DSLR Cameras are now embracing video as a key selling point. They offer an alternative way into shooting video from camcorders, and a good option for 'still' photographers wanting to branch into a different medium and market.
They have a wealth of advantages, although also have their disadvantages too.
Advantages:
Interchangeable lenses.
A huge selling point of the DSLRs are the interchangeable lenses, offering huge flexibility in the way that you shoot video.
There are two main advantages from the interchangeable lenses, one the fact that (make depending) there is generally a wide range of different types of lenses compatible with each type of camera, from wide angle, prime, zoom and telephoto. Allowing for huge flexibility in how each scene is shot.
The second being the depth of field, often video cameras will have a good zoom lens, however its aperture is often at maximum 5.6 when wide open (although through my research on Canon and Sony's websites their current ranges of camcorders have wide-angled lenses with a between 12-30 times optical zoom with often between f1.8-3.5). With the wide range of lenses available, a relatively cheap prime lens shooting at f1.8 can give great options for techniques like selective focusing.
Large image sensor.
Large image sensor.
Crop sensor cameras or full frame cameras image sensors are huge in comparison to those in a camcorder. Video cameras often come in with a 1/3" sensor, which equates to 4.8x3.6mm with a diagonal of 6mm, giving a sensor area of 17.3mm2. In comparison a Nikon crop sensor camera has a 23.6x15.6mm with a diagonal of 28.2 and an area of 368mm2. Full frame is even bigger, 35.8x23.9mm, diagonal of 43.1mm and an area of 856mm2. The amount of data that can be captured upon these sensors gives great image quality.
(information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format).
Cost.
A DSLR with great video shooting qualities can come in at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated video camera for similar shooting quality.
Stills.
Now it's maybe a bit unfair of a point, however the quality of a DSLR for stills far surpasses that of a video camera. For shooting only video this may not be too important, however for a photographer, the benefit of being able to use one camera with some supplemental equipment as opposed to having to get a second set of equipment is huge. Not to mention the bonus of the familiarity of using the DSLR rather than learning a new system.
Size.
DSLR's can be quite compact and lightweight, giving greater flexibility to where you can shoot your video, and the logistics of getting to and from the locations.
Disadvantages:
Manual Focus.
We become accustomed to using autofocus when shooting, and when shooting still images with manual focus there is often not the same concern over the time in getting into focus. Without autofocus in video mode it may be difficult to get the hang of achieving focus in a smooth and timely manner.
Time.
Video clips on DSLR's are limited in the maximum length. My camera takes video in up to 20 minute segments. This in it's self may limit the type of shooting that you can do, on top of this the potential for the camera to overheat will also impinge on video capabilities.
No Viewfinder.
As you have to shoot video with the mirror locked up, the LCD screen has to be used. This may cause issues in bright lighting conditions. Some DSLR's have articulated screens that will help for this (likes of Nikon D750) however not all do, meaning low or high angle shots may be difficult to compose.
Size.
Both an advantage and disadvantage, due to its smaller size it may be difficult to keep the DSLR stable to shoot video, this can be worked around with shoulder rigs or tripods, but you may be sacrificing the bonuses to achieve this.
Audio.
Not a major disadvantage in some ways, as you will probably use an external microphone, however the point is that the audio quality requires you to use an external.
Having not personally used a video camera, it will be difficult to properly weigh these up. I will still try to post up a progress log of how I got on and any lessons I learnt.
Cost.
A DSLR with great video shooting qualities can come in at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated video camera for similar shooting quality.
Stills.
Now it's maybe a bit unfair of a point, however the quality of a DSLR for stills far surpasses that of a video camera. For shooting only video this may not be too important, however for a photographer, the benefit of being able to use one camera with some supplemental equipment as opposed to having to get a second set of equipment is huge. Not to mention the bonus of the familiarity of using the DSLR rather than learning a new system.
Size.
DSLR's can be quite compact and lightweight, giving greater flexibility to where you can shoot your video, and the logistics of getting to and from the locations.
Disadvantages:
Manual Focus.
We become accustomed to using autofocus when shooting, and when shooting still images with manual focus there is often not the same concern over the time in getting into focus. Without autofocus in video mode it may be difficult to get the hang of achieving focus in a smooth and timely manner.
Time.
Video clips on DSLR's are limited in the maximum length. My camera takes video in up to 20 minute segments. This in it's self may limit the type of shooting that you can do, on top of this the potential for the camera to overheat will also impinge on video capabilities.
No Viewfinder.
As you have to shoot video with the mirror locked up, the LCD screen has to be used. This may cause issues in bright lighting conditions. Some DSLR's have articulated screens that will help for this (likes of Nikon D750) however not all do, meaning low or high angle shots may be difficult to compose.
Size.
Both an advantage and disadvantage, due to its smaller size it may be difficult to keep the DSLR stable to shoot video, this can be worked around with shoulder rigs or tripods, but you may be sacrificing the bonuses to achieve this.
Audio.
Not a major disadvantage in some ways, as you will probably use an external microphone, however the point is that the audio quality requires you to use an external.
Having not personally used a video camera, it will be difficult to properly weigh these up. I will still try to post up a progress log of how I got on and any lessons I learnt.
A PDF is available for free from NoFilmSchool on the use of the DSLR in cinematography, by following this link (http://nofilmschool.com/subscribe) and subscribing to their mailing list.
