Why dont Digital SLRs have MPEG?

[bwebmaster]

Hi All

I am wanting to buy a Digital SLR but have noticed that none of them have MPEG. Is this true and why?

I know that the obvious response is that if you want to video buy a video camera. But its such a simple technology that I found a very useful feature of my point and shoot digital.

In adition to this none of them seem to have underwater casings for underwater photography.

If anyone can give me any logical explacations I would really be greatful.

Thanks and best regards,

Brendon

[Medic1210]

Most DSLR's use CMOS type sensors which cannot control the exposure electronically like a CCD can. Digicams use CCD sensors which don't require a physical shutter to open and close to set the exposure. They are always exposed to the light through the lens, so they are capable of taking video. The CMOS sensors in the DSLRs require a shutter to physically open and close at whatever exposure setting you have set. This shutter and the mirror that covers it so you can view the image in the viewfinder are blocking the sensor. This is also the reason that there is no live view on the LCD screen.

Mike

[bwebmaster]

Thanks Mike. That makes a lot of sense, so if I look for a DSLR that has a CCD sensor then it has a chance of offering video functionality.

This is a pity because I was wanting to buy a Canon, but I've read that all Canon DSLR's use a CMOS sensor.

Thanks for the informative reply...

[Medic1210]

Originally posted by bwebmaster
Thanks Mike. That makes a lot of sense, so if I look for a DSLR that has a CCD sensor then it has a chance of offering video functionality.

This is a pity because I was wanting to buy a Canon, but I've read that all Canon DSLR's use a CMOS sensor.

Thanks for the informative reply...

I don't think any true DSLR offers video capability because you still have the mirror that covers the sensor so you can view the image in the viewfinder. This is also the reason there is no live view on the LCD. To manufacture a CCD sensor the size of the sensor in a DSLR would cost too much. Digicams can use CCDs because their sensors are about the size of a pinky fingernail or less.

Mike

[bwebmaster]

Thanks again.

Suppose this means that I need to fork out twice the cash to buy a digital SLR and a digital camcorder....

[pip22]

Irrespective of whether a DSLR uses a CMOS or CCD sensor, it's the actual shutter and mirror that prevents the recording of movie clips. DSLR cameras still use traditional focal-plane shutters (as well as a traditional SLR mirror) which makes movie capture impossible. The mirror would have to swing out of the way of the sensor for the length of time you were recording which means there would be nothing to see in the viewfinder --- not good! Even on non-reflex digitals, the movie mode is a gimmick (I never use it on my Sony V3 and I didn't buy it for that). It's something which most serious DSLR owners are not interested in anyway. It's similar to the 'still picture' capture mode on a digital movie camera -- trying to be all things to all people. here again, it's a low quality gimmick which can never match the quality of the proper tool. Convergence of technologies and multi-function devices are with us because it's possible, but you have to be aware of the compromises.

[clayton89]

You won't have a porblem finding an underwater housing for any DSLR, but you need to realise that they're after market and therefor not able to offer any type of warranty. Secondly they are by no means cheap. Some are almost as expensive as the camera itself.

Happy hunting.

[Matt_C]

Not sure about other models but I no the Olympus E300 has an underwater case available for it. Not sure about the price of the case but the camera itself is extremely good value for money especialy if you go for the two lense kit option.

This link should give you a little information

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/news...tory_4085.html

As others have said also the E300 does not give you any mpeg capability.

Matt

[shootem]

You can find underwater camera housings for most cameras, slr, dslr and of course point and shoot.
They are aftermarket, and as Matt said expensive. They typically cost at least what the camera cost.
I bought one several years ago for a sony cybershot and paid somewhere around $300 for it if I remember correctly.
An underwater housing for the Nikon D2X is $4900.00 for the inexpensive model.....
So - figure on paying about what you pay for the camera.
You can find some models by simply doing a google search with your camera model, and the words underwater housing in the search.