Choosing the right camera LCD
November 23, 2005

Submitted by: love5pets, CNET Digital cameras forum
I love the look of the subcompact cameras such as the Fujifilm Z1, but I'm concerned about not having an optical view finder. Isn't it difficult taking photos at night or in dim light without one?

Aimee Baldridge, senior editor
Not all LCDs are equal, and if you're buying a camera that doesn't offer an optical viewfinder for backup, it's important to make sure that its LCD will give you a good view in a broad range of light conditions. Some LCDs are hard to view in bright light, either because they wash out or because their surface is prone to glare. And in low light, some LCDs don't gain up or use a backlight so that you can see an image.

To ensure you'll have a decent enough view of what's in front of your camera, here are some LCD features to look for:
• Large size (2.5 or 3 inches)
• High resolution (200,000 pixels or thereabout is high for a 2.5-inch screen)
• Transflective (a.k.a. semitransmissive or hybrid) technology
• A backlight that is selectable, or one that turns on and off automatically according to light levels
• LCD brightness level that you can adjust with easily accessible (that is, not buried in the menu system) controls
• A wide LCD viewing angle (more than 150 degrees)
• Automatic gain boost in low light

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