Hi yes_that_bowling_pin - for the highest image quality in your price range, I recommend the [$530 (on sale, with kit lens) Panasonic G6] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CFCTDD6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CFCTDD6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20). It has a combination of features that make a filmmaker's life a lot easier:

• 1080/60p for smooth action and slow motion (if you ever need them),
  
  
• a viewfinder that continues working while you're shooting video (DSLR viewfinders blank out),
  
  
• ability to shoot for hours continuously if you ever need to use it like a camcorder (e.g., to record speeches, plays, concerts, weddings and other events in addition to filmmaking). DSLRs are limited to 12, 20 or 30 minutes before they have to be restarted, depending on the model.
  
  Here is what this camera can do:
  
  NARRATIVE:
  
  http://vimeo.com/81339712
  
  http://vimeo.com/78037118
  
  SPORTS/SLO MO:
  
  http://vimeo.com/76503135
  
  MUSIC VIDEO:
  
  http://vimeo.com/84436275
  
  http://vimeo.com/76081090
  
  GREEN SCREEN/VFX:
  
  http://vimeo.com/86021784
  
  You can build a complete package around this camera for a little over $1000 [Referral Links]:
  
  
• [Panasonic G6 with 14-42mm lens - $530] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CFCTDD6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CFCTDD6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [Ravelli AVTP Professional Tripod - $120] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00139W0XM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00139W0XM&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [3 Softbox + Greenscreen Lighting Kit - $154] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G5K58Y2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00G5K58Y2&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [Rode Videomic Booming Kit - $210] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00868YKFO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00868YKFO&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  For a little over $1000, you'll have a mini-production studio that should enable you to produce high quality images and decent sound.
  
  That will leave you $500 for costumes, sets and pizza money on your first film :)
  
  Hope this is helpful!
  
  Bill

Welcome to the world of hybrid still/video cameras! If you plan to shoot both stills and video, you may want to consider a camera that is optimized for both.

DSLRs (such as the T2i and T3i recommended elsewhere in this thread) are wonderful cameras (I used to own a T2i), but they are optimized for still photography, with beautiful optical viewfinders and exquisitely engineered reflex mirrors.

Sadly, these mirrors are absolutely useless for video, so they are locked up, blocking the viewfinder in video mode.

In addition, these cameras are limited to 12 minutes of continuous video recording before they have to be restarted (manually, or automatically, using a free firmware modification). Other DSLRs are limited to 30 minutes, but they have to be restarted too.

In either case, this leaves a gap in your recording which can be problematic if you're trying to record a play, speech, graduation or other event.

These cameras also lack affordable power zoom lenses.

Camcorders, on the other hand, are optimized for video - so they don't have continuous recording time limits and they have smooth power zoom lenses, but (in your price range) they take terrible still photographs.

Instead of a traditional DSLR or camcorder, I recommend a "hybrid" mirrorless camera that is optimized for both stills and video - the [$499.99 (on sale) Panasonic G6 with the 14-42mm kit lens] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CFCTDD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CFCTDD6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).

This camera has a viewfinder that you can use while you're shooting stills and video, it records for hours continuously, it is compatible with affordable zoom lenses, it has a built in intervalometer for timelapse photography and it takes high quality still photographs, as seen here:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/lumix-g6/pool/

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2217639@N20/

And here is the video image quality this camera can produce:

Documentary:

http://vimeo.com/97274302

http://vimeo.com/73561266

http://vimeo.com/87978429

http://vimeo.com/78507820

Narrative:

http://vimeo.com/78037118

http://vimeo.com/81339712

Music Video:

http://vimeo.com/88584840

http://vimeo.com/84436275

Slow Motion/Sport:

http://vimeo.com/76503135

Travel Video:

http://vimeo.com/88543042

http://vimeo.com/86145944 (shot with a power zoom lens)

Compared to the $3000 Canon 5D Mark III: http://vimeo.com/82318903

There are many more examples on the [Panasonic G6 channel] (https://vimeo.com/groups/dmcg6) I moderate over on Vimeo.

This is the best hybrid still/video camera in your price range. I don't know how long that $500 Christmas price will last, but you may want to pull the trigger soon.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

Hi /u/-Spider-Man-

to answer your question - the two main differences between the T3i and the T5i are:

1. the T3i can only record 12 minutes of continuous video before it has to be restarted, while the T5i can record for 30
   
   
2. The T5i has (slow) touch screen autofocus while you're shooting video - the T3i has zero autofocus capability while you're shooting video
   
   The T5 is a lower end, entry level camera.
   
   That said, as a filmmaker, I wouldn't get any of them.
   
   The T3i, T5i and all DSLRs have reflex mirrors that are useless for video. These mirrors block the cameras' viewfinders, so you are forced to use the LCD on back of the camera for critical composition and focus. This is OK indoors, but outdoors in bright sunlight, you may not be able to see what you're shooting. Most Canon shooters are forced to buy a "loupe" (otherwise known as an LCD viewfinder) or an even more expensive Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).
   
   And no Canon DSLR below the $1800 Canon 7D Mark II can record full HD 1080/60fps video for in-camera slow motion.
   
   Plus, you have to modify Canon cameras with third party Magic Lantern firmware to give them basic video features such as audio level metering and manual focus peaking.
   
   That's why, at this price point, I recommend the Panasonic G6. This camera records continuously for hours instead of the T3i's 12 minutes (very useful if you ever want to record a play, a speech, a concert or other event), it records at 1080/60p for slow motion, it has a built-in intervalometer for timelapse, it has built-in audio level meters and focus peaking, it is compatible with Panasonic power zoom lenses (there are no affordable power zoom lenses for Canon DSLRs) - and it has a viewfinder that actually works while you're shooting video so you don't have to buy a loupe or EVF to see what you're shooting in bright sunlight.
   
   Here is what this camera can do:
   
   Narrative
   
   http://vimeo.com/78037118
   
   http://vimeo.com/81339712
   
   Music Video
   
   http://vimeo.com/88584840
   
   http://vimeo.com/84436275
   
   Documentary
   
   http://vimeo.com/97274302
   
   http://vimeo.com/73561266
   
   http://vimeo.com/87978429
   
   http://vimeo.com/78507820
   
   Slow Motion/Sport
   
   http://vimeo.com/76503135
   
   Wedding
   
   http://vimeo.com/107366816
   
   http://vimeo.com/104542323
   
   Travel Video
   
   http://vimeo.com/88543042
   
   http://vimeo.com/86145944 (shot with a power zoom lens)
   
   Right now, you can [get this camera with the 14-42mm kit lens at the sale price of $588] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CFCTDD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CFCTDD6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Link] - but there's no telling how long that price will last.
   
   Good luck with your decision!

The Panasonic is G6 is about $500: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-G6KK-Compact-Digital-14-42mm/dp/B00CFCTDD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419186766&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+gh6

There are more and more good micro four thirds lenses too so you will have room to grow if you get more into it.

Remember to budget for a memory card, perhaps an extra battery, and a tripod (at the very least!).

I usually like to recommend the Canon T3i (~$580 USD) for its wide native lens selection and accessories. It also has 3x lossless digital zoom with Magic Lantern.

The Panasonic G6 (~$640 USD) is also another camera I like to recommend for its 1080p60 for smooth slow motion. It also has wireless control from your smartphone.

The Sony a3000 (~$400 USD) is also an interesting choice. You could buy 2 and still be within your $1000 budget. You can use one for the wide shots and the other for close ups on the same shoot.

Friday

Stayed in because it was friggin' frigid.

Saturday

Started working on a preliminary string-out of a video of a choral event my dad was in. Played Superfight! with my mom and sisters. Helped when the overflow valve on the water heater opened up and started spewing hot water all over the basement floor, causing me to cancel plans to hang out with a friend.

Also I bought my first "nice" camera, a Panasonic Lumix G6 which I had been looking for a while (I was shopping primarily for its video capabilities). Now that it's been very recently discontinued I got it with a lens for $255 off MSRP (eat it, Amazon!). It was also still 1-3 business days until shipping when I placed the order.

Sunday

Got closer to what I'd call a first cut of the video. I had a friend over, ate pizza and watched The Newsroom. Caught a little bit of The Lego Movie before going to bed.

Hello Reddit, need some advice on camera purchase. Narrowed it down to the Pentax K-50, the Nikon 3300, and the Panasonic Lumix G6. I want to get into low-light, time-lapse photography, action not necessarily a priority. I like the Pentax due to weather sealing, pentaprism. Nikon has good reviews, no low pass filter (is this important?), good lens selection (although not a factor for me). I like the G6 because shoots good video, functions for time-lapse, wifi. I like the idea of mirrorless cameras but according to research they still lag behind in image quality, which is my main priority. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Edit: Priorities are Stills, low-light, landscapes, time-lapse, but video is handy, budget is under $900 including lens package.