Camcorder with no viewfinder

[uno]

I have for many years always used the viewfinder of my camcorder. The reason I have not used the LCD-screen even if it has existed for some years now is that it is more power consuming and also not good at low light and bright light and further one holds the camera more steady when using the viewfinder.
When considering a HD-camera I now discover that on some camcorders the viewfinder is not available especially on those new camcorders with memory cards. What do you think of this? Is this a trend to omit the viewfinder and only have an LCD-display?
I have always been of the opinion that those people using the LCD-display donot know what makes the best filming as it is better to hold the camera near the body to make steadier filming. Further the LCD-display forces you to carry much bigger batteries.

[ebenton]

I do not use camcorders much, but I used to have a digital camera (Sony DSC-T1) with no viewfinder. I found the lack of a viewfinder to be problematic for two reasons, similar to your reasons:
(1) Holding the camera against my face was a better way to stabilize the camera than holding it away from my body so that I could see the LCD screen. This is probably not as much of a problem with camcorders and newer digital cameras, with image-stabilization software, but still...
(2) In low light, the picture subjects were difficult to see until the pre-flash orange light came on.

I do not like cameras of any kind with no viewfinder, and would not buy one, unless no models with viewfinders were available at all.

[zoobie]

The industry is just catering to the consumer masses that prefer to use the LCD display.
Higher end HD cams all still have nice tilting viewfinders which they've also dropped at the consumer level.
I've a consumer HD cam and it's viewfinder blows...

[Richard_G]

The average consumer wants something small enough to slip in a pocket and use to take the moving equivalent of a snapshot instead of a photograph. HD is wasted on the vast majority too but it is the latest must have spec. It isn't going to make what they shoot any better, in fact, as it's sharper may even make it look worse. If most of them use the LCD display and not a viewfinder, why should a manufacturer bother fitting both? Only one of my 4 camcorders have an LCD and I have only ever used it once, I always use the viewfinder.

Then again, I'm disappointed that nobody makes a camcorder that sits on your shoulder any more......

[TheFamilyMan]

One of the must-have requirements of our most recent camcorder purchase was a viewfinder. My wife and I hate filming using the LCD, but it is nice to have when reviewing recently shot footage. Also, my middle-aged eyes don't focus too well on those small LCDs, where as with a viewfinder it's never a problem. I always get a kick when I'm at a school event event and get looks from other parents like "what this guy doing with a camcorder in his face, doesn't he know any better?". I sure hope viewfinders on consumer camcorders don't become outmoded.

[uno]

I also wrote to Sony in Sweden and the answer was:
Almost none of our new cameras have a viewfinder, they have got Hybrid LCD instead. This should also be usable in sunlight.
If you wish viewfinder you can look at HDR-SR7/8
Unquote

What I donot understand is that when looking on the tests that are made in different Magazines - paper or internet - they almost never mention the missing viewfinder as a negative matter.

I am not ready yet for HD but I presume it will not be Sony though I am very content with my Sony TRV30 since 6 years.
However the problem is that there probably will be no videocamera with viewfinder in future.

[zoobie]

wow
well, once again, those are just crapcorders
pros just laff at that stuff

[FNotman]

This seems an old thread but Ill resurect it.
I too hav the problemwith stabillity - especially as I am old - - BUT, my main problme is near zero focal deapth. e.g. if I wear the exact glasses for serious problems dealing with looking atthe subject and using a LCD viewmy (BIG) comp screen, the keyboard is out of focus, its that bad.
I would have serious problems (for both reasons) using an LCD viewfinder

The sokution is smple - wy doesnt someone in Honk Kong .China do it - - Either a shoe on top of teh camera (should be included anyway in case you want a light or microphone), failing that use a bracket attached to the tripod hole (I hope teh still include that) and have a small viewfinder with a b/w 1/2 inch screen with ajustable focus viewer plugged into the USB that runs either of parasitic power - or a single AAA

again - coz of my advancing years I need a new camcorder (I have a perfectly good high 8) coz of weight.