Compact Camera Advice Please!

I have been asked to advise a friend on getting a decent compact camera - really not my field!
Anyway looking at a budget of 200 GBP (UK), any brand, needs to have a decent zoom range with at least 28mm equivalent at the wide end. It would be helpful if the camera had an optical viewfinder to allow for steadier hand holding and bright lighting conditions. This is where I am struggling as not many compacts seem to have viewfinders these days.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Just been told that the budget has been increased to 300GBP, so something a bit better should be available.

There are options for the absence of a viewfinder. I like and use this one;

http://www.clearviewer​.com/

Dennis

Thanks for that - looks interesting!
However things have moved on and it looks like a Canon G16 will be arriving soon. So somebody's Christmas present will be a bit better than they were expecting!
Thanks for getting back to me.

johnf3f wrote in post #17244887
Thanks for that - looks interesting!
However things have moved on and it looks like a Canon G16 will be arriving soon. So somebody's Christmas present will be a bit better than they were expecting!
Thanks for getting back to me.

I also use a Clearviewer with my G9 that has the optical tunnel viewfinder like the G16. It's like having a very large EVF with all your information displayed. It's changed how I use and appreciate my G9. I also use one on my NX100 and NX20.

Dennis

Well sounds like you've found something, but I was going to suggest a Panasonic LF1:

http://www.panasonic.c​om …ct-cameras/dmc-lf1eb.html

Pretty much a Canon S120 with a viewfinder and nearly twice the zoom.

Thanks tkbslc.
Looks like an interesting camera, I will run it by them - thanks.

Currys have a great price on the G16 today.

AL

Thanks ALH

I checked the Clearviewer website. The device looks pretty good and it's reasonably priced. Composing in bright sunlight is beyond frustrating with my SX260, so at that price, the Clearviewer is well worth a try. I've never had a camera without a viewfinder before, and I'll never own another one. But for now...

TomKelly wrote in post #17250011
I checked the Clearviewer website. The device looks pretty good and it's reasonably priced. Composing in bright sunlight is beyond frustrating with my SX260, so at that price, the Clearviewer is well worth a try. I've never had a camera without a viewfinder before, and I'll never own another one. But for now...

My NX20 came with a nice built in EVF, but after only 15 months (3 months after warranty expired) the diopter adjustment lens came loose. Samsung wants $190 to fix it, so I got a Clearviewer for it, and I now prefer it to the built in. I got the premium lens and tripod mount for each of mine for about $60 each. The one for my NX100 also fits/works with my Elph 110, so double duty.

Dennis

Thanks for the replies folks!
They have gone for the G16 and I will mention the Clearviewer to them.

Have asked a question re Clearviewer in the G Series forum

AL

Olympus Pen ELP1.