Camcorder vs DSLR for video

Isaac.

Isaac.

Member
Looking to get started in video for the ski season. Looking at a Canon vixia g20 (or possibly something else. Open to suggestions) or a t3i right now. Anyone have a preference or any input on the limits/capabilities? It'll be used solely for video as I have DSLRs for photography. I do have some video experience, but it's minimal. I also have a canon lens lineup, so I'm not looking to get another DSLR brand
 
what DSLR do you already have? if you have a camera and a solid lense setup i dont see why youre even looking to buy something else. Bottom line though, especially if youre someone with a DSLR background, I would go with the t3i. way more control and you have the freedom of different lenses (which already having is a huge bonus). most video settings follow a very similar trend to shooting manual on a DSLR so it wont take you long to figure it out at all. I had this same debate before i got my t3i (and i had NO photo or video experience) and looking back im so glad i didnt get the camcorder
 
13747075:akt416 said:
what DSLR do you already have? if you have a camera and a solid lense setup i dont see why youre even looking to buy something else. Bottom line though, especially if youre someone with a DSLR background, I would go with the t3i. way more control and you have the freedom of different lenses (which already having is a huge bonus). most video settings follow a very similar trend to shooting manual on a DSLR so it wont take you long to figure it out at all. I had this same debate before i got my t3i (and i had NO photo or video experience) and looking back im so glad i didnt get the camcorder
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I've got a 5d classic and a 1dMkIIn, neither of which shoot video. Thanks for the input though. Sounds like a t3i would be a good fit
 
ohh okay didnt realize that. but yeah its a no brainer i would definately go with the t3i then. Only thing that was stopping me was the fact that i had to buy lenses but you already have those, and even still im so glad i went with the t3i instead of the camcorder. do yourself a favour and put a little bit of money that you would save on the lenses into a stabalizer of some kind and youre gonna have a great setup
 
If you have an average dslr thats somewhat decent at pics but bad for video, id reccomed just upgrading it to one with great photo and video instead of buying a camcorder. Youll bascially just get more for your money.
 
13747082:akt416 said:
ohh okay didnt realize that. but yeah its a no brainer i would definately go with the t3i then. Only thing that was stopping me was the fact that i had to buy lenses but you already have those, and even still im so glad i went with the t3i instead of the camcorder. do yourself a favour and put a little bit of money that you would save on the lenses into a stabalizer of some kind and youre gonna have a great setup
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Ok sweet thanks! What about autofocus on the t3i? Everything I've read about camcorders makes the autofocus seem far superior to a DSLR
 
camcorder is going to have better continuous autofocus but if you know what you're doing with the DSLR it is much more reliable. Set the focus before a run and leave it. Camcorders will sometimes have trouble deciding what to focus on, and this can lead to it pulling waaayyy out of focus in the middle of a shot, which obviously ruins the clip.
 
13747092:akt416 said:
camcorder is going to have better continuous autofocus but if you know what you're doing with the DSLR it is much more reliable. Set the focus before a run and leave it. Camcorders will sometimes have trouble deciding what to focus on, and this can lead to it pulling waaayyy out of focus in the middle of a shot, which obviously ruins the clip.
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Ah gotcha. Thanks dude
 
When you're filming follows, you'll be shooting wide and ideally around and 8-11 split and your focus will be deep enough where AF is irrelevant. if you go to a longer lens on a tripod just prefocus. Take advantage of your glass and go for the t3i if not a 60d for added durability.
 
13748025:Forcillo said:
When you're filming follows, you'll be shooting wide and ideally around and 8-11 split and your focus will be deep enough where AF is irrelevant. if you go to a longer lens on a tripod just prefocus. Take advantage of your glass and go for the t3i if not a 60d for added durability.
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Ok cool. How wide do follows tend to be?
 
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