Attached Link: PMA Show News

Well, the Photography Marketing Association show is underway in Vegas and there are some neat things announced/on display. Aside from a host of new lenses, the tough Oly Mju 1030, and that cool hi-speed Casio EX-F1, the star of the show seems to be Live View. Most of the new DSLRs have it (the new Nikon being a glaring exception). Being someone who still has yet to go the DSLR route, I have live view with my cams anyway, But I was wondering what you seasoned DSLR users thing about this. Time to upgrade? No big deal? What's your take?

I dont see much of a benefit really - it is just another thing to make the transition easier from prosumer/compact to DSLR. I find that nowadays if someone hands me a compact i instinctively put it to my face and look through the viewfinder (if there is one)... You see through the optics and not a pixellated screen and that has to be better...

Hmm well there may be some advantages in being able to view the exposure and histogram before you take the shot, and the other possible advantage when you aren't necessarily able to hold your eye to the finder. For certain macro shots, or low-light situations, it can be very handy if you dont own an angle finder my own preferred choice when the standard bright and clear viewfinder still wins hands down..

Although I admit I haven't had much of a chance to play with the Live View feature of my cam.....I doubt that it is something I will ever use.  With 100% viewfinder coverage, I don't see much point.
Both the Canon and Nikon DSLR live view screens are NOT articulated....so, it wouldn't be much help on odd angle shots.
While there may be some limited benefit to having live view (eg,  low light as Danny points out...and perhaps studio settings), I agree with Inshaala....it seems it is more of an attempt to lure some of the P&S folks into the DSLR market.

One other point to note.....If you are using live view, I would think that you should be covering the viewfinder as any light coming in there may negatively affect your exposure reading...

I think Sony has it right on the live view. It has articulated viewfinder and enabling live view blacks out the viewfinder. This feature is already in use in some of their P&S cameras.

I am currently shooting with a Minolta Maxxum 7D and can see upgrading to the a350. I like the idea of being able to hold my camera over my head in a crowd and being able focus on the subjects on stage... I have kids in school, what can I say.

I just wish i was in Vegas..

There are some shooting situations where the live view would be quite useful..

would live view cut down on chimping???

"would live view cut down on chimping???"

No, we're stuck with him for almost another year.

@Dclew2;
Yes...I agree...to take make the most out of the Live view feature, Sony have incorporated two important things on the Alpha 350....an articulated screen  (although only tiltable not twistable) and a viewfinder cover.
Be great for the paparazzi......

And, yes it has been a feature in many P&S cams....however, it is somewhat more complicated to implement into a DSLR....either the mirror must move or the mirror needs to be transmissive.  To achieve this, Sony has allowed the mirror to tilt to direct the image to the live view sensor....and also by doing this has sacrificed the viewfinder size ( even smaller than the A200).  So, if you are doing most of your shooting through the viewfinder anyway, it may not be your best cam choice.

Olympus latest (semi-)professional DSLR, the E-3 has already implemented all of those features: Live View, swiveling LCD screen, AND the viewfinder is big and bright with 100% coverage. What's the fuss..? ;o)

Oh, and Sony's latest is aimed at amateurs, so the build quality will probably be in that category too... A full frame, 24MP sensor built for amateurs...??? Isn't that a little bit overdone..?

@girsempa...of course....how could I forget to mention the OLY?...LOL!

I doubt that the 24.8MP Sony will be built for amatuers in mind....and, I suspect it will debut in the $3000 to $4000 USD range

Yes, it might now be the highest-end pro DSLR, but I can't see too many amatuers shelling out that kind of cash for a camera body. But that could just be me... ;']

I'm an amatuer and I would shell it out... If I could convince the boss(wife) that I needed it. ;)

will not happen :(