Cannon 550d vs 7d - for video

[ic0n]

Hay guys

I am sure this has been spoken about before and i have seen lots online but just wanted some views from people that are shooting on these cameras.

At the mo i shoot pentax and have a full kit but for the last 6 months my camera has been out once for a shoot as am working in video now and only really shoot photos for fun.

I want to make the move over the cannon to shoot video so the choices are:
550d
7d
60d
5d mk2

now that 5d is far to much money at the moment so lets leave that in the one day box.

I can afford to go out in January and pick up a 550d and get a 50mm f1.8 prime to stick on it and start shooting and if i still sell pentax kit and put that money in to extra glass and other toys like a rig to hold it.

The 60d Seams to be about the same but it has the moveable screen something nice for video and you can also adjust the audio.
the price is close to the 7d but still cheaper.

I can only afford the 7d if i sell all my pentax kit and still spend the extra cash and again would be shooting on the 50mm f1.8

So my question is, will the 550d shoot as well as the 7d for video and make a good little camera for the times when i take it out the house for photos? with the idea its better to start with a cheaper cannon camera add to my kit getting more lens and bits and then upgrade to the 7d (or what ever i can afford) if needed next year?

Or the same thing but with the 60d is it worth the price over the 550d?

Or should i dive in now and get a 7d?

Thanks guys

Really need the help.

Alex

 

[Rojin]

What are you looking to use video the for? The only setups I've seen which are useful tend to add a lot of kit to the DSLR to make it a more workable piece of kit. I've had both the 500D and 7D and I found the video great quality but a pain to actually use (in a family, capture the moment type of environment). I kept my old HD camcorder to use for video as it's just so much easier to use. Ok I can't do the lovely narrow DoF stuff, but that's not what I'm into at the moment with video.

 

[RIZZEE]

I've heard that the 550D and the 7D video quality is pretty much the same, but that's just from Vimeo videos so i'm not 100% on that.

But as above, it depends on what you want to shoot really.

I would reccoment getting a 550D and a few lens, then upgrade to the 7D next year if you really feel it's necessary.
As for the 60D, I don't personally like it really, find the whole flippy screen a bit weird and if you're spending that much you might as well go for the 7D imo.

 

[Ksanti]

I know many will say to avoid any other than Nikon/Canon, but the Sony A33/A55 might be what you want here. For video at their price point their really isn't much better, unless you're totally adept with manual focus during videos. If you're shooting video mainly, the constant phase detection AF will be perfect, especially if you're shooting moving objects

Here's a comparison of the AF systems on the A55 vs the 550d (pretty much exactly the same as the 60D and 7D video AF performance)

 

[ic0n]

sorry guys a little more info what i want it for.

I shoot as a job well entry level pro stuff tbh

shooting for local tv, promos for companies the odd wedding when i need to pay the bills.

yes i am adept at using manual focus as thats all i ever use the camera will go along side some sony z7 camera but will be my personal shooter and used for paying jobs when i need something for low light or for arty shots along with when i need something small for shooting in a car and the likes.

i am very tempted by the 60d for the flip out screen as its for mainly video shoots this is something i like but the price point is close to the 7d and i think getting the 60d would be more a get it and keep it not get it an upgrade to a 7d the upgrade would be 5d mk2 or mk3 by the time i have the money

Alex

 

[ic0n]

Also any one know how much footage per gig you get on the canons?

 

[glitch]

Also any one know how much footage per gig you get on the canons?

You're looking at 5.5 MB/sec on 1080P, 5.5 MB/sec on and 2.8 MB/sec on VGA.

And with your maximum file size per clip being 4GB that equates to 12 min for 1080P, 12 min for 720P and 24 min for VGA.

I know a few people who have already chopped their 7D in for a 60D just because of that articulated screen. Your mileage may vary, but I think it's a straight fight between the 60D and the 7D myself. The 550D is just too dinky.

 

[ic0n]

You're looking at 5.5 MB/sec on 1080P, 5.5 MB/sec on and 2.8 MB/sec on VGA.

And with your maximum file size per clip being 4GB that equates to 12 min for 1080P, 12 min for 720P and 24 min for VGA.

I know a few people who have already chopped their 7D in for a 60D just because of that articulated screen. Your mileage may vary, but I think it's a straight fight between the 60D and the 7D myself. The 550D is just too dinky.

Yer this is seams to be what i have found my friend rocks a 7d and hates the 60d but i use that style of screen everyday on video cameras and it still folds alway when i am shooting.

thanks for the numbers its a shame it stops recording at 4gb.

is this something software will fix or just an overall problem with these cameras?

Alex

 

[DampCat]

TIn your position i'd grab the 550D, as I wouldnt want to sell all my current stuff to fund the 7D if im only using it for video.

Edit: Oh, turns out im wrong about the 7D shooting at only 30fps in 720p. Moot point then i guess.

 

[glitch]

is this something software will fix or just an overall problem with these cameras?

I believe the 4GB limit is imposed by the FAT32 filesystem that the CF cards use.

So I don't think it's something we'll see fixed in the near future, but given that I don't understand the technology I'd prefer someone else to confirm that!

 

[ic0n]

I believe the 4GB limit is imposed by the FAT32 filesystem that the CF cards use.

So I don't think it's something we'll see fixed in the near future, but given that I don't understand the technology I'd prefer someone else to confirm that!

if it is that then its very strange they wouldnt use another format over fat32 hummm as i will be editing on mac i dont think my hard drive is fat32 so strange that i would have to shoot on it.

but i guess it would be the way the camera works


also anyone know what class speed SD is for the best? i have got some class 6's already but will be getting a 32gb or a 2 16gb's for shooting on

 

[glitch]

if it is that then its very strange they wouldnt use another format over fat32 hummm as i will be editing on mac i dont think my hard drive is fat32 so strange that i would have to shoot on it.

You're not having to shoot on FAT32; it's merely the filesystem that the CF cards use and as such has a limitation on the maximum file size.

You'll actually be getting the video data off the card as a .MOV file.

i guess it would be the way the camera works

I believe more down to the way that the CF cards work and therefore what is imposed upon the camera.

 

[v0n]

In case of Canon range the 12 minute limit within 4Gb limitation of FAT32 is conveniently used as anti overheating system and a flamboyant finger stuck in the air in a "would you people please stop using £1k SLRs instead of £50k worth of digibetas for your press conferences slash weddings".
Most of the manufacturers will allow file spanning to overcome 4Gb limitation, but will either run into overheating issues (Sony A55 - approx. 7 minutes with image stabilisation before camera shuts down without warning) or hit software preset European tax brick wall of 29 minutes 59 seconds, which, if disabled would class SLR as video camera equipment and impose additional 4.9% import duty (and that is why, ladies and gents, it is always better to buy US version of any SLR, where one specifically exists).

 

[ashatron]

I know many will say to avoid any other than Nikon/Canon, but the Sony A33/A55 might be what you want here. For video at their price point their really isn't much better, unless you're totally adept with manual focus during videos. If you're shooting video mainly, the constant phase detection AF will be perfect, especially if you're shooting moving objects

Here's a comparison of the AF systems on the A55 vs the 550d (pretty much exactly the same as the 60D and 7D video AF performance)

The sony A55 may auto focus faster, but it uses its internal image stabilization to stabalise the video footage and as a consequence it overheats, which means you can only shoot about 6 minutes of video at a time, then you have to give it a rest for a few minutes, then continue shooting.

NOT very practical if video is your priority.

Also (IIRC!) the A55 focus so fast as it diverts some of the light coming into the lens to a secondary sensor, but because of this it has longer shutter speeds or you have to bump up the iso.

 

[ashatron]

time and time again people say that the 7D video is indistinguishable from the 550D.

Go with the 550D! absolute bargain, excellent video and also has fps choices (from a firmware update).

 

[ashatron]

You may also want to consider the Micro Four thirds format (different smaller sensor to DSLR), the Lumix GH2 -

It will produce the best video of any hybrid camera, better than the 7D and the 550D. The GH1 was the best hybrid for video, and the GH2 improves on it. I have the GF1 micro four thirds camera and its great. Micro four thirds are more compact and panasonic lenses are excellent. The GH2 also boasts a 0.1 second autofocus speed.

As a bonus you can get adapters to fit any four thirds lens to it and adapters to fit pretty much any lens to it (canon EFS adapters etc).