@Matuka,
you should go try the Canon 60D in video before you buy it. Use the AF on moving things since few bother taking video of something standing still, a photo would suffice.
If you can barely afford the 60d, then buy a cheaper camera so that you can buy more lenses.
I am a former Canon shooter (currently shoot mostly Nikon and a little Olympus). I also shot Minolta before they were bought out by Sony. Every system has its strengths and minuses. My current favorite is Nikon but that is because it suits my needs for low light performance and fast focus in sports, and so on. I would not buy Nikon (or Canon) if I was shooting 50% video.
A little qualification so that the Nikon/Canon fanboys don't flame me too bad. Nikon and Canon each account for around 40% of camera sales. If you look only at those most knowledgeable camera purchasers (the camera Pros) then that market share. With that huge a market share the “big two” get a ton of support, lots and lots of upgrade options, a lens for every type of activity and so on. Also it is very important to remember that when you buy a DSLR (or mirrorless equivalent) you are not really buying a camera rather you are buying in to a system. The lenses matter more then the body. No matter how nice a body, if you are in to shooting sports then the lack of a suitable “sports lens” will really limit any other body. Consider the excellent semi-pro bodies from Pentax and Sony (a77 and k5IIs) both more or less match most of the capabilities of the competing Nikon and Canon bodies (d7100 and 7d) but sports shooters don't buy them. All four of the bodies are sealed, nice sensors, etc. It can be argued (and every model has a fan or three always willing to fight for their brand) that a Xyop camera is better in someway then Lrex camera. But this misses the point that unless both systems meet your needs now and in your future planned usage then the argument is pointless.
So what is the problem with Canon and Nikon that I won't recommend them for video? It is not their system. They have absolutely the best two systems around. The problem is your intended use hits a weak point with both of them (and Pentax too). That is video AF speed. Professionals use Nikon and Canon DSLRs to make movies and TV shows (for example House, Dexter and others). But the way they use their cameras probably does not match yours. For openers they invest in very high quality lenses. They use fancy steady-cam rigs. They use only manual focus. Most end users, even a few video professionals, need fast video auto focus. Most mirrorless cameras are much faster at video autofocus. The very best DSLR at casual video (auto-focus used) is the Canon 70D but it just plain sucks even if you compared it to much older mirrorless tech.
I strongly recommend the Panasonic GH2 or GH1. Both would have to be bought used as the current GH3 model is well outside of your budget. The reason is that it is much better at video. These are the best video-still image hybrid cameras. Also good is the Sony lineup. The a57, for example, can be had quite inexpensively and is very capable. But it trades away a little video performance for better still image performance.
Remember to consider the other things you will need. A decent tripod. (for video I suggest an oil-damped 3-way (aka tilt and pan). Oben is a good brand for a good price. There are better but they cost several times as much. A tripod is not something you should put off. Seriously nothing will help your end-results more. If you are looking at more action or environmental video then consider getting a decent ballhead instead. Again don't skimp. Get both a head and tripod which are rated well above what your gear weighs. In general the higher the weight rating the more stable. Also as you grow and add lenses you can keep your tripod longer. For still images / photos I find a tilt and pan very frustrating and only ever use a ballhead but it is a little too easy to lose axis control when doing videos. So in the end you will have two tripods.
Also leave budget for a couple of memory cards of a fairly large capacity (video takes a lot of room). I prefer Sandisk extreme (very fast speed rating).
Buy a cleaning kit plus a few decent extra cloths and a protective bag. I use mainly Lowe Pro (excellent selection, many types, good quality for a good price) but my favorite is my ThinkTank “Retrospective”. Yes you will end up with more then 1 camera bag. I have a snout bag for casual city walks, sling bags, backpacks, and shoulder bags. No need to explain what they are for you'll figure it out when you need them and shouldn't try to buy everything at once.
Get a good circular polarization filter.
Other resources:
Dpreview.com (largest photography review site)
dxomark.com (the defacto standard for evaluating sensor performance)
Do not listen to anyone who owns their first camera and is advocating you buy the same. They do not have the experience to give you good advice and are in fact just looking for you to validate their purchase by buying the same.
Do not listen to anyone who can't conceive of anyone buying anything but their favorite. These 'defenders of the brand' (often referred to as fanboys) do not have your interests in heart. They are just looking to add one more soul to the ranks of the faithful.
Finally remember your usage is not my usage. Your hands are not exactly as big or small as mine. Your idea of something heavy does not match mine either. You should try a few before you make the leap and buy what is best for you.
Some popular and safe places to buy would include KEH, Adorama, B&H Camera, Amazon.
you should go try the Canon 60D in video before you buy it. Use the AF on moving things since few bother taking video of something standing still, a photo would suffice.
If you can barely afford the 60d, then buy a cheaper camera so that you can buy more lenses.
I am a former Canon shooter (currently shoot mostly Nikon and a little Olympus). I also shot Minolta before they were bought out by Sony. Every system has its strengths and minuses. My current favorite is Nikon but that is because it suits my needs for low light performance and fast focus in sports, and so on. I would not buy Nikon (or Canon) if I was shooting 50% video.
A little qualification so that the Nikon/Canon fanboys don't flame me too bad. Nikon and Canon each account for around 40% of camera sales. If you look only at those most knowledgeable camera purchasers (the camera Pros) then that market share. With that huge a market share the “big two” get a ton of support, lots and lots of upgrade options, a lens for every type of activity and so on. Also it is very important to remember that when you buy a DSLR (or mirrorless equivalent) you are not really buying a camera rather you are buying in to a system. The lenses matter more then the body. No matter how nice a body, if you are in to shooting sports then the lack of a suitable “sports lens” will really limit any other body. Consider the excellent semi-pro bodies from Pentax and Sony (a77 and k5IIs) both more or less match most of the capabilities of the competing Nikon and Canon bodies (d7100 and 7d) but sports shooters don't buy them. All four of the bodies are sealed, nice sensors, etc. It can be argued (and every model has a fan or three always willing to fight for their brand) that a Xyop camera is better in someway then Lrex camera. But this misses the point that unless both systems meet your needs now and in your future planned usage then the argument is pointless.
So what is the problem with Canon and Nikon that I won't recommend them for video? It is not their system. They have absolutely the best two systems around. The problem is your intended use hits a weak point with both of them (and Pentax too). That is video AF speed. Professionals use Nikon and Canon DSLRs to make movies and TV shows (for example House, Dexter and others). But the way they use their cameras probably does not match yours. For openers they invest in very high quality lenses. They use fancy steady-cam rigs. They use only manual focus. Most end users, even a few video professionals, need fast video auto focus. Most mirrorless cameras are much faster at video autofocus. The very best DSLR at casual video (auto-focus used) is the Canon 70D but it just plain sucks even if you compared it to much older mirrorless tech.
I strongly recommend the Panasonic GH2 or GH1. Both would have to be bought used as the current GH3 model is well outside of your budget. The reason is that it is much better at video. These are the best video-still image hybrid cameras. Also good is the Sony lineup. The a57, for example, can be had quite inexpensively and is very capable. But it trades away a little video performance for better still image performance.
Remember to consider the other things you will need. A decent tripod. (for video I suggest an oil-damped 3-way (aka tilt and pan). Oben is a good brand for a good price. There are better but they cost several times as much. A tripod is not something you should put off. Seriously nothing will help your end-results more. If you are looking at more action or environmental video then consider getting a decent ballhead instead. Again don't skimp. Get both a head and tripod which are rated well above what your gear weighs. In general the higher the weight rating the more stable. Also as you grow and add lenses you can keep your tripod longer. For still images / photos I find a tilt and pan very frustrating and only ever use a ballhead but it is a little too easy to lose axis control when doing videos. So in the end you will have two tripods.
Also leave budget for a couple of memory cards of a fairly large capacity (video takes a lot of room). I prefer Sandisk extreme (very fast speed rating).
Buy a cleaning kit plus a few decent extra cloths and a protective bag. I use mainly Lowe Pro (excellent selection, many types, good quality for a good price) but my favorite is my ThinkTank “Retrospective”. Yes you will end up with more then 1 camera bag. I have a snout bag for casual city walks, sling bags, backpacks, and shoulder bags. No need to explain what they are for you'll figure it out when you need them and shouldn't try to buy everything at once.
Get a good circular polarization filter.
Other resources:
Dpreview.com (largest photography review site)
dxomark.com (the defacto standard for evaluating sensor performance)
Do not listen to anyone who owns their first camera and is advocating you buy the same. They do not have the experience to give you good advice and are in fact just looking for you to validate their purchase by buying the same.
Do not listen to anyone who can't conceive of anyone buying anything but their favorite. These 'defenders of the brand' (often referred to as fanboys) do not have your interests in heart. They are just looking to add one more soul to the ranks of the faithful.
Finally remember your usage is not my usage. Your hands are not exactly as big or small as mine. Your idea of something heavy does not match mine either. You should try a few before you make the leap and buy what is best for you.
Some popular and safe places to buy would include KEH, Adorama, B&H Camera, Amazon.
/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MB71IS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008MB71IS&linkCode=as2&tag=dfgecvb-20
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