Video on Canon 20D?

[2kids2shoot]

Someone was telling me that they read an article that was answering the question of why the 20D doesn't have a video capture mode. The explanation given was that the CMOS sensor wasn't capable of doing it. That didn't jive with me, since I'm quite sure the Canon G2 has a CMOS sensor and it has a video capture mode.

Does anyone know why the 20D can't do video capture (besides that fact that it doesn't have one - I mean is there some physical reason that it's not possible)?

Just curious...

2k2s

[John Masson]

No Digital SLR has a Movie Mode.

[almo]

I mean is there some physical reason that it's not possible)?
.

2k2s

DSLR's have a mirror which in fact blocks the view through the viewfind as the image is being exposed. This would make it an impossibility to shoot a film and veiw what is being captured at the same time. On the other hand, most serious photographers do not need or wish to have such frivolous features on their cameras.

almo

[2kids2shoot]

DSLR's have a mirror which in fact blocks the view through the viewfind as the image is being exposed. This would make it an impossibility to shoot a film and veiw what is being captured at the same time. On the other hand, most serious photographers do not need or wish to have such frivolous features on their cameras.
]

My guess would have been the mirror, as well. I suppose it could be the sensor (the G2 actually has a CCD sensor, not CMOS) thought I still don't understand why. The mirror also makes sense that no other DSLR has video since other sensors are used as well.

I doubt that 'most serious photographers not wanting frivolous features' has anything to to with it not being available. If a frivolous feature is cheap and you can tout it as an advantage, I'm sure they'd use it as well. Do many serious photographers use the canned modes like landscape and portrait? My guess is not, they're more apt to use Tv, Av, etc. but those modes are still on DSLRs and marketed ("11 shooting modes to choose from!").

Thanks for your reply!

[mikishots]

I would agree with the notion of serious photographers finding the movie mode frivolous. The discussion is still photography tools, not video. If a serious photographer wanted video, he would buy a camera designed for it. I'm sure a videographer would find a still-capture mode on his camera a waste - there are other tools designed for this.

[2kids2shoot]

I would agree with the notion of serious photographers finding the movie mode frivolous. The discussion is still photography tools, not video. If a serious photographer wanted video, he would buy a camera designed for it. I'm sure a videographer would find a still-capture mode on his camera a waste - there are other tools designed for this.

Yikes - talk about misinterpretation! My question about video on a 20D was purely out of curiosity - not because I want it. I was questioning whether the sensor was really the reason since I couldn't understand why it would be. I personally think it's a marketing gimic and not much of a useful feature.

In private though, I will admit I used it a few times on my G2. It's fine for email when you capture someone doing something really embarrasing...

2k2s

[DownByFive]

I say, why not do it? It's certainly possible from a technical standpoint. I mean, if the economics don't work, then I understand, but if the only reason is that camera makers are thinking "well, no self-respecting photog would buy a DSLR with video, so let's not do it...", then that's just freaking stupid.