50D vs 7D

[cue]

Hi

I currently own an HVX200 that I don't use much anymore commercially but will probably hold on to, to shoot personal projects from time to time.

Originally when i considered buying a new dSLR I was drawn to the 7D as a 1080p upgrade from the HVX and a great dSLR in one, but after closer inspection I have a few questions/ drawbacks.
-is the 7D clunky to shoot video in without a bunch of added accessories?
-The price of the 50D is obviously easier to manage as a personal investment. is the down grade to no video capabilities worth it if i own the HVX?
-Is the video quality of the 7D much better than the HVX in terms of saturation/ noise?
-Finally i know this is a video forum, but how does the 50d compare to the 7d as a still camera from someone who has used both?

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

 

[nicksnow]

Check out the t2i, it's cheaper than the 50d and has the same chip and video features as the 7d.

 

[PerroneFord]

The following is my personal view, so take that for what it's worth....

-is the 7D clunky to shoot video in without a bunch of added accessories?

I don't know what "clunky" means. But it's an SLR. And it feels like one in your hand. So don't hold it in your hands. I've never understood the idea of holding a bare camera in the hands anyway. Use a shoulder mount, fig rig, tripod, dolly, crane, jib, ANYTHING. But get the camera out of your hands. It doesn't look good no matter WHAT camera you've got.

-The price of the 50D is obviously easier to manage as a personal investment. is the down grade to no video capabilities worth it if i own the HVX?

No. Buy the 550D and get the best of both worlds. The 7D is a better still camera for sure, and probably slightly better for video, but you'd need to add a 35mm adapter and a LOT of light to the HVX to get anywhere close to what a 550D could do.

-Is the video quality of the 7D much better than the HVX in terms of saturation/ noise?

Not even in the same league. Though Saturation is controllable in both cameras so not sure what you mean there.

-Finally i know this is a video forum, but how does the 50d compare to the 7d as a still camera from someone who has used both?

I've used both, though not extensively for either. Frankly, the image quality from both is excellent as far as I am concerned. If you're a pro, you should be on a different camrea. If you're not a pro, then either one should do all you need.

 

[Richard J. Johnson]

The T2i has most of the same features as the 7D, not quite all. I Have both and no one can ever the tell the difference between the two. Despite all of the DSLR draw backs in general you really can't go wrong with the 7D or the T2i. As long as you know what you are getting into.

And what Perrone said.

 

[Lammy]

Hi

I currently own an HVX200 that I don't use much anymore commercially but will probably hold on to, to shoot personal projects from time to time.

Originally when i considered buying a new dSLR I was drawn to the 7D as a 1080p upgrade from the HVX and a great dSLR in one, but after closer inspection I have a few questions/ drawbacks.
-is the 7D clunky to shoot video in without a bunch of added accessories?

Yeah, you'd want to master some bare handholding techniques if you don't want shaky crap footage. Basically holding it in a certain way, using wider lenses, using the strap to push far from your head and stabilise etc.

That said, you probably already own a tripod, and probably would buy an Image Stabilised lens anyway.

-The price of the 50D is obviously easier to manage as a personal investment. is the down grade to no video capabilities worth it if i own the HVX?

I can't answer that, it's up to you. I notice you haven't considered the 5550D/t2i, which is roughly the same price as the 50D and has video. However, I would not jump the gun to the the 550D because ergonomically it's very clunky and not professional looking/feeling to hold as the 50D/7D/5D.

-Is the video quality of the 7D much better than the HVX in terms of saturation/ noise?

No. It isn't, I think the HVX has more of an even and filmy grain whereas the Canon SLRs have a blotchy processed soft noise to it.

However I would say the Canon DSLRS look more aethetically pleasing look due to the colour depth, depth of field, and lenses choices.

-Finally i know this is a video forum, but how does the 50d compare to the 7d as a still camera from someone who has used both?

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

They're both near indistinguishable for my uses (I only ever shoot 100-400 ISO) , above 12mpx is fine to me, and I don't ever need to take 8fps a sec.

 

[TooTallTim]

No. It isn't, I think the HVX has more of an even and filmy grain whereas the Canon SLRs have a blotchy processed soft noise to it.

Saying that, you have to push the 7D pretty far before it starts becoming noisy. The HVX image deteriorates so much when pushed in low-light conditions, whereas the 7D will give you a perfectly acceptable image using the same light.

 

[Shaneuk]

The 7D is the clear winner here.

The Hvx is terrible compared to the 7D, Bad lowlight, the 7Ds sensor dwarfs the Hvx's.

The 7D has a better build quality compared with the T2i and the 50D.

The 7D uses compact flash, which is a lot better than P2 and Sd. (Because it's a lot cheaper than p2.)

The 7D is water proof, can come in handy.

And that's just off the top of my head, there's plenty more advantages.

 

[Richard J. Johnson]

The 7D is the clear winner here.

The Hvx is terrible compared to the 7D, Bad lowlight, the 7Ds sensor dwarfs the Hvx's.

The 7D has a better build quality compared with the T2i and the 50D.

The 7D uses compact flash, which is a lot better than P2 and Sd. (Because it's a lot cheaper than p2.)

The 7D is water proof, can come in handy.

And that's just off the top of my head, there's plenty more advantages.

There is just so much wrong with this post.

The HVX is far from Terrible. Low light I will agree with.

Better Build Quality. No way. Especially the T2i. I came from the HVX and I put that thing through the ringer and nothing broke...ever.

Compact Flash Is no way A LOT better than P2. No way. More costly sure... Better. I would not say that.

I would love to hear your "plenty more advantages". Because I can only think of a few. I Love my 7D but I would never say it's Better than a HVX. They both have pluses and minuses.rogar-BigGrin(DBG)

 

[Cieloent]

Hvx and 7d are just different kind of cameras. Personally I like the look of HDSLRs better due to the larger sensor and dof. Something the Hvx simply does not have.

Now for color correction hands down the HVX is better because it records to a larger color space and it's P2 form of recording is compressed a lot less. If anyone has done some heavily color compressing with both formats ( like I have ) you would know that you can push P2 material a lot more, A LOT MORE. I was actually shocked by how much you could push the mids without it falling apart. Try to do that with Canon Hdslr footage and artifacts will show up right away.


Other than that knock I would say I like the Canon HDSLR a lot more + it's less expensive. At the end of the day it's only a tool.... If you are considering a 7D I would suggest a Canon t2i as many have already pointed it, it provides the same image quality.


Buy a battery grip for your Canon t2i and it will feel a lot better!

 

[cue]

Thanks for all the suggestions I think for my purposes the 50D will work great...
I will have the HVX for video work (what it is made for) and the 50D for still stuff.

I really couldn't get used of the 7D as a video camera. It certainly is a still camera first and video camera second. To that end the 50d is just fine for my skill level until I want to upgrade to a full frame version. In the mean time I have a great video camera that I think operates better than the 7D in the HVX.

Thanks again for the comments!

 

[Cieloent]

Thanks for all the suggestions I think for my purposes the 50D will work great...
I will have the HVX for video work (what it is made for) and the 50D for still stuff.

I really couldn't get used of the 7D as a video camera. It certainly is a still camera first and video camera second. To that end the 50d is just fine for my skill level until I want to upgrade to a full frame version. In the mean time I have a great video camera that I think operates better than the 7D in the HVX.

Thanks again for the comments!

lol, what it's made for does not matter. A tool is a tool. There is a reason Hollywood directors, tv show directors and now many famous music video directors are using HDSLRs for their work.

Also you will never get the look from a HVX like you can with an HDSLR without expensive adapters. Since you already own an HVX I would easily sell it and you can buy a Canon t2i + an Hmc40.

But hey what do I know...... A lot......

 

[BradM]

Hvx and 7d are just different kind of cameras. Personally I like the look of HDSLRs better due to the larger sensor and dof. Something the Hvx simply does not have.

Now for color correction hands down the HVX is better because it records to a larger color space and it's P2 form of recording is compressed a lot less. If anyone has done some heavily color compressing with both formats ( like I have ) you would know that you can push P2 material a lot more, A LOT MORE. I was actually shocked by how much you could push the mids without it falling apart. Try to do that with Canon Hdslr footage and artifacts will show up right away.


Other than that knock I would say I like the Canon HDSLR a lot more + it's less expensive. At the end of the day it's only a tool.... If you are considering a 7D I would suggest a Canon t2i as many have already pointed it, it provides the same image quality.


Buy a battery grip for your Canon t2i and it will feel a lot better!

Hey I am considering buying a T2i and it would be great to see some of this footage you have shot with the camera. And maybe some HVX footage you've shot and CC'd as well for comparison would really sell the thing I think. Vimeo etc ?

 

[deltoidjohn]

lol, what it's made for does not matter.

Yes it does.

Give a 7d to a soccer mum and the video will come out crap... because that's not what it's made for.

Not everybody has the money, knowledge, equipment or time while on set/location (or when shooting 'personal stuff' like the op) to worry about stabilisers, changing lenses, pulling focus constantly (maybe with a folow focus), HD monitoring through HDMI, controlling exposure/aperture with a matte box and ND filters, rolling shutter issues, double system sound, etc, etc.

The 50d is a great stills camera and, video feautures aside, absolutely blows the 550d away - 6.5fps stills, CF cards, bigger, more rugged body, better viewfinder etc. If you need a still camera and can't picture yourself going through all the effort required to use a DSLR for video and would prefer to keep your camcorder for it's inteded purpose, then the 50d is a great choice.

 

[Lammy]

The 50d is a great stills camera and, video feautures aside, absolutely blows the 550d away - 6.5fps stills, CF cards, bigger, more rugged body, better viewfinder etc. If you need a still camera and can't picture yourself going through all the effort required to use a DSLR for video and would prefer to keep your camcorder for it's inteded purpose, then the 50d is a great choice.

Ahah, yes agreed. It's never just about features when it comes to photography.

But if the original poster does change his mind and decides to get a 550D, I'd suggest you play with one for as long as you can in the shops, and decide how much of your photography work you'd feel comfortable doing with that.

Although I own a 550D/t2i... just try and use its rubbish pentamirror viewfinder to manually focus. It's near impossible I tell you. Dark and things don't seem to appear in focus when they should be.

Solution: Buy/rent expensive autofocus lenses. Or use on liveview, focus there, then bear the long time delay between the liveview turning off and shutter firing. BUT... it makes a nice "psst!" sound that the 50D/7D/5D totally lack (those cameras make a "kuck-clunk!").

Ergonomics: Everything is quite right handed heavy in on the 550D, so be prepared for your right thumb and index finger exercises.

If you get annoyed by the small-form factor (your right hand will ache after 1 hour of a photo session, trust me) - consider buying a battery grip and hand strap. That'd knock you back an extra $200 for the official battery grip and hand grip, or half that for the chinese after-markets. Unfortunately holding the camera in its regular orientation still feels highly cramped because its still narrow, although holding it in portrait with the grip feels like the 50D/7D/5D would normally.

I only have the 550D because it's a lovely all-rounder for video and stills, but I confess it's not the nicest stills camera to use =]

If you change your mind and really like the DSLR look, you could always sell your HVX and get a 5D, a cheap shoulder and Zoom h4n audio recorder plus a few manual lenses...

 

[Cieloent]

Yes it does.

Give a 7d to a soccer mum and the video will come out crap... because that's not what it's made for.

Not everybody has the money, knowledge, equipment or time while on set/location (or when shooting 'personal stuff' like the op) to worry about stabilisers, changing lenses, pulling focus constantly (maybe with a folow focus), HD monitoring through HDMI, controlling exposure/aperture with a matte box and ND filters, rolling shutter issues, double system sound, etc, etc.

The 50d is a great stills camera and, video feautures aside, absolutely blows the 550d away - 6.5fps stills, CF cards, bigger, more rugged body, better viewfinder etc. If you need a still camera and can't picture yourself going through all the effort required to use a DSLR for video and would prefer to keep your camcorder for it's inteded purpose, then the 50d is a great choice.

What you are talking about? First and foremost you can give a soccer mom any camera and if they do not know what they are doing nothing matters anyways. So if I give a soccer mom a film camera that means she will magically know how to use it just because that's what it's meant for? Come on man, use your brain.......

Second why are you talking about photos on a video forum? I could care less if the 50d can take pictures of actual ghost flying through the air, that means NOTHING when talking about video.


Second one day in your life when if you achieve to go far you will have to learn film. So your going to be dealing with rigs, pulling focus, lenses etc.

It's pointless to argue , lets just say good luck

 

[pveal]

You have no idea what you are talking about, go sit in a corner with a dunce cap on. First and foremost you can give a soccer mom any camera and if they do not know what they are doing nothing matters anyways. So if I give a soccer mom a film camera that means she will magically know how to use it? Sit down buddy you need to use your brain.......

Second why are you talking about photos on a video forum? I could care less if the 50d can take pictures of actual ghost flying through the air, that means NOTHING when talking about video.


Second after you come out of your corner with your dunce cap on you will learn that the day you ever become anything in your life and learn about film your going to have to learn about rigs, pulling focus, lenses etc.

It's pointless to argue with a nobody such as yourself.

Oh come on, enough of the personal sh*t.
The soccer mum point was totally valid.

 

[William_Robinette]

I don't know what "clunky" means. But it's an SLR. And it feels like one in your hand. So don't hold it in your hands. I've never understood the idea of holding a bare camera in the hands anyway. Use a shoulder mount, fig rig, tripod, dolly, crane, jib, ANYTHING. But get the camera out of your hands. It doesn't look good no matter WHAT camera you've got.
.

Ok, I can understand this if you are using a dslr but really, handholding almost any other video camera out there is easy as sin. If one can't do it I'm voting operator error. Now I'm not saying that footage wouldn't be improved by some sort of brace or support, but really if you can't hand hold an HVX and get good footage consistently you are doing something wrong.

 

[PerroneFord]

Ok, I can understand this if you are using a dslr but really, handholding almost any other video camera out there is easy as sin. If one can't do it I'm voting operator error. Now I'm not saying that footage wouldn't be improved by some sort of brace or support, but really if you can't hand hold an HVX and get good footage consistently you are doing something wrong.

What's your final display?

Handheld footage displayed on a 30 or 40" screen looks ok. Handheld footage on a 30 or 40 FOOT screen... not so much. I don't even pretend to be good on the camera, and I refuse to be camera op on films. I just finished doing it where the director was dead in the water, but that's the only time I'll do it. I do it for myself when I have to. But I won't handhold any camera I have. Shouldermount Panasonic, DVX, EX1, or 550D. All of them are mounted on sticks, fig rig, shouldermount rails, or SOMETHING.

Maybe others just have a ton more success at it than me. I don't know.

 

[Cieloent]

Oh come on, enough of the personal sh*t.
The soccer mum point was totally valid.

Um who are you again? Also my post was modified as it was too harsh but the soccer mom makes no sense as I just debunked it with a film camera analogy. Truth is you have to know what you are doing.

If you people for whatever reason do not like dslrs why are you even posting here? A Canon HDSLR that has full manual controls, records 24fps and other modes + outputs a high definition signal how in the world can you people say it wasn't meant for video?



People in this thread are too funny here, I'm done

 

[Lammy]

What you are talking about? First and foremost you can give a soccer mom any camera and if they do not know what they are doing nothing matters anyways. So if I give a soccer mom a film camera that means she will magically know how to use it just because that's what it's meant for? Come on man, use your brain.......

Give a soccer mom HVX, and it'd probably look nicer and capture the moment easier. In terms of stabilised shots, autofocus, and exposure with little effort dude. Every time I've passed my DSLRs to a gf or a friend to do video, oh man it's terrible. That's his point...

Second why are you talking about photos on a video forum? I could care less if the 50d can take pictures of actual ghost flying through the air, that means NOTHING when talking about video.

We're talking about answering the OP's vague(ish) and broad questions if he should spend 40% more for a 7D for just its photo ability rather than getting a 50D as he's already happy with his HVX.

Second one day in your life when if you achieve to go far you will have to learn film. So your going to be dealing with rigs, pulling focus, lenses etc.

It's pointless to argue , lets just say good luck

Well that's abit personal and taking it abit too far, just because he disagreed with you about the 550D's form factor isn't it?

Um who are you again? Also my post was modified as it was too harsh but the soccer mom makes no sense as I just debunked it with a film camera analogy. Truth is you have to know what you are doing.

pveal is an incredibly talented filmmaker who was one of the first guys to recognise the DSLRS for narrative filmmaking. http://vimeo.com/5789347 <-- very good!

Well the filmmaker analogy is fine but not everyone is a 'filmmaker', or 'one man band', or 'operator' on these boards. Some are event videographers. Many are hobbyists that don't need to get rigs or learn stuff that a 3 man sized camera team need to know.

People in this thread are too funny here, I'm done

Dude, you're being overly harsh. You can head off to cinematography.com, I like that place. And most people there most certainly don't own expensive rigs or gear...