Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder
Panasonic's External Live View Finder mounts to the hot shoe of DMC-GF1, GF2, and LX5 digital cameras and provides a full-time live view function with a magnification of 1.04x (0.52x in 35mm equivalent) and 100% field of view regardless of what lens is used. Because it displays the same information as the GF1's LCD, it is effectively used in situations where the LCD is difficult to see, such as under bright sunlight. The LVF is also handy for low-angle shots because it can be tilted vertically from 0 to 90 degrees.
The full-time live view lets you see in the LCD how adjusting the exposure, white balance, aperture and even the shutter speed will affect the shot. This makes it easier to capture a special shot or particular kind of image without shooting again and again.
- Provides an external optical glass viewfinder alternative to the LCD while using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, GF2, & DMC-LX5 digital camera
- Mounts into the hot shoe on top of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, GF2, & DMC-LX5 digital camera
- Conserves battery power by allowing the camera's LCD to be turned off while providing a viewing and compositional aid
| Mount | Hot shoe |
| Magnification | Approx 1.4x (0.52x in 35mm equivalent) |
| Field of View | 100% |
| Display | 202,000-dot LCD |
| Tilts | 0 - 90° |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 148 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
89%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (132)
- Lightweight (107)
- Reliable (66)
- Durable (42)
- Good image quality (5)
Cons
- Heavy / bulky (9)
- Low resolution (6)
- Not functional (3)
- Poor design (3)
Best Uses
- Travel (77)
- Everyday (73)
- Landscape photography (62)
- Portraits (39)
- Macro photography (37)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Enthusiast (66), Semi-professional (33), Professional (26), Photo enthusiast (8), Casual user (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (115)
Most Liked Positive Review
A necessary Accessory
Use as external viewfinder for Panasonic LX5.
Unfortunately, it is difficult finding a detailed description anywhere I looked.
This works like the (swivelling on better productas) electronic viewfinders of video cameras be...Read complete review
Use as external viewfinder for Panasonic LX5.
Unfortunately, it is difficult finding a detailed description anywhere I looked.
This works like the (swivelling on better productas) electronic viewfinders of video cameras before large LCDs. It is more than adequate for it's main function - to provide a framing aid in bright ambient light. For those who complain about its low resolution and for those considering buying this device: It is very easy (push a button) to switch between viewfinder and camera LCD. It shows everything one wants shown on the camera LCD and this can clutter up the small viewfinder image. But you can eliminate all the LCD symbols etc by pushing the Display button on the back of the camera. This simple mode change works also with the LVF-1 attached. The only mode I have not figured out yet: how to only show the auxiliary grid lines (used for proper alignment with the horizon or other significant lines in your composition). If you want the grid lines, you have to live with the symbols as well. The tilt feature of the LVW-1 is convenient for shots from a low position but you still have to get on your knees -- but probably not on your belly.
Note: To properly remove the LVF-1 as well as the hot-shoe cover, you have to realize both items not only slide into the hot shoe from behind but also into the electric connector just below the hot shoe of the camera. Hope this helps. And yes: B&H should list the LVF-1 as accessory for the LX5 (and - in my opinion - delete the optical viewfinder accessory for 24 mm wide angle viewing)
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Light & effective
As a photographer with extensive experience with both SLRs and point-and-shoot, this attachment is nice to have on the GF1, which handles more like a mini-SLR than a point & shoot. I'm always tem...Read complete review
As a photographer with extensive experience with both SLRs and point-and-shoot, this attachment is nice to have on the GF1, which handles more like a mini-SLR than a point & shoot. I'm always tempted to use a viewfinder with the GF1, and this fits the bill. It's a little odd at first, with a somewhat coarse appearing pixellated screen that doesn't refresh very rapidly, but you quickly get used to it, and appreciate the 100% coverage and on-screen information (just like the camera-back LCD). It's good for stabilizing the camera against your head, and nice in bright sunlit conditions. However, it's a bit of a pain to install, so I've been shooting without it, and find that using the LCD screen on the GF1 is totally effective in most conditions, and quite superior for some things like macro and low-angle shots. So I'm adjusting to point&shoot style image composition, and find I reach for the viewfinder less and less frequently. Haven't owned it long enough to assess durability or reliability, but it seems well made.
Reviewed by 148 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
This is just a great help for composing my images. I love the LX-5 but the LCD screen is pretty useless in sunlight and it doesn't render what I am seeing very accurately. This LVF is great. It also flips up at a 90 degree angle, adding more flexibility.The only con is the method of attaching it to he camera. It slides into the hot shoe and it seems a bit tenuous, so I'm very careful with it when it's on the camera.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- No Viewfinder
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
A nice addition that helps greatly in bright sunlight (and it helps stabilize the camera for handheld shots).
- Ease of Operation:
- 7
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus
- Good Image Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I use it mainly outdoor. It uses less energy than the LCD screen so the battery will last longer. The resolution is sufficient for an advanced point-and-shoot camera. Off the top of my head I can't think of anything bad, wll let you know later.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I'm from old school using and comfortable using a eye finder. I find it difficult to compose a shot in bright sunlight nearly impossible with the LCD. The viewfinder is not perfect, hard to manually focus, atleast I can get a good idea of the composition.
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus
- Good Image Quality
- Good Image Stabilization
- High ISO Performance
- Large Clear LCD
- Quiet
Cons
- Lag / Shutter Delay
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
Easy to use, great pictures, download instructions could be better.
- Ease of Operation:
- 10
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Can tilt the viewfinder
- Easy To Use
- Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus
- Good Image Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
This is great!!! I love my Panasonic Lumix LX5 but I can't see a darn thing in the sun. Buying this viewfinder allows me to shoot photos all over the place, inside or out! Great purchase and worth the money!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Image Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
Very easy to use and frame a photo in any light.
- Ease of Operation:
- 8
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Tilt /Swivel LCD
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Viewing opening is small
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
Although not as good as an SLR viewfinder, it does 2 very important things: It helps to steady the camera (much better than holding it at arm's length) and it allows for review of photos taken in bright light. Other pluses include the vertical swivel that allows you to take low angle pictures without getting on the ground and full info readouts that duplicate the main rear screen. Further, it's easy to turn on and off and the diopter adjustment is great for less than perfect eyesight.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Tilt /Swivel LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
as someone who needs reading glasses but not glasses for distance this viewfinder is perfect. Before I purchase it, I was guessing as to what was going to be in the photo. This works very well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I use the view finder with my Panasonic DMC-LX5, really small field of view. Would rather use the screen interface.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I bought this for my LX5 and intended to use it only for bright sunlight conditions but find myself using it indoors as well. With this view finder, the camera feels more like an SLR and I don't have to wear my reading glasses to operate the camera. The diopter adjustment works well and the menus are clearly visible.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus
- Good Image Quality
- Tilt /Swivel LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
It will work just fine on a Leica! At a hundred bucks less! You would be crazy not to buy it!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Small LCD Screen
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
Very useful in bright light, when the LCD display is essentially useless. A couple of downsides-
1- The diopter control tends to get reset when the bag is put away in my bag
2- The resolution is not great, but good enough for composition (its main utility)
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by George
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- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Tilt /Swivel LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife photos
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I primarily bought the viewfinder to be able to compose pictures in the middle of the day in strong sunlight, which proved to be a problem with the LCD on the GF2.
The viewfinder shows all relevant info, as seen on the LCD and the resolution is good enough to compose the picture while adding only a little more bulk to the camera when I am in the great outdoors. Furthermore adding one more useful feature to the repertoire, and that is the rotating of the viewfinder so as to make it possible to look thru the viewfinder from above. So all in all a very useful gadget to make the camera that much more useful.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Customer Service
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I had tried using a HoodMaster on my Leica Dlux5; but, alas, the Hoodmaster doesn't fit the 16x9 LCD on my Leica very well; plus putting those straps on and off is such a pain that the you can't do it on-the-fly (my plan).
I needed something that let me hold viewer to my eye and had a diopter adj so I could shoot with no glasses, and also to see menus in bright sunlight( a real pain with all LCD only focus cameras.
I just needed to upgrade a Hoodmaster I had purchased for this same purpose.
The real story here is how good B&H's service department is.
Same day I was having all kinds of problems on another return (to another vendor), B&H was fabulous, as soon as I got the RMA on the web and completed it; a CSR emailed me back and forth and helped me get the exchange effected properly and shipped out promptly also.
As to the device, I see Panasonic has a newer, higher res one; but I like this one fine for my needs
- Ease of Operation:
- 9
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Poor Design
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
When I ordered this I simply wanted something to fill the void of a viewfinder.
Sure, it isn't perfect, I knew that going in. the dioptic dia gets moved on its own sometime and the image is a little grainy, but for what I wanted and what I needed it is filling in it;s purpose.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Difficult To Use
- Not Functional
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I was hoping this would work as a full time alternative to the LCD screen on the DMC-LX5. It does not. Quality is ok, but I found it awkward to use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
I recently bought this for my DMC-LX5. I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised. You won't confuse it for the clarity of an optical finder - yes it's a bit grainy and there is some lag. The relatively low resolution does make manual focusing a challenge.
But the brightness and contrast are better than I expected - making this easier to use than the LVF in my old Digilux 2.
It's nicely integrated and thought out. A useful add-on for sunny days.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Landscape Photography
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
This optional viewfinder was a big selling point when I decided whether to get a high-end Advanced Point and Shoot or replace my stolen DSLR. The diopter is a bonus that really helps and adds flexibility with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or uncorrected vision while shooting. It's awesome that you can save battery power by turning off the main LCD screen, and even use this viewfinder for photo review (though resolution is not sufficient for culling pictures). The only improvement would be to enlarge the eye cup, for even better rejection of strong light in tropical overhead sun.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Landscape Photography
- Portraits
- Traveling
Comments about Panasonic DMW-LVF-1 External Live View Finder:
Use on my GF-2 and love it. Easy to use and mount and has diopter adjustment. Great add-on for the GF-2. Makes shooting in bright light a snap as well as great for all round use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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Care & Cleaning
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- Original: $4.99
- Save: $0.50
- Price: $4.49
- GBP 2.86
What's in the Box
- Pouch
- 90-Day Limited Warranty
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