Why don't DSLR cameras have movie modes? • Non-Gaming • Photography • Eurogamer.net

coderkind 1 Mar 2006 14:07:49 986 posts
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This might be obvious to those who know a fair amount about photography (I'm a novice), but why don't Digital SLR's have movie recording modes like "normal" digital cameras?

I've been looking at the Canon 350 for ages (in fact, I'm waiting and hoping a sequel may be released soon), but it annoys me that they can't record video.

What is the reason for this on DSLRs?

smoothpete 1 Mar 2006 14:10:19 37,743 posts
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I guess because of the way the shutter and sensor works. Dunno.

UncleLou Moderator 1 Mar 2006 14:14:15 40,723 posts
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For the same reason you can't go on holiday with 5 other people and a lot of luggage in a Ferrari.

I am not sure, but at a guess, a sub-standard movie mode (and it would be, compared to dedicated camcorders) wouldn't quite fit the idea of the specialised high-quality tool a DSLR is.

Edited by UncleLou at 14:14:32 01-03-2006

UncleLou Moderator 1 Mar 2006 14:16:14 40,723 posts
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dravenclarke wrote:
same reason why you cant see a live preview of the image on the screen.. somthing to do with the mirrors etc it uses to get the image onto the sensor,

Well yes, while the camera shoots, the mirror is up, so you don't see anything through the viewfinder, but I'd guess it should somehow be possible to transfer the data directly from the chip to the LCD. Or maybe not.

mal 1 Mar 2006 14:16:52 29,326 posts
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Actually, I believe it's down to the way a DSLR sensor works - pretty sure I read about it on something Lou linked to a year or two back.

The picture sensor acts like a real bit of film - basically it can take still shots only. Guess it takes too long to 'wipe' is to take the next frame for it to work as a video screen. Some SLRs have a separate normal-style sensor which can be used to display a preview on the screen at much lower quality, or can be used to drive a non-optical viewfinder.

sam_spade 1 Mar 2006 14:17:27 15,745 posts
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Because video on a digital stills camera is shit. If you want a video camera buy one.

Smooth is right, the DSLR is designed to take a photo at a particular series of conditions, distance, light, etc etc. Having a video camera feature wouldn't work well and photographers need more in the way of image adjustment rather than gimmicks.

Dirtbox 1 Mar 2006 14:20:56 92,599 posts
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Post deleted

coderkind 1 Mar 2006 14:27:38 986 posts
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sam_spade wrote:
Because video on a digital stills camera is shit. If you want a video camera buy one.

I have both (well, a camcorder and a normal digital camera), but it's a pain carting around two devices on holiday for example when one would be more convenient.

I appreciate that either a dedicated camcorder or camera would only do an average job emulating the other device, but emulation would be preferable to not doing it at all.

smoothpete 1 Mar 2006 14:31:51 37,743 posts
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i'm very pleased with my 350D by the way. They were only out last summer and are selling well so I wouldn't hold my breath for an update

I'm so tempted by one of these little fellas

sam_spade 1 Mar 2006 14:35:08 15,745 posts
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You can pick up non-DSLRs that have good features on them. But then you won't be able to change the lens on them. Or you could wait and see if someone brings out a movie-cam with variable lenses. I suspect you are stuck with the extra load.

coderkind 1 Mar 2006 14:37:17 986 posts
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smoothpete wrote:
i'm very pleased with my 350D by the way. They were only out last summer and are selling well so I wouldn't hold my breath for an update

I'm so tempted by one of these little fellas

A few of my friends have it as well, and all rate the camera highly (their Flickr images are often amazing too).

Thanks for the Sony F828 info dravenclarke, interesting...

Finally, I'd agree with you sam_spade; it looks like the extra load is unavoidable.

otto Moderator 28 May 2007 11:16:19 49,322 posts
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The new Olympus and Panasonic DSLRs have / will have movie modes because they have a secondary CCD to provide a 'live' mode on the LCD.