Last month, Panasonic announced the TZ300/ZS300 compact camera with a one-inch sensor and impressive 15x optical zoom. It replaced the 200 series but is nearly identical in appearance except for one major change: The electronic viewfinder has disappeared. Panasonic clearly believes that new enthusiasts, weaned on smartphone photography, don’t need or want an electronic viewfinder.
The new model is improved in other respects, however. It has a new 20MP BSI sensor which helps at higher ISO, and improved 5-axis stabilisation to give more confidence when using the full reach of the zoom lens. It also adds USB-C charging, which sounds a small point, but is important when almost all cameras have moved over to the EU-obligatory standard. But the absence of a viewfinder is a worry.
Arms length
While smartphone users have become accustomed to composing on the screen at arm’s length, I believe moving to a dedicated compact camera such as the Lumix is regarded as a step forward to “proper photography”.
This is not to denigrate smartphone photography because the computational photography embedded in the best of today’s crop, is exceptional and certainly flatters the user. I suspect many upgraders are initially disappointed in comparative results, but this is just a matter of polishing techniques and processing parameters.
Part of this move from smartphone to camera involves using a viewfinder. It offers advantages in composing, offering a brighter, more involving image, and stability. With that 15x zoom, the TZ300, for example, will benefit from a bit of extra stability, despite the effective IBIS. So I believe that all cameras intended for serious photography should have a viewfinder.
Nevertheless, I make one honourable exception in the form of the Ricoh GR series, where the small format is the principal USP. Adding a viewfinder to the body would destroy the camera’s entire reason for existence.
Il(logic)
This, however, is not the case with the TZ300, which is not comparable with the fixed-lens 23mm (effective 28mm) Ricoh. It’s a slightly bulkier camera with a useful zoom range that I would feel uncomfortable using without a viewfinder. Even the popular Sony RX100VII, with a similar 1in sensor, sports a pop-up viewfinder which helps steady the camera with its 24-200 (x8.3) zoom range.
I am not sure what logic Panasonic is using in removing the viewfinder, especially since the space in the TZ300’s body is not used for anything else. And it’s not the first time the il(logic) has been applied. They did it two years ago when the TZ99/ZS99 succeeded the ZS80. Look, no finder.
This, I hope, is not to become a trend. Even a small, viewfinder, such as that on the Sony or the Fujifilm XE-5, is better than no finder at all. But what do you think? Would you buy one of the new range of compact cameras without a viewfinder? Or am I over-egging the pudding? Viewfinders really aren’t necessary, are they?
Why I would never buy a camera without a viewfinder — an alternative view
Do we still need a viewfinder? The TechRadar survey
What do you think? Viewfinder or no viewfinder?
| More reading | |
| Panasonic TZ200 to be the new Leica C-Lux | Group Test: Sony RX100VI, Panasonic TZ200 and Leica C-Lux. The verdict |
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I experienced the same ‘no EVF!!!’ anomaly when I first acquired a Nikon 1 J5 (its 1″ sensor is the best of all the Nikon 1 series) and needed to improve the live view on the rear monitor – especially if using manual focus with extension tubes. Solution was to use a Zacuto Z-Finder – a c. 2.5x magnifying loupe which clips onto the rear monitor providing a superb no glare, eye-level viewing experience. Zacuto optical finders are used by videographers. Used examples can be sourced for £$reasonable on eBay. Not everyone’s cuppa as a Zacuto finder adds to the size of the camera – but as it improves the live view composition experience it’s well worth considering.
All
As someone that has been using a Sigma BF almost exclusively for the past 8 months, I will say No. Just using the rear screen is no different than using your phone. Plus it tends to slow me down, and can be a bit freeing.
Though what does matter, for those of us who were eye glasses, is the type of glasses. In my experience self tinting, and sun glasses in general, are not your friend.
PaulB
Hi Mike
Whilst I do agree about viewfinders in principle – those little ones in compact cameras really are a bit useless, so maybe it isn’t so much of a loss.
perhaps more importantly isn’t it great that Lumix have started making compact cameras again! With its BSI sensor this should be a very capable camera indeed certainly better than its predecessor . . . . . . but will it be the new C-Lux?
All the best
Jono
Maybe. But you’ve mentioned the possibility now! Wink wink, nod nod.
Good question Mike, and thanks for asking.
For me, it depends on the camera. If I am using a rangefinder or single lens reflex camera, a viewfinder preferably optical rather than electronic is not negotiable. I had a Ricoh GRIII some time back, and sold it on about a month after I bought it. There was no doubting the quality of the images, not to say that my compositions were any good. As I may have written before, I am not a natural and composition is not easy for me, although I am much better than I was. Notwithstanding, composing at arms-length is terrible.
However, I use medium format TLR and large format 4×5 cameras, with all the bells and whistles of composition on board, shift , swing , rise and fall etc., not forgetting Scheimpflug! In these cases, iPhone style composition aka wysiwyg, is essential.
Dunk mentions above the Zacuto Finder… Hmmm… Uncanny, my Sigma Quattro cameras have these. I suppose that is where they got the idea from. I like the one that my Quattro’s use, and if the professionals use them, they must be good, even if the cameras themselves are not so good. They suffer from the things that Sigma have been famous for, mainly they are very slow with a capital S.
I understand that it is the Foveon sensor that is the main problem, so I expect the new BF type is much better, as they have moved to a Bayer I believe.
Holding a phone or camera at arm’s length while composing on a screen has been called the stinky baby diaper hold.
Another strong vote for the viewfinder. That is a rediculous omission.
I’m of two minds on this.
I’m farsighted, and even at arm’s length, I can’t focus using a screen. Similarly, one of my cameras has a 40mp sensor, and to get the details/textures I want, I need a viewfinder with 3X magnification. In these respects, even the Ricoh doesn’t get a pass from me.
Some cameras have varied autofocus modes — though again I might need my glasses to choose those modes. Still — about half of what interests me is in Japan. Is there an ‘obi’ mode? A ‘hiragana’ mode? That is to say: the autofocus modes strike me as being capable of doing generic photography well. But I haven’t spent thousands on cameras to take generic photos.
Another issue: I bought (and quickly resold) earlier versions of these cameras (with viewfinder). These tend to be ‘button-driven’, but because of their size, it was difficult for me to accurately hit the small buttons.
On the other hand: I suspect people like me are not the intended market. These cameras might do very well with young ‘content creator’ people, who grew up with smartphones, and are after somewhat generic photos with low resolution. This might well help the manufacturers recovering from the disaster smartphones inflicted on their business.
It needs a viewfinder in my opinion even if size had to increase. Did they hire the TL/CL product leadership from Leica? 😂
I agree Brian. It absolutely does need a viewfinder and small size is no excuse since my Ricoh GR1vs has one AND space inside for a roll of 35mm film!