Filming a music festival aftermovie / highlight reel - DSLR or traditional camcorder?

[AlexNOR]

First let me start by introducing myself. My name is Alexander, I'm a part time photographer from Norway. I've been doing photography for about 4-5 years now, and for the last year or so I've had an increasing interest in video.

For the past 3 years now I've been attending and photographing the three biggest summer music festivals in my town/area. The feedback have been great every year, and I really enjoy shooting these events. This year I am also thinking about offering to do some sort of highlight reel or aftermovie. Now the first festival of the year is already over, and the next one is in a little less then 5 weeks, and the last one beeing in august. I was thinking on doing a trial run during the next festival so I am better prepared for the last and biggest one in August.

Now, to the reason of my post here on these forums. I am struggeling on deciding wheter I should choose a DSLR (Canon 60D) or a traditional camcorder (XA20) for the job. I already know I want a camera with a swivel screen and it needs to be light and portable while beeing able to do 60fps either 720p or 1080p. The end product will be for web use, Youtube, Vimeo or similar. I am not sure if I'll be doing any audio, if so it will only be so I can get lucky enough to grab some good or funny comments.

But I have no experience at all with the traditional type of camcorder, I have only ever worked with DSLRs both for video and for photography. I had pretty much already decided on using the 60D when I one day surfing the web came accross the newly announced and soon to be available XA20.

I am thinking one of the following setups:
- 60D w/magic lantern
- Manfrotto 651B video monopod
- Canon 24-105 f/4L IS USM
- Canon 70-300 f/3.5-5.6L IS USM -OR- Canon 70-200 f/4L IS USM
- Rokinon 14mm T3.1 Cine Lens
- Some type of hot shoe handle for easier low-shots
- Some type of sun-shade for the LCD screen
- Rode videomic pro (optional)
- Vari ND filter

Pro's:
+ I already know how to operate and work with this equipment.
+ I already own a few of the items listed.
+ Good low light capability (it won't get too dark at this time of year so 2.8 glass or faster is not really needed)
+ Easy to work shallow depth of field
+ Can get very wide compared to XA20

Con's:
- Quite a lot to carry around compared to the other option
- Not as fast and easy to work with
- Still need to purchase most of the items

OR

- Canon XA20
- Manfrotto 651B video monopod
- Some type of sun-shade for the LCD screen
- Some type of XLR shotgun mic (optional)

Pro's
+ Very lightweight and portable
+ Will be easier for grab shots
+ No need for lens changes
+ 1080p 60fps
+ f/1.8-f/2.8 which should yield good performance once light start dropping
+ Sounds to have very good IS for handheld / walking shots without the monopod
+ Top handle with audio control and built in pre-amp

Con's
- Limited wide-angle capabilities
- Larger depth of field makes it harder to isolate subjects
- Anything else?

Now the 2nd option with the XA20 to me is very tempting because it is alot less gear to carry around, worry about, and keep track of. 1080p 60fps is also a big plus. Also the audio will be easier to manage. But I really am stuck between two stones here, I am not able to decide on which to get and I've been thinking about it for quite a few days now.

I would be very thankful for any help or advice in this matter. As I've said before I have no previous experience with the traditional camcorder style camera like the XA20, which looks like a very viable option on paper.

- Alex

 

[lyrov]

Welcome to the forum Alexander!
There is no objective answer to your question and maybe thats the reason you dont have replies...its all about the look you want for your video and only you can choose what you prefer...
I have an XF100, 60D and 600D. When it comes to the choise of what I ll use, I find myself grabbing the DSLRs almost always! I choose the camcorder ONLY when I know that it ll be impossible to get the job done with the DSLRs.
Why I do that? Because for some reason I love the look of those large sensors, I love the control of DOF, I love that famous ''cinematic'' look!
I know I didnt help much...just shared my personal preference...

 

[AlexNOR]

Lyrov, thank you for your reply and for the welcome.

Your are actually helping alot more then you think. Even though the camcorder looks to be the best choice by far on paper (to me atleast), I feel very hesitant to go for it because I too love the control of DOF and the so called cinematic look. The more I've been thinking about it the past few days the more I've been leaning on going for the DSLR solution.

- Alex

 

[silvertonesx24]

You've done a good job of covering the key differences.

For me, it comes down to the final edit piece. If you plan on shooting entire songs or sets from a fixed position, camcorder is the clear choice- patch in sound, few recording limits, stable. If you're looking to grab hundreds of handheld clips to compile into a highlight type reel (which is what it sounds like you want), DSLR offers the clear advantage- smaller and lighter, shallow DOF look.

Below is something we did for a small festival, all shot easily on 7d and GH2 on PVC shoulder rigs.

 

[AlexNOR]

silverstonesx24, thank you for your reply.

You are absolutely right, I want the end product to be a hightlight type reel with many short clips taken handheld or from an alternate lightweight "rund-and-gun" setup. Your video (nice work by the way) is a good example of what style I am hoping to achieve.

I have decided to go with the DSLR setup mainly because of the reasons you two have stated above. With the end product in mind I don't think I can get the look I want from a smaller sensor camcorder. Thank you for your time and help.


- Alex