View Single Post
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 10-16-2009, 01:42 PM
Mr Guy's Avatar
Mr Guy Mr Guy is offline
Loves the moderation team!
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,566
Default

No current dSLR shoots "great" video. There's some great advantages to using a dSLR, but some pretty hefty restrictions as well. With tons of practice you can get some amazing results with dSLR video similar to professional rig, but currently it's no where near as easy to use as a pro rig. The main places where you'll take the hit are in autofocus speed and quality, ease in zooming.

I believe the Panasonic GH1 and the Canon 5D offer some degree of autofocus during video (the Canon, if I remember correctly, requires a firmware update). The Pentax K-7 has impressive video, but autofocus was disabled when it went to production, presumably because people complained about the slowness of it while the camera was being beta tested. I'm not sure on Nikon's offerings or the latest Canon 500D (Rebel T1i).

The dSLR mainly shines in aperture control, ie allowing those shallow depth of field effects that just can't be done with hand held camcorders. You can certainly get an HD camcorder that will outperform in MOST aspects any current dSLR AND a quality entry level dSLR for less than the K-7, 5D, or D90 plus the high quality fast zoom lens would cost you.

Where the video option gives you benefits is when you already have the glass, and want the convenience of the video option. The audio portion is going to be weak on ANY camera without adding an external mic. The K-7 has support for a hotshoe mounted mic, and I'd presume the other models do as well.

Here's some additional reading: Video DSLRs vs Camcorders

Camera comparison chart of the cameras I know of with video:
Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 6 cameras: Digital Photography Review
__________________

But Mom, Pentax IS rebellious
Pentax K-7, K20D
Pentax SMCP-FA 35mm f/2.0 AL -- Pentax SMC 50mm f/1.7 -- Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED -- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG IF Aspherical -- Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR
Reply With Quote