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Which DSLR is best for beginner film maker?
Cameron-Kalu | Asked  10 months ago | Last response was 8 months ago

After hearing great things about dslrs for video I've decided to try it out for myself. I own two camcorders. I really want a DSLR for the interviews and short films. Something that is great in low light would be ideal. Also I want something under $1,000.00 including a nice lens that is for general purpose, something similar to the canon 50 mm lens. 

So far I've come down to the panasonic gh2, the canon t3i, and sony a57. 

Which camera do you recommend for Cameron-Kalu?

Sony A57 - $499
16 MP|APS-C CMOS|3" LCD
Canon T3i - $520
17.9 MP|APS-C CMOS|3" LCD
Panasonic DMC-GH2 - $1,399
15.9 MP|Four Thirds CMOS|3" LCD
9 Answers
  1. Beginner II
    Sony SLT A57
    Promoter
    3
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    8 months ago Hristian-Nochev recommends the Sony SLT A57

    The A57 produces by far better video than all the others. Canon may have been known for that but now the Sony outdoes it. AVCHD videos are hard to edit in native mode but the FCP and Premiere 6 have different workarounds for the problem. You will require a decent PC with at least 4GB of RAM. A good graphics card is needed with the Premiere and a 64-bit operating system is a must.

    1. Beginner II
      8 months ago Lucid-Strike
      False. A57 produces better stills than the GH2, but the hacked GH2 completely outclasses the others in video by far.
    2. Beginner II
      8 months ago Hristian-Nochev
      Wrong! More Mbits/s does not necessarily mean better video!
    3. Beginner II
      8 months ago Hristian-Nochev
      Besides, the GH2 has a much smaller sensor (hense DOF issues) and the choice of optics is very limitted.
    4. Beginner I
      7 months ago James-T-Kirk
      Lucid-Strike is correct on video, the hacked GH2 is much better than the Sony as it stands now. The GH3 will shoot 1080p at 69fps and the video and images via the net are pretty darn spectacular! The A57 most likely will do better stills, but lets face it, its the shooter and the glass that matters more. ;)
    Reply
  2. Beginner II
    Sony SLT A57
    Supporter
    3
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    9 months ago Edmund-Teh recommends the Sony SLT A57

    This camera can autofocus while shooting videos. Canon does not have autofocus capabilities when shooting video. If you want to use manual focus, just switch it by switching the button on the lens.

    1. Beginner I
      7 months ago James-T-Kirk
      The new T4i by Canon I believe does now have Autofocus, but it wasn't out 3 months ago!
    Reply
  3. Beginner I
    3
    Score
    9 months ago Mark-Filosi recommends the Sony SLT A57

    I know a nat geo photographer in Newfoundland and he shoots with Sony products. He recommended this camera to me. It has been excellent. Note that you can use many of the old glass Minolta auto lenses on the alpha. I bought 8 lenses for the a57 for very little money. I love my 50mm prime lens from monola on this camera. 

    1. Beginner II
      9 months ago jasondavidbyrne
      Agree !! The 50 mm Prime is a keeper. I just got mine for under $40.
    Reply
  4. Intermediate II
    Sony SLT A57
    Promoter
    2
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    9 months ago Diego-Tony-Silva recommends the Sony SLT A57

    sony A57 is the best option cus, it has a 60fps in video Full HD AVCHD !!! canon doesn't have it ! 

    and sony has autofocus video in full HD, with 24fps, 30fps, 60fps, and you can shoot video with the viewfilder on !! :D 

    Sony is the best option for video or action photography (12fps) !!!!

    Buy Sony :D

    Reply
  5. Beginner II
    Sony SLT A57
    Supporter
    1
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    10 months ago jasondavidbyrne recommends the Sony SLT A57

    Canon's are usually known for their superior video recording capabilities. However, the new A-57 is a product to be reckoned with and its recording capabilities are fantastic too. Would suggest that you do a side by side comparison of both these models and then decide.

    1. Beginner I
      9 months ago Mark-Filosi
      Buy it at best buy and you can usually return it within 30 days.
    Reply
  6. Intermediate I
    Canon 650D / T4i
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    0
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    10 months ago Mario-Arturo-Castanon recommends the Canon 650D / T4i

    The T4i is more focused to video, it has a very good auto focus and with the 40mm pancake will make great tool.

    Usually it comes in a kit, so I suggest you get the one with the EF-S 18-135mm lens, it's a very nice lens for beginners.

     

    Other than that, get the T3i, its flipping display helps a lot.

    1. Visitor
      10 months ago Cameron-Kalu
      i like the t4i's recording time limit is like 29 minutes or so thats great. i also have a mini dv hd camcorder so i really care about the close ups.
    2. Beginner II
      8 months ago Lucid-Strike
      GH2's 2 hours >>>> T4i's 30 minutes.
    Reply
  7. Beginner II
    -1
    Score
    8 months ago Lucid-Strike recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

    A 'hacked' GH2 produces video that makes the other cameras and camera even better than them look like crap. As for stills, it's not as good as the other two. Unless you NEED 1080p 60fps, the GH2 is pretty much the best camera you can get for less than a small fortune. Besides having better QUALITY video, the GH2 can record for around 2 hours straight, compared with the 12-30 minutes of most DSLRs.

    If you need that 1080p 60fps, the GH3 can handle that, again, MUCH better than competitors, even unhacked. It's just a bit more expensive.
    Personally, considering that most laptops don't have the resolution for 1080p and many still don't have the bandwidth to stream it, I'm fine with high bitrate 720p. GH2 for me.

    1. Beginner II
      8 months ago Hristian-Nochev
      The above is entirely subjective. Recording 2h of video without stopping is rarely (if ever!) needed, so not a great asset. Sony's A57 produces 1080p video that I've personally tested alongside broadcast HD camcorders and it's very, very good. The 25p mode (24 Mbits/s) is better than the 50p (28 Mbits/s), unless you need 2x slo-mo for sure.
    2. Beginner I
      7 months ago James-T-Kirk
      Hristian: The Sony produces some very good video among the best out of DSLRs, but the GH3 technically isn't a DSLR. Hell the Nex series by Sony shoots great video as well, but when it comes to image quality, to me Sony colors are way over saturated with it comes to still images.
    Reply
  8. Beginner II
    -3
    Score
    10 months ago x-nikon recommends the Canon 600D / T3i

    Canon is for sure!  You will not regret to use it.

    Reply
  9. Beginner I
    -6
    Score
    9 months ago Nikhil-Bhatt recommends the Canon 600D / T3i

    Actually there's no such thing as a digital camera for a "film" maker because these cameras don't do film - they record video. If you're going to work in this field at least get your terms in order.

    I agree, the t3i is probably the choice. One of the main reasons is the articulated screen that allows shooting from low and odd angles. Very handy when hand held. The t31 is about $950 at retail.

    1. Visitor
      9 months ago Cameron-Kalu
      did you copy and paste the "Actually there's no such thing as a digital camera for a "film" maker because these cameras don't do film - they record video. If you're going to work in this field at least get your terms in order". ----I swear I've seen it at least 3 times on this site.
    2. Beginner II
      8 months ago Hristian-Nochev
      Sorry, Nikhil-Bhatt, but film is going digital even in Hollywood! And we're talking budget filmmaking here. The Sony A57 also has an articulated screen (hindged at the bottom, however) which I find very handy and convenient. Canon does not use AVCHD encoding, which produces much better vodeo at lower bitrates.
    Reply

Summary

5 Recommendations for
Sony SLT A57
2 Recommendations for
Canon 600D / T3i
1 Recommendation for
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
1 Recommendation for
Canon 650D / T4i

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