I need a video camera recommendation

[Ben Jennings]

Hi all,

I want to get a video camera of some sort, as I now have a baby on the way I figure it's as good as excuse as any.

Now I have been thinking of getting a Canon DSLR which has video support (such as 1100D, 500D, 550D etc), as I would be able to use all of my existing glass and it also gives me a second DSLR with a crop sensor (for those situations when x1.4 magnification could come in handy).

I was just wondering what peoples experiences were with using video recording on a DSLR, is it worth going down this route or should I pick up a dedicated video camera.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ben

 

[Hamish Gill]

Id have thought that a DSLR is a much better choice all things considered
Id get your self into jessops and try one out!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

I agree with Hamish, with a DSLR you can get sensation DOF (with the nifty fifty) and much better videoing characteristics using much more variety of lenses available, However with a video camera is pretty much an inflexible scenario.

I had a go on the video mode on my mates 500D, and I must say I was pretty amazed to be fair.... It sweeps the floor with my Sony HD R-UX3 handycam, and that has Carl Zeiss optics.
Personally, I'd get a DSLR, but of course that's my opinion
Hope that helps

 

[Chris Dodkin]

DSLR video is fantastic quality

BUT

The AF on the video side is terrible - if say you're trying to track a fast moving child in a few years time!

Fine for when they are just lying about or crawling though

You could always buy a small FLIP HD camera for the more mobile moments - easy to use, simple, great quality, portable to any event.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Is AF still that bad Chris?
Def try it in jessops Ben!
Maybe you could look at something like a Panasonic CSC ... Double up as a nice pocket camera for you

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Definitely not like a handycam Hamish - it's more like 'set focus point and shoot scene - change focus point and shoot next scene'.

When used as a stills camera, DSLRs have fantastic focus tracking. When in movie mode, that AF stem is now out of the loop as the mirror is up, so they use a slower AF system based on contrast detection off of the digital sensor.

So it's a trade-off - stunning images with possibilities of shallow DOF with a DSLR, vs less functional AF for moving targets.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Quick sample from the 5DII - took this as a tester to check image quality, DOF possibilities etc.

[video=youtube;IlKpewBCum4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlKpewBCum4&hd=1[/video]

The Mission - YouTube

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Sample using a Flip HD camera - taken using a suction-cup mount and time lapsed in iMovie

[video=youtube;m6T8sUsE64Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6T8sUsE64Y&hd=1[/video]

Highway 89 to Yarnell AZ - YouTube

 

[Ben Jennings]

Thanks guys, the advice is proving most helpful.