How important is the viewfinder on a digital camera?

I'm shopping for a new digital camera, and all the models that interest me have no viewfinder, "LCD only." This seems like it might be a problem, since if the LCD screen breaks, or there is a glare on the screen, it will be difficult to line up a good shot. How important is the viewfinder on a digital camera, and why do so many compact and subcompact cameras have LCD only, rather than a viewfinder and and LCD like the other cameras I've owned? Do you have any suggestions for a good camera under $400 with good shutter lag?

Not important. You will not use it. The only time it may be helpful is when you are outside and the sun is so bright you can't see your screen really well. My camera does not have one and I am fine with that. The one I have is the Fuji Finepix F20. I did a lot of research and it got really good reviews from professional photographers. It is simple to use and takes great pics and is priced very competitively for all the features.

when the batteries are low you can turn off the display to conserve power

If the LCD screen breaks, you are unlikely to have a usable camera. The viewfinder becomes vital when the day is so bright that you can't see the screen or so dark unless it has back lighting. I use the viewfinder on my Nikon 995 about 1 shot in 10.

It won't eat your batteries nearly as quick as using the LCD screen exclusively. My Sony DSC-H2 is just 1 second between shots. 6 megapixels, 12X optical zoom. Gives excellent 8X10 and has image stabilizer. Comes with battery charger, and has viewfinder. I always use the viewfinder.

I recently purchased a Kodak Camera from Staples and so far has been a great buy. You have the option of using the LCD or the viewfinder. Also, it has a very good optical zoom, which will allow for more artistic photos if you're interested. They have several Kodaks, but the one I'm referring to cost three hundred and was on sale for two hundred and fifty. Consumer reports gave it a good rating.

Good Luck!

Large LCD viewfinders eat batteries. It seems nice to have a big LCD monitor, but they are power hungry. You will have to do what you can to turn the thing off as soon as you don't need it any longer. Look for "Power Save" in your menu. Set it to shut off at the shortest possible innterval after you take the picture. Set it so that it doesn't not display unless you tap the shutter button to wake it up. Even this will not go a long way towards conserving batteries.

Of course, rechargeable batteries are the way to go, but you might want to get some Energizer e虏 Lithium batteries for cameras. They cost twice as much, but last four times as long.

I lament the passing of the optical viewfinder and I would choose almost any camera with an optical viewfinder over one that only has an LCD viewfinder. Why?

1. You never have the option of turning off the LCD and these things eat batteries for lunch and spit them out. Why do away with the option of a viewfinder that has zero electrical drain?

2. It can be difficult to see the image on an LCD in bright sunlight, even if they are "new and improved."

3. You have to hold an LCD viewer out at some distance in front of your face. This is more conspicuous than I prefer to be all the time.

4. The need to hold a camera at arms length will introduce some shake. I like the idea of stabilizing a camera against my face when I am taking a picture. This is especially important with a longer zoom lens. No wonder "image stablization" or "vibration reduction" is necessary with these cameras. Not that there's anything WRONG with IS or VR, but it is really a requirement with LCD viewfinders and telephoto lenses.

5. Using the LCD to view photos after you've taken them slows down the camera quite a bit. You can't shut of the LCD monitor and still take pictures if you don't have an optical viewfinder.

The LDC gives you "what you see is what you get" whereas a viewfinder won't always give you this. Let's say you're lining up a nice closeup shot of a flower.. The viewfinder is a good inch away from the shutter, so your picture will be off center, or worse, cropped. This applies to regular point and shoot cameras, in an SLR, you look through the lens via the viewfinder. I don't have info on shutter lag, maybe you should visit http://www.dpreview.com/ this is a site which users review digital cameras of all kinds.

The view finder is not that important and a lot of times if you use the veiw finder your shots will be mis lined since your not looking thought the lens but a spot slightly higher and sometimes to one side.

As an old-timer who has owned Single Lens Reflex cameras since 1971 I can't imagine not having an optical viewfinder.

I do kinda enjoy watching people trying to take photos while holding the camera between thumb and forefinger with the camera 2' from their face. I often wonder what kind of results they get...