Unbiased digital camera reviews, advice, and prices
  • Sorry, the guide you were looking for is no longer available. Here's a list of our current guides and editorial roundups.
Note: this camera was first sold in Oct 2007. There may be newer versions available.
Canon Powershot SD870 IS
Canon Powershot SD870 IS
B
HQ Grade: B
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 5 out of 5
"loved it!"
  • 5 out of 5
"excellent camera!"
See rating based on 754 user reviews
Submit your own Canon SD870 IS review!
This camera is ranked
Ask

Have a question about the SD870 IS?
Enter it here: (You can enter more details in the next step)

Back to List
Question Answered!
Bob (boblerm) 23 pts
September 24, 2007 3:21 PM
1 people rated this question helpful, 0 people rated this question not helpful Subscribe for Email Updates for this Question

Is lack of optical viewfinder on Canon SD870 a problem?

I am drawn to the SD870 due to it's wide angle lens and large LCD, but have never used a camera without an optical viewfinder before? Is this likely to be a problem seeing the screen on bright day?
Report Abuse Did you find this question helpful or not helpful?
Answers This question has been answered!
Davy 5 pts
September 24, 2007 9:39 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
The only problem I see with the SD870 without a viewfinder , you won't be able to save the load of the battery and toake more shots when you want to, for you don't have an option not to use the LCD. But if you have an extra battery it won't matter unless you dont have enough space to go back to get the picture or view you want to take.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Bob (boblerm) 23 pts
September 24, 2007 10:22 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Davy, what I really want to know is if I am taking pictures in bright sunlight, will I be able to see anything on the LCD? My experience has been that I have needed the optical viewfinder in these conditions with past cameras I have used, but perhaps I have not used a camera with a bright enough display.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Steve 26 pts
September 26, 2007 8:02 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi, personally I haven't ever used viewfinder with digital camara, in fact I hate to use viewfinder. The reason I am going to buy this camera is 3' LCD, Image stab, digic III and other features. However the price is too high, I would like it around $300 so I am going to wait for a while.
Best Answer
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Brigade (barrywrx) 34 pts
October 7, 2007 11:55 AM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have no problem with the screen even with sunlight directly behind me (just went outside and tested it) my last camera had one and I needed to use it from time to time and my wife used it alot, but with this one its not missed and she says the screen is fine without a viewfinder.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Bob (boblerm) 23 pts
October 8, 2007 7:11 AM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I did end up buying this camera, and have found that Steve and Brigade are correct, I can see throuth the LCD just fine in all lighting conditions!
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Nancy Cifelli 1 pts
November 2, 2007 7:19 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Does the Canon SX100 have a polarized view screen? I too like having a view finder because I couldn't see anything in bright outdoor light with my last Canon digital camera.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
eclectice 65 pts
November 10, 2007 10:42 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Nancy, I can confirm with you that you can still view the LCD with no problem under bright sunlight with SD870 IS (sometimes I mistakenly refer it as S870 ;) ). I live in the equatorial line where sunlight is abundant.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Brian 0 pts
July 17, 2009 12:55 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have had 2 digital cameras and with both of them the LCD did not function. The first water got into the LCD and caused lines in the LCD (the pics are ok) and on the second the screen got ?damaged? and the screen is blank with a black smudge on the right corner(the pics are ok and I can plug the Canon into the TV to change settings) . In both cases I can use the backup viewfinder to take pics. My next purchase WILL have an optical viewfinder as a backup system. I wouldn't do without one.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?

This Question is Answered. If you have further information you may add it here.

Need to add formatting or links? Use BBCode.
Spell-check
Start Here!
Most Popular
  1. Panasonic FZ35
  2. Canon SD1200 IS
  3. Canon 500D
  4. Canon A1000 IS
  5. Canon SX20 IS
  6. Panasonic FS15
  7. Samsung SL30
  8. Canon 50D
  9. Nikon D90
  10. Canon SX120
Camera Brand
Price Range
Camera Type
Camera Line
Megapixels
Hands-On Reviews
Latest Cameras
Top Searches
Our Other Sites

Close
Loading