Good DSLR for Filming/Streaming

[Piggy]

I'm thinking of getting a DSLR for mostly filming and streaming but also to go to sports games to take pictures with one of my mentors. I was thinking of doing a Mega64 type thing by doing podcasts, and also recording skits with mes amis. I was thinking of getting a Canon 60D but I'm not entirely sure of the quality of image or if it can even stream to let's say Twitch. I would be getting a RØDE mic also. I'd like some opinions on what I should do, and I also would like it to be relatively inexpensive. 

 

EDIT: I'd also be getting this case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DW99H8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DW99H8&linkCode=as2&tag=techfdinne-20

[dizmo]

70D.

I'd also take a look at some of the Sony cameras, they're quite good at recording as well.

One of my friends uses a 5D. It's nice too.

[Ruostunut kokis]

Any budget limitations? Also I dunno whether you can stream from any DSLR to Twitch or not...

 

If your main purpose is filming, then just like dizmo mentioned, Sony DSLRs are great for recording. They also have image stabilizer bulit-in and not in the lenses, so no need to worry about IS lenses (but not sure whether they have lenses with silent servos or not, like an STM / USM equivalent for Sony, as lense's servos' sounds are loud and the noises will get to videos). One annoying thing might be that they (at least of what I've seen) tend to lack 720p video and only have 480p and 1080p.

[Piggy]

Any budget limitations? Also I dunno whether you can stream from any DSLR to Twitch or not...

 

If your main purpose is filming, then just like dizmo mentioned, Sony DSLRs are great for recording. They also have image stabilizer bulit-in and not in the lenses, so no need to worry about IS lenses (but not sure whether they have lenses with silent servos or not, like an STM / USM equivalent for Sony, as lense's servos' sounds are loud and the noises will get to videos). One annoying thing might be that they (at least of what I've seen) tend to lack 720p video and only have 480p and 1080p.

 

Well, I would get a Sony but like I said I am also using this for sports pictures and I have a budget of probably 800ish. Cheaper the better

[Zekia]

If you can afford a 60d i'd say go for it, but keep in mind lenses is what you should be looking at. I bought myself a 550d on a budget because It would leave me some wiggle room to buy some decent quality lenses. Later i'll upgrade my camera and the lenses will still be the same  

I'm really not the ideal person to give advice on streaming cameras, but for my experience a standart home video camera does a better job because it's all automatic. If the lighting situation changes you will have to adapt manually and that is gonna suck. Nowadays you can get a cheap hd video camera that will suit you fine for streaming. Just use that rode mic you are thinking about and you are good to go

[Piggy]

If you can afford a 60d i'd say go for it, but keep in mind lenses is what you should be looking at. I bought myself a 550d on a budget because It would leave me some wiggle room to buy some decent quality lenses. Later i'll upgrade my camera and the lenses will still be the same  

I'm really not the ideal person to give advice on streaming cameras, but for my experience a standart home video camera does a better job because it's all automatic. If the lighting situation changes you will have to adapt manually and that is gonna suck. Nowadays you can get a cheap hd video camera that will suit you fine for streaming. Just use that rode mic you are thinking about and you are good to go

 

I don't really want to get a Rebel (550D/600D) because they're kind of on the lower end of the Canon EOS lineup, and the 60D has more autofocus points and higher shooting rate, better battery etc. etc..   I was thinking of getting a T3i until I saw the 60D and I pretty much decided I wanted it as it is only $200 more and my mentor has lenses he will lend me so that's not an issue for me.

[Ruostunut kokis]

I don't really want to get a Rebel (550D/600D) because they're kind of on the lower end of the Canon EOS lineup, and the 60D has more autofocus points and higher shooting rate, better battery etc. etc..   I was thinking of getting a T3i until I saw the 60D and I pretty much decided I wanted it as it is only $200 more and my mentor has lenses he will lend me so that's not an issue for me.

It would be good though to get your own lenses, and because you plan to do lots of videos, STM lenses would be the way to go (unless you got money to burn on USM lenses).

 

How much is 70D in your region btw? If it isn't too much more expensive than 60D, it would be better in the long run + if you happen to want/need continuous autofocus (which on DSLRs you should almost never use. Just go manual), it's got that unlike 60D.

 

And really, the difference between lower-end Canon DSLRs (600D for example) to 60D, isn't big really. There's maybe just slight improvements and that's about it (though for sports photography the extra AF points help + the weather resistance is also a big deal)

[KR_king]

I own a 60D myself. It's a wonderful camera but picture quality wise, it's almost the same as a 550D/600D/650D... But like @Ruostunut kokis said the higher burst speed will help you when doing sport photography.

For video it's excellent! But it lacks auto focus. (Just as all the lower models). Focusing will be a pain in the ass if you don't stand behind the camera and you don't have anything that sits still in front of the camera to focus on. The 70D will be superior here because it has the same (or better) picture quality and very good auto focus. But the price is $1000 body only...

 

For the mic, I use a rode video mic pro, it's a fine one, not the best but very good for it's money!

 

As for the streaming, you will need a HDMI capture card if you want to stream with any DSLR. Just connect the camera via mini HDMI to HDMI to a capture card and your good.

 

I'd say buy a 70D with the 18-135mm kit lens (you will need a bit of zoom when doing sport photography, and you'll need a wide angle lens for the streaming) and the Rode Video Mic Pro if your budget allows it.
Otherwise buy a 60D with the lens and mic. And if that's still a bit out of budget get a 600D with the 18-135 and the Rode Mic, I doubt you will be disappointed by any of the before mentioned camera's.

 

EDIT: 

 

It would be good though to get your own lenses, and because you plan to do lots of videos, STM lenses would be the way to go (unless you got money to burn on USM lenses).

 

How much is 70D in your region btw? If it isn't too much more expensive than 60D, it would be better in the long run + if you happen to want/need continuous autofocus (which on DSLRs you should almost never use. Just go manual), it's got that unlike 60D.

 

And really, the difference between lower-end Canon DSLRs (600D for example) to 60D, isn't big really. There's maybe just slight improvements and that's about it (though for sports photography the extra AF points help + the weather resistance is also a big deal)

 

 I don't think the 60D is more weather sealed that a 600D or something like that.

Edited March 4, 2014 by KR_king

[Gomenasai]

I have a Canon Rebel T3i and installing the custom firmware Magic Lantern improves video quality (and adds a lot of extra functionality) by a lot. I haven't tried streaming with one though so I can't really comment on it. I don't have it on me right now, but when I get it back, I'll try it out.

 

Essentially what I'm throwing here is, if your camera supports it, I recommend getting the Magic Lantern firmware if your Canon camera supports it. The firmware is saved and loaded from the SD card, so just change your SD card if when you want it/don't want it.

 

Another note, that bag/case is awesome. My friend has it. Its a lot lighter than many other solutions. I plan on getting one myself.

[the pokemon kid]

Perhaps this is a long winded way of doing it but could you do this?   run a cable between a camera and a computer then use a program to use Live video capture. Then use a capture card in that computer to your stream computer where you would have the video from the camera. There would obviously be some sort of delay but I think that might work.

 

Also look at the Canon T3I, 60D or maybe a used 5D MK II... These are all great cameras! ( I use Canon stuff haha)

 

[Ruostunut kokis]

Perhaps this is a long winded way of doing it but could you do this?   run a cable between a camera and a computer then use a program to use Live video capture. Then use a capture card in that computer to your stream computer where you would have the video from the camera. There would obviously be some sort of delay but I think that might work.

 

Also look at the Canon T3I, 60D or maybe a used 5D MK II... These are all great cameras! ( I use Canon stuff haha)

Even used 5D Mk. II's can be well over OP's 800$(ish) budget. Not sure about how much for used DSLRs go for in the States, but here where I live you're lucky if you find a second-hand 5D Mk. II bellow 1000€. Plus even if he did find one within the budget, he would need a good lens. Although he mentioned his mentor can lend lenses for him, it's better to own the lenses than loan them in a long term. But yeah. 5D Mk. II would be awesome, but just too expensive for OP. Something a bit cheaper would be more suitable for him (like 60D or 600D, cheaper one leaves more money for the lense(s)).

 

And yeah. We're buncha' Canon fanboys here... :lol: