I'm sure you bought this DSLR for the video capture feature, and that's fine. However, at best this camera is a B-Camera. It will not replace your camcorder due to the fact that it does not auto focus while recording. In the manual, it does show you that you can AF while recording, but you constantly have to press the shutter button halfway. One of the bad side effects is that refocusing is slow. The AF speed isn't as lightning fast as if you're in Photo mode. By the way, the AF is snappy quick when you're doing still shots. So while you video record and press the shutter button to refocus, the camera CAN take 1-2 seconds until focus confirmation is achieved (HD video focus set to "AF-Quick" for those wondering about my settings). This has been my experience with my Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens. Another bad side effect (and the manual mentions it) is that if you are video recording and you press the shutter button to refocus, your video's Exposure changes. Let's say it took 1.5 second to refocus, your recorded video will have sudden dark and bright scenes in that 1.5 second. IT IS NOTICEABLE and VERY DISTRACTING. I need to do more test to see if I can eliminate that. The manual does not recommend this style of refocusing and to just do a manual refocus by hand using the lens's focus ring. Another thing I hate about this camera when video recording is that it will NOT let you select a slower shutter speed below 1/30 sec. I own a Panasonic AG-HMC40 3CCD camcorder, and I can adjust the shutter/Aperture independently. I can shoot at 1/12 sec at 24p. But with this camera, I can't go lower than 1/30 sec if I shoot at either 30P or 24P. At 60P, you can't go lower that 1/60 sec. This was something I was not aware of prior to purchasing this camera. Others will say, why would you want to shoot at a low shutter speed? Well you can do strobe effects, or more importantly, the lower the shutter speed, the more light you can get. Sometimes I use 1/12 sec for static night shots.
EDIT -- I just realized that I can get better video footage under dark lighting when the "Movie Exposure" is set to AUTO. I've had it set to Manual. This is counter-intuitive to what I've been used to for my camcorder.
Another thing I hate about this camera is the 12 minute time limit of HD recording!!! From my test, the camera will STOP recording after 12mins. I am recording with a 16GB SDHC card. The user manual mentions it and is not a defect (but a handicap, IMO). So if you set this camera on a tripod and start recording, you have to hit the record button every 12 minutes to continue. This means that your video will not be smooth. You'll have segments of video clips that don't seam together smoothly.
It's 12min per 4GB on 24P, 30P and 60P. By the way, I haven't had any overheating issues while recording. But the camera does become WARM. I was doing these test on a 68 degrees ambient room temp. I'm not sure about summer time recording. The user manual does mention about overheating.
I'm really trying to love this camera, but I think I've been spoiled by my camcorder.
But if you've read this far in this review, here's what I like about it:
CONVENIENCE! It's great to have a DSLR that can shoot excellent still shots and do HD video.
SIZE! I've been to places where I absolutely can't bring both a DSLR (with 3 L-series lenses) and a camcorder at the same time... too much baggage and weight. This consolidates everything in a nice small package. It's small enough to not attract too much attention. It's not as big as my camcorder, hence I can finally use a small camera bag.
VARIO-SCREEN. This is a camcorder trait that's finally on a DSLR. I LOVE IT! I can finally take some low or high position shots with ease.
IMAGE QUALITY: I own a Canon Rebel XT and the Canon 5D classic (not MK2). This camera produces some really nice image, especially if you use some high quality lens.
PRICE: I was thinking of getting the 60D, but price became a leading factor. I paid $659 new, body only.
Final thoughts: I will most likely keep the camera because I already own some nice Canon lenses, but for those still debating about getting the Canon T3i or even the Nikon equivalent, I would recommend you look at the Sony A65.
Why didn't I get the Sony A65? I'm in too deep with Canon. I've already bought some great lenses for the Canon Mount. If you read this review and genuinely considered this camera, I suggest you get the SONY A65. It has all the dislikes that I have about this camera fixed on their camera and more. But if you already have some canon lenses, hold off until next year. Canon MAY come out with a new DSLR body that can fix all of these issues.
Recommendation: If you decide to get this camera, then get a battery pack grip attachment with extra batteries!!! YOU WILL NEED IT. The battery that came with the camera (Genuine Canon) died before I can even fill up my 16GB card. I did straight HD shooting with no rest and the battery indicator turned RED. The screen is constantly on when you video shoot. The optical view finder can't be used while HD recording because of the mirror flipped and locked. This is an absolute essential if you decide to get some accessories.
Good luck and shoot!
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