Yes all DSLR's have a viewfinder. Most of the mirrorless cameras don't, but all of them can if you buy an EVF and attach it to the hot-shoe. And yes, don't buy anything from a shop! Go to B&H online, nothing comes close. Plus they have a really wonderful youtube channel that has videos that teach you how to use your camera, or interviews with pro photographers, or advanced lessons - all gratis.
That's a nice camera Roger linked to - not as good as the first link I sent you though... : /
And I often think about how photography uses the same muscle as writing. If I'm capturing images for writing I make a little word picture and then make a constellation of ideas around it. When I'm taking photos it's different, I have the idea already and I'm hunting the
pictorial-correlitive - I seldom seek an image to fit a piece of writing, but I always look for pictures that convey an idea I'm already working with. Writing is harder in that
you are the camera and and the dark room and the process. All I'm doing when I shoot photos is seeing. Having some camera skills helps, yes, but that only increases my chances of catching a good image. In both arts one must avoid the cliche - there are so many cliched photos out there. Editing, too, I suppose is quite similar - about 5 out of a hundred are good shots in my experience and then on closer inspection maybe 3... thank god for the digital age. Imagine working with film, all feel, all the time. Here's the greatest of all time - Back when Leica wasn't pompous, it was all there was.
http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?V...RID=24KL53ZMYN