Video camera versus DSLR with video option

[FrancoisM]

I need to buy a new video camera.
I see that the Canon 500d and 550d have video options and can not decide between separate camera's or combination.
I have a 350d with some lenses but how good will the DSLR do on video and what lens would one use for video?

[leonlieb]

If you want decent photos - get a DSLR

If you want decent video - get a video camera. As easy as that.

[Lord Farquart]

SLRs are for photos, video cameras are for video. If you can get a DSLR with video capabilities for the same price as a video camera or non-video DSLR, then there you will have to compromise on quality somewhere along the line. If an SLR is going to cost you R6k and a video camera R4k, the DSLR with video should cost you R10k plus to be in the same league as the independent units. I might be wrong here, but that is how I buy.

I don't care about the MP rating of a cell phone camera or the MP3 capabilities thereof. That is what IPods and cameras are for. A cell phone is there to make calls with and only in emergencies for photos or sound.

[OwenD]

If you want decent photos - get a DSLR
If you want decent video - get a video camera. As easy as that.

not entirely true - the season 6 finale of the TV show 'House' was filmed entirely with a Canon 5d Mk2 DSLR. not to mention george lucas is filming his new blockbuster 'red tails' using dslr.



I personally would get a DSLR with video - technology has come along way...

[Dirk]

If you want decent photos - get a DSLR

If you want decent video - get a video camera. As easy as that.

I disagree! Look at some of the sample video, but maybe also chat to SimonB for real experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f7l-Z4NF70

[TimJNB]

There is no doubt at all that there are DSLRs capable of shooting video and doing it very, very well indeed in terms of image quality.

It is no longer true that the video quality on a DSLR is compromised.

However, and this is where you have to focus your attention, the ergonomics of video cameras and stills cameras are very different.

Using a DSLR to film video can be awkward when compared to using a video camera.

The shape and size of a DSLR and the location of all the controls are optimised for shooting stills rather than video.

By far the best way to determine if you're going to be ok with that is to find someone willing to lend you a DSLR that is able to shoot video and to play with it for a few hours shooting bits of video so that you get a feel the camera.

Depending on what kind of filming you're going to be doing it may not be an issue at all and you may be perfectly happy with it.

For me, having DSLR with the capability of shooting video is great because I mainly shoot stills but having the video facility right there for the odd occasion when I would like a bit of video is brilliant.

If I was shooting a lot of video and if that was my main purpose then I would want a dedicated video camera.

Tim

[Johnna]

Being in the industry myself I agree that the 5D MK2 is awesome as far as video capability is concerned. Remember that full HD broadcast is between 2 and 4k (depending on where you are in the world) But I fully agree with the ergonomics issue as well, also remember that if you are shooting pre planned acted shots you can carefully select your lens and re-take the shot if you have to. When shooting wildlife (or 4x4 action) the pre planning stage is much more difficult. Dedicated video cameras have a much greater range as far as exposure is concerned. If you are shooting with a DSLR you are limited by the lens you have attached. You may also find that autofocus will not work in film mode. Once again the old horses for courses comes to mind. Good Luck!

[Biggles]

For normal day to day use my 500D has taken over from the camcorder that is now gathering dust. Video is excellent and you have the advantage of utilising your lenses for film. So I now have a wider and a longer zoom on than I had with the camcorder. Viseo quality is excellent and proberbly better than my camcorder. There are limitations, like the auto focus motor noise coming over the video. And the lack of a full 30fps when in the HD mode. It only does 20 IIRC. But unless I am filming fast moving objects its fine.

[kevjones]

Firstly FrancoisM you have a nice camera the Canon 350d is a nice Camera. Obviously I don't know what the shutter cycles are but if you have lots of cycles left keep it. The 350d has an APC size sensor which is good for wild life etc. It is a good camera and will take as good a pics as any in APC camera including the 450 etc etc. I don't know what your split is namely how much video vs stills do you want to shoot. If you are looking at the convenience factor of being able to shoot a video or two with your still camera then buy the new Canon but KEEP your old 350 you wont regret having two bodies. If you want to take more serious video's then buy a video camera. Canon arguably do not make the best Video equipment in the world and once again I say arguably the Sony Video cameras tend to score higher in unbiased reviews. (Now just watch this thread turn into a croc about which camera is better.)

Dedicated Video Cameras still have advantages over still / video combinations. (I agree thy are becoming smaller advantages with technology improvements) but if you look at what you are going to spend on a 500 or 550d you will find a really good Video Camera in that price range. I have a Sony 700 for my stills a Nikon p100 for a carry around camera (I do not use the video on the Nikon) and a Panasonic Video Camera. I bought the Panasonic for my own reasons it is not the best camera out there but serves my purpose )

There are many websites that you can surf to get some good comparisons via unbiased reviews.

[dieselfan]

I have both good SLR and GOOD comsumer Camcorder TM-700 +-R12k. Honest opinion? Forget video quality, if you want that good bokeh you'll only get that on an SLR and now an SLR with video.

I've learnt that NOT one camcorder's quality is anywhere close build wise to even entry level SLR's. I've had the camcorder now for 2 weeks, its ok in that I've never really liked video and for the wife to video the baby but for "actual" use, use the SLR one. I went with the advice of others saying a good cam corder knocks colours out a SLR I doubt that and have one of the best rated camcorders for 2010.

On hind site I should've bought a cheapish camcorder and waited for SLR's video to mature a bit more - still too pricey for features.

[ganymede]

Another issue with some DSLR's is that the CCD is prone to breaking because of heat when used continuously for video. I think Canon recommends 20 minutes video at a time to let the CCD cool down. Dedicated video cameras probably make better provision for this.

[SimonB]

I disagree! Look at some of the sample video, but maybe also chat to SimonB for real experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f7l-Z4NF70

Thanks Dirk... ;-)

I will never agree with the statement that if you want video get a proper video camera. Unless off course we are talking really high end (and a 12k video camera is not high end ) OR for Joe Average's SWAMBO who wants to video the new baby's first bath in an ammo box and just wants to switch on and shoot. Then even a decent cell phone camera will do.

The only thing I can add further on the DSLR video issue (besides ergonomics that Tim and other have mentioned) is the lack of autofocus and lack of stereo sound.

These are the (remaining) issues why I still prefer the video on supercompacts.

Ergonomics will probably never be fixed on any camera that is principally designed as a still... the other two issues are not that major and will change eventually (if not changed already).

[FrancoisM]

Thanks every one for all the input.
I think I have made up my mind, I will get a video camera as there is no auto focus on the dsrl's.
This can be frustrating as everything can be out of focus the whole time and a lot of my still photo's is out of focus with auto focus.
So as a amateur I think a video camera will do fine.

[Dirk]

Simon so the DSLR liken the EOS 550, is there no auto focus? I didn't realise that!

[SimonB]

Simon so the DSLR liken the EOS 550, is there no auto focus? I didn't realise that!

My apologies...I said autofocus... I meant continuous focus. Autofocus can be achieved BEFORE you start shooting, but then wont change focus once you start shooting... which I guess amounts to the same thing.

[Frans Reichert]

I have been to the Uruguay press room this afternoon ( please see this tread also: http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...ad.php?t=59540 )

And there I spot this guy with one of the Canon Cameras you were discussing!!



Except that he was looking like a amateur between all these big HD cameras, he also looked uncomfortable when operating it!!

[Biggles]

My apologies...I said autofocus... I meant continuous focus. Autofocus can be achieved BEFORE you start shooting, but then wont change focus once you start shooting... which I guess amounts to the same thing.

You hold the focus button while filming and it focuses. The drawback is you hear the auto-focus motor over the audio. On the 500D atleast... I just double checked and it definitely focused while recording.

The reason for this is probably the noise of the autofocus motor. It comes through loud and if it was going all the time it would ruin the clip. But it will refocus while filming on command.

[Dirk]

Possibly interesting thread over at ODP to follow on the subject.

http://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/forum/...ad.php?t=18584

[SimonB]

You hold the focus button while filming and it focuses.

That's not autofocus

I haven't really noticed any significant focus noise, but then I tend to avoid change in focus nowadays.

I know

[Biggles]

That's not autofocus

I haven't really noticed any significant focus noise, but then I tend to avoid change in focus nowadays.

I know

Yes it is... you are confusing continous focus with auto focus. Autofocus is when you press a button the camera automatically focuses as opposed to manual focus when you move the focus ring yourself. Continous focus is when the camera is continously refocusing automatically as in a video camcorder.