Best Camcorder $1000.00 or lower

Quote from dandlewood : ::sigh:: okay, I guess I'm going to have to give up portability. If I go DSLR, do you think the canon F1.8, 50MM lens would be adequate? And do you think I would have buyers remorse if I bought the T3i vs T4i?

I wouldn't use a 50mm lens for city shots. It's just too long. 50mm would be more appropriate for shooting portraiture (or in movies, recording head and shoulders).

Moreover, 50mm requires rather precise focus. I prefer 35mm and shorter for city shooting. I use a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 as well as my ultra wide angle lens (Tokina 12-24 f/4) for city photography. In your position, I'd consider a Canon 28 f/1.8, Canon 35 f/2 or Sigma 30 f/1.4. There are also a ton of manual focus 28mm f/2.8 lenses for pretty cheap which would work pretty well.

As to which DSLR, I recommend getting a T2i. The T3i and T4i use the same image sensor and their only real benefit is a swivel screen. I'd save the cash, get a T2i and put it toward an accessory or lens.

Quote from dandlewood : Hey guys, Looking to upgrade my camcorder to something much nicer, but kind of lost. Most people seem to be saying that canon is the way to go under 1000, but others say that while canon has better optics, sony has the better sensor? I'm also concerned about low light filming. My current camera is a HDR CX-100 and while well lit shots aren't too bad, low light shots are so pixelated and blurry that they're pretty much useless(filming my niece's dance recital was almost embarrassing to show my family). I've been toying around with the idea of of using a DSLR, but I'm troubled by the bulkiness and recording time limitations. Any advice you guys could give would be useful.

OP, have you considered the Canon VIXIA HF M41? It has very good low light performance and it is very cheap (< $400). Note that it is last years model so it may be even cheaper now. There are several low light video tests of the M41 on Youtube (ex. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmN_7nHboW0).

Quote from TheObserver84 : OP, have you considered the Canon VIXIA HF M41? It has very good low light performance and it is very cheap (< $400). Note that it is last years model so it may be even cheaper now. There are several low light video tests of the M41 on Youtube (ex. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmN_7nHboW0).

Not crazy about the idea of going back to digic 3 after seeing how much digic 5 seems to outdo digic 4 in t3i-t4i tests. I have a feeling if I use yesteryears tech, I'm going to have a bit of buyers remorse. I that vein, I'm currently considering upping my limit a little and possibly splurging on the Canon G10 or sony HDR PJ7. The G10 is getting great reviews, but the Image stabilization on the sony looks pretty nuts.

Quote from dandlewood : Not crazy about the idea of going back to digic 3 after seeing how much digic 5 seems to outdo digic 4 in t3i-t4i tests.

What benefit do you believe the Digic 5 offers over a Digic 4 camera?

Quote from kakomu : What benefit do you believe the Digic 5 offers over a Digic 4 camera?

I've seen several videos like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1xQQPh2_NY in which they pit the t3i vs the t4i using the same lens and the t4i seems to consistently have less graininess and better color saturation. Since the sensor and optics are the same I'm attributing the difference to digic V over digic IV.

Quote from dandlewood : I've seen several videos like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1xQQPh2_NY in which they pit the t3i vs the t4i using the same lens and the t4i seems to consistently have less graininess and better color saturation. Since the sensor and optics are the same I'm attributing the difference to digic V over digic IV.

Noise reduction and color correction are both post-processing effects that can be accomplished in whichever video editing suite you're using. Considering the sensors are, pretty much, the same, I wouldn't sweat the details of in-camera processing.

You will probably be far better off saving some cash by going for a used or refurbished T2i and applying the saved cash toward other things (another lens, software, a tripod, etc).

Normally I'd agree with buying a used body and spending money on glass instead, but the t4i is the only current Canon that can fully utilize the new STM lenses (40mm f2.8 and 18-135mm), which is supposed to offer smooth, silent and continous focusing for video. I haven't seen any real world reviews of how well it actually works yet, but it would be worth some more research before choosing a body if you go that route.

Personally though I'm not sure a dSLR is your best solution. It seems to me like one of the less expensive camcorders like the Sony CX260V or Panasonic V700K would meet most of your needs, or splurge and go for the Canon G10 or Sony PJ710V.

Quote from FlashX83 : Normally I'd agree with buying a used body and spending money on glass instead, but the t4i is the only current Canon compatible with the new STM lenses (40mm f2.8 and 18-135mm), which is supposed to offer smooth and silent focusing for video. I haven't seen any real world reviews of how well it actually works yet, but it would be worth some more research before choosing a body if you go that route. Personally though I'm not sure a dSLR is your best solution. It seems to me like one of the less expensive camcorders like the Sony CX260V or Panasonic V700K would meet most of your needs, or splurge and go for the Canon G10 or Sony PJ710V.

Not true at all. STM lenses is just the autofocus motor that is being used. Much like USM. It is designed to be much more quiet during use and is designed with video in mind. It works for still photography too, its just not as fast as designs for focusing. There are only 2 lenses with this on them, one is an EF and the other is an EF-S mount. Compatability rules apply to the lens mount, not the type of auto focus motor being used.

Quote : Stepping motor (STM) lenses were first announced in June 2012, alongside the announcement of the EOS 650D/Rebel T4i/Kiss X6. Two lenses featuring this technology were announced: an EF 40mm pancake lens, and an EF-S 18–135mm superzoom. Canon claims that this technology allows smooth and silent autofocus, and with compatible bodies (the first of which is the 650D), will provide continuous autofocus in live view and video (although it does not claim continuous AF on par with camcorders).[4] STM lenses are marked with the letters "STM" on the front of the lens as part of the model designation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cano...ping_motor