[alchemistkevin]

Does anyone have a list/link? I tried searching but didn't get very far.

[dazza74]

Canon 450D, Sony A350 those I'd say are the top two to consider with that feature

[alchemistkevin]

I was actually considering the D40 until I found it didn't have LiveView! I'm looking in the similar price range.

Thanks for your post

[dazza74]

Originally Posted by alchemistkevin

I was actually considering the D40 until I found it didn't have LiveView! I'm looking in the similar price range.

Thanks for your post

Why do you feel you need liveview? I've got it on my D300 and can't say I've ever used it I still find it easier to manually / auto focus through the viewfinder. It's a relatively new feature for D-SLR which is why your paying a high premium to have it.

[alchemistkevin]

whoops! bit of a problem there (for me!) they're both around £400 a bit above my budget and what I looking to shell out for the D40.

[alchemistkevin]

Originally Posted by dazza74

Why do you feel you need liveview? I've got it on my D300 and can't say I've ever used it I still find it easier to manually / auto focus through the viewfinder. It's a relatively new feature for D-SLR which is why your paying a high premium to have it.

hmm...

Well you see I've always been using the consumer cameras and they're always had LiveView on them and I'm not sure easily will I adjust to not having it, I'm also looking forward to use this camera for sport type pictures and having a view on the LCD would help in framing the pics faster, in my view.

Of course, I'm here to listen and learn to please feel free to correct me.

[Mike.P®]

When I was looking for a DSLR a few months back I decided that as I was coming from a point and shoot it had to have live view but after a lot of reading from forums like this I came to the conclusion that it was just a gimmick to be honest.
In the end I bought a Pentax K10D without live view even though the newer K20D has it and I have to admit to not once wishing it was on the camera.

Saying that, you may have other reasons for wanting it in which case I will shut up

[alchemistkevin]

Originally Posted by Mike.P®

When I was looking for a DSLR a few months back I decided that as I was coming from a point and shoot it had to have live view but after a lot of reading from forums like this I came to the conclusion that it was just a gimmick to be honest.
In the end I bought a Pentax K10D without live view even though the newer K20D has it and I have to admit to not once wishing it was on the camera.

Saying that, you may have other reasons for wanting it in which case I will shut up

well its just since 2000 something I've never used a cam without it and framing a kid running around might be easier when you can see around the camera and on the LCD screen at the same time anticipating where they'll be next but I just don't think they're worth the premium I'm being asked to pay by the manufacturers.

I can get a cam without one but it would be a costly way to find if I actually need one! :D

[dazza74]

Originally Posted by alchemistkevin

hmm...

Well you see I've always been using the consumer cameras and they're always had LiveView on them and I'm not sure easily will I adjust to not having it, I'm also looking forward to use this camera for sport type pictures and having a view on the LCD would help in framing the pics faster, in my view.

Of course, I'm here to listen and learn to please feel free to correct me.

I can see where you are coming from, you'll adjust no problem at all taking pictures through a view finder in fact in most cases it makes the job a whole lot easier as you don't have the light problems reflecting of an LCD when taking a picture through a viewfinder.

[tugboatbill]

It's interesting that you think it's a gimmick Mike - I can well remember when I used to own my BSA C15 many, many years ago and we were all talking about the gimmick of electronic ignition, and indicators on the new Japanese bikes.

[andymckay2001]

I got a Olympus E410 off ebay (factory refurb) as my first D-SLR. Great Camera but have to say haven't used the live view feature much at all.

[Mike.P®]

Originally Posted by tugboatbill

I can well remember when I used to own my BSA C15 many, many years ago and we were all talking about the gimmick of electronic ignition, and indicators on the new Japanese bikes.

You mean they used to make Motorbikes outside of Japan?

[ryart]

Liveview is a feature I would like to have for two reasons: Macro shots on a tripod for careful manual focusing using the 10x feature. And those occasions when I can't get eye to viewfinder, such as when holding the camera overhead or out over a yawning chasm. Good also for those low level shots when you don't feel like lying on the ground. I doubt if I would use it much in the normal run of things though. To be properly implemented, though, the LCD should tilt relative the camera body. I think the Sony has the edge here. With a tilting LCD you can take pictures without it being obvious that you are taking pictures. Actually that's four reasons...

[Mike.P®]

Originally Posted by ryart

I think the Sony has the edge here. With a tilting LCD you can take pictures without it being obvious that you are taking pictures. Actually that's four reasons...

Actually I can now see a good reason for it if the camera had a tilting LCD, it would be handy for macro if I wanted to get up close without putting my face next to a bloody great spider.

[ryart]

Originally Posted by Mike.P®

.....without putting my face next to a bloody great spider.

[Yandros]

I'd put liveview WAAAAAY down your list of key features to be honest

They only time I have EVER cursed not having it is when I've been doing near to ground macro shots, and would've preferred not to get damp knees.

1. optical viewfinders allow you to judge focus properly - on LCD screens you simply can't tell without messing around zooming in

2. LCD screens are a nightmare to use in bright conditions

3. LCDs have a fraction of a second lag

4. Holding the camera to your face with your arms tucked in is stable - trying to hold a DSLR steady at arms length would be a joke!

5. Autofocus in liveview on most DSLRs is far less reliable

So yes liveview has its uses - particularly on a tripod, and when you need to get the camera into places where you can't get your head (high and low are the obvious cases), but that's about it in my opinion.

[Digihoho]

I bought the Sony A350 rather than the A300 (without Liveview) thinking I would use liveview for most of my shooting but I was wrong. As mentioned, outdoor in bright conditions, it is useless, no way you can frame/shoot with the Lcd. Indoor use is alot better, I normally use liveview when shooting my 4 year old daughter running inside the house!

AS for choice of entry level Dslr, I looked at all the big brands, Canon 400D/450D, Nikon D40x/D60, Olympus E420 and in the end, decided on the Sony cos it felt good in my hands, it handles well and really like the full features of the Sony over the others. Also you can pick up some really nice 'old inexpensive' Minolta lenses to use on the Sony too!

[Jinxy]

Originally Posted by Digihoho

I bought the Sony A350 rather than the A300 (without Liveview) thinking I would use liveview for most of my shooting but I was wrong. As mentioned, outdoor in bright conditions, it is useless, no way you can frame/shoot with the Lcd. Indoor use is alot better, I normally use liveview when shooting my 4 year old daughter running inside the house!

Do you mean the A200 as the A300 has live view just with a 10MP rather than 14MP sensor.

I tend to find live view is good for giving to the Mrs to take pictures with as she gets on better with it than the OVF. Do find being able to shift the screens angle very useful for getting some shots you couldn't otherwise get because of obstructions and angles.

[Orwella]

When I first played with my 40D I thought liveview was a gimmick and not really worthwhile on a DSLR. However, after some trial and error I now find it very useful for nailing manual focus (using the 10x magnification) and for identifying under/over exposed portions of the frame. Not sure if I could go back to a camera without it now.

[Digihoho]

Originally Posted by Jinxy

Do you mean the A200 as the A300 has live view just with a 10MP rather than 14MP sensor.

I tend to find live view is good for giving to the Mrs to take pictures with as she gets on better with it than the OVF. Do find being able to shift the screens angle very useful for getting some shots you couldn't otherwise get because of obstructions and angles.

Sorry, yes A200 indeed.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Orwella

When I first played with my 40D I thought liveview was a gimmick and not really worthwhile on a DSLR. However, after some trial and error I now find it very useful for nailing manual focus (using the 10x magnification) and for identifying under/over exposed portions of the frame. Not sure if I could go back to a camera without it now.

What is happened is that you've found a valid use for it Ie MF and 10X!
It is a nice feature for the use youve put it to but it is really not a "must have"
Perhaps a case of what you dont have you dont miss and it isnt equally well implemented in all the cameras which have it
Saying that I suspect it will find its way into more cameras if it proves popular
Canon 20D did have a special version for astronomy 20Da with live view but it wasnt considered something essential to bring to the mainstream at the time
For manual focus Im not sure a direct viewfinder isnt better .. but that may be just me with an old stick in the mud opinion
In the world of camcorders viewfinders are getting scarce with consumer models much to the annoyance of many old hands who find using the viewfinder a lot easier

[Mike.P®]

I actually went back to my Canon Ixus the other day because I fitted a Nikon DK-21M magnifying eyepiece to my K10D and somebody wanted a picture showing the item fitted.
For a few seconds I just stood there wondering what to do, I could see the picture in the lcd screen but for some reason I kept looking through the little (useless) viewfinder to take the picture.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Mike.P®

I actually went back to my Canon Ixus the other day because I fitted a Nikon DK-21M magnifying eyepiece to my K10D and somebody wanted a picture showing the item fitted.
For a few seconds I just stood there wondering what to do, I could see the picture in the lcd screen but for some reason I kept looking through the little (useless) viewfinder to take the picture.

Not so , we have a Canon A 95 ( for 'er indoors) with a versatile " swivelling" LCD which my wife loves but I keep using the viewfinder
The kids Camera ( a pocket friendly "Traveller" from Aldi) doesnt have a viewfinder..
My 11 year old daughter who has used the Canon 350D a lot ( it needs repairs now) and is used to framing without an LCD wishes it had a viewfinder..!

[wozwebs]

I have Liveview on my A300. Was debating if to go for the A200 or the A300 and went for the A300 as I knew it would be more wife friendly.

A good example of using Liveview though is this shot here:

The penguins were over a tall fence that I couldn't see over. I put the camera over the fence and tilted the live view screen towards me. Managed to get this great shot that without liveview I wouldn't have been able to.

Agreed though that I use the viewfinder more than the screen.

[ryart]

A very good illustration, wozweb, of the advantage of having this feature available. That the Sony has a tilting LCD makes it much more useful than the Canon fixed LCD.

Do you find the slightly proud LCD makes it difficult to get your eye in a good position to see through the optical viewfinder?

Nice penguins BTW, and very fashion conscious by the look of it.

[wozwebs]

Yes, trendy bangles ahoy!!

It does protrude slightly and when your cheek is pressed against it it makes you need to wipe the screen after taking a shot via the view finder.

Overall I was wondering if it was worth it myself tbh but when the wife was taking photos she was using the live view and anything that keeps er indoors happy is a welcome addition

[alchemistkevin]

Is there a reason why such a common feature on P&S cams have been left out on the higher end of the camera market? a bit intriguing...

[TarMoo]

My D300 has two liveview modes. I don't use either of them.

It is one of those "nice the have", but rarely used features for a camera. If you are on a tight budget, then I would ignore this feature.

[jomike]

Originally Posted by alchemistkevin

Is there a reason why such a common feature on P&S cams have been left out on the higher end of the camera market? a bit intriguing...

To understand why you have to know how a SLR camera works. Read this

[Xtro]

Moved up from a 350D to a 40D and haven't used LiveView once. I mainly do live band shots though. Must actually see how it works one day