Digital SLR View Finder, LCD Screen, Live View?

Question

Does the view finder on a digital SLR camera have the same function as the LCD screen on a point and shoot camera? What I want to know is that if you can see almost exactly how the picture (brightness, color temperature, etc...) will be like before you take the picture through the view finder?

If the Digital SLR have a Live View function, does it mean that the LCD screen will work the same as the one on a point and shoot?

Thank you.

Answer 1

The viewfinder will show you what is comming through the lens and prism on the DSLR there may be an ever so slight difference in cropping but it is essentially WYSIWYG

Cameras with live view the LCD works similarly to what happens on point and shoot in the you can see the image on the LCD. To do this with an SLR you have to raise the mirror. Thismeans you cannot see out the viewfinder and on the LCD at the same time. Also when you press the shutter release halfway to focus the mirror must come down for focusing and during that time no image goes to the LCD.

On the good side you can zoom in on part of the picture with liveview to ensure focus  etc  

Answer 2

Only on cameras which have the "live view" feature, such as the Canon XSi... personally I prefer to use an optical view finder, rather than the LCD screen, which I can barely see in bright sunlight.  I always shoot in RAW mode so I can adjust my White Balance later on in processing my photos.  

Answer 3

Yes, if the camera has live view you will be able to shoot using the LCD on the back, but the live view system still has some kinks in it so you're better off just using the viewfinder. As far as the viewfinder is concerned, no, you won't be able to see exactly how the picture will turn out when you press the shutter button, but as far as I know you can't with live view on a D-SLR either (although I've used a D-SLR I've never used live view.)

Answer 4

No, you won't see brightness and colour temperature through an SLR's viewfinder. In order to get the right brightness it's a matter of practice and also proper use of your light meter. Colour temperature is practice and/or a few test shots.

The nice thing about DSLRs though is that you do get to review your photo (as opposed to film) and take it again if things weren't how you wanted.