Over the last few years HD video has been getting constantly cheaper, easier and better. I bought a used HD camera in 2001 (JVC HDGR1) for about $2,000 that was one of the first cameras under $10,000 that could do HD, and that it does at 720P, with some other deficiencies.
For a while now cheap HD has been available, for instance last year I bought a $150 camera that could also do 720P, but the sensor was small and noisy, that and the audio quality made the footage unusable.
However now the latest versions of digital SLR cameras as starting to be released with un-crippled features, things that independent film makers have been desperate for. Thinks like:
- Full 1080P at 30fps and 24fps at a decent bitrate
- Interchangeable lenses
- Large sensors that allow for a shallow depth of field
- Full manual control
- Great low-light sensitivity
- Audio input
Recently Canon announced the t2i, the first sub-$1000 camera that has all of those things. I think this is the magical price point that almost any serious hobbyist can afford.
How will this affect the digital video market, and the indie film market?
I think the effect will be very similar to the digital (still) camera explosion that has been continuing. More people will have access to high quality recording, but that does not necessarily mean they will be any good at it.
For the people that are skilled, or willing to learn the skills to take good video, there’s a whole new world of possibilities opening up.
I know I’ll be ordering one of the t2i’s as after it’s released, if you want to help, send in a donation. I would greatly appreciate it.