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LCD vs. Viewfinder
Choosing the right one can improve your digital photography
By Jo Plumridge Jo Plumridge Writer University of Plymouth Former Lifewire writer Jo Plumridge is a photography professional and writer for photography and travel venues such as BBC, Digital Camera Magazine, and Saga Magazine. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 11, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography LCD screens are great, and the quality improves with each new generation of DSLR cameras appearing on the market. But, many professional photographers prefer to use a camera's viewfinder. We explain the benefits and disadvantages of each. Viewfinder Only shows 90-95% of an image. A more accurate representation of what the human eye sees. LCD Displays the entire frame that the sensors capture. More convenient than a viewfinder. LCD screens have advantages, but so do optical viewfinders. When it's time to frame a photo with your DSLR camera, you need to decide which side of the viewfinder vs. LCD debate you lean. Unlike the optical viewfinder, the LCD screen displays the entire frame that the sensors capture. Optical viewfinders, even on a professional level DSLR, only show 90-95% of the image. You lose a small percentage on the edges of the image. Viewfinder Pros and Cons
Advantages Can hold the camera steadier. Doesn't drain the battery as much. Offers a more precise view. Disadvantages Can be very small. More difficult to see through if you wear glasses. Digital SLRs aren't light, and it's easier to produce a crisp, sharp image when you hold the camera up to your eye to use the viewfinder. That way, you can support and steady the camera and lens with your hands. But, viewfinders are generally smaller than LCD screens. Viewfinders are also less convenient to use, especially if you wear glasses. At the end of the day, though, as intelligent as digital cameras are, the human eye can resolve more detail than an LCD screen. You get a sharper and more accurate view of your image by using the viewfinder. LCD Pros and Cons
Advantages More convenient than a viewfinder. Bigger viewing area. Can instantly playback a shot. Disadvantages Drains the battery. Can overexpose the image. Harder to view in bright sunlight. The biggest drawback with LCD screens is probably shooting in sunlight. Depending on the quality of the screen, you may not be able to use it in bright sunshine because of the glare. All you see are reflections off the screen. Also, the crystals contained within LCD screens tend to flare in bright sunlight, making the situation worse. Holding the camera at arm's-length while looking at the LCD screen—and then keeping the camera steady while zooming in on a subject—takes effort. When you use the LCD screen this way, you often end up with a blurry image. Another significant issue is battery life. Using the LCD screen to compose shots drains the camera batteries more quickly than using the viewfinder. Which Should You Choose
No matter how good an LCD screen is, it's unlikely to give an accurate overview of the image you took. Most overexpose an image by as much as one full stop. It's best to acquire the technical knowledge about photography, rather than rely on the LCD screen to determine image quality. With this technical knowledge, you'll have the confidence your settings are correct, and your images are properly exposed. So, in most cases, it's best to use the viewfinder. But, if you like the convenience of an LCD, or you wear glasses, use the LCD. It's mostly a matter of personal preference. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is a Digital Camera Viewfinder? How to Photograph Running Water With a DSLR Camera Terminology for DSLR Camera Lenses OLED vs. LED: Which TV Display is Better? Mirrorless Cameras vs. DSLR Cameras How to Do More With Your Camera Diopter DSLR Autofocus vs. Manual Focus How to Use the iPhone Camera What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It What's an LCD? (Liquid Crystal Display) How to Scan Documents With Your iPad DSLR vs. Point-and-Shoot Cameras What Is a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Camera Understanding Autofocus Points What Is a Point and Shoot Camera? The 6 Best Canon Cameras of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies