user1727: If you were to develop a short film, which one of these two cameras would you use?
In a recent discussion with a friend he was claiming that a camera like the Canon 600d can produce videos of much better quality compared to a Sony PD170. Is he correct? Can somebody show me some evidence to support this (or the opposite)?

user1133: It's a little bit subjective. DSLR footage, straight off the camera, is very crisp and clean. Whereas a PD170 has a bit more of a 'video' look. So first off you'd have to decide what kind of look you wanted to go for. 
In most cases you would choose to shoot on a DSLR, simply because the image is more visually appealing. 
Pros of DSLR:

better looking footage (subjective, although a common view)
can attach a variety of lenses (i.e. fish-eye)
smaller body, more mobility
no need to import footage off a tape, just copy and paste off SD card onto computer
it's cheaper

Pros of PD170:

don't have to worry about the camera overheating (can shoot as long as the tape and/or batter allow. DSLRs tend to overheat after 10minutes of straight shooting)
larger body. Easier to do handheld with just the body alone
can plug in a microphone directly into the camera. This avoids having to use a clapper before each take and avoids the need of syncing audio and video

For me, those are the main points. If you're looking to make a film cheaply, DSLR is the way to go. But don't forget about sound; good sound is integral to a film.

1727: <p>If you were to develop a short film, which one of these two cameras would you use?
In a recent discussion with a friend he was claiming that a camera like the Canon 600d can produce videos of much better quality compared to a Sony PD170. Is he correct? Can somebody show me some evidence to support this (or the opposite)?</p>
 1133: <p>It's a little bit subjective. DSLR footage, straight off the camera, is very crisp and clean. Whereas a PD170 has a bit more of a 'video' look. So first off you'd have to decide what kind of look you wanted to go for. </p>

<p>In most cases you would choose to shoot on a DSLR, simply because the image is more visually appealing. </p>

<p>Pros of DSLR:</p>

<ul>
<li>better looking footage (subjective, although a common view)</li>
<li>can attach a variety of lenses (i.e. fish-eye)</li>
<li>smaller body, more mobility</li>
<li>no need to import footage off a tape, just copy and paste off SD card onto computer</li>
<li>it's cheaper</li>
</ul>

<p>Pros of PD170:</p>

<ul>
<li>don't have to worry about the camera overheating (can shoot as long as the tape and/or batter allow. DSLRs tend to overheat after 10minutes of straight shooting)</li>
<li>larger body. Easier to do handheld with just the body alone</li>
<li>can plug in a microphone directly into the camera. This avoids having to use a clapper before each take and avoids the need of syncing audio and video</li>
</ul>

<p>For me, those are the main points. If you're looking to make a film cheaply, DSLR is the way to go. But don't forget about sound; good sound is integral to a film.</p>
