Swivel LCD/Viewfinders on Digital SLRs?

[primerib]

Hi. I'm new here and hope that you can advise me about digital SLR cameras. My arms are paralyzed as a result of a childhood bout with polio. Bringing a camera to eye-level is virtually impossible for me. When I heard about the Sony Cybershot DSC-R1, a digital SLR with a swivel viewfinder, I thought it might enable me to enjoy SLR photography as I did decades ago when my arms were stronger (I now use a Canon A80 point and shoot, which also has a swivel viewfinder, but I miss the creativity of an SLR).

Anyway, my question is: Are there other digital SLRs with swivel viewfinders? I want to make the right choice, and two factors I must consider are cost and weight.

Thanks for listening! Looking forward to your replies.

Chava
www.chavawilliglevy.com

[JTL]

Rumors are flying that Olympus will announce this feature soon (days/weeks, not months)...but it's a rumor for now...

Here's a thread with some info...

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16471

[Norm in Fujino]

The announcement is three days away (January 26). . .or so 'tis said.

[coldrain]

The Sony is no SLR, you can not look though a view finder directly through the lens.

BUT you can see through the lens via an LCD screen... so, what defines an SLR? looking though the lens, or the mirror? If it is looking through the lens, all digital cameras are SLR's... since all offer a view through the lens via the LCD. When you say you want to enjoy SLR photography, what do you mean with SLR? The Sony DSC-R1 does not allow different lenses, it has one fixed lens.

There are many smaller digital cameras that offer a swivel/flipdown display too, like the Canon A610/620, Canon S2 IS, Canon G6, Panasonic FZ30, Fuji S-9000/9500. Like the R1 all these are no DSLR's.

If you can wait till the PMA (end of february) you will know which new models all will offer a display like that, probably Olympus will have an SLR like that, but maybe also Sony and..... who knows.

[primerib]

Thanks for your replies. I have to admit my ignorance and ask:

What is the PMA?

If the Sony R1 is not an SLR, is it a point-and-shoot camera?

And lastly, are there ANY digital SLRs with swivel LCD/viewfinders that would enable me to use them?

Chava

[coldrain]

PMA: http://www.pmai.org/xpma2006/default.asp.

Point and shoot: When you can just point your camera at something and press one button to make a photo. It is not a "type" of camera. It often is (mis?)used for cameras that do not allow for any manual user settings that influence the photo. You can use most DSLR's as point and shoot too.

The DSC-R1 is just a big digital camera that is not a DSLR, just like a Canon A610 is a compact digital camera, and the Canon SD450/IXUS 55 is an ultra compact digital camera. SLR stands for Single (one) Lens (lens) Reflex (reflects light to eye or lets it through to film/sensor).
The R does not happen with an R1, A610 or SD450, else these could all be called SLR. That the digital film (sensor) gets used in these to produce an image on the LCD or in the R1's case in the electronic view finder, still does not make them SLR, even if the result is practically the same.

What DSLR mostly is used for is for cameras that base in the 35mm standard of SLR's, with exchangeble lenses. One exception on that is Olympus' DSLR system, it is not based on existing 35mm film SLR standards.

There are also digital cameras that are no SLR, that still allow lenses to be exchanged. Epson makes one for instance.

[JTL]

1. As of today there is no DSLR that has "live preview" on an LCD and thus no need for a swivel feature. This feature (which is a giant technical challenge which I will not go into) is rumored to be coming out on the new Olympus within days.

2. The PMA is the Photo Marketing Association. They have a show every year and it is where many new cameras are announced and or released. This year the show runs from 2/26 through 3/1...so...it pays to wait a few weeks to see what is coming down the line.

3. The term P&S camera is squishy and going to get even more squsihy. It's better to group cameras into SLR and non-SLR in general and then break out the respective sub-classifications from there. The R1 is a non-SLR.

[bluefin]

Chava,

I have a Nikon D70 and use a Nikon DR-6 right angle viewfinder on it.

The DR-6 allows you to look down at the top of the camera and view through the lens. You must put your eye down to the rubber cup on the DR-6 but it works great.

It will also swivel so you can turn it and view through the lens from the side of the camera too.

Lastly, it has a 2X magnification toggle if you want to magnify the image. It has an adjustable diopter but I don't need it because the D70 has one on the viewfinder.

If you think this might help but have more questions, let me know and I'll send you my e-mail and/or phone....Mark

[astro]

SLR means it has a mirror so you can see directly through the lens. It wouldn't be called an SLR if you couldn't see directly through the lens.
The Sony is a P&S camera. But then again, today's SLRs can be considered P&S cameras too with all of the automatic features. Heck I gave my mom my DSLR to use during her trip to the grand canyon. She had no problems using it whatsoever.

[primerib]

Norm (and others), you were right!

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_PressDetails.asp?pressNo=455

Chava