In still image files shot with the Canon 7D and other DSLRs, we have the luxury of using RAW format to capture each frame and get a tremendous amount of latitude (exposure and color range in over/under-exposed shots) out of those files in post production.  Unfortunately, when it comes to video capture, DSLRs like the Canon 7D spit out a highly compressed file that has nowhere near the amount of latitude you get from a RAW still image file.

While the below video comparison may seem silly in some respects for comparing a $1500 camera to a $65,000+ (depending on the configuration) camera, it is also very useful to those new to HDSLR video – as a way to demonstrate (1) just how limited these cameras are when it comes to capturing video, and (2) just how much more important a perfect exposure is when recording video. [Read more…]