The Canon 70D, released in 2013, was a game-changer in the world of DSLR cameras. Its innovative Dual Pixel AF technology and impressive video capabilities made it a favorite among videographers and photographers alike. However, with the rapid advancement of technology, the question remains: is the Canon 70D still good for video?
Understanding The Canon 70D’s Video Capabilities
The Canon 70D boasts an impressive array of video features, making it an excellent choice for videographers. Some of its key video capabilities include:
- 1080p resolution at 30fps: The Canon 70D can capture stunning 1080p footage at 30fps, making it ideal for a variety of applications, from event coverage to short films.
- Dual Pixel AF: This innovative technology allows for smooth and accurate autofocus during video recording, ensuring that your subject remains sharp and in focus.
- Manual audio control: The Canon 70D features manual audio control, allowing you to adjust the audio levels to suit your needs.
- HDMI output: The camera features an HDMI output, making it easy to connect to external monitors or recorders.
Autofocus Performance
One of the standout features of the Canon 70D is its Dual Pixel AF technology. This innovative system uses two photodiodes to detect the phase difference between light rays, allowing for fast and accurate autofocus. In video mode, the Dual Pixel AF system provides smooth and continuous autofocus, making it ideal for applications such as:
- Interviews: The Canon 70D’s Dual Pixel AF system ensures that your subject remains sharp and in focus, even when they’re moving.
- Event coverage: The camera’s fast and accurate autofocus makes it perfect for capturing events, such as weddings or conferences.
- Short films: The Canon 70D’s Dual Pixel AF system provides a professional-grade autofocus experience, making it ideal for short film productions.
Limitations of the Autofocus System
While the Canon 70D’s Dual Pixel AF system is impressive, it’s not without its limitations. Some of the limitations of the autofocus system include:
- Low light performance: The autofocus system can struggle in low light conditions, resulting in slower and less accurate focus.
- Fast-moving subjects: The autofocus system can struggle to keep up with fast-moving subjects, resulting in lost focus.
Image Quality And Compression
The Canon 70D captures stunning 1080p footage, but the image quality is not without its limitations. Some of the limitations of the image quality include:
- Compression: The Canon 70D uses a high compression ratio, which can result in a loss of detail and a “blocky” appearance.
- Moire and aliasing: The camera can exhibit moire and aliasing, particularly in scenes with fine details.
Workarounds For Image Quality Limitations
While the Canon 70D’s image quality limitations can be frustrating, there are several workarounds to improve the image quality:
- External recorders: Using an external recorder can help to bypass the camera’s compression and improve the image quality.
- Magic Lantern: The Magic Lantern firmware hack can provide additional features and improvements to the image quality.
Additional Features And Accessories
The Canon 70D has a range of additional features and accessories that make it an excellent choice for videographers. Some of these features and accessories include:
- Vari-angle touchscreen: The camera features a vari-angle touchscreen, making it easy to adjust settings and focus on your subject.
- Built-in Wi-Fi: The Canon 70D features built-in Wi-Fi, making it easy to transfer files and control the camera remotely.
- External microphones: The camera has a 3.5mm audio input, allowing you to connect external microphones for improved audio quality.
Recommended Accessories
To get the most out of your Canon 70D, we recommend the following accessories:
- Rode VideoMicro: A compact and lightweight microphone that provides excellent audio quality.
- SanDisk Extreme Pro SD cards: Fast and reliable SD cards that can keep up with the camera’s demands.
Conclusion
The Canon 70D is an excellent choice for videographers, offering a range of innovative features and impressive video capabilities. While it may have some limitations, the camera’s Dual Pixel AF technology, manual audio control, and vari-angle touchscreen make it an ideal choice for a variety of applications. With the right accessories and workarounds, the Canon 70D can produce stunning footage that rivals more expensive cameras.
In conclusion, the Canon 70D is still an excellent choice for video, even in today’s market. Its innovative features, impressive video capabilities, and affordable price make it an ideal choice for videographers of all levels.
| Feature | Canon 70D |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p at 30fps |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel AF |
| Audio Control | Manual |
| HDMI Output | Yes |
Note: The table above provides a summary of the Canon 70D’s key video features.
Is The Canon 70D Good For Video Recording?
The Canon 70D is indeed a great camera for video recording, offering a range of features that make it suitable for both beginners and experienced videographers. With its 20.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor, the camera is capable of capturing high-quality video footage with excellent color accuracy and low noise levels.
In addition to its impressive image quality, the Canon 70D also offers a range of features that make it well-suited for video recording, including manual focus control, a built-in stereo microphone, and the ability to record in a range of formats, including MP4 and MOV. The camera also features a vari-angle touchscreen LCD, which makes it easy to frame and focus shots, even when shooting from unusual angles.
What Is The Maximum Video Resolution Of The Canon 70D?
The Canon 70D is capable of recording video at a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30fps, which is suitable for most video recording applications. However, it’s worth noting that the camera does not offer 4K video recording, which may be a limitation for some users.
Despite the lack of 4K video recording, the Canon 70D’s 1080p video footage is still of very high quality, with excellent color accuracy and low noise levels. The camera also offers a range of other video recording options, including 720p at 60fps and 480p at 30fps, which can be useful for creating slow-motion effects or reducing file sizes.
Does The Canon 70D Have Image Stabilization For Video?
The Canon 70D does not have built-in image stabilization, which can make it more difficult to capture smooth video footage, especially when shooting handheld or in low-light conditions. However, the camera does offer a range of lenses with built-in image stabilization, which can help to reduce camera shake and blur.
It’s worth noting that the Canon 70D’s vari-angle touchscreen LCD can also be used to help stabilize the camera when shooting video, as it allows for more flexible framing and focusing options. Additionally, the camera’s manual focus control and built-in stereo microphone can also help to improve the overall quality of video footage.
Can The Canon 70D Record Video In Slow Motion?
The Canon 70D does offer slow-motion video recording options, although they are somewhat limited. The camera can record video at 720p at 60fps, which can be used to create slow-motion effects in post-production. However, the camera does not offer any built-in slow-motion recording modes, so users will need to adjust the playback speed of their footage in editing software.
Despite the limitations of the Canon 70D’s slow-motion video recording options, the camera’s 720p at 60fps footage is still of very high quality, with excellent color accuracy and low noise levels. The camera’s manual focus control and built-in stereo microphone can also help to improve the overall quality of slow-motion footage.
Is The Canon 70D Good For Vlogging?
The Canon 70D is a great camera for vlogging, offering a range of features that make it well-suited for capturing high-quality video footage on the go. The camera’s vari-angle touchscreen LCD makes it easy to frame and focus shots, even when shooting from unusual angles, and the built-in stereo microphone helps to capture high-quality audio.
In addition to its impressive video recording capabilities, the Canon 70D is also a relatively compact and lightweight camera, making it easy to take on the go. The camera’s battery life is also relatively long, with up to 920 shots per charge, which makes it suitable for extended vlogging sessions.
Can The Canon 70D Connect To An External Microphone?
The Canon 70D does offer a 3.5mm stereo microphone input, which allows users to connect an external microphone for improved audio quality. This can be especially useful for vloggers and videographers who want to capture high-quality audio to accompany their video footage.
It’s worth noting that the Canon 70D’s built-in stereo microphone is still of very high quality, and may be sufficient for many users. However, the option to connect an external microphone can be useful for capturing more nuanced and detailed audio, especially in noisy environments.
Is The Canon 70D Still A Good Camera For Video Recording In 2023?
Despite being released in 2013, the Canon 70D is still a great camera for video recording in 2023, offering a range of features that make it well-suited for capturing high-quality video footage. The camera’s 20.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor are still capable of capturing excellent video footage, and the camera’s vari-angle touchscreen LCD and built-in stereo microphone make it easy to frame and focus shots.
However, it’s worth noting that the Canon 70D may not offer all of the features and capabilities of more modern cameras, such as 4K video recording and advanced autofocus systems. As such, users who want the very latest features and technologies may want to consider a more recent camera model.