Questions about Canon 70D Video Features Compared to Sony RX10

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Denniscasey

Well-known member
I normally post in Panasonic HMC40 forum so not sure if this is right location for my question. I have started "shopping" for mirrorless/HDSLR/DSLR cameras to use for video where I want to have more options for varying depth of field focus points. In context of using these "still" cameras for video work I have found things I take for granted in video camera are not common in mirrorless/DSLR cameras--not a criticism, just my frame of reference of features to watch for is changed for DSLR type cameras. For instance some features advertised for DSLR cameras don't seem to work in video mode.

On the Panasonic HDSLR forum I saw raves about the new Sony RX10 which highlighted my inexperience with cameras of this nature. So to help me understand what features I need for video work with a HDSLR I would like some comparisons between Canon 70D (one I am considering) with Sony RX10 (in case of RX10 will have to be based on published info as camera is not released yet). Basically what can RX10 do in video that Canon 70D can not do--that would help me understand features to look for.

I received very helpful information in HMC40 forum regarding sensor size and lens and so forth in context of DOF. As examples of how my inexperience with HDSLRs likely could provide wrong conclusion: (1) The 70D has 22.5X15 mm sensor which I think would give it tighter DOF control (easier to choose which distance objects are in or out of focus) and better low light performance vs the 13.2X8.8 mm sensor in RX10; and (2) the 70D touts "dual pixel" focus and phase detection focus which on paper seems like it would provide faster autofocus than RX10.

Again I don't have experience to "judge" either camera, I am just trying to use their features to learn more about these types of cameras.
 
I don't have the sony but I do love my 70d. I choose canon because of the versatility and I just love AF tracking. I did a quick google search and found a few good reviews of the sony including a comparison.

http://versus.com/en/canon-eos-70d-vs-sony-rx10


perhaps you can try them both at a store and see which fit your needs?
 
The depth of field depends on the size of the sensor, the focal length of the lens, the aperture of the lens, and the distance to subject. So a smaller sensor with a brighter lens can have the same depth of field as a larger sensor with a darker lens.

Generally the beef against the Canon DSLRs is that their video footage doesn't have the full measured resolution of the format. So if you shoot in 1080p on a Canon DSLR, your footage won't have 1080 lines of measured resolution. It'll have a lot less resolution, and there will be unpleasant artifacts that show up in footage of fine detail.

It's too early to pass judgment on the RX10, but people are very interested in that camera because it has a relatively large sensor (for a video camera) with a relatively bright lens with a decent zoom range (for a compact camera), and Sony has suggested that it's video footage will have the full measured resolution of the format without any artifacts. If so, it will provide the same quality footage as the high-end consumer camcorders (eg., Panasonic X920M) but with superior low light performance.

Personally, I would wait until the RX10 has been thoroughly tested by multiple experts before making a decision. If you decide now, before more is known about the RX10, you could regret your decision.
 
Thank you Johnny for link to comparisons between the cameras. It helps me see what I should be evaluating as well as how the two cameras compare on those features. As you suggest, once I learn enough about what features to look for I do compare cameras at store including shooting test footage to compare. I have experience with video cameras so I know what to look for in comparing cameras, but right now I just have "book learning" about HDSLRs and that is not as good as experience of forum members.
 
Best of luck Dennis, try do a few youtube search on each camera and watch them, that's how I switched from the 60D (2 months after I got it)and went with the 70D. been using it for green screen and on location shoot, loving it still.
 
noirist said:
The depth of field depends on the size of the sensor, the focal length of the lens, the aperture of the lens, and the distance to subject. So a smaller sensor with a brighter lens can have the same depth of field as a larger sensor with a darker lens.

Generally the beef against the Canon DSLRs is that their video footage doesn't have the full measured resolution of the format. So if you shoot in 1080p on a Canon DSLR, your footage won't have 1080 lines of measured resolution. It'll have a lot less resolution, and there will be unpleasant artifacts that show up in footage of fine detail.

It's too early to pass judgment on the RX10, but people are very interested in that camera because it has a relatively large sensor (for a video camera) with a relatively bright lens with a decent zoom range (for a compact camera), and Sony has suggested that it's video footage will have the full measured resolution of the format without any artifacts. If so, it will provide the same quality footage as the high-end consumer camcorders (eg., Panasonic X920M) but with superior low light performance.

Personally, I would wait until the RX10 has been thoroughly tested by multiple experts before making a decision. If you decide now, before more is known about the RX10, you could regret your decision.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing experience about video resolution of Canon DSLRs. That is a good example of experience based features I need to know about so I can thoroughly and fairly evaluate various cameras. For video cameras I learned the "still photo" claims were questionable at best, and correspondingly it seems for HDSLRs I need to learn what to look for and be careful in evaluating video claims. And reading reviews based on actual field experience combined with experience based comments from forum members is far better than manufacturers' literature. As you suggest, I will wait for expert evaluations of RX10 (or any new camera) before placing an order.
 
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