DSLR vs. HD camcorder

Joe Goldsberry · January 27th, 2011, 03:10 PM

Nikon is rumored to be releasing an update to the D700 soon called the D800. This camera should give the Canon 5D a run for it's money.

Rumored D800 specs: Nikon D800: Updated Nikon D800 specs

Joe

Erik Norgaard · January 27th, 2011, 05:10 PM

Thanks all for your replies.

By pure coincidence, yesterday I had the chance to see things in action: A flat mate's friend wanted to shoot a music video in our flat and brought a long a guy with the full kit: A Canon 5D and 550D backup, crane, dolly steady cam, external monitor what have you, and of course a whole slew of lenses... everything except for sound recording since that would be the studio track.

Of course, I never had in mind to grow such a kit. Never the less, watching him work - with much respect it did seem like he had to use the entire kit since he'd bothered to bring it, but then what do I know - I saw that it was everything but handy. Might get great footage - if your subject is patient enough to let you hook everything up.

So, I've decided to go with a video camera rather than the DSLR route. By the time I need to upgrade my DSLR body, I can look for some option with video.

I'm waiting for the Canon XF100, nice compact, fits in the bag. I usually say that the best photo or footage you get with the camera you have - literally speaking - namely the camera you're willing to drag around. The XF100 wins hands down I think.

Henry Williams · January 27th, 2011, 06:16 PM

There is another advantage to DSLR's or hybrids like the VG10 that hasn't yet been mentioned. With a fixed lens camera you're having to start from scratch again in a few years time. With an interchangeable lens camera, by contrast, the lenses that you've bought will hold their value. Coupled with the lesser cost of the camera bodies you can make a substantial financial saving in the long term - or just sell the lenses and switch back to a new fixed lens system if that's the way the wind is blowing by then. Plus with systems like the NEX-5 allowing professionals to dip their toes and still also afford a new fixed lens main camera the option of hybrid or dslr shooting does become more attractive, particularly when they're used as a second camera for events work to get real wow shots, or on a music video/short film where the increased amount of fiddle involved in their use is mitigated by image quality that is pretty much unmatched at their price point.

It's also worth noting that there are now a number of DSLR/hybrid systems that have both good autofocus and image stabilization when shooting video, and that there are several models out there at the moment that have no limits on record times. I'm not meaning to evangelise, I agree with the other posters that these cameras have their limitations, but used effectively they can be a very valuable tool.

Greg Lam · January 31st, 2011, 11:27 AM

Hi Erik,

I know that you went with a video camera, but for anyone else trying to see the differences between video cameras and dslrs, I have an article up on EventDV Magazine that covers off the big ones.

Switching From Video Cameras to DSLRs

Cheers,

Greg

Erik Norgaard · January 31st, 2011, 05:39 PM

Thanks Greg, I didn't go just yet as the camera I have in mind is not yet available. Anyway, I just read your article, it's good, it added details to what I knew and included issues I hadn't thought of. And it confirmed my choice: I think I will have more fun with an ordinary video camera.

When eventually I need a new DSLR body I will look at video as that added feature that might just be worth the extra.

January 27th, 2011, 03:10 PM	#16
Joe Goldsberry Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Whitman, Mass Posts: 101	Nikon is rumored to be releasing an update to the D700 soon called the D800. This camera should give the Canon 5D a run for it's money. Rumored D800 specs: Nikon D800: Updated Nikon D800 specs Joe __________________ http://JoeGoldsberry.com

January 31st, 2011, 11:27 AM	#19
Greg Lam Tourist Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2	Article about video cameras and dslrs Hi Erik, I know that you went with a video camera, but for anyone else trying to see the differences between video cameras and dslrs, I have an article up on EventDV Magazine that covers off the big ones. Switching From Video Cameras to DSLRs Cheers, Greg

January 27th, 2011, 05:10 PM	#17
Erik Norgaard Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 238	Thanks all for your replies. By pure coincidence, yesterday I had the chance to see things in action: A flat mate's friend wanted to shoot a music video in our flat and brought a long a guy with the full kit: A Canon 5D and 550D backup, crane, dolly steady cam, external monitor what have you, and of course a whole slew of lenses... everything except for sound recording since that would be the studio track. Of course, I never had in mind to grow such a kit. Never the less, watching him work - with much respect it did seem like he had to use the entire kit since he'd bothered to bring it, but then what do I know - I saw that it was everything but handy. Might get great footage - if your subject is patient enough to let you hook everything up. So, I've decided to go with a video camera rather than the DSLR route. By the time I need to upgrade my DSLR body, I can look for some option with video. I'm waiting for the Canon XF100, nice compact, fits in the bag. I usually say that the best photo or footage you get with the camera you have - literally speaking - namely the camera you're willing to drag around. The XF100 wins hands down I think.

January 27th, 2011, 06:16 PM	#18
Henry Williams Major Player Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewisham, London, United Kingdom Posts: 408	There is another advantage to DSLR's or hybrids like the VG10 that hasn't yet been mentioned. With a fixed lens camera you're having to start from scratch again in a few years time. With an interchangeable lens camera, by contrast, the lenses that you've bought will hold their value. Coupled with the lesser cost of the camera bodies you can make a substantial financial saving in the long term - or just sell the lenses and switch back to a new fixed lens system if that's the way the wind is blowing by then. Plus with systems like the NEX-5 allowing professionals to dip their toes and still also afford a new fixed lens main camera the option of hybrid or dslr shooting does become more attractive, particularly when they're used as a second camera for events work to get real wow shots, or on a music video/short film where the increased amount of fiddle involved in their use is mitigated by image quality that is pretty much unmatched at their price point. It's also worth noting that there are now a number of DSLR/hybrid systems that have both good autofocus and image stabilization when shooting video, and that there are several models out there at the moment that have no limits on record times. I'm not meaning to evangelise, I agree with the other posters that these cameras have their limitations, but used effectively they can be a very valuable tool.

January 31st, 2011, 05:39 PM	#20
Erik Norgaard Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 238	Thanks Greg, I didn't go just yet as the camera I have in mind is not yet available. Anyway, I just read your article, it's good, it added details to what I knew and included issues I hadn't thought of. And it confirmed my choice: I think I will have more fun with an ordinary video camera. When eventually I need a new DSLR body I will look at video as that added feature that might just be worth the extra.