In my last article, I talked about the potential advantages of HDSLR shooting over cameras like the AF100.  But at the end of the day, the AF100 (assuming it is as good as promised) is still the better camera for HD video capture.  Problems like aliasing, moire and pixel skipping will hinder a HDSLR from being the perfect HD camera.

…but let me ask you a question.  “What is your application?”

Let me explain…

I shoot commercials, corporate videos, viral videos, short films, promotions, etc.  I’m almost always shooting in HD….but….the footage usually ends up in SD.  Most TV stations I work with can’t broadcast HD with their equipment so they prefer SD.  Most web videos are short and clients don’t want their audience to have to wait for it to load so it’s SD.  DVDs are SD.

I recently shot a short intro action movie for a conference.  We shot it in HD…edited in HD…color graded in HD…but had to output to SD for projection and for DVD duplication.  In fact, the only HD version available is on the portfolio section of my website.

So what is my application?  SD

When you down convert HDSLR footage to SD, most of the aliasing and a good portion of the moire isn’t as visible.

Cameras like the AF100 still have their advantages: built in XLR inputs, ND filters, metering, clean HDMI and HD-SDI outs, etc.  And a very important point is, if you are shooting something that may end up in HD someday, it’s good to acquire it in the best possible form, essentially “future-proofing” your footage.  If your client is paying for HD, they should get high quality HD.

So don’t worry too much about resolution charts and sample footage.  Figure out your application and pick the best tool for the budget.