Needing a point and shoot with viewfinder: Hi everyone, I need some advice....the husband wants a point and shoot camera with a viewfinder for taking pics from his tree stand. Right...

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Hi everyone, I need some advice....the husband wants a point and shoot camera with a viewfinder for taking pics from his tree stand. Right now he is using my Nikon S9700 but it doesn't have the viewfinder and all his pictures are coming out blurry from the stand. I even tried to set the camera on Sport to help and it did help a little but not much. Plus he has a hard time trying to view the pics when in sport mode because they show up on the lcd small.

Pics of the bucks that come under his stand are still blurry....I know....you all don't have to tell me that it's more than likely the shooter and not the camera ...lol....but trying to get him to understand is not working....and he want's one with the view finder instead of the lcd screen only.

What point and shoot would you recommend for a novice that comes with a view finder and or what settings could I change on this S9700 that might help him?

Thanks everyone in advance for helping me keep the peace in my house...lol

le boecere

CindyHouk wrote:

Hi everyone, I need some advice....the husband wan... (show quote)

Is his (your) definition of "point and shoot" the S9700? Defining a term and budget boundaries are almost essential for the "hoggers" to provide a really usable opinion. What does "point and shoot" look like, to him?

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

CindyHouk wrote:

Hi everyone, I need some advice....the husband wan... (show quote)

I have a Canon Powershot G-15 which has a viewfinder. It also has a fast lens. It has been supplanted by the G-16.
I hope he uses a safety harness in his tree stand. Without a safety harness, the fall from the stand doesn't hurt, but the sudden stop on the ground can be devastating.
Bud

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Sony RD100M4 or M5.

And, it's not the point and shoot that is making his pictures blurry it is his focus point or movement. Try setting the camera to a high ISO, like 1200 and see what happens.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

le boecere wrote:

Is his (your) definition of "point and shoot" the S9700? Defining a term and budget boundaries are almost essential for the "hoggers" to provide a really usable opinion. What does "point and shoot" look like, to him?

He wants to be able to turn the power on and click the shutter button, that's all he wants to do and since he is taking them in low light....early morning, late evening....I am not sure what to do to help him...budget I'd say under $400. It's not like he wants to take pics to blow up or anything...just to show friends.

I have tried to have the camera in Program mode but when you take a picture....it gives you an editing option...and then he gets frustrated trying to get back to main screen. Same happens with the A and S modes on this camera, when in Sport mode...it takes two pics in quick succession but he then has a hard time looking at the picture on the lcd screen since it's a very small icon and doesn't fill the lcd screen...so then he starts clicking buttons and gets things messed up.

Here are a couple of examples of what we get. Any suggestions on either getting this camera set properly for him or an easier camera for him to work with would be great!

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

WF2B wrote:

I have a Canon Powershot G-15 which has a viewfinder. It also has a fast lens. It has been supplanted by the G-16.
I hope he uses a safety harness in his tree stand. Without a safety harness, the fall from the stand doesn't hurt, but the sudden stop on the ground can be devastating.
Bud

Thanks Bud and yes we both use safety harness's in the stands! I will look into the G-16.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Sony RD100M4 or M5.

And, it's not the point and shoot that is making his pictures blurry it is his focus point or movement. Try setting the camera to a high ISO, like 1200 and see what happens.

Thanks...I will checkout the Sony....I just looked at the menu when in A mode and I found the ISO setting to change....I will give it a try tonight and see if that helps.

I was also able to find the setting to turn off the Quick Effects...so that screen will no longer pop up on him.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Actually, using the LCD display should be easier to see to focus. There could be a problem with the camera, or it could be a lack of experience. Here is my guess at what is going on. Husband is using full zoom in less than ideal lighting conditions with a camera that has a very small sensor, on a platform that may be prone to movement. That can be a recipe for blurry photos. I would ask you to ask him to consider using something to stabilize the camera on the tree stand, such as a gorilla pod, or even a monopod if practical. If camera has a manual mode for focusing, it may be worth a try. Bottom line - 30X zoom P&S will struggle for detailed shots in less than ideal lighting. It's not the lack of a view finder that is causing blur and soft images. Using the 9700 in manual mode along with some practice may be offer the best short term solution.
Hope this helps a little.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

sirlensalot wrote:

Actually, using the LCD display should be easier t... (show quote)

Thanks and yes it does help a lot! I don't think he is using the digital zoom and I know some of the issue is with stability. I normally use this camera when i am on the back of my horse....and leave it in Sport mode...it does an awesome job with taking pictures while riding..but he doesn't like using that mode.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Do you have the full user manual? Here is a link:
http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/119/COOLPIX_S9700.html

I didn't download it so can't give you definitive steps to take, but the two issues I see with your attached examples have been touched on:

1. Motion blur. I would be willing to bet that the shutter speed used is too slow, and blur is happening because camera can't be held steady.

2. Low light is making auto-focus difficult, but also so is the low contrast. That deer is blending right into the colors of the surroundings.

A new camera, especially in the lower price range (point and shoot) won't solve these two main issues.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Linda From Maine wrote:

Do you have the full user manual? Here is a link: ... (show quote)

Thanks Linda...no i don't have the manual any more....thanks for the link. Maybe after reading all the comments on here he will get a better understanding of what I am trying to explain...he doesn't believe me that it's motion blur and trying to use auto....lol

I will see if I can get the A mode setup correctly so he can just use that mode with a high iso.

le boecere

CindyHouk wrote:

Thanks Bud and yes we both use safety harness's in the stands! I will look into the G-16.

My first travel camera was a Canon G-10 (forerunner of the G15 & G16). A wonderful little compact camera....for good light, and stuff that stands still. Found out that it's difficult to capture flying grandkids and fleeing animals with that little sensor....especially in low light.

In 2014 I purchased a used Sony a6000, and now the G10 gets very little use. Even the Sony RX100III pocket camera with the so-called 1" sensor can see better in the dark than I can.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

CindyHouk wrote:

Hi everyone, I need some advice....the husband wan... (show quote)

Compact, raw, viewfinder -

https://www.lifewire.com/best-viewfinder-cameras-493677
http://www.compactcamerawithviewfinder.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/compact-cameras-with-viewfinders

jimmyholt Loc: Lake Weatherford Tx

The point and shoot he needs is a Winchester .270 with a 3x9 scope!

Hydro47 Loc: NW Indiana

I use a Panasonic Lumix zs50 in my tree stand. It has a viewfinder and it's set up to come on using the screen,but automatically switches to the viewfinder when it detects your eye close to it. Best of both worlds. It also shoots in RAW if you care to and has a zoom of approx 720mm in 35mm equivalent. I bought this camera earlier this year for $219 off Amazon. I believe there is a newer version out now, but this camera can still be found online for about $300. It is only 12mp but takes pictures good enough that I have made it my go to camera for hunting.