I never said the slr viewfinder would be replaced . It will have both in the same viewfinder.
An lcd panel will lay on top of the focusing screen. When you go to live view it will show up in the finder - like a P&S. When you turn live view off it will work as an slr. The live view screen will be transparent when not used. Minolta used this in their Maxxum AF 35mm slrs. It allowed a lot of info to be shown on the screen. Nikon used it on the D70 dslr. We are taking it a step further by showing a full image. Pentax has patents for this technology.
There are a few different ways to implement this tech. One part of live views use is to not use the viewfinder. It isn't the only part.
uses I can think of:
1. Allows nearly silent shooting to match the SDM lenses (mirror can be locked up).
2. Allows vibration free shooting with out mirror lockup caused blackout. We have this now if we use current live view held out in front of us. Much
easier to use finder.
3. Allows much higher FPS. Look at K20D - 21FPS in live view.
4. Allows reviewing photos in viewfinder under bright sun. Imagine taking
shots and reviewing them without moving away from the viewfinder.
5. In B&W mode allows previsualization of scene for a better idea of the
finished photo.
Sure there are more. Imagine a dslr that can be switched between slr and live view without ever taking the camera from your eye. Camera would still have live view on rear lcd too. You can do so many more things with electronics.
Slrs show you how the lens interprets a subject. Live view will also show you how the sensor interprets it.
thanks
barondla
Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST 7 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #8. Any type camera except slr. Any brand. Any subject.