Best Camcorders And Video Cameras With Viewfinder
A viewfinder is an important part of a camera that lets you aim the lens toward the scene you want to capture in the frame. Recent model camcorders mostly have tilting viewfinders that help you achieve a proper stance to maintain stability.
Popular brands, such as Sony, Panasonic, Canon, and many more, incorporate electronic viewfinders with their video cameras and even digital still cameras. Some models also come with an optical viewfinder. Some others embed an automatic eye-sensor, which switches it from real-time display to electronic Viewfinder; while someone tries to look through it.
Finding the best option for you could be tricky. But, hopefully, my recommendation list can lessen up the challenge. To know more about them, let's have a look at the detailed reviews.
In a hurry?!, here are my top picks of video cameras with viewfinder
REVIEWS OF THE BEST CAMCORDERS WITH VIEW FINDER
1. SONY FDRAX53/B - BEST VIDEO CAMERA WITH VIEWFINDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The Sony FDRAX53 high quality video camera deserves the first recommendation; because it offers lots of desirable features at a low price point. The camcorder comes with a 1,555K dot resolution OLED electronic viewfinder; that provides a color-rich bright preview with 100% field coverage. The optically-designed eyepiece contains four dual-surface spherical lenses. It offers a relatively wider viewing angle of 33 degrees from the center to the edge of the eyepiece.
The camcorder can record 4K XAVC-S videos at up to 30 FPS and 16.6 MP still images at up to 60 FPS speed. The branded Zeiss lens itself is enough to ensure you the best picture quality, and with an optical zoom of 20X, I'm sure you're not going to miss a single shot!.
Lastly, a 921K dot resolution extra-fine 3" LCD monitor provides a sharp and bright preview. So overall, with respect to the above-listed features, I can assure you that you never miss a single detail while taking videos with Sony FDRAX53/B.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
2. CANON VIXIA HF G60
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The design and manual control buttons of the Canon Vixia G60 video camera ensures easy handling, while the tilting electronic viewfinder (1.560K dots) helps you to compose the scene with much ease. Moreover, the eye-sized window of the eyepiece blocks all background lights and lets you comfortably see through it.
Besides having a decent eyepiece, the camcorder also sets the benchmark in image stabilization. The advanced 5-axis image stabilization mechanism reduces shake and jitter to the next level. The large-format image sensor works well in insufficient lighting conditions.
On the other hand, the dual pixel CMOS autofocus system is another center of attraction of this camcorder. The best part is that you’ll get all of these high-end features for only under $1500. Isn't it rightly the best camcorder with viewfinder then?! Give it a try if you liked it's features.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
3. PANASONIC X1500 4K UHD PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The Panasonic X1500 gained enough popularity because of the original LEICA DICOMAR lens, powerful image processing unit, larger display, XLR audio input interface, and live streaming support.
And with the (0.24-inch) 1,560,000 dots wide EVF you can get the preview of the shots with proper clarity. The camcorder has a 3.5” inches touch-friendly LCD monitor; that lets you adjust settings and composition aspects just with a few touches.
The camcorder offers a versatile shooting experience with three different video recording formats; AVCHD, MOV, and MP4 codec with HEVC compression. It records 4:2:0 10-Bit 4K and HD videos at up to 60 FPS rate and 4:2:2 10-Bit 4K and HD videos in 30P mode.
People often see this X1500 camcorder model as the best video camera to use with a broadcast workflow. If you want a camcorder for single-use, the Panasonic X1500 also could be a great fit for you.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
4. CANON XA40 4K/HD PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The Canon XA40 video camera is equipped with a wide-angle zoom lens that lets you capture the best possible shots with more background and the highest clarity. The anti-shake design, optical image stabilization mechanism, and upgraded image processing unit keep the images steady and distortion-free.
The camcorder comes with a 0.24-inch tilt-type colored viewfinder but exceptionally uses an LCD screen instead of an OLED screen in the viewfinder part for a brighter preview. You can tilt the electronic viewfinder
up to 45° for low-angle shooting.
A joystick located to the right of the viewfinder, where the thumb rests, enables control of camera settings on the viewscreen without having to use touch panel controls.
But, the screen may consume higher power; so, always keep plenty of battery backup along with you.
The ENG-style camcorder also has an exceptional hand-held design with a detachable handle unit and plenty of manual control options, including XLR units and 4-channel audio recording mode. The Canon XA40 often gets used for newsgathering, BTS shooting, and interviewing purposes.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
5. SONY HXR-NX80 - TOP SONY CAMCORDER WITH VIEWFINDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The Sony HXR-NX80 NXCAM has a bright and large-sized LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder. The 0.39" OLED viewfinder has 2,360,000 Dots resolution; that controls light on a pixel-by-pixel basis. It not only sets the benchmark on HDR recording but also creates a great visual impact with both display screens. Despite being large, the OLED screen itself is thinner and lighter than others; so, it doesn't increase the overall weight.
The camcorder records 4K and HD resolution video at up to 120 FPS, while the large format image sensor maintains the highest clarity through entire zoom and in insufficient lighting conditions. If you mostly do outdoor shootings, look no further than the Sony HXR-NX80.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
6. CANON XF605 4K/HD PRO-LEVEL CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
As you know, an OLED screened viewfinder is the most common type of display on the market, and the Canon XF605 is no exception. The 0.36" OLED screen provides a bright preview plus consumes less power.
It incorporates the most recently upgraded DIGIC DV 7 image processor along with a 1" type large-format image sensor; that leads towards distortion less and noise-free 10-bit 4:2:2 colored 4K and HD videos. The audio recording unit is another USP of this camcorder.
The model is a bit pricey, and the zooming capacity is also relatively lower than others. But it genuinely provides impressive audio and video quality with excellent visual impacts over the displays.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
7. PANASONIC AG-UX90 4K/HD PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
At the last of the list, I picked another high-end camcorder by Panasonic, model no AG-UX90. The imaging unit maintains the highest clarity and sharpness throughout the entire zoom range; brings out the best possible picture quality from dimly lighted areas or at the highest magnification range.
The standard-sized OLED viewfinder covers the total area; that you want to capture in your frame. The LCD monitor is larger than others; it also provides a brighter view, which is comfortably visible under bright daylight. Moreover, you’ll get some present scene modes with up to 16-axis color correction sets for quick cinematic composition.
The monitor and viewfinder both display setting options with the scene preview; so, you can compose the scene and capture the frame accurately by looking only through the viewfinder. When the viewfinder is the main concern, everyone would love to have such a camcorder; Right?
GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AG-UX90 PANASONIC CAMCORDER
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS CAMCORDER:
BUYER'S GUIDE
The preview; that you want to capture doesn’t directly get projected to the screen. The image sensor processes the first preview through the lens; then, we see the best possible preview through the eyepiece. Some viewfinders have no connection to the lens; they give the users a general idea of what is in the frame.
There are two types of viewfinders - optical and electronic. Below I will explain what they mean and tell you some factors you need to consider when looking for a camcorder with the viewfinder.
a. Optical Viewfinder
Generally, most digital camcorders have an optical viewfinder with a maximum of 75% to 90% field coverage. Having a camera or camcorder with an optical viewfinder is good enough for still photography or taking close-up shots. A DSLR with such an eyepiece generally covers almost the area; that you want to capture. The Optical Viewfinders work efficiently both in brightly lit areas and low lighting conditions.
b. Orientation sensor in EVF
Some cameras feature an advanced orientation sensor that turns off the viewfinder, turns on the LCD screen, and vice versa; when the users take their eyes away from the eyepiece. This enhances the battery life and usability but could be problematic in some situations. So if you want to have this feature in your camera, always check the sensitivity of the orientation sensor before finalizing your purchasing decision.
c. Electronic Viewfinder
An electronic viewfinder is a small LCD; that genuinely covers the total area of the scene you want to capture in your frame. It works better while taking shots or photos under low light conditions. Most EVF displays camera settings so that you don’t need to take your eyes away from the eyepiece for framing accurately and adjusting settings according to your desired composition.
d. Battery Life
Generally, most camcorders have EVF, and they consume more battery power. The brightness of the electronic viewfinders is relatively dull; so, you need to increase the brightness level during the shoot, resulting in high power consumption. So, try to select a camcorder; that supports a powerful battery.
CONCLUSION
I agree that LCD screens have significantly improved through the years. Some photographers or videographers consider that the viewfinders on compact video cameras are useless if there are quality live preview screens. But in my opinion, having a viewfinder is an absolute must; when it comes to outdoor shooting. So, try not to compromise this feature anyway.
If you already have a high-end camera with an LCD only, you can attach an external viewfinder to get the best possible preview.
In this list, I've added only the best camcorders with the viewfinder available in the market. And, I firmly believe that the recommended camcorders would help you frame your shots accurately and reduce the image distortion in the best way.
