What is the cheapest dslr to produce good quality 1080p videos?

[JoshuaTjandra]

I've been looking around craigslist for some cheap DSLR to produce 1080p videos. Best I could find so far is a Rebel T3i with 18-55mm lens for $375 CAD. Can I get away with spending less and still be able to produce good quality 1080p videos? What I want is the capability to have the shallow depth of field effect which focuses on the subject and blurs the background (Like many MKBHD phone reviews).

 

Thanks in advance!

[ZetZet]

You need to get 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 for shallow depth of field.

[lani100]

I've been looking around craigslist for some cheap DSLR to produce 1080p videos. Best I could find so far is a Rebel T3i with 18-55mm lens for $375 CAD. Can I get away with spending less and still be able to produce good quality 1080p videos? What I want is the capability to have the shallow depth of field effect which focuses on the subject and blurs the background (Like many MKBHD phone reviews).

 

Thanks in advance!

Uhm a secondhand T3 without the i, this is basicly a t3i but without the swivel screen.

the new canon 1200D can also shoot 1080p

[ZetZet]

Uhm a secondhand T3 without the i, this is basicly a t3i but without the swivel screen.

the new canon 1200D can also shoot 1080p

New Canon 1200d is pretty awful compared to D3200.

awful screen, no mic input, 

[lani100]

New Canon 1200d is pretty awful compared to D3200.

awful screen, no mic input, 

Yes that's true best choise for filming in this budget is canon anyways but yep the 1200D kinda sucks.

Best cam would be Canon t3i/600D with a 50mm 1.8. Or if money is a little tight a t3/550D

[JoshuaTjandra]

So do you guys think The T3i for $375 is the way I should go? Is there something cheaper (other models besides the T2 T3) I could get away with?

 

I'm new to this stuff so for the 50mm 1.8 I assume this would do fine? (Canon FD 50mm 1.8)

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/pho/4423301884.html

[Geekazoid]

I've been looking around craigslist for some cheap DSLR to produce 1080p videos. Best I could find so far is a Rebel T3i with 18-55mm lens for $375 CAD. Can I get away with spending less and still be able to produce good quality 1080p videos? What I want is the capability to have the shallow depth of field effect which focuses on the subject and blurs the background (Like many MKBHD phone reviews).

 

Thanks in advance!

I'd say, just try to find a Canon EOS 700D on special. It has a lens that comes package with it that's designed for recording video as the autofocus is so much quieter and smoother than say a Canon EOS 600D. I know this because I own one. It's quite a good DSLR camera. It also allows you the option to record in PAL 25/50FPS or NTSC 30/60FPS, however I don't believe this is specific to this camera but still something to note nonetheless.

[Ruostunut kokis]

Best bet for a cheap DSLR for HD videography would be a second-hand 550D (T2i). Doesn't get much cheaper after that.

 

So do you guys think The T3i for $375 is the way I should go? Is there something cheaper (other models besides the T2 T3) I could get away with?

 

I'm new to this stuff so for the 50mm 1.8 I assume this would do fine? (Canon FD 50mm 1.8)

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/pho/4423301884.html

EF 50mm 1.8, not FD. FD is old standard and not supported on modern (Canon) DSLRs without an adapter.

[JoshuaTjandra]

Best bet for a cheap DSLR for HD videography would be a second-hand 550D (T2i). Doesn't get much cheaper after that.

 

EF 50mm 1.8, not FD. FD is old standard and not supported on modern (Canon) DSLRs without an adapter.

Ah thanks for the heads up. This DSLR stuff is more confusing than PCs hahaha, A LOT more expensive than I expect too

[brownninja97]

i think its either the t3 or t3i.

[qwertywarrior]

a rebel is a great choice

 

but for DOF effects u would normally want a full frame camera

 

aps sensors for example on the rebel has that if u got a 1.8 fstop but it doesn't come close to a fullframe  at 1.8

[Ruostunut kokis]

Ah thanks for the heads up. This DSLR stuff is more confusing than PCs hahaha, A LOT more expensive than I expect too

For a beginner is sure is confusing. And helluva expensive too. Haha. At first it might be cheaper than PC assembling and gaming, but soon becomes more expensive, if one invests in more (and better) lenses.

 

EDIT:

Oh, and keep in mind, since EF 50mm f1.8 is for Full-Frame, putting it on a crop sensor (APS-C) camera (basicly anything other than 5D and 6D) will crop it with a factor of 1.6, making it essentially a 80mm for APS-C cameras. Works well for portraits though, and with the fast aperture of f1.8, it'll yield nice results.

Edited April 25, 2014 by Ruostunut kokis

[alrobles]

Uhm a secondhand T3 without the i, this is basicly a t3i but without the swivel screen.

the new canon 1200D can also shoot 1080p

A T3 is nothing close to a T3i. 

 

T3:

720p Video

12MP

2.7inch display

Very plasticy feeling

Cheap smooth rubber grip

30fps or 25fps recording

 

T3i:

1080p Video with higher bitrate (even at 720p it has a higher bitrate than the T3)

18MP

3 inch "Vari angle display"

Better plastics than the T3

Textured rubber grip

30fps, 25fps, 24fps recording

[lani100]

A T3 is nothing close to a T3i. 

 

T3:

720p Video

12MP

2.7inch display

Very plasticy feeling

Cheap smooth rubber grip

30fps or 25fps recording

 

T3i:

1080p Video with higher bitrate (even at 720p it has a higher bitrate than the T3)

18MP

3 inch "Vari angle display"

Better plastics than the T3

Textured rubber grip

30fps, 25fps, 24fps recording

Oh my mistake so confusing all these canon model numbers but I meant the 550D vs 600d

[alrobles]

Oh my mistake so confusing all these canon model numbers but I meant the 550D vs 600d

haha yeah that would be a closer match. Only really small incremental upgrade between the two. And true about your thoughts on the 1200D. Its essentially a re-branded 550D/T2i when you compare the two.

[davidvu396]

Get an EOS M. They are dirt-cheap for a APS-C sensored camera. Plus, its a Canon. You know its good with video. same sensor as 7D.

[Ruostunut kokis]

Get an EOS M. They are dirt-cheap for a APS-C sensored camera. Plus, its a Canon. You know its good with video. same sensor as 7D.

For videos that's great. The price is lowering (it's cheaper than 1100D around here right now, and that is with 18-55mm f 3,5-5,6 IS STM kit lens with EOS M compared to non-STM version of the kit lens with the 1100D). Price dropping might be due to the issue of having rather horrible AF when taking photos...

 

Still though. Either EOS M or second-hand 550D/600D would be good for OP.

[DoubleY]

You need to get 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 for shallow depth of field.

It doesn't have to be a prime lens. It could just be something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/210306-Sigma-18-35mm-F1-8-DC-HSM-Lens-for-Nikon-APS-C-DSLRS-from-Japan-Kz-/221440937103?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item338ee88c8f

 

Obviously that lens is more expensive, but my point still stands 

[ZetZet]

It doesn't have to be a prime lens. It could just be something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/210306-Sigma-18-35mm-F1-8-DC-HSM-Lens-for-Nikon-APS-C-DSLRS-from-Japan-Kz-/221440937103?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item338ee88c8f

 

Obviously that lens is more expensive, but my point still sounds

he wants cheap. that is hella expensive. also no one needs 18mm for video.

[DoubleY]

he wants cheap. that is hella expensive. also no one needs 18mm for video.

 

It doesn't have to be a prime lens. It could just be something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/210306-Sigma-18-35mm-F1-8-DC-HSM-Lens-for-Nikon-APS-C-DSLRS-from-Japan-Kz-/221440937103?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item338ee88c8f

 

Obviously that lens is more expensive, but my point still stands 

[ZetZet]

 

it doesn't since he asked for cheap solutions.

[DoubleY]

it doesn't since he asked for cheap solutions.

My point was that it doesn't have to be a prime lens to be F 1.8, which is why he was recommending the prime lenses in the first place AFAIK. 

[ShadowCaptain]

Dont forget about MFT cameras such as the Panasonic GF series.

 

Even someting like an old GF2 produces stunning video quality, it is much cheaper than a DSLR, lenses can be picked up much cheaper too and can be adapted to use pretty much any lens

 

[davidvu396]

For videos that's great. The price is lowering (it's cheaper than 1100D around here right now, and that is with 18-55mm f 3,5-5,6 IS STM kit lens with EOS M compared to non-STM version of the kit lens with the 1100D). Price dropping might be due to the issue of having rather horrible AF when taking photos...

 

Still though. Either EOS M or second-hand 550D/600D would be good for OP.

The AF isnt that bad..., focusing speeds are not that relevant when shooting videos.  Also you can use the touchscreen to focus which is very convenient. Otherwise you would want to use manual focus on the lens anyways.

dont forget to use prime lenses with minimum f/2.8 to get shallow depth of field.

 

2nd option: 2nd hand Panasonic GH2/GH3 + 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 (or if budget allows: 14mm f/2.5)

 

I'd go for second option. These are properly good quality.

[Ruostunut kokis]

The AF isnt that bad..., focusing speeds are not that relevant when shooting videos.  Also you can use the touchscreen to focus which is very convenient. Otherwise you would want to use manual focus on the lens anyways.

dont forget to use prime lenses with minimum f/2.8 to get shallow depth of field.

 

2nd option: 2nd hand Panasonic GH2/GH3 + 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 (or if budget allows: 14mm f/2.5)

 

I'd go for second option. These are properly good quality.

I mentioned that AF while taking photos was rather horrible on EOS M (by horrible I don't only mean slow, but also unaccurate). In videos it's fine (well... Just go full manual for best results).

 

Although the EOS-M mount is a bit stupid (was it only 2 or-so lenses for EF-M and have to buy an expensive adapter to be able to use EF / EF-S lenses? Silly Canon...), still though, lens variability shouldn't be an issue (as long as the adapter is present).