I've done some test video with my SONY A55 DSLR camera.

Video looked great, and edited just fine.

Except, while shooting I had to do manual zoom and focus, which is a little clumsy live while the video is recording.

The big caveat in the manual: don't shoot for more than about 10 minutes, without stopping to cool down!! Also, with mine and others, there is a fan that kicks in, which can be picked up by the on-board microphone.

So DSLRs are great for shooting 7-8 minute clips, but if you need live sound, use a plug-in mic, held a few feet away from the camera itself.

All of that can be great for "B" roll cutaways, which often are very short, and silent (because they are cut-aways), and sometimes are colorized (black and white or some effect).


That "tripod" had me nervous as well! Looking at that Canon camera and the odd thing it is standing on, made me think I looking at something out of a Harry Potter or Star Wars film.