Editing Viewfinder (section)

==Contemporary viewfinders==
[[File:Nikon D90 Viewfinder.JPG|thumb|Built-in viewfinder of a [[Nikon D90]]]]
Viewfinders can be [[Optical#Photography|optical]] or [[Electronic viewfinder|electronic]]. An optical viewfinder is simply a reversed [[telescope]] that displays what the camera sees. It has many drawbacks, but it also has advantages; it consumes no power, it does not wash out in sunlight, and it has "full resolution" (i.e. the resolution of the photographer's [[Optics#Human eye|eye]]). Modern [[electronic viewfinder|electronic viewfinders]] (EVF) are [[Liquid crystal display|LCD]] or [[Organic light-emitting diode|OLED]] based display devices. In addition to its primary purpose, an electronic viewfinder can be used to replay previously captured material, and as an [[on-screen display]] to browse through menus. 

A still camera's optical viewfinder typically has one or more small supplementary [[Light-emitting diode|LED]] displays surrounding the view of the scene. On a film camera, these displays show shooting information such as the [[shutter speed]] and [[aperture]] and, for [[autofocus]] cameras, provide an indication that the image is correctly focussed. Digital still cameras will typically also display information such as the current [[Film speed|ISO]] setting and the number of remaining shots which can be taken in a burst. Another display which overlays the view of the scene is often provided. It typically shows the location and state of the camera's provided auto-focus points. This overlay can also provide lines or a grid which assist in picture [[Framing (visual arts)|composition]].

[[Image:CanonEOS100Viewfinder.JPG|thumb|Typical film [[Single-lens reflex camera|SLR]] viewfinder information]]
[[Image:Viewfinder K20D.jpg|thumb|View through a Pentax K20D viewfinder (without lens)]]

It is not uncommon for a camera to have two viewfinders. For example, a digital still camera may have an optical viewfinder and an electronic one. The latter can be used to replay previously captured material, has an [[on-screen display]], and can be switched off to save power. A [[camcorder]] may have two viewfinders, both electronic. The first is viewed through a magnifying eyepiece, and due to a rubber eyepiece it can be viewed perfectly even in bright light. The second viewfinder would be larger, of a higher resolution, and may be mounted on the side of the camera. Because it consumes more power, a method is often provided to turn it off to save energy.

In late 2010, Fujifilm announced hybrid viewfinder of optical viewfinder and electronic viewfinder in one viewfinder for its [[Fujifilm X100|highend compact cameras]]. There is a half mirror prism that reflect data from LCD to the optical viewfinder, so we can see both the shooting frame and the shooting data. A button can change the hybrid function to electronical viewfinder by blocking the image through the optical viewfinder with moving a half mirror prism to be a straight up mirror.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fujifilm explains how its X100 hybrid viewfinder works, we nod and pretend to understand |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/fujifilm-explains-how-its-x100-hybrid-viewfinder-works-we-nod-a/ |access-date=November 2, 2013 |website=Engadget}}</ref>

Viewfinders are used for virtually all cameras whether still or movie, film, electronic analog (Television) or digital. Many digital sensor cameras do not have a separate viewfinder. For those cameras, the electronic image is shown on a small accessory screen for composition and focusing purposes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Viewfinder Definition - What is a Viewfinder |url=https://www.slrlounge.com/glossary/viewfinder-photography-definition/}}</ref> [[CCTV]]s and [[webcam]]s do not need any viewfinding device.