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The Advantages Of An Articulating LCD Screen On A Digital Camera
Lawren here again.
Today I’d like to talk just a little bit about one of my favorite features on a digital camera - the articulating LCD screen - in fact I will not buy one without this feature.
If you were to ask me what my favorite advance in photography in the past few years was, I wouldn’t say photo editing, increased megapixels, or even DSLR’s. I would tell you about my articulating lcd screen (also called a “flip out and twist” screen), and I’d probably go on about it for another 10 minutes.
Not only is my lcd screen protected when I’m not using it (it’s folded into the body of the camera), but I can take pictures from almost any angle with out having to leave the framing to blind faith. This way, even if you don’t have an external flash, you can still bounce it and see what you’re shooting at the same time.
My dad’s favorite part is the great candid shots you can get. Who would suspect you’re taking a picture when your camera is sitting in your lap or on the table. You can get great realistic shots without posing or camera shyness. If you get really good, you can even take pictures of someone standing behind you!
While it’s a piece of cake to find a video camera with an articulating LCD screen (it comes on virtually all consumer models), for some reason an articulating screen is harder to find on digital cameras, and just because the previous model of a camera had one doesn’t necessarily mean it’s next version will.
Case In Point. The Canon Powershot G7. While it’s predecessors (dating back to the Powershot G1) all had articulating LCD screens, Canon didn’t include on in its most recent release with the G7.
So here’s a list of digital cameras with articulating LCD screens. You’ll notice a lot of Canon cameras in the list, and they do certainly make more flip out and twist LCD screens than any other manufacturer, but they’re not the only one. I tried to cover all the current models in this release, but its likely I missed some. If that’s the case, then please post any corrections or omissions in the comments below.
Canon Powershot G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6.
Nikon Coolpix 5000, 5400, 8400, 5700, 8700, 8800.
Canon Powershot S1 IS, S2 IS, S3 IS, S4 IS, S5 IS,
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200
Canon Powershot A80
Pentax Optio 750Z
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50K (one of the best higher end cameras with this feature)
Canon Powershot A640, A650 IS
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 (flip out only, no twist)
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10 Responses to “The Advantages Of An Articulating LCD Screen On A Digital Camera”
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I’ve been looking about for a good point and shoot with an excellent lens and an articulating (flip and twist) lcd screen. I’ve checked out the one’s above but each seems to have their own problems with one or more problems of overall quality, image quality, focus in low light, lag, etc. (at least in the point and shoot range) I wish they’d come out with a point and shoot w/articulating lcd (or even a viewfinder on top) that had the same image quality as the Contax T (or Yashica T)series 35mm point and shoot cameras, both of which, imo, are the epitome of point and shoot overall and image quality. I’ll keep checking by here now and then to see what you else you might come up with.
I’ve been having lemonish problems. Canon replaced by A540 with an A620, and I thought the articulating screen was great, because I tend to shove a camera of this size in my pocket.
Now it’s being replaced with an A720. Certainly a better camera, but I’m going to miss the screen. I don’t do much self-timer or self-photography, but I have seen someone using the flip screen feature very well for a self-timer portrait. (With a digital it’s not much bother to do one’s best to frame and retake if necessary.)
I’ll have to buy something to protect the screen, at a minimum.
My trusty Olympus E10 (and its siblings) had this feature several years ago.
THANKS for the list. I’ve been searching on PriceGrabber.com, but couldn’t find the proper keyword to result in a list. Your blog post solved my problem. Now, all I have to do is decide which camera will be the replacement for my Nikon 5700.
I agree. I’ve owned a Canon Powershot A80 for about 4 years and have found the Articulating screen to be a must have tool. It comes in handy especially when photographing small children (0-4yrs old+) that can’t or don’t know to look at the camera lens. It allows them to look at themselves and helps keep them focused. Though it is noticeable that they are looking just a tiny bit to the side, none the less.
I’m currently in the market for a new camera and am considering the Canon S5 IS. However due to expectation that the S6 is due to be announced around Sept/Oct I’m holding out.
But I must agree, I won’t buy a camera without an Articulating LCD Screen. It’s a highly under-rated feature.
Great Article.
A few more:
Canon Powershot A620
Canon Powershot A95
Canon Powershot Pro1 (I think a few more of the Pro models)
Fujifilm FinePix S100FS
I agree, this is an important feature. I discovered the value when photographing documents. I can lay a paper or book on a table, hold the camera above it, and not have to stand on a chair to look down at the display.
thanks so much for this. I am totally deceived by the new canon G10
announcement. Again they did not put a flip screen.
There are less and less very compact camera (like the 650 IS, or G6)
with flip sreens. WHY ??? Did they go nuts ?
I use a D300 and a G3 (now defunct). These two are complementary
but believe it or not, i could easily find a replacement for a
2K$ dslr and nothing (even with 1K$) in the space of compacts with flip screens !
I you have time and ideas (maybee photokina 2008 will help), thanks to post
an updated list ;=)
best
fabio
I totally agree with you and in fact since damaging my Nikon Coolpix 5400 two years ago I haven’t bought myself a camera because nothing seems to quite fit the bill, mainly because my options are narrowed by the fact that I can’t imagine photography without the vari-angle screen any longer! I’m very excited now about the Panasonic G1 that is about to be released. But are you aware of any other models released since you wrote your list? If I buy the Panasonic I’d be keen to get a second very compact camera but I don’t think anyone has been putting a vari-angle lcd on those types of cameras, but perhaps I’ve missed something? I keep hoping manufacturers will realize just what a bonus this feature is, but even the lack of responses to your message seems to indicate that very few people out there have discovered its potential
Flip & Twist screens are terrific, and should be more widely available in high-end SLRs too. They are valuable tools when trying to take a photo in a crowd of people ie; concert, celebrities, sports events etc. not everyone is 7ft tall and can live view such photos. ( I am 5-7 ). Paulie
Why do the manufacturers ignore us. I still use a G6 and A640 both with flip-out screen to supplement my DSLR but still Canon dont learn and G10 has no such feature and A650 IS is now being dropped. When will they learn!