who cares about having a viewfinder? Maybe it is because I am only learning digital photography (which is so much better than realizing that all your pictures sucked when it was too late to do anything about it), but I find that there are too many times that the light outside makes it impossible for me to see that screen. At those times, the viewfinder is important to me.

I almost always use the viewfinder.

or is it just my price range that is a problem?

Glad I am not alone...some days, I feel like an antique. (Well, to be fair, I probably am an antique, but that is another story.) At least I have finally put my film camera away.

When I used point-and-shoots I was pretty much wedded to the Canon PowerShot line; they had viewfinders, and I was always pleased with them.

I purchased a Nikon D-5100 a couple years back, and I think the only time I've used the screen for composition is when holding the camera above eye level.

Just habit for me, I think.

I'm old, and have taken photos since I was a teenager. I need my viewfinder and that seems to be that. I have tried 2 point and shoots without one, and have given both of the cameras away.

I see more and more cameras without viewfinders, and I worry that they are disappearing.

I have a question for you about Picasa, since your suggestion got me playing with it. How do I get a picture that I have worked on out of Picasa to access for posting? Do I just need to set up another email account with gmail? Or is there another way?

Go underneath the photo once you have edited it and click on "Export" - keep the max size and save it on your desktop with a name or date. I have a folder that is named: Exports to Photobucket.

Then I open photobucket, get the size and album delineated that I want to upload it to, and go get it from it's place on the desktop.

Then just click on the imported photo and get the link.
If that's not clear enough, I'll try again. Just let me know.

I was trying to use "share" instead of "export". I will play with it some more. I had to use an original photo in the contest because I couldn't figure out how to get a processed photo out of Picasa.

BTW, I have been having a lot of fun in Picasa. But I feel like I am cheating on a few of the photos where changes have been dramatic.

Personal bias, I suppose, but they don't seem like "real" cameras to me.

Real cameras have viewfinders! Yes!

But I really do have a lot of problems seeing the screen in daylight, sometimes, I see nothing or it is so poor visibility that I have no idea what I am getting in the photo.

until my faithful canon gave up the ghost and I couldn't find one with a viewfinder that wasn't one of those weird digitized ones. I could see even less with that. I eventually bought a sony camera that I can shift the screen around and that helps to see in outside glares.

The problem with this design is that both the camera and lens have to be larger. Rangefinder and viewfinder cameras partially overcome this limitation, but you aren't looking through the lens when you are framing your shot.

I like the overall look of it.

I wonder how the balance of it feels? It looks as if it might be front-heavy.

Added incentive to keep the hand under the barrel of the lens, I suppose.

I like the Olympus EPM2, but the grip is wimpy. I might make my own with self-setting rubber like Sugru.

The 30mm stays on my camera. I might get their 60mm this fall, or a better EVF.

Their cameras have always been quirky, I like quirky.

Fixed focal length compact cameras aren't for everyone but for people who appreciate that style of shooting with the technical capabilities of the sensor this is a sweet camera.

I have to wait for prices to drop. The Ricoh GR or Fuji X100s would probably be my choices for fixed lens cameras.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/sigma-dp-quattro?utm_source=feb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=monthly_email

"Take all three with you and select as needed for the perfect shot. Only the dp series puts so much luxurious photographic potential in your hands."

That's one way of dealing with that persnickety fixed focal length, buy 3 cameras.

D800 body can be had for under 3,000. The Dp's can be carried in the pocket, one in the left, one in the right, and one in your hand. No fumbling to change lenses. I'd be happy with just the 19mm lens for landscape photography. They'd be much lighter than any DSLR kit.

I'd rather carry the Fuji or the Ricoh fixed lens camera, but I'm pulling for Sigma and Samsung. Both are the odd man out. The Samsung NX30 has an innovative EVF.

Interesting bit of insight on the design

http://m.dpreview.com/articles/2466682090/cp-sigma-interview-we-have-survived-because-we-make-unique-products