• Location: New Jersey
  • Joined: August 16, 2010

Topic: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Okay, so I've been saving up for a better camera for filming. I currently have a Sony Handycam HDR SR1, which is a really good camera in itself.

I am interested in both photography and cinematography (or is it filmography...?) and I want to use a professional camcorder for filming. For months I have been researching about things like the differences between 1080i and 1080p, CMOS and CCD sensors, frame rates like 60i, 60p, 30p, 24p, 30F, and 24F, etc.

I pretty much narrowed down the available and affordable camcorders to these three, the Canon being my favorite.

Canon XH A1S
Sony HVR V1U
Panasonic AG-HMC150

HOWEVER I just found out that DSLRs record video as well, and record it in the highest resolution as any other camcorder (1920x1080). Not only that, but they are so much CHEAPER. Not only that, but they have more features than camcorders such as continuous slow motion recording (in high resolution), hundreds (?) of interchangeable lenses, customizable options (though prof. camcorders have that too), time-lapse effects, and biggest of all- it can satisfy my photography needs because its a professional camera (DSLR).

So... if I get a DSLR I only have one choice: Canon EOS 7D

So I want to here your opinions, and a little help. I'm willing to save up to $4000 dollars, even though it may take up my whole high school "career." Should I get a professional looking camcorder, or an awesome DSLR?

Last edited by DerTarchin (January 29, 2011 (10:12am))

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DerTarchin's Website

  • Location: Connecticut
  • Joined: August 24, 2010

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Are you saving up for a camera for actual professional  filming, or stop motion? Because if it were stop motion, I'd get the EOS 7D.

  • Joined: December 28, 2008

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

If you're more interested in stop-motion animation, then yes, you should probably go with DSLR camera.

If you end up with an SLR, make sure it has live-view and will work with stop-motion software.

For example, Dragon has a list of cameras that it will interface with (There's also a list for Nikon, etc.)

  • Location: New Jersey
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Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

No, no not stop motion, my current cam is perfect for it. I mean for Live Action films, documentation of family and events in my life.

Brickfilmer a decade ago, now looking to relive the glory days mini/smile

DerTarchin's Website

  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Joined: November 10, 2010

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

I really Hated my Handycam I still have it but the photo quality is crap mini/blankexpression   But it was one from 4 years ago yours may be different.

http://i.imgur.com/CSwoca1.png
  • Joined: December 28, 2008

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

I will tell you that the HMC150's AVCHD format takes up a LOT of harddrive space.

  • Location: These United States of America
  • Joined: November 16, 2010

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Live Action? The Canon DSLRs are really nice. The 7D is one of the better affordable ones.

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  • Joined: December 26, 2008

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

DerTarchin wrote:

documentation of family and events in my life.

If that's what you wish to film then I'd recommend a camcorder, as they can record for much longer as tapes are cheap compared to fast memory cards. I have a camcorder and a DSLR, I'd use my DSLR for short films or for more artistic purposes but if I was to record events in my life and things like that then I'd definitely use my camcorder.

I have the Canon 550D which I would recommend it but I couldn't say if it's better or worse than the 7D.

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  • Joined: April 24, 2009

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

DerTarchin wrote:

I mean for Live Action films, documentation of family and events in my life.

It's a great choice if your going to be filming live action films cause it beats the crud out of any camcorder and it also takes great looking pictures. But if you're main purpose is to film your family and things like that, then a DSLR is probably not what you should get. DSLR's can't film for more than 15 minutes at a time anyway because the sensor gets too hot and that can sometimes damage your camera.

RedBrick1 wrote:

Live Action? The Canon DSLRs are really nice. The 7D is one of the better affordable ones.

Actually, the Canon Rebel 550d is even cheaper and has the same internals as the 7D. The exterior though is more durable on the 7D.

Last edited by Greenscreener (January 29, 2011 (02:17pm))

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  • Location: New Jersey
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Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Thanks for the advice people, and I'd love to hear more opinions. Since I already have a great camcorder, I think I'm gonna go for the 7D, because if there is ever the need to film something long (I guess family vacations or big events) I'll bring both my camcorder and the 7D, one for filming, the other for photography. If I'm going to do serious live action filming that requires superior quality and/or other features my camcorder doesn't have, I'll use the 7D. The most important reason though I guess is that our family lacks proper photography equipment, and the 7D will cover that as well as my filming needs.

My heart always wanted those "awesome looking" professional camcorders, but practically the DSLR will be better. I can always get a prof. camcorder when I'm older/ have a job after collage sometime... by then they'll be cheaper and better anyway. On that note, I just thought of this: filming equipment get out-dated very easily as technology advances (better zoom/focus/quality/practicallity), but DSLRs can all take amazing photographs, no matter how new or old they are. The only thing that changes through time is the resolution, maybe a few new features, but essentially its all down to how the photographer uses it. You can be the best photographer and have the oldest SLR or the worst photographer with the newest model.

So I think a DSLR, in my choice, the 7D, is a great choice for now, and as time goes by I'll keep looking for the professional camcorder that I've always wanted. Though that wont happen anytime soon. mini/tongue

So thanks all, and I promise that when (or if, depending on money...) I get the 7D, I'll post a ton of pics in the Photography thread.

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DerTarchin's Website

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  • Joined: April 24, 2009

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Greenscreener Studios wrote:
RedBrick1 wrote:

Live Action? The Canon DSLRs are really nice. The 7D is one of the better affordable ones.

Actually, the Canon Rebel 550d is even cheaper and has the same internals as the 7D. The exterior though is more durable on the 7D.

http://thebuttonfilm.com/
  • Location: These United States of America
  • Joined: November 16, 2010

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Good choice, I hope to get a 7D in the near future. I look forward to seeing it after you get it!

RedBrick1/LegoTrain587 | EXPANSE | A Brickfilm

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  • Location: New Jersey
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Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

Greenscreener Studios wrote:
Greenscreener Studios wrote:
RedBrick1 wrote:

Live Action? The Canon DSLRs are really nice. The 7D is one of the better affordable ones.

Actually, the Canon Rebel 550d is even cheaper and has the same internals as the 7D. The exterior though is more durable on the 7D.

If you are trying to imply that I get the Rebel 550D, I need that extra durable exterior, because I'm a clumsy person, and put my equipment through a bunch of tough, demanding situations (the Sony Handycam I'm using survived pretty well so far- no scratches or anything!).

Just to prove it, this is the phone I use: http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSWaIaSdUiIqS5dl4pz7lK_5tiEdHzKHaer3PxNfS-X6q7M1Y5L Samsung Rugby 2

Don't start a conversation about phones now.

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Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

DerTarchin wrote:
Greenscreener Studios wrote:
Greenscreener Studios wrote:

Actually, the Canon Rebel 550d is even cheaper and has the same internals as the 7D. The exterior though is more durable on the 7D.

If you are trying to imply that I get the Rebel 550D, I need that extra durable exterior, because I'm a clumsy person, and put my equipment

Don't start a conversation about phones now.

However clumsy you are, the 550 is half the price. Buying the 7D is being clumsy, clumsy with your money.

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  • Joined: April 15, 2010

Re: Professional Camcorder VS Professional DSLR: Best filming option.

DerTarchin wrote:

No, no not stop motion, my current cam is perfect for it. I mean for Live Action films, documentation of family and events in my life.


Well If I were you I'd go with a handy cam, because at a family gathering a 7d has little use, may I suggest you take a look at the canon t2i in my experience its a great slr for a low price check out the film riot comparison on youtube it should help.

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