A DSLR with good video focus?

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gnfb

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#210343 23-Mar-2017 14:56

So what I need is a dslr for around $1500 that has excellent auto focus when recording video.

A quick troll of the net suggests the Canon 70d , 80d

any other suggestions ? this is nor for a professional application, and the budget of $1500 is towards the top end

Graham

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#1748069 26-Mar-2017 14:25

I don't really know much about cameras, but I have heard people mention the Lumix GH4 from panasonic I think.

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#1748123 26-Mar-2017 15:44

Hi Graham,

I use a canon 80D to shoot video professionally so I can vouch for it being good. As with any device that does 'double duty' there are certain compromises with using a camera initially designed for still photography as a video camera - but it does a remarkably good job.

I tend to use a Canon 6D to shoot stills and the 80D to shoot video on the projects I handle. I mostly use the 18 - 135 micro-USM lens (I think it's called) - there are a few similar Canon lenses in this range but the newest is definitely better for video. I've also got the Canon power zoom adapter for this lens which makes it operate a bit more like a camcorder and does give the ability to zoom smoothly.

The Panasonic GH5 which has just been released would be another great all-rounder (altho' not technically a DSLR) - I'm not sure what price these cameras are though. It has the ability to shoot 4K video in a higher bit-rate if you need that extreme quality.

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#1748227 26-Mar-2017 18:27

You want on a canon
- dual pixel AF is a must, don't look at any other models
- touch screen - to tell the thing where to focus by touching
- swivel screen - you cannot shoot video at any other angle from eye level without the swivel screen
- ideally also STM lens but not needed if you have external microphone

Unfortunately canon video purposely made very soft. Not sharp. I throw up at them. I use an iPhone instead. But other than sharpness it's ok.

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#1748235 26-Mar-2017 18:39

Panasonic G85 with the supplied kit lens 12-60 F3.5-5.6 is an excellent combo. With a sale you might be able to get one for $1500. Panasonic GH5 is the camera to get if you can fork out $3000. It beats Sony, Canon, Nikon by a long shot in terms of it's specs and price for what you get. If you can get a Panasonic GH4 with 14-140mm lens that's another excellent combo.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#1748246 26-Mar-2017 18:59

whoops, sorry for making you sick @joker97

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#1748250 26-Mar-2017 19:03

clicknz:

whoops, sorry for making you sick @joker97

Haha no worries, I am used to looking at pictures from a Nikon D810 ... then I found the Canon 5D3 to have soft images, but easily fixed with shooting RAW and PP ... and then the video ... was pretty hopeless.

But I understand that if you want to have the shallow depth of field the focal length choices and amazing noise free video at large apertures in low light - can't beat a DSLR.

But I just thought to mention to the OP don't expect to have a gopro video - not even near iphone.

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#1748303 26-Mar-2017 19:51

That price and task specifically makes Canon the standout from the pack.

Not necessarily the best video quality, especially without the magic lantern alternate firmware, but is really good at the video autofocus.

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#1748333 26-Mar-2017 21:05

Jaxson:

That price and task specifically makes Canon the standout from the pack.

Not necessarily the best video quality, especially without the magic lantern alternate firmware, but is really good at the video autofocus.

Magic lantern doesn't add much - don't bother with it. When Canon video was primitive, magic lantern added some features. Nowadays, there are 2 issues:

1. people don't work on ML - lack of ML support for most new models

2. ML doesn't work properly even if there was a release for the model. ML is largely dead and is now confined to the experimental labs.

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#1748344 26-Mar-2017 21:29

If you want to shoot video on a DSLR then a mirrorless camera like the Sony a57 or similar is probably your best option.

A mirrorless camera can continually refocus the lense as the subject moves.

Other cameras that are not mirrorless cannot refocus the lense once the shutter is pressed and the mirror has moved up to allow the image through to the image sensor. Instead they use software to adjust the image to maintain some level of focus.

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#1748356 26-Mar-2017 21:52

Technofreak:

If you want to shoot video on a DSLR then a mirrorless camera like the Sony a57 or similar is probably your best option.

A mirrorless camera can continually refocus the lense as the subject moves.

Other cameras that are not mirrorless cannot refocus the lense once the shutter is pressed and the mirror has moved up to allow the image through to the image sensor. Instead they use software to adjust the image to maintain some level of focus.

Obviously you don't understand contrast detection autofocus vs dual pixel autofocus .... you don't use software to adjust the image, you use built in firmware to adjust the lens to maintain the image in focus.

The canon's dual Pixel AF is right up there with mirrorless many of whom still use contrast detection. Not sure about sonys but obviously the reviews will compare how they perform.

Obviously the professional gear have better systems, though if you were a pro you would have the gear and skill to manually pull focus!

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#1748493 27-Mar-2017 08:52

Hi Graham,

Of course as with all info on the Internet (yes, even GZ), take it all with a pinch of salt until you've done your due diligence. Video imagery is there to tell a story - it doesn't need to look crunchy crisp all the time - generally people enjoy looking at a more cinematic image rather than something over-processed. Canon shooters need to understand that to get good video generally requires turning DOWN the sharpness in Picture Settings.

If anyone were to explore the Magic Lantern hack (a 'tweak' for certain Canons), you'll see that it is being constantly worked on (there are frequent Nightly Builds being offered), but as with a lot of modern hardware the manufacturers are now making things difficult for firmware hackers. The functionality that exists for the relevant cameras is still very much usable in the real world (not just labs) and adds a host of features not present in off-the-shelf Canon cameras.

www.clickmedia.nz

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Mike

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#1748511 27-Mar-2017 09:16

Mirrorless options are now picking up on sensor phase detection AF points. The latest Sony's have something like 400+ of these across most of the frame, so tracking wise they're pretty incredible.

Most DSLR's don't use phase detection AF during video, so mirrorless is a totally viable option for this. Canon are about the only DSLR maker to offer phase detect during video, although the latest Pentax K-70 does offer on sensor phase autodetect, but they're still very very sht for video overall. That's why Canon is the way to go if you must have a DSLR for this task.

Mirrorless and DSLR have a heap in common really, especially as the optical viewfinder doesn't get used in video mode anyway.

gnfb

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#1749185 28-Mar-2017 09:52

Jaxson:

Mirrorless options are now picking up on sensor phase detection AF points. The latest Sony's have something like 400+ of these across most of the frame, so tracking wise they're pretty incredible.

Most DSLR's don't use phase detection AF during video, so mirrorless is a totally viable option for this. Canon are about the only DSLR maker to offer phase detect during video, although the latest Pentax K-70 does offer on sensor phase autodetect, but they're still very very sht for video overall. That's why Canon is the way to go if you must have a DSLR for this task.

Mirrorless and DSLR have a heap in common really, especially as the optical viewfinder doesn't get used in video mode anyway.

Would you have a mirror-less suggestion?

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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