HikeArizona.COM

I take snapshots when I hike...not a lot of thinking or composition, just lift the camera hanging around my neck, look through the viewfinder and snap.

I like decent quality, light weight, and reasonable zoom. I've been using a Canon A700 (7Mp, 6X zoom) for 4 years and I'm happy with it. A few weeks ago I started looking at new ones: I figured it couldn't hurt to go to newer techology and I was particularly interested in the higher resolution video new point-and-shoots take.

Of course what I found out is that no one includes an optical viewfinder anymore. The closest I saw was a G12, but that's a lot heavier, more expensive, and probably more than I need.

So I hope the forum could make some suggestions. If no one knows any hardware that fits the bill maybe comments on how other people with middle-aged eyes have adapted to LCD screen only composition in bright sunlight.

One of the things it depends on is if you want a higher zoom in your Point and shoot.. If you want to stay at 2-4X you may still find a few with a optical viewfinder.. there isn't room to do a view finder and screen if you want that 10X optical zoom and keep it a smaller camera... I have both a Lumix point and shoot (12X) and the Lumix FZ50 with a view finder... both with image stablizers... They both have their uses...