Help me find a camera: My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if...

19photo30 Loc: Olympia, WA

My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if it could fit in a pocket. She has a couple of DSLR cameras, and she is looking for one that she can always have with her. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

19photo30 wrote:

My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if it could fit in a pocket. She has a couple of DSLR cameras, and she is looking for one that she can always have with her. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

What is your budget?

19photo30 Loc: Olympia, WA

200 - 300

foodie65

19photo30 wrote:

My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if it could fit in a pocket. She has a couple of DSLR cameras, and she is looking for one that she can always have with her. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

Canon SX 60 (or if you can find refurbished Canon SX50)

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

foodie65 wrote:

Canon SX 60 (or if you can find refurbished Canon SX50)

OP said fits in pocket camera.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Google compact camera with viewfinder - this is what I found -
https://www.imaging-resource.com/compact-cameras-with-viewfinders

They are not cheap, but it will give you a starting point and you might be able to find a used one...

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

19photo30 wrote:

My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if it could fit in a pocket. She has a couple of DSLR cameras, and she is looking for one that she can always have with her. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

I tell my wife to just use her cell phone. It does not have a view finder, but it works, it is always with her, and there is no additional costs.

19photo30 Loc: Olympia, WA

Thank you, but the air turns blue when I suggest one without a viewfinder.

foodie65

PixelStan77 wrote:

OP said fits in pocket camera.

OOPS!! My bad!

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Check out the Panasonic Lumix ZS50, $279 on Amazon. Has a Leica lens but of course going to be an EVF at that price and your budget.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

19photo30 wrote:

My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if it could fit in a pocket. She has a couple of DSLR cameras, and she is looking for one that she can always have with her. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

So, something between a smartphone, which almost everyone carries with them every day, and a dslr? What type of photography does she think she will use it for or how wide and how long?

BebuLamar

I think you would have a better chance to find a camera with an electronic viewfinder if her concern is the LCD screen can't be seen in bright light or having to hold the camera far away from her body. The trend today is going away from optical viewfinder because those non reflex optical viewfinder is very inaccurate and is difficult to locate the focus point.
Keep in mind that I am not talking about the reflex viewfinder of a DSLR.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

foodie65 wrote:

Canon SX 60 (or if you can find refurbished Canon SX50)

Will need big pockets for that one. It is a nice camera for it's price range, but getting a little long on the tooth.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

19photo30 wrote:

My wife is looking for a point and shoot camera. Her main concern is that it should have an optical viewfinder instead of just a viewing screen. Would be nice if it could fit in a pocket. She has a couple of DSLR cameras, and she is looking for one that she can always have with her. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

This is not rocket science. Check out the different camera manufacturers. Check out your wallet and make a choice.

BebuLamar

traderjohn wrote:

This is not rocket science. Check out the different camera manufacturers. Check out your wallet and make a choice.

I couldn't find a new camera with optical viewfinder except the DSLR which the OP's wife already has. There are a few like the Leica M and the Fuji X-Pro with its hybrid viewfinder but I don't think they are pocketable.