Camcorders Vs. DSLRs 2021 Edition 

Crank II, a film that won 32 million $ by Neveldine & Taylor and Jason Statham was done with a regular camcoders!

I appreciate this so much. I go down the DSLR rabbit hole every time I think about upgrading my current camcorder and I'm always overwhelmed. Ready to upgrade to a prosumer camcorder instead.

Your point about the false savings on not buying a camcorder is very on point. I went down the unusual route of building around my camcorder (started Vixia) - DJI gimbal + several external mics, lights etc. While I would have been terrified to spent $1500 on a pro camcorder with all those built in... I've definitely spent more than that accessorising. Another point is that it's a lot of hassle to assemble all the accessories and keep everything charged. Having one solid device ready for run and gun use... absolutely invaluable!

I have a veritable collection of mirror less cameras and have now opted for a video camera that have come on leaps and bounds over the years. I bought the Sony AX53 which is a brilliant camcorder and so easy to use. Best of all the stabilisation is incredible!

Incredible and informative video. I've been shooting photos on DSLRs for over a decade now, but have recently been looking at getting my first video camera.. I always assumed 'camcorders' were just old 90s/00s technology, when really the product has EVERYTHING I personally need a video camera for.

It's almost like video cameras were made specifically for taking video.

precise honest and sincere analysis! I believe what Bruce is saying 100%. Focus on content. Don't waste time and money trying to find the ideal combination. There will be always another one...

Such a practical overview, thanks for focusing on the task at hand for most of us, which is to get started as quickly as possible!

I agree with everything you said. DSLRS are for photos .. camcorders are for videos.. simple and efficient.

I agree 100%. I use the Sony PXW-X70 4K Camcorder with exceptional results, and yes you can get a blurred background with it! I shoot short film and documentaries. Well done Sir excellent video.

I been using a Sony AX53 for quite some time now and I am blown away at the quality of the video I shoot. I can zoom in on tiny objects with clear crisp video.

I learned more from you in this one video than I have watching a dozen other camera videos. I'd love to take a class from you if you offer it.

As someone who played around with a camcorder, having my own mirror less setup, I really wondered why more people didn’t use camcorders and this video broke it down beautifully and am seriously looking to buy one now, thank you so much for this video.

I LOVE your confidence on the subject. Learning all of what I know now from RU-vid and personal practice and repetition, etc, I have turned a HUGE blind eye to video cameras. Shooting weddings more frequently now, I think having a few of these for Ceremonies and Speeches will be the solution to all my problems.

I use a Sony Handycam video camera for video, and a DSLR for still photography. I wouldn't use a DSLR for video because of the rolling shutter effect, bad stabilization etc.

Thank you so much for this video! As an amateur I found it very easy to understand, without the "scarry" tech buzzwords and it helps me to think and investigate further on what device would truly meet my needs and could handle with my level of "expertise". (I'm just a father looking for an easy to handle, budget camera, with decent quality to make - mainly - family shoots.)

Excelent content! Having worked with camcorders in the past, I was always boggled by why the heck the video content production market is going down the path of the photography cameras for that. Looking to buy myself a new camera for youtube, and it's hard to find good content about the latest camcorders.

First time seeing your channel - I love it! I started our channel with a nice DSLR and had a bear of a time getting good footage from it with fast moving kids. It's when I finally picked up my wife's Sony Handycam and got perfect footage, I was set. It got my channel going!

I'm so happy I stumbled across this. There's so much information out there about camcorders and DLSRs and it felt like everything I found was mostly for DLSRs. I finally started looking at what the difference is. I don't believe need all of the fine-tuned details of DLSRs (including the price tags involved with that) and camcorders have moved back into 1st place. THANK YOU

Great review, have been going back and forth regarding weather i should get a camcorder or dslr. I just want to press record and go without the extra hassel to have a good quality video. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

DSLR's are for photography Camcorders are for videos Yes, it sounds obvious but I think we tend to forget about it quite a lot. Unfortunately, I'm getting tired of using DSLR's for videos. It doesn't matter what you shoot, the DSLR's cannot record for more than 30 minutes (at least 90% of the dslr's won't), and if they do record for more than 30 minutes, they tend to overheat. They're so unpractical. If you want to shoot videos (podcasts, youtube etc), go for a camcorder, trust me!

Thanks great explanation! For a musician who is putting the camera far from the stage I think a camcorder is the way to go. A DSLR isn't going to give you depth of field from that far away, and no record limit.

The AX700 transformed my online teaching and videos of content tailored for individuals with a disability. Immediately I was focused on what I was teaching rather than the technology. I was a photographer many years ago and I love a good DSLR for photography but in my opinion the AX700 and a new AX53 I have as a second camera is a far superior setup for my type of work. The bonus is that anybody can use them so I can get assistance when I need it, which was not practically possible with DSLRs. The quality and features are spectacular for the price and in the end it all just works like a video recording session should.

Well said. I have been using the Panasonic camcorder for the past two-years as my run and gun go to camera and it is the perfect camera for me. It’s all about the content!

I have a Panasonic AG cx10 and for 99% of people it has everything you need. Built in ND filters, super zoom, 2 line xlr interface and light, external mic, dual card slots, even ethernet or wifi livestreaming. Its absolutely perfect for run and gun and everything except shooting an actual movie. Oh also it has infrared nightvision.

funny how the other "best video camera of" videos never mention the 30 minute record limit, or overheating issues of most mirrorless cameras.

Really appreciate your efforts to create this video. Nicely done. Soft spoken. Beautiful channel.

🎯 100% spot on with the difference on both. Im in the market for a video setup and when you start adding things to a dslr/mirrorless it just gets more expensive and bulkier. Camcorder it is for me.

Thank you very much for the video! You are so right. I have a Sony FDR AX 33 and I love it. I am now buying an AX 700. I make wedding videos and I think this is the best choice. You said it too !! All the best to you!!

Love your take on this! I'll probably get myself the Panasonic HC X20

I've used camcorders to record the kids track meets but i tried using my Canon 80D on a tripod and it was difficult to keep it smooth. I guess the cheap tripod didn't help especially with the weight of my 70-200mm lens attached to the camera. I tried zooming in but i couldn't get close enough. I think for certain instances a camcorder is better. I used my dslr for more enclosed events such as high school basketball or presentations. I'll probably opt for a camcorder for when i shoot outside.

Thanks for sticking up for camcorders and for pointing out the flaws with the DSLR / mirorless fandom. Thought I was missing something even after watching their side of the argument but... apparently not. Camcorders make eminently more sense for video (also... seems like as you say people are getting distracted by small details!)

Well done Sir.....you just destroyed a lot of misconceptions I had.

Thank you so much for pointing this out, I have been a commercial photographer for over 40 years and have just about everything but I can tell you the the ax700 is a killer unit, very close to motion picture images. I shoot all the sony sir a7r and such, it has its place but for me the ax700 for video is without sought the best. thanks for the video on its greatness.

Oh my God I am so happy with my sony video camera and my wedding customers are loving it.

Absolutely I agree with you, dslr are for photography and camcorder for video. Yeah you can use dslr for video but you will be spending a ton of money. Get a proper mid to high end camera and it will kill dslr on video quality

Nice info sir ☺️I actually always loved how camcorders look!! Beautiful

When I bought the 5D MK2, I rigged and used it for video and photo but between the terrible ergonomics and lack of good focus, I couldn't use it for long content. Images and colors looked great but when you need audio, better screen, dual recording, battery life, camcorders just make sense. Only camera I'd consider with DSLR form factor today is a R5C.

Great video. I've invested in the Panasonic WFX991. Best decision I've made. If needed, I do my bokehs in my software. DSLRs are limited in practicality.

The ease of use, ergonomics and massive optical zoom is what makes camcorders the winner, easily. I can give the camera to my friends or girlfriend and they just press record and GO. I'ts about capturing the moment, not having the "best" lighting, the perfect bokeh, the perfect stabilization etc etc. Normal people are scared of DSLRs, but camcorders? They love'em.

Just curious what you shot the video with. I notice the image goes blurry then clear...autofocus? Also I can either see you or the camera but not both. One or the other is blurry. I'm a retired nurse and I've been using fb live to teach real covid info. I'm tired of being censored for daring to utter...."vitamin c" so I've moved over to Rumble. My viewers are now asking for classes so I'm looking at devices with longer recording times. The DSLR cuts off at 29 min unless you use an external recorder. I'm guessing to do screen shares I'll need to set up my computer webcam and switch back and forth between cams. The whole thing is overwhelming. I want to help people with these classes but I keep getting stuck with the tech obstacles. Please help!!

Great video. I bought an AX-700 a couple of years ago and I love it. Go look at some 4K footage examples. Stunning footage. I use mine for green screen recording in my basement studio. Works great. Cant recommend them enough.

I don't know about DSLR's but one thing I like about camcorders is they are parfocal, which means they stay in focus and don't blur when you zoom in or out or change from direction to direction shooting fast moving subjects. Go Pros & I phones blur on the fly for split seconds before they lock in to the focus area.

I started out with the canon xa 11 camcorder for parts of the worship service and the sermon of a church I’ve been attending. I got a great deal on that at a pawn shop for $650 cash. Since then I have purchased 2 lumix G7’s. Everything in this video is SPOT on! The camcorder is way easier to use. I’ve spent so much time on YT finding out how to set the lumix’s to match the Canon.

This man is trying to save you money and get you creating content. Look at some of these channels that tell you to buy all this mirrorless crap... their content is only about the products! They have no creativity. Get a camera that will allow you to just focus on the world around you and not on the camera. Trust me. I've been through it. After countless mirrorless cameras and regretting selling my ax100, I just bought an ax700 for a great deal and I can already feel myself focusing on the subjects and not the camera.

Batteries are mounted externally on camcorders not internally like in photo cameras. This makes changing batteries easy and quick and don't require removing the camera from a tripod. Same goes for memory cards. Some photo cameras will position the card slot underneath the unit and makes it slow and cumbersome to swap out.

What a timely video, I am working on a documentary and I was thinking of investing in a DSLR but I wanted to explore camcorders thank you for this video.

Making a body made to take stills comfortable to hold for video is a point I've always made about using DSLRs. Another issue as a photographer is that most cameras since 2017 haven't improved for still photography. Manufacturers now have to cram more video features to make a marketable product. I just need my camera to take photos. My favorite camera is a Nikon D700. I might upgrade to another D700 and a D3. My money goes to quality glass. I don't need more than 128,000 iso (you're doing something wrong if you do) and I don't need a red record button. I've been looking at prosumer level camcorders recently and this video sold me on them. I might not be able to achieve the level of cinematography someone can achieve with a 35mm but that level of cinematography requires serious rigs (chassis', tripods, trollies etc), specialized lenses for smoother manual focusing. I really just want to get my feet wet with video for photojournalism and for that the camcorder is king. Also professional camcorders can stream live which is a huge plus.

great video man! just ordered my first camcorder, the canon xa50, and i’m so excited, but also nervous if a camcorder is the right path for me! thanks for this video!!

My brother gifted me a Sony HXR-NX100 camcorder (1080p not 4k) for Christmas and I'll admit I was DEVESTATED. Everyone I've watched on this platfom talks about DSLR this and that, and so I thought when he spent $1500 on a camcorder instead of a DSLR for my 1st camera I thought I was going to be in trouble. Needless to say your video makes me feel better about the entire thing. Thanks for helping to prevent a dysfunctional holiday fight from happening lol.

Really good overview.

I love camcorders, I have 3 of them, one is 480 from 12 years ago, the other two are 1080, one is sony and the other is canon, and they are not 4k. I also have a DSRL camera and you are absolutely right with the change of lenses and all the functions. I think that depending on the situation, video cameras can be used for many things. . It is not the same to have a camera made only for video than a photographic camera that you use for video. I imagine that already in 4k they have to record much better. I once tried a sony 4k 5 years ago and I didn't like it very much. The audio was recorded poorly and did not have much zoom. But maybe in these years the new models have improved. It did record the video very well, the depth of field, but I didn't like the audio and the zoom. But if the camcorders are wonderful, I have great affection for them and I continue to use them.

I have a Panasonic VX1 which turned out to be a godsend when compared to my Canon DSLR (T5i). While I could achieve great results image quality-wise with the T5i, it took a lot more work to get to that point where the VX1 gave me at least 80% of what I wanted as a point & shoot option saving me massive amounts of time & space in my bag. Then again, it's not a photography camera, it's a video camera, so I expect that. With a zoom of up to 600mm, I was able to get some gorgeous shots of a full moon, craters and all. For common-man use? A prosumer camcorder will hold it's own against any DSLR or mirrorless and besides, 90% of RU-vid videos can't even process more than 1080k (possibly up to 4k) anyway. I paid about $700 for mine and that's it. No additional lenses, no filters, no this, no that...just one nice little tidy package that ALWAYS remains in focus. AND...it offers some in-camera control (sharpness, etc...) like a DSLR. For newer users, learn from my mistakes, just get a camcorder and a tripod and a mic and be done with it. Learn with that until you figure out what your needs are and then upgrade, but for well under $1000 (including the cost of your accessories, SD card(s), tripod, mic, etc...), you can produce some beautiful footage right out the box.

I wish I knew about it before buying GH5. I agree that camcorder is the best for the run and gun situation. Especially for youtubing camcorders are the most convenient and easy to use in every situation.

Thank you for your very informative videos! I noticed the bouquet effect when you were talking on this video. Did you shoot your talking parts on a camcorder or on a DSLR if you could let me know that would be helpful thanks!

Brilliant video,I have both the Sony ax100 & ax700 ,they are both outstanding

As a creative director, you're getting into design vs. production when you talk about photo/cinema vs camcorder. Designers plan and frame their shots and use the right techniques to get the look they want to tell stories. Videographers just capture and record (react) and hope they can make something out of it. Most people going for the cinematic look are not doing for personal RU-vid videos, but actually professional brand/advertising work. You'd really hate a Red or a Canon C-70 with cinema lenses if you think DSLR's are complicated... LOL

Couldn’t agree more. The ergonomics alone. Plus, some have XLR audio jacks with phantom power and individual channel gain.

Great video sir, videos that start as promised like this one 🙌🙌not the ones that start and say stick around for more

I have the Canon 5D mark iv, (and 2 other full format Canon bodies) lots of Canon L lenses, and lots of gear, but now my favourite camera is the iPhone 14 Pro Max, especially for video. My life improved when I discovered the Kirk Enterprise System bridge conversion to arca swiss for the MVH500AH video head, so that I can finally ditch those long plates that are so inconvenient for DSLR, and it's much easier with the universal arca swiss, and it works well with the iPhone with a small holder.

In my opinion, the best advantage to interchangeable lenses is value retention. lenses I bought 10 years ago can be sold for 70-80 percent of what I paid for them. when replacing a camera body, all of my lenses, nd filters and other accessories carry over.

I have used all cameras and I totally agree with you. Even cheaper camcorders are good for video those just keep recording even If the world ends without overheating or other limitations. I don't undestand that hype of mirrorless video crap these days.

Waiting for a camcorder with an APSC size sensor or full frame. I love camcorders even though i have great mirrorless like the A7s3. Just got me a Canon G70 Vixia which takes such beautiful videos and been able to Zoom 600mm optically without having to change lenses is so nice. I hope they won't dissapear from the market, thats why i started my quest to get more of them just in case.

Exactly the info I needed. Great points made! Thank you.

I usually buy my equipment open box or refurb and a couple of years behind the current state of the art. I bought a Canon Vixia HF R800 refurb from Canon for chump change which is my easy to carry touristy camcorder. There's not a decent video on youtube showing it's capabilities in the right hands. I may do it myself. I enjoyed the video. Good luck with the channel.

i dont like that Wide Aperture lens , having tiny field of focus , so it hunts all the time , whats wrong with having a bit smaller aperture and having all in focus , would be nice

Well said. Thanks!

Well said "focus on the content, save your money " and I am your new subscriber. Many thanks!:)

Im a bit old school and I will stick to camcorders for filming and DSLRs for pictures. I have my old Sony TRV900 and VX1000 that I used when I use to film skateboarding. Thinking of getting back into the hobby, very overwhelming as I don't know what is out now. The VX1000 use to be the holy grail for filming skateboarding, not the very best, but the best at competing with absolutely every other camera on the market.

Thanks sir, i think i will use camcorder for guitar cover video . Because i dont want to mess with Dslr technical Stuff, so i can more focus with audio and my music content . I use my smartphone front camera at now, will buy sony cx 405 maybe for start.

I use the AX-43 for video and the A6100 for photos. I wish gimbals were made for camcorders instead of just DSLRs

Great overview, I have only dabbled with a consumer Sony CX 450 which is Ok, but looking at something with better low light performance. A DSLR or mirrorless is tempting, but a better true video is also up there.

Great video Boomer, you just picked up a new subscriber. Q, What camera are you using to record this video? the front shot...

Excellent! I love this video. Thank you sir. As a hobbyist who slid down the DSLR rabbit-hole, I always suspected this to be the case. But I felt I just didn't know enough about it. . I have a onetime high-end, prosumer Canon video camera I got for cheap (it uses DV tape!) and I prefer every single thing about it, and every thing about using it, over my DSLR. More or less just what you said.

such a useful video, i appreciate you GREATLY!

This man knows what he is talking about. Period.

This is an Excellent video on the comparisons! Just what I was looking for! And @11:20 you are so correct on that!

Great video! Thanks! Right thoughts...

I have the canon HF-G 50 and i am satisfied with it. you can run &gun when you need to.

What is the best camcorder for $$700 to $1000?

Shallow depth of field is one annoying consequence of using dslr cameras and not properly setting aperature / depth of field. Everybody wants a blurred background these days, but its really annoying. In this very video, the camera you were holding up was always out of focus while your face was in focus. Once in an while the autofocus will focus on the camera and your face goes out of focus. With a camcorder, it generally has a deeper depth of field so everything is in focus which is really important when filming wildlife outdoors, or instructional videos such as this one.

It's time for a new camcorder and I think the AX700 is the way to go but need feedback please. I'm having a really tough time trying to figure out if any Sony model is worth the extra money versus the AX700. I don't need a handle and I don't need the SDI option. Everything seems to be built off the AX700 model whereas the grip setup of the HXR-NX80 doesn't seem to be worth the extra money, and I don't think the 5Ghz Wifi on the PXW-Z90 is worth the extra money (but as always I could be 100% wrong). I film live soccer games on a weekly basis, where the team then uses the film to breakdown and analyze the game. I typically set up the camcorder on a 10-20 foot tripod at center field. Image needs to be crisp, camcorder needs to adapt to cloudy and sunny days and night games under the lights, and on windy days the camera/tripod can shake a little regardless of the tripod being weighed or tethered down. Soccer can be quick paced at times and I need to be able to zoom when the ball/play is close to either end of the field. Any feedback/suggestions is greatly appreciated.

hi what type of camera did you film this video on ?

The direction goes to photo camera with video recording ! So you don't need both a camera AND a camcorder anymore ! BUT you alwas need to compare both with same price and in 4K UHD 24/25/30p and unlimited recording time. The bottleneck for an all in one device is at the moment the law and politics. Most cameras are limited to 29 minutes video recording (only the very expensive ones aren't) to not be declared as camcorders which have much higer import taxes in EU. So you can't sell photo cameras with unlimited video recording for cheap. Politicians need to change laws imo because this will suppot less energy waiste ressource waiste electronic waiste and space waiste. Why 2 devices (camcorder and camers) if you can have all in one ?

Love this video. I’ve been searching for vids like this. I use my AX43 for video and my a6100 for shots. I have the weebil LAB stabilizer and mount my ax43 on it. I wish more stabilizers were made for camcorders

Perspective changer, thanks alot sir🎉

Get both! Canon 4K refurbished G50 camcorder around $900 & Canon refurbished 4K EOS RP full frame mirrorless camera for around $900 with tons of Konica Hexanon lenses around $40-60on eBay with a $20 converter. But help stamp out bokeh!

Love the talk man, thanks!

Would you prefer working with someone with a pro camcorder, a pro hybrid cine mirrorless cam (with no record limit), or does it even matter?

Good points there. I have both types. What I miss on the camcorder side is the ev dial on mid range mirrorless. Sony should add full size hdmi ports to their mid range consumer camcorders like ax43 and 53 to help further differentiate them from the mirrorless cameras. Each have their own pros and cons. For indoor videoconferencing and live streaming with a static shot, its tough to beat mirrorless camera with its kit lens. Just get a dummy battery and you’re done. If need to film outdoors and going handheld eg. basketball, soccer, skatepark the ax33 - 53 series with it built in gimbal is hard to beat. For long recordings on a tripod, I’d take the ax700 as first choice.

Just wanted to leave a comment saying thank you a million for this video, this right here is what is making me decide to go with a camcorder over DSLR 👍

Excellent presentation! Good job!

I got Canon g30. Love it. Lens is 28mm to 500mm at 2.8! The cost lens alone is the price of body. lol Get clean HDMI hooked to atomos recorder. External 1000 not monitor added with wav form, vector scope. In cam has great autofocus, control zoom, manual Iris, shutter and gain. Has one touch autofocus. Has built I'm nd but only kick on at f4 so I use kf nd 2-32 w cpl filter screwed on for 180 deg control at f2.8 at 30 fps at shutter 60. Has excellent pre amps run rode go 2 wireless. Sensor is enough for bocca and if I zoom in full and stand back 38 feet I get creamy bocca. That's why I bought tode wireless go2 kit. So dslr can blow sand........ My Canon has remote wifi control of all ....all manual features and I added HDMI to sdi blackmagic boxes for long runs to monitor. Have 2nd rode go2 hooked to zoom h5 for 4 mic mixing station fed to g30. Right channel is mic lav, left is zoom h5. Then I swap in cam for good footage off the SD card and extract internal audio in wireless go2. Great setup . I'll never buy dslr for video

thanks

I have a question. What do you think about if we compare Professional Video cameras (not consumer as you have), Cinema Cameras and DSLR cameras? I like and use only Professional Canon XF series videocameras and I hate those DSLR cameras even I have Canon 5D Mark III DSLR camera. I mean I hate DSLR cameras only if shoot video with it... for many many reasons. DSLR: for photography and Video cameras: for videography and cinematography. But what you think? ☺

I absolutely love my Sony FDR-AX53 for capturing sailing videos. But unfortunately its not at all salt-water resistant - don't ask how I know . . . Hope to replace it with a combination of a Sony X3000 action cam and FDR-AX700 in the future. I don't think you covered the ease of high quality audio capture with a camcorder Bruce - I use a Zoom H1n as a backup to my shotgun & wireless mics. The quality of audio capture on my Nikon D750 DSLR is very poor, but it is very long in the tooth now compared to the latest Sony mirrorless designs, so hopefully the newer camera pre-amps have improved markedly over the old D750. BTW, the Zoom H1n also functions as a brilliant microphone for my laptop during "Teams" meetings too !

Well said my friend. Greetings from Australia.

Opinion of Black Magic 6K Pro product? Is this the best marriage of the two styles so far?

Been thinking about just this. Thanks for permission to get a camcorder and sell my GH5 and all those accessories. At 73 I can’t retain all the stuff I don’t want to forget. Had more fun on the video camera days. Content be king not tech. Got into the biz with the Panasonic DVX 100, moved up to the HPX 170 made $$$. Lured away to the GH4 then the GH5. Looking for an Panasonic video camera to do more run and gun stuff. Miss concentrating on filming and less on fiddlin’.

Great video and lots of info, especially for those that don’t have either or. But what would you tell someone who already has the dslr with all the lenses? I’m a semi pro wildlife photographer that shoots with a full frame mirrorless Sony a7iii and a Sigma 150-500mm. And I have all the different neutral density filters, polarizing filters, etc and use a Rode Video Mic for smaller animals. But in the wildlife world, especially when filming grizzly bears, black bears or other large animal species, you don’t want any nd filters because of the amount of light needed to hit your sensor. And with grizzly bears, because they tend to kill you if you get too close, you need a lens in the 500mm or more range. How many reasonably priced camcorders are out there that shoots mainly in that long range and typically in very low light? It seems like so many, if not all, instructional videos are for vlogging where you would want a video camera to be able to film for long periods of time. But in movies and documentaries, most clips are only 15 to 20 seconds long. For myself, I’ve been searching for a good camcorder because carrying a camera and a few long lenses, plus other gear is a bit cumbersome when in the field. Do they make camcorders for documentary filmmaking that don’t cost thousands of dollars?