LED Screens vs Eye View Finders: So I went out a bought me a new compact camera (approx $1,000) because I could no longer carry around a DSLR and a collection of lens. Funniest stuff...

Glenn Reiner Loc: Sacramento CA

So I went out a bought me a new compact camera (approx $1,000) because I could no longer carry around a DSLR and a collection of lens. Funniest stuff, all I can do is point the camera in the direction of what I think is my memory documented scene. If one is out and about on a sunny day you might as well close your eyes also. I sure enjoy the size (Canon G7X Mk III vs. 6D Mk II) but that is all I can recommend. Aloha, Glenn

Quixdraw Loc: x

Had to use a camera with only a monitor for work for a number of years. Ended up carrying one of my own cameras which had a viewfinder, though if it had been lost or stolen, I'd have been on my own. Some apparently can make them work - I can't. If it doesn't have a viewfinder, no interest.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

quixdraw wrote:

Had to use a camera with only a monitor for work for a number of years. Ended up carrying one of my own cameras which had a viewfinder, though if it had been lost or stolen, I'd have been on my own. Some apparently can make them work - I can't. If it doesn't have a viewfinder, no interest.

I vote the same. Looking at the back of the camera is only good for inside shooting as far as I am concerned. Out in the sunshine, I find the backside of the camera to be almost worthless. For my inside inspection work at my job, it works great. Most of the shooting is setups and lifts along with macro and micro photos. All of the shooting is soft diffuse lighting or ring lighting. But for my personal photography where I will be spending 90% or more of my time outside, I have got to have a viewfinder to see what is actually happening in the camera. Sunlight just "wipes out" seeing any detail I want to see on the back screen.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

wdross wrote:

I vote the same. Looking at the back of the camera... (show quote)

Count me in, too, guys. Have gotten very comfortable composing through a viewfinder over the years ... part of the whole "photographic experience" to me. Camera backs are for chimping or checking optimum focus while digitizing old slides.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Glenn Reiner wrote:

So I went out a bought me a new compact camera (approx $1,000) because I could no longer carry around a DSLR and a collection of lens. Funniest stuff, all I can do is point the camera in the direction of what I think is my memory documented scene. If one is out and about on a sunny day you might as well close your eyes also. I sure enjoy the size (Canon G7X Mk III vs. 6D Mk II) but that is all I can recommend. Aloha, Glenn

First of all, there is not really that much difference between the weight of a DSLR and a mirrorless interchangable lens camera. Unless you got a compact point and shoot, I am assuming that is what you got.
However, if you would have purchased a Sony HX99 for less than 1/2 the price, you would have gotten a POP UP VIEWFINDER, a 24-750 mm Zeiss lens, auto fill flash, HDR, pano's and much much more. Here is a link where you can get one.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1437917-REG/sony_dsc_hx99_b_cyber_shot_dsc_hx99_digital_camera.html?sts=pi&pim=Y
If you need any more helpful info on this camera private message me, I will be glad to set you on the right track.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

My go-to in-pocket 24/7 camera is a simplistic Sony HX 50. This camera has no eye view only a LED screen that like a vampire disappears in the sunlight.

To view the screen in bright sun the addition of a $15 "ENHANCE 3 Inch LCD Sun Shade Screen" and attached to that an eyeglass flip-down magnifying lens, $9 "Carson OcuLens Clip-On Eyeglass Magnifier Set " Both from Amazon. When using one puts their eye to the magnifyer and the screen is then in focus shielded from the sun, being shadowed by both the shield and the camera user's head.

The flip-down magnifyer is epoxyed to the top of the shield and when the child is closed the magnifyer is protected by being against the bottom of the camera. The lens is still moveable only a portion of the clip-on is used-epoxyed [or hot glued] to the shield cover This system works well and I prefer it to the eye view that my Panasonic TZ100 has.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Change is hard for some people...others embrace it. Get used to it, its the only constant in our universe.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I’ve tried and tried, but I just can’t adapt to a viewing screen. I need a viewfinder.

tcthome Loc: NJ

You need a sun hood if you can find one.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

billnikon wrote:

First of all, there is not really that much differ... (show quote)

Mirrorless Z50 half the weight of D5600 it replaced for me. Its 16-50 lens is maybe 1/3 the weight of the Sigma 17-50 I used on the D5600...and equal image quality.

The above camera has tiny 1/2.3 sensor...more like a phone camera. They are OK in bright light but cannot compare to APSC sensors.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Glenn Reiner wrote:

So I went out a bought me a new compact camera (approx $1,000) because I could no longer carry around a DSLR and a collection of lens. Funniest stuff, all I can do is point the camera in the direction of what I think is my memory documented scene. If one is out and about on a sunny day you might as well close your eyes also. I sure enjoy the size (Canon G7X Mk III vs. 6D Mk II) but that is all I can recommend. Aloha, Glenn

A hat with a large brim might be able to shade the screen, but holding the camera away from your body to shoot is a less stable base than using a view finder with your arms tucked in.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

A few years ago I acquired a Lumix GM5 for its small size, light weight, and EVF. It is a nice camera but M4/3 sensor so not so hot when higher ISOs are needed. Unfortunately Panasonic dropped the EVF on its successor model.

The Z50 with 16-50 is small and light enough, and has APSC sensor. Plus the operation is nearly the same as my Z6. So I’ll be sending the GM5 down the road.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Glenn Reiner wrote:

So I went out a bought me a new compact camera (approx $1,000) because I could no longer carry around a DSLR and a collection of lens. Funniest stuff, all I can do is point the camera in the direction of what I think is my memory documented scene. If one is out and about on a sunny day you might as well close your eyes also. I sure enjoy the size (Canon G7X Mk III vs. 6D Mk II) but that is all I can recommend. Aloha, Glenn

If no viewfinder, EVF or OVF I'm not interested. Otherwise one needs a hood. I have to use a cloth hood for my film view cameras. Not really fun.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

You can have both a small camera and viewfinder. My PenF is a very versatile camera it is small and rather light. It has both a viewfinder and a rear screen that can be concealed when not used. The various OMD cameras are light too. Some of the more junior PEN cameras have an accessory viewfinder attachment too. You can check out the Lumix cameras too.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

IDguy wrote:

Mirrorless Z50 half the weight of D5600 it replaced for me. Its 16-50 lens is maybe 1/3 the weight of the Sigma 17-50 I used on the D5600...and equal image quality.

The above camera has tiny 1/2.3 sensor...more like a phone camera. They are OK in bright light but cannot compare to APSC sensors.

I added a Z50 to my fleet for exactly that reason. It does a great job and is extremely light. I also had a Sony A6400 for a while. It was very light too. Maybe the difference is less pronounced FF to FF.