cboysen Loc: Homewood, IL

I have a young friend who is just beginning in digital SLR photography and is interested in a Canon camera with video capabilities. What are some models (as well as lenses) that might be suitable for him? Thanks for your help.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

When Canon introduced the 5D MkII the video industry went nuts over it. It is still being used professionally today in videos and full length motion pictures. The camera is full frame and has become many still-photographers' steady workhorse. It will not compete with the faster frame of the MkIII or the 1-Dx but it is a great camera. Very good used copies are available for under $1400.00. As for lenses, the EF 40mm was designed to simulate the normal human view. With it's STM it remains fairly silent during AF motion. One reason the 5DMkII was so popular was the fact is opened the entire line of Canon lenses to videographers. Take your pick, there is an assortment of great glass that is unmatched. Video lenses are more expensive than 35mm types. If you'd rather have video cameras and lenses Canon makes those also.

Elliott Design Loc: West Tennessee

Canon T3i, T4i, T5i are all good for video and still photography, get the 18/135 STM lens for it and an external microphone. There are other Canon cameras also, but these recommended above are low/medium priced and make 1080 video.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Not sure what young means. If you are 90, 75 is pretty young :D .
Not sure of the budget but the Canon SL-1 is an excellent choice for still and video and at a price point so as a kit will not break the bank. From there the T6S is a step up then to the 70D and then 7D Mark II. For FF the 5D Mark III has been the industry standard that others are compared to, but getting long in the tooth.
The kit lenses are good choices for starting out as well. If video is of a more serious nature then the STM series by Canon are specifically designed to be silent for video purposes. The SL-1 comes with an 18-55mm STM which has a good general use range. From there for longer reach a 70-300mm range lens (get image stabilization "IS") is usually not overwhelming for the budget as well as a 10-18mm for wider shots.
Beyond this it depends on what they want to do. Macro lenses, Tilt and shift lenses or super telephotos.
This is the great thing about interchangeable lens cameras the options are limitless. Canon has over 60 options I believe and independents add a lot more.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Unless willing to spend for the pro level 5D or 1D lines the 70D was designed for people who do a lot of video in addition to still photography. The 7DII has pretty much the same dual pixel sensor so it should be good for video, but at a much higher price.

On the Canon Store refurb site they tend to go fast, right now they do have the 70D with 18-55mm lens for $799.99 in stock (as of 5 minutes ago).
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras?intv_id=0&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-No+Name-_-Widget_CanonCategoryRecommendationWidget_34303-_-Refurbished+EOS+Digital+SLR+Cameras-productImageLink&catalogId=10051&mpe_id=234265&evtype=CpgnClick&storeId=10051&ddkey=http:ClickInfo

seagull5

I know it does not relate but...I am so firkin pissed off at Cannon I could rip the place a new outdoor rest room. I was 2 days late getting a return back to them. They are refusing delivery and its going to come back. I was very very nice and explained that it was in my closet and I forgot totally forgot about it. After the praise I have spread about them and the money I have spent some little clerk made the wrong decision involving me. Customer service and goodwill...someone lend me a bulldozer/backhoe/tank

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

T6i, T6s, 70D and 7DII crop sensor models are the most affordable with the most advanced video capabilities. They all have "dual pixel" AF in Live View and video mode and are optimized for use with STM lenses. All of them also have more advanced 19-point AF, except the 7DII which has even more advanced 65-point AF.

T5i is pretty good too, also able to shoot video at 60 fps. Though it's optimized to use STM lenses, it doesn't have the "dual pixel" Live View autofocus, and uses a simpler 9-point AF system. T3i maxes out at 30 fps, as do SL1, T5 and T3.

Much higher priced, the full frame 6D, 5DIII and 1DX models all also have fairly advanced video capabilities (but none of them have "dual pixel" Live View focus). Crop sensor models, instead of full frame, also are able to use more lenses, including a number of EF-S lenses that are more affordable, smaller and lighter than full frame capable lenses. Full frame cameras require EF lenses... while the crop sensor models can use both EF and EF-S lenses.

The T6i and T6s are the latest and greatest, with a new 24MP sensor that's a step up from the 70D or 7DII. T6i/T6s also have 19-point AF system that's same as 70D (and a slight step down from the original 7D's). The T6s uses a control layout that's pretty similar to the 70D, too. (T6i uses the more traditional "Rebel" style control layout.)

Without knowing more about budget and user requirements, it's hard to narrow it down very much more.

I'd recommend considering lenses first, then choose a camera body that will fit the remaining budget. The kit lenses are okay... EF-S 18-55mm, 18-135mm, 55-250mm. The STM versions would be better for video work, at about $50 higher cost per lens. The EF-S 10-18mm STM isn't offered in kit, but is a very good buy at $300 (best priced ultrawide from anyone... and it's a decent lens too). USM lenses are a little better for action shooting, but not quite as as good as STM for videography. For best autofocus performance, stick with USM or STM, and steer clear of micro motor (Canon lenses not marked either USM or STM).

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I think without you giving us a price range, we are wasting both of our time!!
Do you have that info?! ;-)
SS

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

As always good advice, but the T6i/T6s and 7DmkII have tech teething problems right now.

For starting out, anything from the T2i and later would be the basis of a good learning system. Also, looking at Magic Lantern would be good to research from a video perspective.

For video, an audio mic would be a good addition. STM lenses would be a good choice. If money is not a problem, T5i and up are better for video thanT3i etc.

More info would help....

cboysen Loc: Homewood, IL

Sorry I omitted the price range. Since My friend is a beginner I was thinking of $1,000 tops.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

C, look at both the 70D and the 6ti kits with an 18-135stm lens, especially a 70d refurb kit from Canon. I think a refurb kit would be less than $1K. Good luck!! ;-)
SS

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Refurb kit of 70D and 18-135 is 899.99, but out of stock right now. Kit with 18-55 is in stock at 799.99.

cboysen Loc: Homewood, IL

Thanks to all for weighing in!

Chuckwal Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

SL1 with kit lens

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

Panasonic GH4