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Question

filmmakeing

Mar 28, 2016 12:17PM PDT

should i use a canon camera or a go pro for a documentary

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: camera
Mar 28, 2016 12:28PM PDT

Try both and pick the one that gives the best results for your type of documentary.

The problem with your question: both makers have a lot of models. Surely the best canon is better than the worst gopro (without the space in the name!) and the best go pro probably is better than the worst canon. You can't compare makers, you have to compare models.

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to you
Mar 28, 2016 12:33PM PDT

thing is i am on a small budget so wanted to know what would be more cost effect for best quality

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Then dismiss the GoPro for "quality"
Mar 28, 2016 12:44PM PDT

It's barrel distortion seems acceptable for it's use but the distortion would not be something you want to see for documentaries. By default, other than GoPro.

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It depends also ...
Mar 28, 2016 12:55PM PDT

on the subject. A documentary on the wildlife in the African savannah might need an other camera than a documentary about a Paris nightclub or a collection of jewelry.

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Answer
For docu work, neither.
Mar 29, 2016 4:59AM PDT

Since you're posting in the camera forum, as opposed to the camcorder forum, I'm assuming you're referring to a hybrid photo/video camera from Canon. And as I've said a gazillion times before, the vast majority of people will be better off shooting video on a dedicated video camera. This is especially true for any type of run-and-gun/docu/event work because, at the very least, you will lose a ton of shots to focus issues and/or audio issues.

And keep in mind that I've been shooting video on hybrid photo/video cameras since the GH1 came out in 2009 (and currently shoot video with a Canon 70D and T4i). So if anything, you'd think I'd be biased toward theses types of cameras, but I'm advising you against them.

And the reason against a GoPro has already been pointed out.