Digital SLR with pop-out and rotating viewfinder

[moonclamp]

Hi there,

I've just lost my Milnolta Dimage A200 in the sea (don't ask) so as soon as I get the insurance I'm gonna get a new camera.

I'm looking at the SLR market now, but the one thing I liked about the Dimage was the pop-out swivel viewfinder.

So, does anyone know of a decent SLR camera that has such a feature, all the ones I've looked at all have fixed displays?

I've already seen this thread (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16578&highlight=viewfinder) from back in January and read about the Olympus Evolt 330 .. but wondered if there is anything new out since then.

[maniladude]

Ah, the Dimage A200 isn't an SLR... It's what is called a "bridge" camera - a high end prosumer model that is much larger and more sophisticated than a point-and-shoot but lacks the interchangeable lens system, specialized viewfinder optics, high price tag and (arguably) the performance of a true D-SLR.

As far as D-SLRs that have a viewing screen, the E-330 is (as far as I know - and I'm still a bit of a "newbie") the only one that offers such an option, but the review on this site notes that some compromises have been made to integrate this functionality.

If you're looking into an update for your A200, I believe the Panasonic FZ30 and Fujifilm F9500 are worth looking into. They both have swivel screens, image stabilization, zooms and optics that trump the A200's (or anything one can reasonably hope to acquire with a D-SLR for the same price). Both are reviewed on this site.

If you're looking to get a D-SLR for improved performance and increased (if very expensive!) flexibility, there are a myriad of options from Minolta (unfortunately now discontinued, I think - but they're still available), Canon and Nikon. I personally just bought a Nikon D50 D-SLR and am glad I chose it over a bridge camera (the FZ30, in fact). Your needs/tastes may be different, though.

Hope this helps!

[moonclamp]

Ah, the Dimage A200 isn't an SLR... It's what is called a "bridge" camera - a high end prosumer model that is much larger and more sophisticated than a point-and-shoot but lacks the interchangeable lens system, specialized viewfinder optics, high price tag and (arguably) the performance of a true D-SLR. I knew that, I'm just investigating an upgrade, although losing things like the swivel viewfinder will seem like a step backwards



If you're looking into an update for your A200, I believe the Panasonic FZ30 and Fujifilm F9500 are worth looking into. They both have swivel screens, image stabilization, zooms and optics that trump the A200's (or anything one can reasonably hope to acquire with a D-SLR for the same price). Both are reviewed on this site. I'll check them out now thanks, the only other one I was looking at was the coolpix 8800, but that seems like almost the same camera in a different skin.


If you're looking to get a D-SLR for improved performance and increased (if very expensive!) flexibility, there are a myriad of options from Minolta (unfortunately now discontinued, I think - but they're still available), Canon and Nikon. I personally just bought a Nikon D50 D-SLR and am glad I chose it over a bridge camera (the FZ30, in fact). Your needs/tastes may be different, though. Well overall picture quality and the ability to change lenses really, but everything is a compromise. I'd rather gain features than lose them

Thanks for taking the time :)