Zacuto’s HD-DSLR vs Film Shootout!

**UPDATE:  Zacuto has finally released Part 3 of their incredible HD-DSLR vs 35mm Film Shootout!  This EP focuses on resolution tests with all these cameras plus the new Canon T2i and green-screen compositing tests.  The green-screen tests are VERY interesting indeed.  Hit up the link at the end of this article to watch all the camera goodness.

HD-DSLRs have arrived!  While indie filmmakers –including yours truly– have applauded its arrival, many professionals in the Film and Television industry still think of them as a fad, not to be taken seriously.  Zacuto –makers of very cool video accessory products such as follow focus’ and video/HD-DSLR grips/stabilizing rigs– seeks to change that with an awesome 3-part web series.

These are interesting times to be a filmmaker.  I honestly believe this is also the best time to be a filmmaker.  Never before has there been such a wide variety of ways for cash-strapped indie filmmakers to shoot their films.

A Brief History of HD-DSLRs (Skip over this part if you already know it)
For those not keeping track of what’s been happening in the development of DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras), even though camera manufacturers have been building SD (Standard Definition) video recording capabilities into their smaller digital still cameras for a good number of years, 2008 saw the introduction of the very first DSLR that could shoot 720p video at 24 FPS (frames per second) with the Nikon P90, giving birth to the HD-DSLR (High Definition capable Digital Single Reflex camera).

This was a very big deal, especially for indie filmmakers because for the first time there was a more affordable camera that could shoot high quality HD video (albeit 720p) using a much larger image sensor than most semi-Pro –and even some Pro– HD video cameras.  Previously, even though the mega-pixel race to cram more and more pixels into small sensors gave technically sharper images, this also gave much noisier pictures at higher ISO (aperture) settings.  With the larger sized sensors, they are much more sensitive to light because of the physically larger sensor area.  This allows them to deliver not only incredibly sharp images, but as well images that do not have nearly as much noise in lower lighting situations.  Combined with the ability to use a plethora of interchangeable 35mm film lenses, this gives filmmakers a very affordable alternative to the $10,000+ (body only) professional interchangeable lens HD video cameras.  Not too long afterwards, Canon released the earth-shattering 5D MarkII and forever changed the camera landscape with its ability to shoot full 1080p HD at 30 FPS and later with a firmware upgrade, the cinema-sweet 23.98 FPS, basically 24 frames per second.

Fast forward to the Present…

Even though there are now a number of HD-DSLRs that can shoot full HD video, many in the Film and Television production industry have not taken them seriously, calling them toys.  Personally I do not share this opinion.  For me, the transition of digital still cameras to digital motion picture cameras is a natural (and obvious) development that was long overdue.  But as I mentioned, many industry professionals do not think so.

Zacuto seeks to change that.  With the aid of top seasoned motion picture cinematographers, Hollywood and independent filmmakers/photographers, Zacuto has produced an awesome video shootout between the top HD-DSLRs –using 35mm motion picture film stock as the gold standard reference point– in order to gauge just how far the current HD-DSLR technology has come along.  They indeed pulled out the heavy guns recruiting the likes of Robert Primes ASC (Director of Photography), Philip Bloom (Director of Photography), and Rick MacCallum (Producer, Lucasfilm) just to name a few.

Seriously, if you have even only thought of buying an HD-DSLR to shoot movies, you HAVE TO check this out.  The guys over at Zacuto have pulled out all the stops with their tests, pushing their test cameras to –and in some cases beyond– their breaking points.  Their extreme low-light tests just have to be seen to be believed!  Plus, the fact that they were able to shoot some of their actual comparison sessions at Skywalker Ranch scores major geek points!

Zacuto is currently releasing their HD-DSLR Shootout as a 3-part web series on their website.  They have recently put up Part 2.  Each webisode runs around 30 mins.  You can see it here at this link:

http://www.zacuto.com/shootout

Welcome to Flavour Country.
Enjoy the ride and try not to drool too much.