All DSLR Camera Offer Same Quality HD Video ?

<p>My Nikon D3s only capture 720p video despite I have a few full frame lens. I have Panasonic AG-AC 160 for HD video but it's too heavy to carry around or taking walk through video. <br>

I'm looking for a Nikon DSLR body to shoot real estate HD video that do not require on location audio recording. Just wondering if all DSLR bodies offering same quality HD video, as long as I have pro-lens on it ? Or the sensor (FX vs DX) makes the huge different ? Something like Nikon D7100 produces good quality video as D800 or D750 ? </p>

<p>There is a very large difference in the video abilities between most cameras. Always thoroughly check out the spects and online reviews before purchasing.</p>

<p>Thank Mike.<br>

Were you saying, even in Nikon camp, different models produce different video quality ? The higher price, the better ? </p>

 

<p>Yes, different models produce different video quality. No, you have to look at individual models, not just cost. One thing to keep in mind, but not the only thing, is that the video capabilities of DSLRs have been improving with time. The D3s was announced in October of 2009 while, for example, the D7100 was announced in February of 2013.<br /> It would be good to look at camera specifications from the manufacturer and reviews by independent sources. Here is a comparison of the specs of three Nikon models by dpreview:</p>

<p>http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_d3s&products=nikon_d7100&products=nikon_d750</p>

<p>Scroll down to "videography features" for the comparison of the video capabilities of the D3s, the D7100 and the D750.</p>

<p>Hoi, is there a particular reason why you would prefer a DSLR over the Panasonic, apart from weight? </p>

<p>It seems to me that walk through real estate videos will be quite a challenge with a DSLR, hand-held, compared to the available handle on the Panasonic in terms of image stability, and the weight issue pretty much goes away if you use either a shoulder rig or dolly.</p>

<p>Then there's the issue of focus and zoom while shooting; much easier with the Panasonic, and nearly impossible with a DSLR unless you equipped it with ancillary gear which would make it impractical to use hand-held. </p>

<p>The only advantage of DSLR video is their easier-to-achieve depth-of-field, but a conventional pro camcorder like the Panasonic will be a much better choice if the cinematic look isn't important. It'd be near impossible to achieve with a DSLR anyway without some camera support system.</p>

<p>Finally, the Panasonic weighs about 6 lbs with battery and is much easier to handle than a DSLR, which when loaded with a pro lens isn't going to be much lighter. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>@ Michael, I agree with you that my Panny is excellent in real estate video. The reason I consider to use a DSLR is weight and handy. Most of my real estate video did not require on site audio recording. I carried slider, heavy duty tripod and 6 lb Panny for no audio real estate video I have problem to carry around Panny on steadycam for real estate walk-through video. I found other real estate video guys only carry DSLR with slider, tripod and light weight glide cam to finish their video assignment nicely and easily. Since my existing Nikon bodies do not offer HD video, I'm searching a best value Nikon DSLR body to make my life easier. For event and interview video, I will go back to my Panny, for sure. </p>

 

<p>I understand now, Hoi, and it makes sense :-) </p>

<p>On DSLR video quality, my feeling is there's likely not a significant enough difference for this type of application such that just about any HD-capable DSLR will probably do a great job. The scenes will be slow moving, lighting will be controlled, so really not much of a demand on video performance compared to the overall video quality in terms of aesthetics, composition and movement, etc. </p>

<p>1) Full frame and HD have nothing to do with each other. Professional HD video cameras have smaller sensor than even crop sensor DSLRs.<br />2) Professional lenses are largely irrelevant. Even the highest 1080 HD is low resolution compared to multi megapixels on a still camera.<br />3) A DSLR is really overkill for what you're trying to do. Just about any HD camcorder would do fine, with much less weight and size if those are concerns. Honestly, HD is overkill for online real estate video, but pretty much anything you buy these days is HD.</p>

<p>Thanks for all advice. It seems to me that I can get a less expensive DX body like D7100 is good enough for HD video. </p>

<p>Hoi,</p>

<p>I also have the AG-AC160, and while it is a fairly large (and not really lightweight) camera, it is very very very good with respect to Full HD (1080i/p) video. It might also be helpfull that it is a 'small sensor' camera, meaning that you will have very little problems with focusing on what you need/want to show when doing real estate presentations. Unless you need really small depth-of-field, the Panny will serve you much better that any DSLR. As Michael already explained, camera handling (especially when it comes to the zoom/focus/iris controls) with the Panny is a breeze compared to a DSLR for video work.</p>

<p>Be also advised that you might have a slightly different color response from a (Nikon) DSLR compared to the Panny, which could mean more time in post when you need/want to use footage from both cameras. I do mix footage from the AG-AC160 with footage from a Panasonic GH3 without any issues, but both cameras come from the same manufacturer, and have pretty similar color response.</p>

<p>There is one other option to using a DSLR, as Craig said: "Just about any HD camcorder would be fine...", so you might as well consider using a small handycam, which also works pretty well on one of those simple (balancer-type) steadicam gizmos. Here again you need to consider the color response if you want to mix footage with that of your AG-AC160, so a Panasonic handycam would probably be a wise choice.</p>

<p>Thank you Antonio. Very good points. Yes, my Panny is excellent in HD video. <br>

The other reason to consider DSLR is wide angle issue. Quite often when I taped in tiny little room like bathroom, study room or a small kitchen, the wide end on Panny AG-AC 160 was not really wide enough. I guess my 14mm Nikon lens may cover everything. Or can you suggest wide angle adapter for my panny ? </p>

 

<p>Hoi, I agree with you on the wide-angle issue: the AG-AC160 lens (at the wide end) is the equivalent of a 28mm lens on a full-frame DSLR, which is not bad, but can be a problem in small rooms in your case. There are wide-angle converters out there that could be used on your Panny, but with the rather large front lens of that camera, you end up with a pretty expensive converter.<br>

Zunow seems to be one of the best options in this case, but you'd still end up with about 0.7 x 28mm = approx. 20mm of equivalent focal length. That 14mm on a full-frame DSLR (FX in Nikon land) is a lot wider, but on a APS-C sized sensor (DX in Nikon land) that would be about par with the wide-converted Panny. It's up to you...</p>

<p>Antonio is correct -- whatever video camera you use, there are many wide angle adaptors (and telephoto adaptors) that can be attached to the lens, all the way to full-blown fisheye if you want. No need to go DSLR on that account. The smaller the size of the lens on the camcorder, the cheaper the adaptors are.</p>

<p>I would suggest using your smart phone. I have an Iphone app which allows my IPHONE to shoot hd video at 8MM. I also have a Samsung Galaxy S5 which is capable of shooting great low light 4k video. Both have pretty wide angles of viewing decent image stabilization and although they can do audio is not great but for your case not needed anyway. When I do need audio I just use my Zoon H4n.<br>

I think most videos on Youtube and Vimeo are shot with Smart phones. Small, easy to use and do a fairly good job especially once you edit in Final Cut or Adobe Premiere.</p>

 

<p>Due to advanced features and FullFrame Sensor, I suspect that the D750 is the current best Nikon body for Video.<br>

I have used a D800, D600, D7100, V1, and prefer the D5300 over the rest.<br>

A high quality fixed f-stop lens is best. Lower f-stop for low light is usually better.<br>

I like AFS zooms, others prefer primes or manual lens.</p>

<p>You like your Pany so why aren't you considering the GH4?<br>

It is small and light. My whole kit fits in my smallest bag.<br>

You can use Nikkors or other lens on a SpeedBooster for wider angle and lower light.</p>

<p>I now have an A7s too. It will shoot in the dark. It is FullFrame for wider shots. Almost any lens will adapt to it.</p>