DSLR Video

DSLR cameras that record video are relatively new, but offer the promise of a something that consumers have sought for a long time – namely, a device that captures video and still photos with equal adeptness. You might think that a camera with enough lots of megapixels and a fast processor should be able to manage the task easily, but it's no small technological feat. All of a camera's components are designed to work towards a common goal of creating the best possible photograph. Likewise, a camcorder's parts are designed for video. The capture and processing technologies required to do either task well are significant and expensive. A device that can do both without compromise? That's something else entirely.

For years, camcorders have offered the ability to shoot still photos, and for years they've done a poor job of it. Point & shoot (compact) cameras, conversely, frequently offer video recording, but fail to match the quality and features of a dedicated camcorder. Nevertheless, users began to expect video recording from their cameras. At the same time, hoards of compact cameraq owners are upgrading to DSLR cameras, yet until recently they actually lost the video recording feature found in nearly every cheap point & shoot when they invested in a significantly more expensive camera. This apparent contradition put SLR manufacturers in a tough spot, from a technological standpoint, but the market opportunity was too rich to pass up.

Nikon took the plunge first with its D90 camera. The overall video quality for this pioneering model wasn't impressive, particularly in regards to how motion was rendered (read review). Then Canon released the 5D Mark II (read review), offering higher-resolution video (at a substantially higher price). Now each of those manufacturers has a second camera on the market – the Nikon D5000 and the Canon T1i (read review) – in an attempt to step forward as the category leaders. Panasonic will soon ship the video-enabled DMC-GH1, not an SLR but equipped with interchangeable lenses. More are following.

Testing and Analysis
Starting in 2009, all video analysis on DSLR cameras is now conducted by the staff of Camcorderinfo.com, the leader in camcorder reviews worldwide. The cameras are tested in the same labs under the same conditions as every other camcorder that Camcorderinfo.com reviews.