electronic viewfinder vs optical viewfinder

In contrast, most compacts and smaller Compact System Cameras don’t come with a built-in viewfinder at all and have no means to attach a standalone one either, relying instead on the LCD screen on the back of the camera, which presents a live feed of what the sensor can see.īoth approaches have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages eye-level viewfinders help to block everything else out so that you can concentrate fully on what’s in the frame, however they do require the camera to be bigger in order to house the required mirrors and/or electronic circuitry. Many manufacturers also make standalone viewfinders of both the optical and electronic variety that can be attached to certain cameras via the flashgun hotshoe. Optical viewfinders can be split into pentamirror/pentaprism types that use mirrors to see directly through the lens, and tunnel types that use a separate optical arrangement that’s wholly independent of the lens. There are two types of built-in viewfinder that allow you to use a camera at eye-level: an optical viewfinder (OVF) and an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Here’s what you need to know… Viewfinders vs Rear Displays While they might not generate the same marketing buzz that a fancy new sensor or exciting new technology does, viewfinders and rear displays are nonetheless hugely important components of your camera so it pays to be informed of the differences between the various types on offer and how they might affect your use and enjoyment. Depending on the type and price of the camera this may well be complemented by an eye-level viewfinder of either the optical or electronic variety.

While many old film cameras indicated important shooting settings via a small monotone LCD display (usually on the shoulder of the camera), modern digital cameras almost universally come with a full-colour rear display that can provide a live feed of what the camera is looking at – a technological development that is generally referred to as live view. Not only can we now rattle off as many images as our memory card will allow, but thanks to the advent of digital displays and advancements made in viewfinder technology we can also choose how we want to compose our images and then instantly review them to see if they’re any good. Digital camera technology has changed the way we take pictures.

Electronic viewfinder vs optical viewfinder