Is a pantaprism better than a pentamirror?

[alfa147x]

It seems as a pentaprism is better then a pentamirror
Is it noticeable difference?

I saw first about it in here:
http://downloads.canon.com/cpr...amera/EOS_SYS_2007.pdf

 

[dug777]

Very noticeable, imho. Pentaprism is much less light-sapping, so the viewfinder ends up brighter and less 'tunnel-like' for you.

My D80 pentaprism is a world away from the 400D pentamirror, and even the pentamirror in the Alpha I checked out

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Definitely a lot of optical difference like Dug said. The only real benefits to a pentamirror over a pentaprism is that the pentamirror is lighter weight and cheaper to manufacture.