Help with SLR / camcorder choice

[ddcdisney]

My family is planning our first trip to Disney in October! However I could use some advice about a new camera for my wife!

She currently has an older Rebel XT that is slowing giving problems. I was thinking about getting her a new Canon T3i. I really like the size of the camera for her and the video functions. She already has a couple of Canon IS lenses that she likes.

But I was wondering if I would also need a camcorder though at Disney instead of just relying on the T3i for both videos and pictures.

Here are my choices money wise:
1. Just buy the T3i
2. Buy a T1i or T2i instead and use some of the left over money for a new HD camcorder.

I appreciate any help on this!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Canon DSLRs are quite good for video... if you're an Indie film-maker. They are great for what they are designed to shoot video for. Great DOF control and total control over the creative process. Having said that, they are horrible for most people as a consumer camcorder substitute. It's sad that the camera industry (not just Canon) has falsely represented these cameras as a subsitute for a consumer camcorder, IMO.

With a Canon DSLR shooting video, you're totally manual for focus and zoom. There is no "auto" for either one. For someone shooting an independent film with studio time with a NLE to get everything "right", it is a great tool.

If you're just shooting short "bursts" of video and understand the limitations (and VAST capabilities, if this applies to you), the Txi series makes a wonderful tool.

Having said all that. I always have my Canon camcorder with me, along with my T2i or my 60D. I rarely ever use my DSLR for video in the parks or resorts. To me, that's what camcorders were made for, unless I'm at home or in a studio actually trying to produce something "film-like". Usually, when I take the camcorder (in my case, a Canon HF M30) to a park, I leave the DSLR in the room, intending on shooting primarily video that day. Vice-versa is true too.

I always have my Kodak PlaySport, Zi8, MinoHD or my 3500 PnS in my fanny pack as a backup for the main camera I don't have that day. The Kodaks shoot perfectly acceptable stills and video for most of my Disney needs. So does the 3500.

What does all this mean? Buy a T3i and enjoy it for what it is. Go get a Kodak PlaySport for shooting video, understanding its limitations too, of course. You can get a good regular-size camcorder like the HR M30 at a great price too if you real camcorder for use after the parks. The Playsport simply cannot be beat for its versatility, IMHO.

 

[photo_chick]

I totally agree that a DSLR is not a substitute for a camcorder on vacation. A DSLR is great for video if you're set up on a tripod and you panning and tilting is very controlled, but not for walking around on vacation.