Rise of Full Frame HD DSLRs

In the last few years, we have seen the rise of full frame (HD)DSLR cameras hitting the market. These cameras are called full frame because the sensor is the same size as a 35mm piece of film, so photos are incredibly similar to the old film look. Lately, more and more companies have been putting these types of sensors out. A lot of this has to do with the fact that many of these cameras are also being used for filmmaking. The filmmaking aspect of this has revolutionized the industry because filmmakers are able to shoot videos that are visually very close to the look of film. Beyond this, there are other aspects that are helping these cameras, though expensive, become more and more popular in the filmmaking and photography.

Shallow Depth of Field

What is making full frame cameras so much more popular, despite their expense, is that these cameras can achieve a shallow depth of field used to make shots look more cinematic. With larger sensors, there isn’t what is referred to as a crop factor, meaning that the sensor “zooms in” in a way. When the smaller sensors do that, more of the background comes into focus, which is the opposite look of what cinematographers go for in a cinematic look. Also, more than anything, it is a beautiful aesthetic when the subject is isolated from the background with a soft blur. This looks is great, and something a lot of independent filmmakers are going for.

Interchangeable Lenses

One thing that a lot of independent filmmakers were lacking in equipment with the lower budget cameras is that they were stuck with fixed zoom lenses. These lenses are cheaper, and the end quality is not cinematic. A lot of this has to do with the fact that the lenses are low quality to keep the price of the camera down, whereas with full frame DSLR lenses have superior optics. Interchangeable lenses also gives one more options in the filmmaker’s resource. Changing lenses give you complete control over the image a way a fixed, zoom lens can’t. Also, due to the previously mentioned smaller sensors, you can never quite get a good wide angle look due to the small sensor. When you consider that on top of that the lenses are of substandard quality, the image won’t look great.

Low Overhead Into the Market

As just mentioned, prosumer cameras were the easiest things for small independent filmmakers to get their hands on. For about the same price as those cameras, you can get a good HD DSLR like the Canon 5D Mark 2 with a decent kit lens. The lens will definitely be of higher quality that of the prosumer camcorder, and give you way more options. In fact, with most mid grade HD DSLRs and up you can have amazing quality. Having this lower overhead means that filmmakers with great vision and voice have access to the tools to get their films made without breaking the bank or substituting quality. Even blockbuster films have utilized these cameras, and the quality speaks as to why they’re used.
So all of this helps explain why we are seeing more and more camera companies putting out HD DSLRs. Sony just released a new line, and they are even starting to incorporate them into more affordable camcorders. Soon, any filmmaker interested in producing a film will have affordable access to beautiful footage shot on these cameras. It is a very interesting time for the video production market, and it is exciting to see where this technology will result in ultimately.

Peter Margolis is a local filmmaker and photographer who also blogs for Digital Satellite Dish TV. He shoots on a Canon 5D and 7D to produce his films.