A comparison of viewfinder sizes

[giga Veteran]

Ranked in order of area (that you see in viewfinder, taking into account sensor/film size, magnification and coverage)

Film SLRs:

Olympus OM-1 (.92x magnification, 97% coverage) - 709 sq mm

Canon AE-1 (.86x magnification, 94% coverage) - 600 sq mm

Nikon F5 (.75x magnification, 100% coverage) - 486 sq mm

Canon EOS-1V .(72X magnification, 100% coverage) - 448 sq mm

Full Frame DSLRs:

Canon 1Ds Mark III (.76x magnification, 100% coverage) - 499 sq mm

Nikon D3 (.7x magnification, 100% coverage) - 422 sq mm

Canon 1Ds Mark II (.7x magnification, 100% coverage) 418 sq mm

Canon 1Ds (.7x magnification, 100% coverage) 418 sq mm

Canon 5D (.71x magnification, 96% coverage) - 414 sq mm

APS-H (1.3x crop), APS-C (1.5-1.6x crop), Four Thirds (2x crop):

Nikon D300 (.94x magnification, 100% coverage) - 329 sq mm

Canon 1D Mark III (.76x magnification, 100% coverage) - 316 sq mm

Nikon D200 (.94x magnification, 95% coverage) - 313 sq mm

Nikon D80 (.94x magnification, 95% coverage) - 313 sq mm

Pentax K20D (.95x magnification, 95% coverage) - 312 sq mm

Olympus E-3 (1.15x magnification, 100% coverage) - 297 sq mm

Canon 1D Mark IIn (.72x magnification, 100% coverage) - 284 sq mm

Canon 40D (.95x magnification, 95% coverage) - 282 sq nm

Sony A700 (.9x magnification, 95% coverage) - 282 sq nm

Canon 30D (.9x magnification, 95% coverage) - 260 sq nm

Sony A100 (.83x magnification, 95% coverage) - 244 nm

Canon 450D (.87x magnification, 95% coverage) - 236 nm

Nikon D40(x)/D60 (.8x magnification, 95% coverage) - 225 nm

Canon 400D (.8x magnification, 95% coverage) - 200 nm

Nikon D50 (.75x magnification, 95% coverage) - 198 nm

Olympus E-510 (.92x magnification, 95% coverage) - 181 nm

Good times from the olden days. :/

Note: Take into account that viewfinder brightness isn't accounted for in the images. General rule of thumb: pentaprism > pentamirror.

(first image courtesy of bigbluedodge)

[crazzy88ss]

No D50 love? :(

Cool chart

[+Tantawi Subscriber²]

The viewfinder is indeed a bit small on my E-510 :/ , manual focusing is a challenge with it! but thankfully I have live-view on the LCD for that when I need it.

[giga Veteran]

No D50 love? :(

Cool chart

Added it to the list.

[crazzy88ss]

Ah, .75x magnification. No wonder why it's such a pain in the ass to manually focus the thing. It's by FAR the worst of any of them! Except the olympus :/

Edited March 9, 2008 by crazzy88ss

[Aperture]

I just purchased an Olympus OM-1 and 50mm f/1.4! Thanks for the information.

[+Tantawi Subscriber²]

I just purchased an Olympus OM-1 and 50mm f/1.4! Thanks for the information.

I have the same camera and lens :D and just purchased an adapter to fit that 50mm on my Olympus E-510.

[Aperture]

I have the same camera and lens :D and just purchased an adapter to fit that 50mm on my Olympus E-510.

Hey, awesome! How is it as a kit? I'm hoping to shoot a lot of ambient/low light documentary stuff on Tri-X. Looking forward to receiving it! =D

[+Tantawi Subscriber²]

Hey, awesome! How is it as a kit? I'm hoping to shoot a lot of ambient/low light documentary stuff on Tri-X. Looking forward to receiving it! =D

I've never used it really, it belongs to my dad. But it produced really quality shots in our family albums.

I'm sure you'll make a great use of it since you are a professional photographer indeed! its viewfinder is like a TV :D

Edited March 9, 2008 by Tantawi