What is the best video camera for filmmaking?

What is the best video camera under $1300 for Filmmaking that can achieve the closest look to high budget film?

• I like the look of the canon t2i

• Answer:

  Hi Matt: The Canon EOS series is popular with film-style video shooting, and the T2i is within your budget range (allowing you to spend something on a 2nd or 3rd lens). Just keep in mind that it is FILM STYLE shooting (short takes, planned for editing afterwards) where the dSLR's are recommended for use. Almost all of them have 2Gb-4Gb limits on each "take" (both due to file size limits AND sensor overheating issues, even the Nikons). If you were wanting to shoot a school play or a long wedding, in one or two continuous takes, you'd be out of luck with a digital still camera in video mode. Fellow Y!A Contributor "W4bark" mentioned the Panasonic AG-AC7 and the Sony NEX-VG10, which are around the price range you mentioned, but they both use AVCHD (consumer-grade compression & SD card storage at only 17-24Mbps data rate — pro cameras record at 50Mbps or better). You won't approach a "digital cinema" look with that. The same is true of Sony's $1300 DCR-SD1000. Shop around for something like Canon's HV40 (HDV/DV tape format HiDef camcorder - under $700, like your Rebel T2i). Tape allows a fast bit-rate video data stream without a lot of compression artifacts, and will take good action scenes as well. (MPEG-4 and H.264 compressed SD card camcorders like the AG-AC7 will exhibit motion artifacts, especially in HD.) I always recommend that people look on YouTube and Vimeo for "test footage" of any camera they are considering to buy or rent. Sony's "prosumer" tape-based Exmor sensor camcorders have excellent Gamma and "knee" setting capability to achieve the contrast and shadow detail that regular film movie cameras can capture. The best Sony "semi-pro" models are about twice your budget (or more!) but some models like the HDR-FX7, the HVR-A1U, and the HVR-HD1000 can be found in the $1700-$2200 range. The popular Canon XH-A1 is also in the same "over-$2K" range, and gives you good quality tape footage.. hope this helps, --Dennis C.