Canon Rebel xti + Canon HV30 vs. Canon Rebel T2i

[assman24]

I have an older Canon Rebel 400D and a Canon HV30 and I am thinking of trading in for a T2i. How is the video on the T2i compared to the HV30?

I will be shooting mostly home movies of my 3 year old son fwiw. And if I get the T2i I was thinking of getting the Sennheiser MKE 300 to go with it.

[edDV]

A camcorder is generally better for shooting video. 60i has smoother motion, with motorized zoom, optical image stabilization standard and you have a basic mic + external mic jack with level control. The HV series has all the semi-pro features, works with most editors and is cheap.

If you want a DSLR that also shoots video the 2ti does well. AVCHD format is more difficult to edit, flash media is expensive* and a good manual zoom lens with image stabilization makes for a bulky, fragile thing to carry vs a camcorder. It depends whether the priority is stills or video.

I find I leave the bulky DSLR home, carry a 3x zoom point and shoot in my pocket and camcorder over the shoulder. But that's me.


* especially for vacations.

[Soopafresh]

http://vimeo.com/groups/eos550d

[mp3superfreak]

I'm with edDV on this one. I think your best solution will depend on how much work you want to put into it. The T2i produces breathtaking video, but is VERY difficult to manage as a video camera. I have a 7D, which produces almost identical video as the T2i. I also had to buy a $400 Zacuto Z-Finder to keep my videos stable and to ensure accurate focus (also mainly use IS lenses).

Trying to keep focus and smooth video with a T2i will filming a 3yr old may be a daunting task. Not impossible, but I think the HV30 may serve you better from an ease of use perspective. However, if you imagine taking more stills and only occasionally using the video, then the T2i may work for you. Just be warned the video mode on DSLR's take planning and the right tools (tripod, viewfinder, shoulder mount, IS lenses or some combination of these).