A Question I find the optical viewfinder totally unsatisfactory. It is truly of-centered, my pictures come out clipped (top side) if I use the viewfinder. I'd like to hear form others if this is a common problem with the camera, or if I should return the thing back to Epson for repairs (yuks). Can this be corrected?

Viewfinder, screen and pictures are blank / black - Nikon ...

https://www.ifixit.com/.../Viewfinder,+screen+and+pictures+are+bla...

iFixitMay 4, 2015 - When I look through the viewfinder or at the lcd it is blank / black. Also when I take a picture and view it on my computer, the picture is blank ...

SONY ' eSupport - There is no picture or a black screen ...

https://us.en.kb.sony.com/.../there-is-no-picture-or-a-black-screen-appear...

Dec 8, 2015 - There is no picture or a black screen appears in the viewfinder or LCDwhen attempting to ... Look to see if an image can be seen in the viewfinder or LCD. IMPORTANT: Some camcorders have both a viewfinder and LCD.

There is no picture or a black screen appears in the ...

The viewfinder of your camera covers about 95% of the picture that is shot. So you should see less in the viewfinder than what is on your photo. So not only to the bottom, but also on top and on the sides, should be more on the picture than in your viewfinder. If the whole picture really shifts, and something is not on the picture, of what you saw in the viewfinder, something must be wrong with your camera. Was it ever dropped? because that could have shifted the pentaprism in the viewfinder. Or the mirror just behind the lens could be a little off?
As long as your pictures cover what you would have in the picture, and they are sharp, don't bother.

You do not say if the pictures you take come out blurred?

I believe this powershot model (depends on the precise model/variant) has an optical adjustment just by the side of the viewfinder (small lever or knob). Try adjusting this to bring your view back into focus.

Check you have not set any special effects on eg soft focus portrait and sepia - probably safer to do a camera reset - see your instruction book.

Good luck

You may have accidentally pressed the DISP or DISPLAY button on the back of your camera. This manually turns the screen on and off to save battery power. You would then use the optical viewfinder in its place to center your pictures (that little glass peephole near the top of your camera). Try pressing the DISP button once to see if it turns the screen back on.

Impossible! the viewfinder on this camea is not electronic. it is optical, impossible to see the pictures you already took. anyways, try pushing disp.

Other than taking to a Canon service center your best option may be to use your optical viewfinder.

If you take a picture using the optical viewfinder, does the camera actually record the picture? If so, you may have the LCD turned off in the camera mode (there are three options: standard, detailed, and off). With the camera in the shooting mode, press the "DISP" button and see if the LCD turns on.

This is not a digital camera. In order to see what you are taking a picture of, you use the optical viewfinder -- a small "window" at the top center of the back of the camera. When you can see in the viewfinder what you want the picture of, slowly press the shutter button.

Alkaline batteries just don't have the power for more than a few pics in a digital camera. Digital cameras for the most part should only be used with rechargeable NiMH batteries. Walmart sells these for around $7 for a package of four (about $15-19 for the batteries with charger). Keep in mind they'll save you big bucks in the long run over alkalines, AND they'll last for at least 100 pictures per charge (and probably many many more). You'll be very pleased with their performance. Really, you'll slap yourself for not buying them sooner. When at the store, look on the package for a power rating of at least 2500 mah.

And yes, your camera's optical viewfinder is off by a couple inches from what's show in the LCD. Take a look at the front of your camera. This offest is equal to the distance between the other end of the optical viewfinder, and your camera's lens. This should only be a problem for close up pictures. Recommend leaving your LCD on and using that to center your pictures. If using rechargeables, it shouldn't be a problem.

This appears to be a processor problem There is I am afraid no user remedy. Depending on the age of the camera, it is possible that it has been subject to a recall because of defective CCD's- Now get onto Nikon customer support and they will advise you accordingly. They may price a repair - which will be truly astronomical if they do ,so be ready for it.