Viewfinders

[OandG]

I've been looking around for a new compact camera. I won't buy any camera unless it has an eye-level viewfinder, but nearly all the ones made have either an inferior 'optical' viewfinder or, worse, no eye level viewfinder at all and only an LCD monitor.

I don't like LCD monitors because (unless you're using a tripod) you have to hold the camera at arm's length - and if there was ever a cause of camera shake, I should think that holding a camera in that position must be near the top of the list.

I wouldn't care if the camera had no LCD monitor at all. What I really want is an eye level electronic viewfinder (an EVF I think they're called) like my old Olympus C2100UZ has, but a bit bigger. I know I could , in effect, have that if I bought an SLR, but I much prefer something lighter and more compact. Of course the Panasonic FZ series and Canon's S3IS have EVFs, but it would be nice if more compact cameras had it.

Does anybody else feel the same way?

[Riley]

i agree with a proviso
even a grainy EVF is better than a missaligned optical finder on a zoom digicam

at least the EVF has the exposure info etc..and it shows for the mostpart the correct framing of the exposure, mostly ive got the exposure worked out, or i auto one part or the other speed/aperture, what i need is acurate composition, and thats what EVF provides

that said, i wish they would get a bit better, clearer/sharper, and with a focus system that works

[browercreed]

I am fairly new to digital cameras, and have recently found this site. I need to know how important it is to have a viewfinder, since most small cameras don't seem to have one. I like the cannon sd 700 simply because it has one, but the slimmer cameras with larger LCD screens are tempting. If the camera LCD does like my cell phone, it will be impossible to use it in sunlight. Or do I have this all wrong and the technology is different.
I'm only going to take family snapshots, and don't expect them to be perfect, but I want the camera to be easy to use. Can anyone give me some advise here.