DSLR vs Video Camera.....but not really

Okay, so to preface this post with reasoning thereof, I am in the market for a camera and this is a major deciding factor that I have come across. So, I thought that I would shed some light on the subject. So, this entire post will be informative facts about cameras and the differences between DSLR cameras in relation to shooting video and more conventional, solid state (flash drive or other digital card recording with no tape) video cameras.

First off, I will clarify the specifics cameras I've researched and given that there is always new tech in the work. Specs will change but this is how it is right now. As far as price range goes I'm talking strictly within the prosumer(cameras meant for entry level professionals and independent productions) range of $1000-$3500. To some this is a lot of money and to some this is tiny amount....I am more interested in the latter. The DSLRs to which I have researched are the Canon 5D, 7D, 2ti and 3ti. Caonon basically revolutionized with video in their SLR still cameras and so it's an obvious choice on that end. The video cameras I have looked at are mostly Panasonic because they are and have been a leader in solid state cameras. Canon and Sony are dreadfully lacking quality in this area. Since the video camera is established in what features and systems are used we will take the approach through DSLRs (aka-the new tech).

DSLR

Video Camera

DSLR or Digital Single-Lens Reflective are built the same pro level still cameras have been for years. The inner refraction construction uses a pentaprism design. What really matters in all of this are two very specific factors.The first is that DSLR cameras use one large sensor to capture light. The basic principle behind this: the greater surface area on the sensor - the more light is captured - the greater picture quality (it also means that you can shoot in lower light situations and still capture enough light to come out with quality picture). The big drawback to a one-ship(sensor) cameras is the way color and picture are handled. The way a one-chip camera handles color is by capturing picture in black and white by through a measurement of brightness. In order to "simulate" color on the RGB spectrum(Red, Green, Blue) by using individual color filters on each pixel. I have also yet to ascertain weather the video mode for all of these cameras (if any) utilize the entire surface of the chip like when taking still photographs. If the entire surface is not used in this way than the result is not better than a camera with one 1/3rd or 1/4th chip. Like i stated before, the greater surface area-the more light can be captured)

To this effect, quality video cameras within this same range run on a 3-chip(sensor) system.This is essentially 3 sensors (each 1/3 the size of a large sensor in the DSLR cameras though some of the lesser quality cameras are equiped with a smaller 1/4 chip) capturing the light through a refraction prism which splits the image into RGB so that each chip captures that color. This method of processing color results in a higher quality image than most one-chip cameras.

The Second factor that the DSLR brings to the table is an interchangeable lens system. Directors and cinematographers just love the options opened with interchangeable lenses. Essentially, one can use the infamous canon lenses to get whatever picture set-up they can think of. In this way, the DSLR cameras come closer than ever to shots that look straight outta 35mm. This is because the lenses one can use are close to, if not along the same lines, of the ones used in shooting on film. This too has the minor drawback of the additional cost of lenses (which aren't exactly cheap).

DSLRs offer many new features in the realms of digital video production but one thing to remember about digital still cameras is that THEIR MAIN AND PRIMARY FUNCTION IS AS A DIGITAL STILL CAMERA. Many manual controls, buttons, audio support and form with function are vacant.You basically compromise on these features to gain a truly cinematic depth of field in the interchangeable lens system with the possibility of a large sensor. I would say that DSLR cameras are perfect for a multi-camera shoot but, in my own opinion, for a one camera shoot you will want a versatile workhorse that can found in a digital video camera.

In a perfect world there would be a hybrid camera which utilizes the innovation of the DSLR and interchangeable lens system with the form and function of a video camera......oh wait.....SONY ALREADY DID:

This is the Sony Handycam with Interchangeable lens. It is pretty much exactly what i would ask for with the major downfall of being designed as a consumer camera. This camera sadly lacks the weight, the controls, and many of the features that one would want. Don't get me wrong, it is my understanding that the camera does a fantastic job for what it is-consumer grade electronic. This camera just isn't built for a professional and that's just a little disappointing.

I suppose the conclusion one could summise from all this is that there is a lot to look forward to in the next few years. I have no doubt that someone will create a hybrid camera for professionals. It's honestly a bit of a put down to investment of this caliber when the technology will only keep evolving. It's really just the mindset one must keep; the same as computers. Get something that will work for the next 3 years and see how the industry stands at that time.

side note: A good deal of my research can be found on the internet by poking around long enough but the information about sensor technology I got right out of "The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide For The Digital Age." This is a wonderful little reference book that has just about anything technical and a bit of the creative that you would ever need or want to know. STRONGLY RECOMMEND.