Electronic Viewfinder vs Optical Viewfinder: Which Feels Better?

One major difference between mirrorless cameras and DSLRs is the type of viewfinder they use. Mirrorless cameras commonly use an electronic viewfinder, while DSLRs commonly use an optical viewfinder.

How Does an Optical Viewfinder Work?

An optical viewfinder lets you look through the camera's optical system and see the scene directly. It does not use an electronic display to generate the view.

How Does an Electronic Viewfinder Work?

An EVF uses a small electronic display to show what the camera's sensor is seeing. Depending on the camera, it can also show exposure and shooting information.

One Major EVF Advantage: Exposure Preview

Many mirrorless cameras can show a preview that reflects changes to exposure settings. This can make manual exposure easier to understand before taking the photograph.

EVFs Can Show More Information

• Histogram

• Exposure information

• Focus assistance

• Electronic level

• Highlight warnings

• Focus peaking

What About Optical Viewfinders?

Many photographers appreciate the direct viewing experience of an optical viewfinder. Power consumption also differs because mirrorless cameras rely heavily on electronic displays.

Which One Is Better?

It depends on preference and camera system. If you want to preview exposure and use electronic focus aids, an EVF can be particularly useful. If you prefer a direct optical view, an OVF may feel more natural.

What Should You Check on a Used Camera?

For an EVF, check display clarity, brightness, responsiveness and any unusual flickering or dead pixels. For an optical viewfinder, check visibility, damage and excessive contamination.

The viewfinder is something you interact with every time you photograph, so if possible, actually look through the camera before deciding.