Are cheap 1080p video cameras worth it?

What is the difference between DSLR video and the video from bigger professional cameras?

• The Canon XF series are all big camcorders that say the shoot full 1080p video and there are also the EOS Mark series that are all DSLR cameras but also say they shoot full 1080p video. Is the other one actually better quality or what? Is it different frame rates? And what is the difference in how they capture video? As you can see, I'm lost. Thanks a lot for any help.

• Answer:

  They are very different cameras. The Canon XF series are great video cameras and they give you all the needed features for video cameras such as auto focus, built in nd filters, motorized zooms, and others. The only downside is the sensor that records the video on the cameras is small. This means that they will struggle a little in low light and will not offer the depth of field (blurred out background look) and large sensor cameras. This is the best/easiest way to go in most circumstances unless you are particularly needing to control the depth of field. The DSLR cameras like the Canon EOS series have very large sensors that allow for great depth of field and low light performance. Unfortunately these cameras lack alot of the features you need in a video camera like auto focus (some have what they say is auto focus but it is useless in real life...you will need to focus manually) and motorized zooms. DSLR's give great quality but only if you can manually focus which will be difficult for moving subjects, don't plan on zooming often or at all, and have some form of stabilizer. Still you will have more issues with a DSLR than a regular video camera. I have seen some amazing results with DSLRs and use one myself, but you will need to pay great attention to every detail and will probably need to invest in some other equipment like a stabilizer or stabilized lens, variable ND filter, external mic (built in one is useless), follow focus, and a prime lens or one with a max aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range (otherwise you won't get great depth of field). www.learningcameras.com