Decisions, decisions, decisions...

After much debate and research, I think I've found the DSLR that best suits me.  I've got my mind set on the Canon EOS 60D.

The Canon 60D with the swivel-screen on display.

It was a difficult researching process.  The 5D Mark II has all the hype surrounding it.  The 21.1 Megapixel Full-Frame sensor makes it incredible in low light conditions.  But, as always, there's a price to pay and this one's a hefty price to pay.  At $2,500, the 5D Mark II is far too pricey (and that's just the new-body-only price) for a guy on my budget.  Plus, with laser-precise focusing, it doesn't suit my "on the fly" guerrilla style of filmmaking.  It would be great with a Zacuto Double Barrel rig plus a follow focus, but I can't afford that either. Therefore, the 5D Mark II, though awesome, is not the camera for me.

Reporter Marius Arnesen with his Canon 5D Mark II setup.

The Canon 7D was another option.  It's $1,000 cheaper than the 5D (once again, body only price), but it's still too expensive.  The Panasonic GH2 quickly became the sexy pick.  Less than $1,000 including a standard lens ain't too shabby.  With Carl Zeiss announcing they will be making glass for the Micro Four Thirds System, it became even more sexy.  The footage I've seen from the GH2 is incredibly sharp, sharper than even a lot of the Canons and even RED footage I've seen.  Still, I like bigger sensors and the GH2's sensor is too small for my taste.  That's why I decided on the 60D.

For the price, I'm getting a great deal.  The 18.0 Megapixel APS-C sensor is the same I would be getting with the 7D.  In fact, many of the features on the 60D are identical to that of the 7D.  At $900 (new-body-only price, though I found a great deal on eBay for one at $550 body only), the price is right.  It's from a brand I and many others in the biz trust.  The footage I've seen has blown me away and I think it suits my shooting style.  I'm looking to invest in the 60D and purchase cheap FD lenses off of eBay.  With camera, lenses and the adapter for those lenses, I'd only be spending roughly $750.  That's damn good!  Hopefully, I'll be the owner of the Canon EOS 60D really soon.

And here's some test footage that I really like from the 60D.  The first is from Vimeo user dfseoane.  He used a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens and a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 lens without color correction, so this is just raw footage.  It's some of the best I've seen.  The second is from Caleb Pike.  I subscribe to his podcast DSLR Video Shooter and he recommended using the FD lenses if you're on a budget.  The second video is that episode which includes some great test footage. Enjoy!