DSLR comparison

G

gi-jones

Well-known member
Does anyone have a link to a recent comparison of the different models available? I am going to need to choose a camera for my company pretty soon, and I feel a little out of touch. At this point I'm pretty sure that we're going for a DSLR, but video will be the main thing here, so I need to get an overview of the possibilities.

Best regards
Jonas
 
pretty much ALL video enabled DSLRs are capable of great footage in the right hands. AND in the RIGHT SITUATIONS.
it will come down to WHAT you shoot. HOW you shoot it and what your USES / EXPECTATIONS are.

tells us more about what you do. and we can help you make your choice...
 
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Well, we're going to be doing a lot of different stuff, so I guess I'm more looking for a pros/cons list right now.

I've been looking around though, and it seems to me that the 7D, D7000 or even the 5D (not considering the sensor size) performs pretty much the same. What really concerns me about all of these are the file formats. I used to have an HVX200 I really liked the P2 files, but all these new ones shoot some form of H264 (even the AF-101 - what the hell were they thinking?). Looking at these files I really feel that I loose a lot of the color-grading-friendliness that I loved on the HVX. What do you think?
 
well. i wouldnt even try to compare any DSLR to any video camera - two totally different horses. for vastly different courses.

as an old school guy. its been hard to get my head around shooting in what's previously been considered a delivery format (h.264) but thats just the way its going i guess. and yeah, its equally hard to find comfort in little SD cards when im used to robust P2 media. ive heard about 3 stories ever about a P2 card failing. but about 3 a month about somebody's SD card losing data.

as far as i know. none of the DSLRs benefit from the 4:2:2 color sampling that the hvx200 enjoys. but with that said, i think we have all seen some beautifully graded DSLR footage. as well as good looking chromakey results. so i wouldnt let that bother me too much.

and it sounds like youve done your research. so youre probably aware of canons issue with moire. and that they have a 12min single clip limit. and that only two models, the 7d and 1dmklV (i think thats the second one) have HD out via HDMI while recording.

i have owned a t3i, 60d and gh2 and have extensively used the 7d and 5dll. and my biggest problems with ALL current DSLRs from any manufacturer is the CMOS/rolling shutter and the "jello vision" and micro-jitters associated with it. i see so many people (especially the less experienced folks) just wielding a DSLR around like a video camera, completely unaware that all their trees and light poles have turned to licorice. and i guess thats really where the two roads are most different. if you shoot a lot of run and gun, eng style stuff. a DSLR (in their current state) probably isnt the best tool for you.

here is where i stand on the whole deal. there are basically three reasons to choose a DSLR over a proper video camera:
1. if your work is primarily creative, dramatic, feature / indie stuff where you need the easy control of DOF
2. you shoot a lot of low light situations
3. you need your camera to do double-duty video and stills

i personally shoot a wide variety of things. local tv, corporate, some music and events, some stills here and there. the least of which is "feature" type work. but i need my camera(s) to cover all of that. so i've kept my hpx170 as my video camera and chose the panasonic GH2 as my DSLR. i chose the GH2 mainly because it has the most options for format, resolution and frame rate. and it has live HD out to a monitor - which is absolutely CRUCIAL in most of my situations.

with all of that said. there are at least half a dozen VERY in depth discussions here on the forum that discuss the detailed pros and cons of each brand and model. here is one:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?260581-Need-Advice
 
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