Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

This viewfinder does exactly what you expect it to, it just shows the image of the display, which works beautifully. The display is very clear with a good resolution. The ability to turn the viewfinder so it is facing up sometimes comes in handy.
Unfortunately, it is rather large and makes your camera much less of a compact camera. Weight is not much of an issue, but dimension.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Turns your point and shoot into a Mini-DSLR. The high resolution EVF is extremely sharp and almost as clear as an optical reflex viewfinder. Its other advantage is that when compactness is important, it can be removed. Can also be turned upwards to enable viewing from top. On the other hand, somewhat large and requires a new bag.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

I agree with many that this is an expensive device, but these days, that's just a given for something of high quality. I will not decrease the rating since that is not a fair evaluation of the actual device itself, cost vs. value is a subjective event. Everything costs too much these days, there seems to be no fix for that.
I shoot with a sixty year old Leica IIIf, an Olympus DSLR and a Fuji X100. I simply must have a viewfinder, optical or electronic. But here's the drawback with an optical, and this includes my old Leica. If you use anything other than the focal length it is designed for, then you run into some serious framing issues. I routinely switch from 35mm-50mm-90mm even on my old screw mount rangefinder, and so you must use an external viewfinder. Leica was smart, even back then, they offered variable external viewfinders. That's what this electronic viewfinder for my LX-7 does; it's simply a new design of a very old concept, and it works beautifully. It has a great image, with excellent ergonomics. By placing the diopter inside, you cannot accidentally knock it off adjustment, and switching between viewfinder and screen is also well executed. I wouldn't mind a sensor like my X100 that automatically switches, but I also realize that this would increase the size and complexity of the switch function, and it works too well as is to make a complaint. It now seems simply like an updated version of my old Leica, a great example of a predecessor in size and capabilities, especially since it has a summilux for a lens. I would simply not own the LX-7 without this viewfinder; I do not miss the hot shoe. The LX-7 does very well at low light with no flash. I always go flashless, whenever I can, always have, even before the digital age.
Great device, great design, highly recommended.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Great gizmo, slightly pricey. Turns a GX1 into a Fuji EX1, or pretty darn-heck close to one, for less than half the price. Works well. You get used to the video in the viewfinder pretty quick. One dumb thing: Impossible to use the hot shoe (for external flash) with the thing in place. A low-intensity bummer.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Plug and Play. Bright, all the info is there, diopter adj.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Makes the lx7 all it was designed to be.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

On my GX1 this is fantastic. After the wonderful combination of GF1 and LVF1, this is just unbelievable

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

I've only hand my DMC-LX7 camera for a short time and I'm learning how to use it under different situations.
The addition of the DMC-LFV2 viewfinder is a really nice feature I've found.
I'm an "old school" shooter and being able to bring the camera up to my eye just feels more natural than framing with the LCD screen.
The view finder is bright and displays all the information you'd find on the LCD screen. It also let you view images you've already taken on the screen which is a handy feature.

I'm very pleased with my electronic viewfinder and feel like it was worth the price I paid for it. It does add bulk to the camera, but it can easily be removed if I choose to carry the camera around in a jacket pocket, like when I go skiing.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

If this had one tiny little feature, it would have gotten 5 stars: an automatic eye sensor if you put it to your eye. It's not that big a deal to change it manually, but hey, that's the difference between engineering/usability excellence and mere greatness. The quality of the EVF is perfect--it is even better than the integrated EVF of the Panasonic G3 which is the bigger brother camera to my GX1 and which I also have. I will probably use this about 1/4 of the time, preferring the sleeker more portable camera without it, but will always keep it in my pocket when going out with the cam.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

I bought this for my Lumix LX-7 camera, and I've really enjoyed using it so far. It IS quite expensive, but if you shoot outdoors a lot, and also if you are used to looking thru a viewfinder as you would on a DSLR, then this will come in handy.

Pros: high resolution, bright enough, easy to put on and take off
Cons: expensive, the picture looks a bit low contrast

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Works great. Image is smaller than I hoped it would be. Nice bright image even in low light. Like that it flips up so can use it with the camera below you. However I returned it because (1) When installing it you have to remove and keep track of two small parts: The hot shoe cover on the camera and the contact cover on the viewfinder. (2) It uses the hot shoe and I found that the LX7 works great with my radio triggers and strobes so I use the hot shoe a lot. (3) It sticks up high and I worry about damaging it if I leave it installed.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Very useful even if light is low.
It is a bright clear viewfinder. Only the price is little to high

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

As a stills person making a first inroad into the digital photography scene I chose the Panasonic DMC - GX 1 and am very pleased with the selection . The viewfinder is extremely.well made and further complements this little package .

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

I like the viewfinder because I can bypass LCD glare in the sun. I also use it because I need glasses to see close up, and it has an adjustment dial so I can use it without glasses. My issue is that the actual viewfinder screen is too small, so I have to have it right up against my eye in order to see the whole frame. This makes it harder to use when tilted up for waist-level photography. Overall, it was a good buy. I bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 instead of the Sony DSC-RX100 because of the availability of this viewfinder. Sony might sell more cameras if they made a viewfinder option for people who can't/don't use the LCD for one reason or another. I guess I'll try a FlipBac on the LCD for waist level shooting.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

I am long-time film photographer...PENTAX LX withadjustable viewfinder...using reflex to view straightahead...or adjust to look down and see straight ahead. At 80 yrs old my eyes are not so good.Even tho my involvement with digital started in 1998 the lack of this feature has been more than frustrating.I'm using the LUMIX LVF2 vuefinder on a LX7 andit has solved the problems I had and given me back the creative I had previoisly.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Most of my photography are landscapes, and buildings. And occasional portraits of people.I had an LX5 and its external viewfinder for most of 2012 and travelled the Rhine and Moselle Rivers in Europe with it in September. It was my main camera instead of my Nikon DSLR. So when I bought the LX7 in December, I learned I had to buy a new external finder, which costs $50 more than that for the LX5. I was unhappy!However it is very much improved over the LX5's viewfinder, especially the information displayed.It is a must to use in very bright sunlight.My only complaint was the LX5 viewfinder comes with a case which can be easily attached to the camera strap when not in use. The LX7 viewfinder comes in a cloth bag which must be tied.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

The lack of a viewfinder on a LX7 or most any point and shoot no matter how expensive is a tremendous detriment. You can get used to a LCD screen sooner or later--but shooting in bright sunlight and not knowing what you are getting is not for me. This is the answer for my LX7! Brilliant and sharp. The problem is that it adds significant bulk to the camera partially defeating the utility of the camera's near pocket size . One other gripe -- the supplied pouch case is quite a disappointment compared with the hard case supplied with the LVF1. The LVF1 does not work of the LX7-just as well as the image it produces pales in comparison to that of the LVF2 herein reviewed.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

You really need a EVF with the GX 1 to do serious work. This viewfinder makes framing your shots much easier, especially in bright sunshine where the LCD is close to useless for anything other then the most basic framing. The EVF also makes it easier to see the camera settings, auto focus points and meter readings. My one complaint is that you can't (as far as I can tell) increase the brightness of the EVF, like you can for the LCD, so that some times the EVF is darker then would be ideal.

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

The unit is a great addition to my Lumix DMC-GX1. Nice fit, tilt ability and allows use of the view finder if you wear glasses. Adjusts nicely to my vision via the built in diopter. The only problem I have with the mounted unit is it is hard to find a soft case to fit over the camera and viewfinder. I am still looking!

Comments about Panasonic External Electronic Viewfinder for DMC-LX7 AND DMC-GX1:

Excellent for outdoor pictures in bright sunlight