[Rick @ Sep 27th 2007 1:27PM]

Please stop calling the lack of an optical viewfinder a negative. I don't know anyone 24 years or younger that actually uses a viewfinder on a point and shoot. It's idiotic that cameras are losing points for this. At worst, have a separate designation after rating the camera in all other areas. You can put "NO VF" or just "VF" to say whether it doesn't or does have a viewfinder. Among peers, I've never ran into anyone that would trade a beautiful 3-inch lcd for a smaller screen with a viewfinder. If that's what people really need, they most likely have a camera that is more powerful and clunkier.

[tracy @ Sep 27th 2007 1:35PM]

The viewfinder is critical for using the camera in the cold, ie: mountaineering or skiing.

The battery efficient when cold is so bad that the LCD/backlight almost instantly drains it.

[DigitalForensicGradStudent @ Sep 27th 2007 3:48PM]

Dear Rick,

Also have fun staring at a screen in the bright sun and not being able to see the picture.

Any 24 year old or younger who takes pictures for reasons besides documenting their Friday night so they can remember it on Saturday morning would know that viewfinders are extremely useful.

[Mario @ Sep 27th 2007 6:38PM]

Actually, most cameras have screens where you can see them in direct sunlight now. Canon's newer SD series (sd1000, and a few other models) have a "purecolor" lcd which improves outdoor visability.
I have an older sony T5, and I can see it perfectly in direct sunlight.
It doesn't have a viewfinder, but I haven't run into any situation where I need one.

If you really want a viewfinder that badly, get the SD800. It's a slightly older version of this, but it does have a viewfinder and a 2.5" LCD.

[Godsmurf @ Sep 28th 2007 8:32AM]

I'm over 24, I have a viewfinder on my cam, and I never ever use it even during my recent journey in Africa (lots of sun :) ). The viewfinders on these cams are crap anyway and they don't accurately reflect the edges of your picture.