Sorry Fen, have to disagree with you on this one

The live-view on the a350 is much more than a gimmick, it's a very usable mode. It is switched on or off by a simple switch in half a second. It's very fast to use, the screen articulates so it can be used at ground or waist level or over your head. It's easily the best implementation from any maker and certain does NOT need a tripod like other cameras. Obviously the camera has a normal SLR viewfinder as well.

Having said all that I feel the OP would probably be better to get the a700 which is an entirely different league - I enjoy mine immensely