Why Most DV and HDV Cameras Have Long Depth of Field

[Soopafresh]

...compared to 35mm film cameras

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/dof/index.htm

[gerryc]

My personal guess would be that the customer base for most of the lower to mid priced DV cams are the average Joes who would be filming their family doing whatever. The manufacturer probably figures that this average Joe is not looking for the artistic capabilties of short depth of field but rather something that would be easy to use and would be easy to focus on a wide range of subjects. Cost may also be an option. The more expensive cameras, usually 5 grand or more, often have interchangeable lenses, much like 35mm SLR cameras.

[RickA]

Greets,

I read a very good article on this in the NIkon DSLR forums about a year ago. Wish I still remembered the full explanation. I hate forgetting more things as I get older - I've only just hit middle age, haha.

The article discussed how P&S cameras had longer DoF and more flexable zooming than a SLR. Had something to do with the smaller sensor sizes, lens assemblies and their closer proximity to each other as compared to a full-size sensor SLR type rig. Also talked about why because of their smaller sizes they are not able to get the fidelity of a SLR with larger sensor / lens combo.

I'll see if I can find it later after I have had some coffee.

Cheers,
Rick

[jagabo]

Consumers want small cameras. Small cameras come with small lenses, short focal lengths, and small CCDs. The result is big DOF and bad signal to noise ratios.