Upgrading from 20d and want to shoot video too

Duane W wrote:

Hi all,

The most I can afford to spend is $500-600. So I was looking at the T5i w/ 18-55 STM lens. I may have to buy used to get the right price.

Here is the question, how good is the T5i shooting video with that lens. I'll be shooting primarily people in fitness settings, working out (lifting weights) indoor and outdoor, posing, etc. Does the T5i do a good job at staying focused on primary movement at close distances (fills a good portion of frame)?

I want 1080P and want pretty (really) good quality.

Are there other cameras in my price range that would do a better job?

Should I just get a camcorder?

Staying with Canon I can use my flashes and lenses and be able to use just one camera with the 20d as a backup. I still need to take pictures too.

Thank you

Duane

I would echo the advice to save for the 70D - Or the next Rebel, IF it has the same dual pixel AF sensor. (which is likely)

Because otherwise video focus is NOT the strong argument for a Canon DSLR video. The quality is great, but in situations like what you mention, you will experience a LOT of focus hunting on anything else than a 70D. Even with STM lenses.

I've shot some video with the SL1/100D (probably next best budget Canon DLSR for video), and I find that I often have to resort to manual focus. (When shooting indoor volleyball video with the SL1, I used manual focus, setting the focus on something in the middle, and adjusting the aperture to get most of the players in focus)

This is not necessarily a deal breaker, but the Canon Rebels are not anywhere as good at auto focusing as relatively cheap video camcorders are.