It all began just over 2 years ago, when Canon released it’s EOS 5D Mark II, the world’s first DSLR with a 1080p video function.

One year later and the 5D was a huge success, prompting Canon to release the follow-up 7D, which many users seem to prefer thanks to it’s easier-to-use video function, plus the advantage of slow-motion functionality.

Since then, Canon has also released the 550D, with many other top manufacturers (most notably Nikon) following suit, by producing similar DSLRs that shoot great quality video. It may seem a little ironic, but the future of video production may well be in these cost-effective, user-friendly and flexible “stills” cameras.

If you want to make the most out of your shoot (and your clients’ budgets), I’d highly recommend trying the Canon 5D / 7D. Here are my top five reason why;

Picture Quality and Colour.

The cameras record full HD, 1080p, at a range of frame rates (including slow-motion on the 7D).

The Canon 5D and 7D range also handles colour (without grading or colour correction) fantastically well.

Compared to Sony’s EX CAM range or Canon’s own XL cameras, the colour is more filmic and significantly less ‘video’. This is due to a number of factors such as the camera’s “Multiple Picture Styles” function, which allows the user to match the colour style to the subject, as well as the camera’s superb resolution and Full Frame sensor.

Its improved quality also means it can be used for higher end deliveries, such as TV, all at a fraction of the cost of shooting Digi-Beta or HDCAM.

Although technically speaking, the quality of the DSLR’s isn’t quite as high as a Digi-Beta, HDCAM or RED, the cost of shooting on the 5D/7D is also much less, providing incredible value for money.

Size.

The small, lightweight DSLRs are much more discreet than larger format cameras. They provide unobtrusive solutions for documentary style shoots and urban film-making, helping you to get more natural results from contributors and high-quality shots from hard to reach places or unusual angles.

Cost.

The 5D and 7D come at just a fraction of the cost of many HD video cameras out there, such as Sony’s EX range. Although DSLRs don’t have quite the same user-friendliness as professional video cameras, this is a very small price to pay for the fantastic image quality they offer.

Interchangeable Lenses.

Having such a wide variety of interchangeable lenses on hand, means that Canon’s DSLR range – both the 5D and the 7D – is perfectly suited to a wide variety of difficult shooting environments and deliver a range of styles.

Whether you need a shallow or deep depth of field, the lenses these cameras are compatible with can almost always provide a solution, producing far better results than most standard lenses provided with HD videos cameras, such as the Sony EX3.

Great Stills.

The 5D and 7D also shoot unbelievable stills. In their own right, they are widely regarded among the most versatile and best DSLRs currently available on the market.

So these are just 5 reasons to use a Canon 5D MKII or 7D on your next video production shoot.

Whether it’s a simple piece-to-camera for a website, a music video or for a TV commercial, there is no excuse for your video, to not look like film.

Christiaan Harden is the Business Development Manager at Spectrecom Films Ltd, an award-winning corporate video production company, the UK’s leading online video marketing authority and owner of Waterloo Film Studios, a four stage white / green screen London film studio complex for hire.