Digital SLR vs Camcorder

[jsidney]

Correct me if I am wrong.

If I want to be able to shoot at a minimum of 1 hour of video I can't use an SLR?

How good of a job does a Camcorder do as a sub for a Still Camera?

I guess the camparison is

SLR being used as a camcorder

Camcorder being used and a still camera.

 

[Kolia]

Absolutely no comparison. Camcorder might be ok taking still if its for fun and giggles. But noting like a DSLR. A Point and shoot will be vastly superior.

What do you plan on shooting that requires 60 minutes of uninterrupted video ?

 

[jsidney]

Absolutely no comparison. Camcorder might be ok taking still if its for fun and giggles. But noting like a DSLR. A Point and shoot will be vastly superior.

What do you plan on shooting that requires 60 minutes of uninterrupted video ?

several events unfolding. Also unattended video of of an object that is in motion. The motion is not large, just a few inches and the camera would be 5 feet away. I am thinking they don't substitute for each other yet.

I was looking at a Rebel t2i as the camera.

Canon HG20 HD as the camcorder.

I was thinking both but someone told me that SLR's were camcorders but I was not sure if they were really substitutes for each other yet.

 

[Kolia]

Sounds like a research project setup.

Have you considered a 1080p webcam ?

I have a Sony Handycam (CX150 I think). Very compact, relatively cheap.

 

[jsidney]

Sounds like a research project setup.

Have you considered a 1080p webcam ?

I have a Sony Handycam (CX150 I think). Very compact, relatively cheap.

I didn't know there were any good webcams?

Will it produce results comparable to a consumer grade camcorder? I know camcorders offer interchangable lenses.

 

[jsidney]

Sounds like a research project setup.

Have you considered a 1080p webcam ?

I have a Sony Handycam (CX150 I think). Very compact, relatively cheap.

Thanks, I just did some checking, this might work. Not sure until I do some research. I didn't know there were tripod mountable webcams in the $250.00 plus range. I don't know how good they are but maybe an SLR and a tripod mounted webcam will do the job.

 

[Kolia]

I don't have any references as far as how good a webcam would be. Probably not as good as a camcorder. But I could be wrong.

I would take the engineering point of view and look for a camera that is "Good enough for the application".

By the way, depending on your setup and how much your subject moves, an entry level DSLR might not offer enough DoF to keep the subject in focus at all time. You might need a camera with real time focusing while filming with object tracking capabilities. These get expensive quickly.

A camcorder with a smaller sensor would offer better DoF.

 

[jsidney]

I just figured out I was looking at some inflated ebay prices. I was looking up expensive webcams.

 

[Overread19 7]

Far as I know there are not any DSLRs which can record for longer than 30mins (I think some are 24 and others 12 min blocks). So they are right out from the start if you need constant recording for the whole duration.

Also if you only need this for one project have you considered renting? You can rent the high end equipment you need, use it for the short period and then return it and the final cost will be a lot less. This would best let you get the quality and the features you want without breaking your bank.

 

[StandingBear1983]

I wouldn't get a camcorder only because i can shoot 1 hour instead of only 30 minutes...with a DSLR you can get MUCH better quality especially if you get a prime lens with a wide apature (1.8f), to give that cinimatic effect, pepole shot with a Full frame DSLR some movies even...5 successful DSLR feature films | Lights Film School Filmmaking Blog

so really consider it not only for the time of recording...

 

[runnah]

I'll use a GoPro for exactly the case you are talking about. '

Or get a DSLR that will do intervals.

 

[Kolia]

GoPro !


Why didn't I think of that...

 

[DBA]

I'd also suggest a GoPro. With the Hero 3 just coming out you can get a new Hero 2 for under $200. Make sure to update the firmware and take advantage of the new ProTune options. This will allow you to increase the bit rate to 35 mbps.