

Optical viewfinders (OVFs) use decades-old technology, yet still have many staunch supporters. Let’s take a look at each option in turn. Which brings me to the two types of viewfinders popular today: optical viewfinders and electronic viewfinders. Ultimately, it’s generally worth purchasing a camera with a viewfinder, especially if you take your photography seriously. Following a moving subject with a viewfinder is (relatively) easy following a moving subject with an LCD often feels impossible.Pressing and holding your camera against your face makes things more stabilized.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.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. 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? 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. 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!). 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.

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.īy 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.Ī 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. In this article, I aim to give a thorough overview of OVFs vs EVFs. 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.
