New EVF makes it clear: the optical viewfinder’s days are numbered

MicroOLED has developed a new electronic a new Viewfinder that could address some of the standout complaints about not going optical. The OLED panel has five million square dots and can show a 1280x1024 image in its just over 0.6-inch view. Its resolution is higher than the 1024x768 of today's best EVFs and has no gap between pixels, leading to a seamless effect.

Although not directly confirmed, it appears to use RGBW (red, green, blue, white) sub-pixels and not only avoids the 'fuzzy' effect of RGBG but produces overall better quality. MicroOLED is touting a 96 percent color uniformity and a 100,000:1 contrast ratio that are both higher than on Sony's NEX-oriented viewfinder. The two could present a more accurate view of scenes with very bright or very dark elements.

While shy on when it will be shipping products the company is clear that its viewfinder will be in public-facing products. It expects both pro cameras and camcorders to use the viewfinder as well as night vision goggles and even head-mounted displays for surgeons.