Some people prefer the analog precision and clarity of an optical viewfinder, while others like the high-tech features offered by electronic viewfinders. At the end of the day, what really matters is that you use the right tool for the job.

So now that you’re familiar with OVF vs EVF technology, ask yourself: does one option suit my shooting style better than the other? If the answer is “Yes,” then by all means, go for that one!

LCD screens are great, and the quality improves with each new generation of DSLR cameras appearing on the market. But, many professional photographers prefer to use a camera"s viewfinder. We explain the benefits and disadvantages of each.

LCD screens have advantages, but so do optical viewfinders. When it"s time to frame a photo with your DSLR camera, you need to decide which side of the viewfinder vs. LCD debate you lean. Unlike the optical viewfinder, the LCD screen displays the entire frame that the sensors capture. Optical viewfinders, even on a professional level DSLR, only show 90-95% of the image. You lose a small percentage on the edges of the image.

Digital SLRs aren"t light, and it"s easier to produce a crisp, sharp image when you hold the camera up to your eye to use the viewfinder. That way, you can support and steady the camera and lens with your hands. But, viewfinders are generally smaller than LCD screens. Viewfinders are also less convenient to use, especially if you wear glasses.

At the end of the day, though, as intelligent as digital cameras are, the human eye can resolve more detail than an LCD screen. You get a sharper and more accurate view of your image by using the viewfinder.

The biggest drawback with LCD screens is probably shooting in sunlight. Depending on the quality of the screen, you may not be able to use it in bright sunshine because of the glare. All you see are reflections off the screen. Also, the crystals contained within LCD screens tend to flare in bright sunlight, making the situation worse.

Holding the camera at arm"s-length while looking at the LCD screen—and then keeping the camera steady while zooming in on a subject—takes effort. When you use the LCD screen this way, you often end up with a blurry image.

No matter how good an LCD screen is, it"s unlikely to give an accurate overview of the image you took. Most overexpose an image by as much as one full stop. It"s best to acquire the technical knowledge about photography, rather than rely on the LCD screen to determine image quality. With this technical knowledge, you"ll have the confidence your settings are correct, and your images are properly exposed. So, in most cases, it"s best to use the viewfinder. But, if you like the convenience of an LCD, or you wear glasses, use the LCD. It"s mostly a matter of personal preference.

Should I use the camera viewfinder or LCD? More importantly, in the age of iPhones and touchscreens, is the viewfinder now obsolete? Read on, and you may just discover a need for both.

Should I use the camera viewfinder or LCD when capturing an image? Indeed, this debate will no doubt continue into the foreseeable future. At any rate, long before the liquid crystal display (LCD) came into the picture, the viewfinder was the only game in town. Thus, it certainly stands to reason why many seasoned photographers prefer the viewfinder over the LCD. However, in light of the miniature camera revolution, one might consider the viewfinder outdated or even obsolete; consequently, many contemporary photographers appear to favor the LCD. In any case, the LCD has changed the game and offers distinct advantages and new possibilities for photography. Regardless of your current preference, a bit of experimentation may help improve your game.

Above all, composition is the most crucial element in any photograph. Indeed, everyone enjoys a stunning well-exposed tack sharp photo. Of course, the methods used to capture an image play an essential role in the quality of the image. For example, during hand-held photography, using the viewfinder draws the camera closer to the body offering a lower profile thus providing a better foundation as opposed to extending the camera forward to compose an image. Naturally, getting the shot is what counts! Deciding between using the LCD or viewfinder boils down to personal preference.

Although wearing eyeglasses can exacerbate the situation, it’s still possible to use the viewfinder. However, whether farsighted or nearsighted, fumbling around with eyeglasses can take the fun out of photography. Fortunately, many cameras offer viewfinders with a built-in diopter that permits one to compensate for optical shortcomings. In fact, some camera models offer additional diopters for those requiring further correction. Honestly, while wearing reading glasses, I do find it a bit cumbersome to bounce back and forth from the viewfinder to the LCD. I sometimes wear my glasses tethered around my neck. At any rate, I find using the viewfinder worth the extra effort.

No doubt, shooting at ground level can make framing an image extremely difficult. Composing a photograph with the viewfinder while lying on wet grass presents an unacceptable challenge for some people. Still, using the LCD does not guarantee the user will remain completely dry, even with a tilting LCD. Plus, not all cameras have an adjustable LCD. Nevertheless, the increasing popularity of the adjustable LCD suggests many people may favor the LCD over the viewfinder. Although I prefer the viewfinder in most situations, the LCD occasionally has its advantages. Regardless of one’s preference, an adjustable LCD has an undeniable ergonomic benefit when shooting at low levels. On the other hand, for the diehard viewfinder fan, it is possible to retrofit many camera models with an angled viewfinder.

While composing an image, a mindful photographer pays careful attention to every detail in the frame, especially distracting elements near the edges. Unfortunately, excluding high-end cameras, most DSLR viewfinders do not offer 100 percent coverage. For example, when using a DSLR with only 95 percent coverage, during post-processing one is likely to discover overlooked articles near the edge of the image. Whereas the articles would have been visible if composed on an LCD. In other words, unlike the LCD, what you see in the viewfinder isn’t necessarily what you get in post-processing. As for myself, this is an outright deal-breaker. Although many camera models offer viewfinders with greater than 95 percent coverage, nothing beats 100 percent. On the other hand, is five percent more coverage worth the added expense? Honestly, the deciding factor comes down to personal preference and budget.

Viewing an image on an LCD in brightly illuminated situations may prove difficult indeed. When shooting under extremely bright conditions, one may find it impossible to actually see the image on the LCD. Although I certainly prefer the viewfinder in bright situations, purchasing an LCD hood or shade provides a simple solution. Though an LCD hood will help reduce glare, these devices are bulky and require removal to use of the viewfinder. Honestly, the LCD has its benefits, but in this case, why add an additional device if it’s not necessary.

I occasionally hear the notion that bright light from an LCD impairs night vision. Of course, staring at any bright light source will affect one’s night vision. Be that as it may, I would not rule out using the LCD for night photography. In fact, I often use the LCD at night for image playback, and I’m yet to stumble over my gear from loss of night vision. In any case, both the viewfinder and LCD are beneficial for night photography. Incidentally, while shooting a moonbow at Cumberland Falls State Park near Corbin Kentucky, I found the LCD indispensable in reviewing the color span captured in the moonbow. Due to sparse lighting, the human eye has a difficult time discerning the colors of a moonbow, and thus it appears white to the naked eye. Nevertheless, during image playback on the LCD, the colors in the moonbow are evident. See the moonbow here.

Depending on the camera model, the information available in both the viewfinder and LCD will vary. Regardless of the camera data, with today’s technology, most people have no trouble pointing and shooting a camera with satisfactory results. However, being acquainted with the exposure triangle can open new possibilities with the potential for boundless creativity. Hence, the ability to observe shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure is paramount. One advantage of the LCD is the ability to view a live histogram in live view. Indeed, a live histogram is pretty impressive, but not available on all cameras. In any case, I prefer to use the histogram during image playback.

Now, this is extremely important for those that need to squeeze every ounce of life from a battery. I often hike and camp in primitive areas where electrical power is a luxury. That being the case, the difference in battery life is monumental! An LCD requires far more energy compared to an optical viewfinder. In fact, the LCD requires 100 percent more energy. However, poor battery life is easily mitigated in most cases. For example, carry extra batteries and take advantage of charging opportunities while traveling near power sources or while dining in a restaurant. Also, consider investing in a battery grip.

Depending on the type of photography, both the viewfinder and LCD have distinct advantages. For example, live view employs contrast detection to analyze image contrast pixel by pixel, thereby significantly improving focusing accuracy. Furthermore, live view provides additional focusing points allowing more versatility, especially handy when the camera is mounted on a tripod. Utilizing the LCD, one can zoom in and precisely focus on a specific detail. Consequently, a landscape photographer may favor using the LCD to enhance the focus of still subjects. However, the focusing speed is at a snail’s pace compared to using a viewfinder which employs phase detection for focusing.

For this reason, a sports photographer would likely opt for the benefits of the viewfinder. In fact, because of its quick and reliable focusing, phase detection yields better results for fast-moving subjects. Indeed, a sharp image is the benchmark of any serious photographer. With this in mind, understanding the fundamentals of phase detection and contrast detection is instrumental.

Indeed, whether using the LCD or viewfinder to compose an image, covering the viewfinder eyepiece on a DSLR is an excellent idea. In fact, in backlit situations, light can enter through the viewfinder and appear on the image as a solar flare. Moreover, light entering through the viewfinder can fool the camera’s light meter resulting in an underexposed image. Despite manufacturing attempts to protect against light leakage, even the most expensive cameras can leak light back to the sensor. In fact, with the mirror in the up position, the light may still pass through and find its way to your image, especially during a long exposure. Consequently, and for a good reason, many manufacturers deploy the use of built-in eyepiece shutters or external eyepiece covers. Why leave your masterpiece to chance?

A DSLR utilizes a mirror to reflect an image through the lens and onto the sensor. Obviously, a “mirrorless” camera does not use a mirror to reflect an image to the viewfinder. Instead, a mirrorless camera projects an electronic or “digital” image to the viewfinder. I think an electronic viewfinder (EVF) is much like an LCD only smaller. As a matter of fact, an EVF is analogous to having a tiny TV screen extremely close to your eye. Alternatively, an optical viewfinder (OVF) allows the user to look straight through the lens via the mirror. Nevertheless, both the OVF and EVF provide the user with a practical view; however, the two views are entirely different.

Viewing an image through an EVF is much like living in the Matrix. The world seen through an EVF is an electronic reproduction of reality. “You’ve been living in a dream world, Neo.” Despite my poor attempt at a little Matrix humor, there is much truth in that statement. Indeed, I would rather view the real world through an OVF as opposed to a replica through an EVF.

Nevertheless, the EVF does have a few advantages. For example, like the LCD, the EVF offers 100 percent coverage, so what you see in the viewfinder is what you get in the image. Also, the EVF is illuminated and thus beneficial in low-light situations.

Although I do my best to remain objective when writing, I’m sure it’s apparent that I prefer the viewfinder over the LCD. Despite that being the case, you may have noticed that I practice both in my photography. Honestly, I suspect many people do the same. Indeed, I very much enjoy the connection to nature that photography affords. Although an LCD has its benefits, I prefer viewing my subject through the sharp clarity produced by an optical viewfinder. In short, if forced to decide between one or the other, I choose the OVF. At any rate, these are mere opinions and should be taken with a healthy portion of common sense and personal experience. As I always like to say, it’s genuinely a matter of personal preference.

I have always used an EVF when shooting and I always will. I still find it the best way to judge exposure, focus, and composition. My eyes are not as good as they once were and I can not use a small-sized LCD screen that comes on a lot of cameras.

The problem with almost all of these cameras that don’t have an in-built EVF is that their LCD screens are not nearly bright enough to be seen correctly outdoors. They are also so small in size that you can’t see anything in any real detail.

I have tried so many cameras that didn’t have an EVF of any kind and found them all to be completely unusable outdoors in a lot of situations. Everything from focus, to exposure, to composition, to color, has to be judged by what you are monitoring with. I personally can’t understand how so many people seem to be ok with getting all of this correct by looking at a tiny LCD monitor that you can’t see correctly outdoors when it is sunny. Are people actually ok with working this way or is that just what they are used to dining and they have become accustomed to working that way? I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts in the comment section.

I have always used EVFs with cameras, and that has presented its challenges over the years when using certain cameras. The first digital cinema camera I ever owned was the Sony F3 and I bought the Kinotehnic LCDVFe in 2012 to use with that camera. I also used it with the Sony FS700 as well. I loved using this EVF because it came with a clever mounting solution and you could power it with AA batteries. This meant you only had to hook up one cable to use it.

Two EVFs made by camera manufacturers that can be used on other cameras are the Z CAM 2.89″ EVF101 Electronic Viewfinder and the Blackmagic Design URSA Viewfinder. Now, you need to be aware that technically both viewfinders can be used on other cameras, but neither solution is ideal. The Z CAM option is not a bad one, but you do need to be able to power it via a 2-pin LEMO power input. Again this makes using it problematic with some cameras.

The Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder does have an SDI input so you can technically send a feed and use it, however, it requires a 4-pin 12V power input, and good luck mounting it on any other camera other than an URSA.

There is a reason that most of the good EFVs are proprietary. This is mainly due to the fact that they only utilize one cable that sends power, the video signal, and all the necessary camera information without tying up any of the camera’s outputs. They are also purposely designed for a particular camera so you don’t have to frankenrig up anything to use one.

When I owned a Sony F55 I used the DVF-EL100 .7″ OLED Viewfinder. this was a great viewfinder, but it was expensive. I saying that for me personally, it was worth every cent.

The new ARRI ALEXA Electronic Viewfinder EVF-2 is the best EVF I have ever used, but it is expensive and it only currently works with the ALEXA Mini LF. If I could buy it for my Amira I would do so in a heartbeat. To me personally, a good EVF is worth its weight in gold.

If you just work indoors under controlled conditions then I can see why people may not want or need to use an EVF, but from my experience, if you are outdoors you really do need an EVF with most cameras. I often come across a lot of vision that was shot handheld where someone was just using a camera’s in-built small LCD screen where a lot of the material is out of focus. If you are using fast lenses and shooting at higher resolutions then good luck trying to nail focus from a small LCD screen outdoors.

Looking into a crystal ball it is hard to see anything changing when it comes to EVFs. We will still see proprietary EVFs for more expensive cameras, but it is unlikely that smaller-sized digital cinema cameras will come with anything more than an LCD screen. When it comes to mirrorless hybrids, there really isn’t that much more you can do other than to include a built-in EVF. Their small size makes it problematic to add anything else and if you were to use an EVF with a camera like that you almost have to go down that Frankenrig path. While there is nothing wrong with doing that, in my personal opinion, it defeats the purpose of buying a small camera in the first place.

The LED view-screen is wonderful; you hold the camera at reading distance and compose. If the situation allows, you make an effort to enrich the picture you are about to take by scrutinizing the view. Often, outdoors in bright sunlight, the screen on the back of the camera is washed-out and impossible to review.

We went from no viewfinder to wire-framing, then to a crude optical setup resembling a backwards telescope view. Next came the rangefinder viewfinder, still a backwards telescope with a focusing aid. Some sported an illumined white frame, maybe several each for a significant focal length. We were overwhelmed when the SLR came out (late 50’s). Now we could compose and focus inspecting the image the camera will soon see.

The electronic viewfinder, while not as good as the SLR view, restores the SLR view. Digital cameras have grown out of infancy, now in the toddler stage, and tomorrow’s viewfinder will be even better. Who knows, soon you might be interconnected, mind’s eye with camera. We never know what this “pixie dust” era will bring.

With an optical viewfinder, you are literally looking through the lens, so you see exactly what will be in the frame. Now, we have reached the realm of the electronic viewfinder, the EVF. But there are some things you need to be aware of.

An EVF is nothing more than a very small digital screen (LCD or OLED) that has replaced the optical viewfinder. It does not make a camera better; you still look at the frame through the lens, but it comes with a few advantages. The most important advantage is a simpler construction of the camera. It does not require a mirror and pentaprism and thus makes it possible to reduce the size and weight. There are more advantages, but I won’t address those in this article. I would like to focus more on the issues that come with an electronic viewfinder.

You may think it is an article that is against the electronic viewfinder, but trust me, it is not. I do like the evolution of camera design and technique. It is a good thing. Nevertheless, I also believe an optical viewfinder may be more suitable on some occasions. The last thing I want is to rattle up the tiresome discussion about the supposed death of the DSLR, or the future of mirrorless cameras, or how good or how bad the one or the other is. I just want to point out seven issues with electronic viewfinders and a possible solution to work around these issues.

One of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder is the possibility to see the exposure. You will have a dark image in the viewfinder in case of underexposure, and the image will be too bright in case of overexposure. It makes it possible to correct the exposure settings before you take the picture.

But be careful when judging the exposure in the viewfinder. Most cameras have the possibility to adjust screen settings. Brightness, contrast, color, picture styles — a lot of adjustments are possible. If you have the incorrect settings, it will influence the judgment of the exposure. A screen that is set too dark can result in overexposed images. A screen that is set too bright can result in the opposite. Ambient brightness can also influence your judgment of the image as seen through the viewfinder.

The only way to judge the exposure is by looking at the histogram. That won’t be influenced by any screen setting. The electronic viewfinder makes it possible to show the histogram in realtime, which is a large benefit. Make sure you keep an eye on it.

Because the sensor is used to collect the light for the image on the electronic viewfinder, it will always be exposed to light. Blocking the sensor is not possible. Constantly being exposed to light is no problem, but it can be an issue when a laser is nearby.

Lasers are dangerous to sensors, which I found out the hard way. Long exposures in a place where lasers are present can result in burn marks or even a destroyed sensor. A DSLR the sensor is blocked or protected when using the viewfinder, but the mirrorless camera is constantly exposed to those dangerous light beams.

The electronic viewfinder is a digital screen. It needs power to run, although the battery life of the modern mirrorless camera has increased significantly over the last few years, making this less of an issue over time. An eye sensor not only detects if the viewfinder is being used, but if activated, it can prevent the camera from shutting down into sleep mode. Especially when the camera is hanging around your neck or over your shoulder, the sensor can be activated constantly, thus draining the battery much more quickly. Turning off the camera manually can prevent this, although in that case, you need to be aware it wil take longer before the camera is ready.

I often look through the viewfinder to see if there is a good composition. I place the viewfinder to my eye and start looking around. With a DSLR, you can do this without activating the camera or even with the camera turned off. But not if you have an electronic viewfinder. In that case, the camera needs to be activated, otherwise you won’t be able to use the viewfinder at all. If you have turned the camera off, you need to turn it on again, thus reducing battery life.

The electronic viewfinder is a screen, and screens produce light. This is no problem is most cases, unless you are doing night photography in really dark locations. If shooting a night sky or Milky Way, you eyes benefit from night sight. It takes about 20 minutes to gain night sight. But the light of an electronic viewfinder can ruin this within a second.

Exposure simulation shows the exact exposure on screen. But that has a limit. When shooting at dark locations, that limit of enhancing the image on the digital screen can be reached. The result is a dark screen with mostly noise, thus rendering it useless. A optical viewfinder may still show enough to be able to make a composition on sight, but for the electronic viewfinder, you will need a different approach.

If you cannot use the electronic viewfinder, there is no need to look through it, which solves point five. By the way, night in the city is not a dark environment. In those locations, you can use the electronic viewfinder without problems.

When photographing in a studio environment, the use of the flash exposure sync speed is common. As a reminder, it is the fastest shutter speed where the sensor is completely exposed for flash light. Since the exposure is not set for ambient light, the electronic viewfinder will be almost completely dark, thus rendering it useless for making a composition. In those situations you need to turn off the exposure simulation.

I want to mention again that I don’t want a fight about what is best. I don’t think there is a best, only two different sorts of viewfinders. Each has its own benefits and its own downsides Regardless which camera or viewfinder, you use, it is very important to know the ins and outs of your camera, and knowing any weaknesses makes you able to have a workaround. I hope these seven issues of the electronic viewfinder can help you use the camera the way you want to or the way you need to, bringing lots of fun.

I would like to know what kind of viewfinder you use and if you have run into issues that I haven’t mentioned. Please share your experience below in the comments.

Viewfinders are what photographers rely on to accurately compose a pictures. There are different kinds of viewfinders, and it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each before buying a camera.

Cameras can have an LCD screen with Live View, an optical viewfinder, an electronic viewfinder, or a combination of these. For example, many DSLRs cameras now come with LCD screens with Live View, in addition to an optical or electronic eye-level viewfinder. Many point-and-shoots only have an LCD screen.

The electronic viewfinder technology has come a long way in the past few years and some DSLRs are using them instead of the more traditional optical viewfinders. Here is a look at each type of eye-level viewfinder and what they have to offer.

The optical viewfinders on point-and-shoot cameras are different in that they don’t show you exactly what the lens sees; they look through a separate hole above the lens and show a slightly different view from the final image.

Pros:The advantages of the OVF are that the photographer sees a scene with no time lag, no resolution limits, and with all the clarity the lens and the human eye can produce. Sports shooters rely on this system to see action immediately and anticipate the kind of timing necessary to capture the right moment. OVFs also save battery since looking through them doesn’t require any charge, and the photographer can take time to compose a shot before turning the camera on. And anyone who has tried to use an LCD screen in bright sunlight can appreciate that eye-level viewfinders aren’t affected by reflections.

The OVFs on entry-level cameras (sub $1,000) can be a bit dimmer than the ones found on high-end models. Also, all autofocus cameras can be a challenge to focus manually while looking through an OVF. A final downside of an optical viewfinder is that the mechanisms required to make it work take up space. In the quest for smaller, lighter camera bodies, OVFs are being replaced with their less-bulky digital equivalent, the electronic viewfinder.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) has seen a renaissance in cameras over the past two years, with the release of new compact interchangeable-lens cameras with live view. Camera manufacturers are presenting EVFs as a serious alternative to the optical viewfinders that are in many high end DSLRs. But what differences remain?

Phase Detect autofocus system, and a camera’s body can be made much more compact. Those parts are replaced by a video feed from the sensor that is displayed on either a screen on the back of the camera, or on a screen inside a viewfinder—the electronic viewfinder. The high end EVFs found in Micro Four-Thirds, Samsung NX, and Sony SLT cameras aim for a more pleasurable shooting experience by overlaying helpful settings and guides on the EVF screen.

Many people find that focusing manually using an EVF is easier than with an OVF because the EVF allows you to magnify an area to clearly see when the subject snaps into sharp focus. EVF screens also brighten automatically, making it easier to see a scene in low-light situations, or preview at smaller apertures.

It’s not just what you see through the viewfinder that’s different. Using an EVF can also change the physical shape of a camera. Remove the need for mirrors, and the camera can be made much smaller, even open the possibility for entirely new shapes and ergonomics. And by removing the mirror, it’s easier, physically, to increase the shots taken per second.

Cons: Even with all the bells and whistles, the latest and greatest EVFs are often not good enough for many photographers. Though improved drastically over old versions, the refresh rate of an electric viewfinder still lags a little. For example, trying to catch a diver as he or she touches the water might actually result in a picture of legs sticking out of the water. You can miss a baseball batter’s swing, or the moment a tennis player’s racket hits the ball.

Electronic viewfinders offer far more features than the optical variety, but do they win out in function? User preference is definitely a key factor in making a viewfinder decision—do you prefer to look at subjects through a periscope or a television?

It’s a tough question, and one that photographers have spent many years debating. Some photographers swear by their optical viewfinders, and refuse to work with an electronic viewfinder; other photographers claim that optical viewfinders are obsolete and that electronic viewfinders are the future.

It gives you a preview of the scene that you’re shooting, and it does this optically. When you look through an optical viewfinder, you’re viewing the actual scene before you, simply reflected by mirrors inside your camera.

In fact, most optical viewfinders include a number of helpful overlays on top of the image, such as a rule of thirds grid, your active (and sometimes inactive) autofocus points, and your exposure information.

Electronic viewfinders also display autofocus points and exposure data, the same as optical viewfinders, though they sometimes come with helpful extras (such as focus peaking features, as I explain below).

And while electronic viewfinders are becoming more and more present in mirrorless camera lineups, there are still hobbyist mirrorless models, such as the Canon EOS M100, which doesn’t include any viewfinder at all; instead, it only offers a Live View screen for previewing (and reviewing) images.

(Note that there are also mirrorless cameras that offer optional viewfinders that mount onto the camera, but these are pretty rare. And there are other mirrorless cameras that include bothan electronic viewfinder and an optical viewfinder, though these are even rarer.)

Whereas electronic viewfinders are giving you a digital preview of the scene, one that’s limited by the resolution and frame rate of your mirrorless camera.

Now, some electronic viewfinders look really, really good. At the time of writing, the highest resolution electronic viewfinder available in a mirrorless camera is over nine million dots (found in the Sony a7S III), followed by several 5.76M-dot EVFs (found in the Canon EOS R5 and the Sony a7R IV, to name just two).

Whereas electronic viewfinders with 3.69M-dot resolutions and above feel very real to me, to the point that I often forget that I’m looking at a digital, rather than optical, display.

All in all, if you’re after the best possible resolution, an optical viewfinder is the way to go. But if you can afford to purchase a camera with a higher-end viewfinder, you may not notice much of a difference!

But if you’re anything like me, shooting into the sun with an optical viewfinder is physically painful. Sometimes, I come away with spots in front of my eye as well as a headache.

You see, technically speaking, you can preview depth of field through optical viewfinders. Most DSLRs offer a depth of field preview button; when you press this, it closes down the aperture and lets you view the expected depth of field for the image.

The problem is that the DSLR depth of field preview button makes the viewfinder far darker–to the point that I find it truly unusable. It’s difficult to evaluate whether parts of your image are sharp when they’re dim, and that’s why I almost never use the depth of field preview on my DSLRs.

Otherwise, the aperture doesn’t close until you fire the shutter button, which means that the depth of field won’t be reflected in the electronic viewfinder.

Note that this is also true for some lenses that mount on OVF cameras, but the viewfinder brightness will darken, as with the depth of field preview button.

Fujifilm lenses, for instance, offer manual apertures, which is why you get a highly accurate depth of field preview when looking through a Fujifilm viewfinder.

But most other camera manufacturers (e.g., Nikon, Canon, and Sony) don’t include a manual aperture ring. In such cases, the camera sometimes offers a depth of field preview button, which works like the DOF preview on a DSLR, except without the light loss in the viewfinder.

Cameras using electronic viewfinders, on the other hand, have to convert the light into a digital image and then display it via the EVF. And that can take time, which manifests as viewfinder lag.

And lower-end viewfinders, or viewfinders in older mirrorless cameras, are much worse. You’ll often end up with significant, noticeable lag–which isn’t a big deal if you’re a landscape or portrait shooter, but can become a huge issue if you shoot sports, birds in flight, or street images.

If you think you might want an electronic viewfinder but you’re concerned about lag, I’d recommend that you read reviews of the particular camera you’re after. Most will discuss the electronic viewfinder, and should give you a sense of whether the EVF is plagued by lag, or whether you’ll be able to shoot comfortably in fast-paced scenarios.

Pretty much all electronic viewfinders include a group of “filters,” ranging from sepia overlays to black and white overlays to color film simulations.

For those who shoot in black and white, I’d say that the black and white overlay alonemakes electronic viewfinders better than optical viewfinders. Because it allows you to see the world in black and white, which is far easier than trying to mentally convert between color and black and white through an EVF.

Instead, you can view your images in the EVF, which is helpful for getting an accurate understanding of colors, lighting, and exposure (since you don’t have to contend with reflections on the rear LCD, etc.).

While all of this is also possible on the rear LCD provided by cameras with OVFs, the problem is that rear LCDs are difficult to work with unless you’re shooting in complete darkness. They’re prone to reflections, and they’re affected by ambient light levels. Images often look well-exposed on a rear LCD viewed in bright, when in reality they’re too dark or too light.

Now that you’re familiar with the pros and cons of optical viewfinders versus electronic viewfinders, you should hopefully have a better idea of whether an optical viewfinder is right for you.

I’d recommend you grab a camera with an optical viewfinder if resolution and clarity are of utmost importance to you–or if you frequently shoot in low light, where EVFs can become frustratingly noisy.

If you’re an action photographer, you should also consider optical viewfinders. Because while EVF-laden mirrorless cameras will generally offer higher continuous shooting speeds than DSLRs, EVF lag is a problem, and one that some sports photographers find prohibitive.

Electronic viewfinders allow you to preview exposure and (sometimes) depth of field in real time. They allow you to do manual focusing with great precision, and they offer incredibly useful artistic simulations.

Now that you’ve finished this article, you should have a sense of whether an electronic viewfinder or an optical viewfinder makes sense for your needs.

An EVF is an electronic viewfinder. It’s essentially a digital display that comes straight from the camera sensor; with an EVF, you can preview images before you even press the shutter button! Note that an EVF doesn’t just show you the scene–it should also give you access to camera settings, the camera menu, image histograms, and much more.

An OVF is an optical viewfinder. OVFs let you see directly through your camera’s lens, but optically (rather than digitally). So when you look through an OVF, you’re viewing the scene as your lens sees it. OVFs also include helpful overlays, such as camera settings, but they’re more limited than EVFs in what they can display.

That depends on the type of photography you do. Electronic viewfinders offer some features that optical viewfinders can’t match, such as exposure simulation (where you see your exposure in the viewfinder before you take a shot). And electronic viewfinders include focus aids such as focus peaking, so that you can see what areas are in focus before pressing the shutter button. However, electronic viewfinders suffer from (often very slight) lag, which makes them less desirable for sports and action photographers. And optical viewfinders perform far better than electronic viewfinders in low light, where EVFs tend to get clouded by high-ISO noise.

Yes, electronic viewfinders do work in low light. However, they struggle far more than optical viewfinders, because they’re forced to boost their internal ISO for a bright video feed. So while it’s possible to use an electronic viewfinder indoors or at night (and I’ve done this quite a lot, myself), you’re not going to get the same clear image that an optical viewfinder offers.

Absolutely! Electronic viewfinders on low-end mirrorless models tend to offer very low resolutions and have other issues (such as color shifts and lag). Whereas electronic viewfinders on higher-end models tend to be quite impressive, with lots of resolution and strong capabilities overall. In fact, the difference between a low-end an