Videography: Would a dedicated video camera better than using my DSLR’s (D5, D850,D500) for video? Use cases are mostly wildlife (safaris) and birding. If yes, what would be an optimal...

RahulKhosla

Would a dedicated video camera better than using my DSLR’s (D5, D850,D500) for video? Use cases are mostly wildlife (safaris) and birding.

If yes, what would be an optimal combination of weight, capabilities and price? I don’t want to buy / carry jumbo type video cams 🤣

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

It all depends on your needs.

A full time video camera would be better if you need good videos but that also means it would need a knowledgeable person to operate it. If you want something that can be used as a main production file, you need another guy or be juggling between 2 specialized equipment.

Even if you just to use the DSLR you carry for videography, that would also mean stopping the stills while having the video on if you not have another guy to operate another equipment at the same time.

On the other hand, if the purpose is just for B-rolls or informal recording, then you can mount a go-pro on top of your camera (on the flash shoe) with an adaptor. Just remember to turn it on & off when you start pointing for photography and you will have a video at the same time. Use one with the highest pixel recording so a little bit of electronic zoom can be done in editing.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

RahulKhosla wrote:

Would a dedicated video camera better than using my DSLR’s (D5, D850,D500) for video? Use cases are mostly wildlife (safaris) and birding.

If yes, what would be an optimal combination of weight, capabilities and price? I don’t want to buy / carry jumbo type video cams 🤣

Add a Z6 to your arsenal. Great video and a great still camera.

RahulKhosla

Wallen wrote:

It all depends on your needs. br br A full time ... (show quote)

Thank you Wallen.....is the GoPro video quality good enough to share informally, mostly on social media and friends? I dont need professional grade videos but am looking for reasonably good output.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

RahulKhosla wrote:

Thank you Wallen.....is the GoPro video quality good enough to share informally, mostly on social media and friends? I dont need professional grade videos but am looking for reasonably good output.

Go pros shoot great and even some of the knock-offs look good on 14" monitors.
But i'd recommend the go pro for more reliability and battery life.

One thing to consider is the field of view. They are on the wide side so are more suitable for documenting the area and not a small target like a bird far in the distance.

RahulKhosla

Wallen wrote:

Go pros shoot great and even some of the knock-offs look good on 14" monitors.
But i'd recommend the go pro for more reliability and battery life.

One thing to consider is the field of view. They are on the wide side so are more suitable for documenting the area and not a small target like a bird far in the distance.

super thanks

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

If I remember rightly, a dedicated video camera will continue to record until either the battery runs out or SD card fills up. A camera will at most run continuously for only 30 minutes, due to tax laws that deem a camera that runs longer than 30 mins is a 'Video Camera'.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I always shoot video with a camcorder.

RahulKhosla

jerryc41 wrote:

I always shoot video with a camcorder.

Which make/ model. You don’t carry a still camera ?

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Many camcorders, like mine, have a still photo option

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

RahulKhosla,

You have several choices:

1. The "action camera" group including the GoPro emphasis wide angle, slow motion effects and stabilization.
2. Dedicated "HD" palm sized camcorder. There are fewer than there used to be because HD is being replaced by 4K. But, they are pretty cheap, especially if you get a used one. The Panasonic TM900 was at the peak for the HD camcorder era.
3. Buy a 4K camcorder like the Sony FDR-AX100
4. Buy a "hybrid" mirrorless camera that emphasizes video quality and features along with photo quality. The Panasonic GH5 is one example. Sony's most recent full frame releases too.
5. Keep using typical DSLRs. They all have video buttons and do a pretty good job. Good enough that you may never notice any weaknesses unless you get serious about videography.

RahulKhosla

bsprague wrote:

RahulKhosla, br br You have several choices: br ... (show quote)

Thanks v much

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Doddy wrote:

If I remember rightly, a dedicated video camera will continue to record until either the battery runs out or SD card fills up. A camera will at most run continuously for only 30 minutes, due to tax laws that deem a camera that runs longer than 30 mins is a 'Video Camera'.

Hilarious......

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

SuperflyTNT wrote:

Add a Z6 to your arsenal. Great video and a great still camera.

...and the ability, with the flip of a switch, to cycle between vid and stills. Handy.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

RahulKhosla wrote:

Would a dedicated video camera better than using my DSLR’s (D5, D850,D500) for video? Use cases are mostly wildlife (safaris) and birding.

If yes, what would be an optimal combination of weight, capabilities and price? I don’t want to buy / carry jumbo type video cams 🤣

The cameras you mention are NOT known for their video. It is more an afterthought with them as the AF is slow and searches compared to other systems and dedicated video cameras.
Most any small dedicated video camera will out perform them.