is the 7d worthy to replace my camcorder?

[JoeScrivens]

So I've only just noticed how good quality the canon 7d video looks BUT every video I watch has professional accessories attached.

Is the 7d any good for amateur movie making with the standard kit lens in comparison to my Panasonic HDC-HS300 for example?

I have a camcorder and a dSLR but the idea of combining them into one is very appealing to me

[FrankfurtDave]

Having never owned or used a Camcorder myself I maybe am wrong person to comment. I have played with the video stuff on my 7D but not that much (not main reason for buying).

I was relatively happy with outcome for mucking around but it is nowhere like the pro stuff I see floating around the net. I would say that a dedicated camcorder would still have the edge due to the handling and focussing.

I can shoot an amateur vid if you are interested to check idiot quality?

[allymac123]

I think in the correct hands the Canon 7d will get you better results than your camcorder. However this will likely only be in set up controlled circumstances with a handfull of expensive (fast) lenses at your disposal.

For the normal Joe blogs with just the one kit lens then it probably would more often give worse results.

So I suppose to answer the question; it could be better.

[GarryF]

Having played with it a week the 7D isn't a camcorder

The big thing to understand is there's NO autofocus (I was aware of this before buying) this means you need to stare at a 3" LCD while holding the camera with right hand and twisting the focus ring with left hand to keep subject in focus

This setup is pretty unstable for hand holding video, that's why if your serious you'll need an eye glass etc to help stablise the camera, look up zacuto z finder to see what I mean.

The big deal though is being able to get DOF effects in video, it's like comparing a cheap compact to a DSLR, current camcorders are blown out of the water compared to what the 7D/5Dmkii can do in this regard, before the 5Dmkii launch you'd need 100k+ to get the same effect on film...

The other big issue is the HUGE files and editing requirements for 7D files, I'm sure it'll all sort out over the next few months but there's not a lot of support yet for the video side of things

[senu]

Originally Posted by GarryF

Having played with it a week the 7D isn't a camcorder

Is the right answer

It can certainly take better video due to bigger better sensor and better lenses in a few circusatnces but the ergonomics of a DSLR would make it awkward for use a a camcorder in mainstream terms.
This is not taking into acount the lack of AF support, rudimentary audio support and many of the videographer features you would hope for to optimise videography
As one who uses both DSLRs and camcorders fairly regularly ( like a few others here, I imagine) I would suggest it cannot replace it unless you only use your camcorder for select " controlled shots"
I think you maybe underate your HS300 just a little bit , it shares quite a lot with
THIS
Im pretty sure the 7D would take a back seat on video compared to it for video, but as a stills DSLR it really is awesome ..FF being the next step up