Word
viewfinder
Phoneticsviewfind·er
US/ˈvjuˌfaɪndɝ/
UK/vjˈuːfaɪndɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the small window on a camera that you look through to see what your photo will include.
n. a small optical window or electronic screen on a camera showing the exact area to be photographed, allowing framing and focus before exposure.
Examples
“She looks through the viewfinder before she takes the photo.”
“The photographer cleans the viewfinder and checks the light before shooting the wedding outside.”
“Through the dusty viewfinder, the old film camera revealed a narrow street scene that the digital screen could never render with the same quiet depth.”
Examples
simple
“She looks through the viewfinder before she takes the photo.”
contextual
“The photographer cleans the viewfinder and checks the light before shooting the wedding outside.”
complex
“Through the dusty viewfinder, the old film camera revealed a narrow street scene that the digital screen could never render with the same quiet depth.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “viewfinder” in context.
Verb
01. clean viewfinder
“Use a soft cloth to clean the viewfinder before shooting outdoors.”
verb + noun
02. look through viewfinder
“He looked through the viewfinder and waited for the bird to take flight.”
verb + prep + noun
03. peer through viewfinder
“She peered through the viewfinder to check focus on the subject's eyes.”
verb + prep + noun
04. viewfinder displays
“The viewfinder displays shutter speed, aperture and battery level.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. bright viewfinder
“The bright viewfinder makes it easy to compose shots in strong sunlight.”
adj + noun
06. electronic viewfinder
“Mirrorless cameras rely on an electronic viewfinder that previews exposure live.”
adj + noun
07. optical viewfinder
“Many DSLRs still use an optical viewfinder for a direct, lag-free preview.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. viewfinder coverage
“This model offers 100% viewfinder coverage for precise framing.”
noun + noun
09. check focus in the viewfinder
“Check focus in the viewfinder before you press the shutter completely.”
10. frame shot in viewfinder
“She framed the shot in the viewfinder before adjusting the exposure.”
11. look through the viewfinder
“I looked through the viewfinder and recomposed the shot to exclude the lamppost.”
12. switch to the viewfinder
“In bright sun, switch to the viewfinder instead of using the screen.”
Real-World Examples
“He spotted the insect when it moved, but even then struggled to separate it from its background through the viewfinder.” “My mask, the water, and the plastic pouch obscure what I can see in the viewfinder, and the camera is struggling to autofocus, but I point my phone toward fish and fire like mad.” Etymology
From view + finder.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/viewfinder