Digital SLR cameras have greatly improved over the past year with many new models introducing High Definition video recording. This new craze was sparked by Canon’s 5D Mark II, which took digital photography and filming to the next level, merging them together in impressive style.

These new cameras can be an excellent addition to any multimedia journalist or digital storyteller’s kit, due to their small size, HD video recording, and ability to take excellent photos in all conditions. One of Canon’s newer and more affordable models is the 7D (Around $1700 US), offers recording in all the popular HD formats (24P,25P,30P), something which the 5D Mark II did not do. While it does have a small APS-C sensor, it does, on paper anyway, look pretty spectacular. I will do a full write on all the cool features once I get a chance to play with one and examine it further.

But I know what your thinking, can this affordably priced DSLR really perform up to the standards of its bigger, more expensive brother? Well here are five videos, all shot on the 7D, which prove that it can!

City Of Black And White

This short doco, directed by Ryan McNeill and Charles Son, documents the last show of Mat Kearney’s City of Black & White tour. It combines excellent videography with great editing to produce an excellent piece.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The guys list the following as the kit used in making the film.

• Sigma 30mm 1.4
• Tokina 11-16mm 2.8
• Canon 24mm Tilt-Shift 3.5
• Canon 50mm 1.4
• Canon 24-70mm 2.8
• Zacuto Rapid Fire rig
• Sennheiser G2 wireless lav

Love Is Like War By Enzyme Dynamite

When it comes to working on professional projects, David Dutton, has certainly shown that the 7D can stand up to the challenge. This music video for Enzyme Dynamite is an example of what can be done with the 7D and a good editor.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dutton shot the film using the Canon 50mm 1.4 and Tamron 28-80mm lenses.

Venice’s People

Phillip Bloom is one of the experts in DSLR film-making. He shot this film on the 7D entirely in 24P, at Venice Beach in LA.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Bloom has a full write-up of how he shot the film on his blog HERE.

Rock Bottom

Bob Lorrimer shot this excellent film at Guernsey in The Channel Islands. It’s a brilliantly filmed clip and an excellent example of what anyone can do with the 7D and a bit of imagination.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lorrimer shot the film at 25fps using the stock 18-135mm lens, and coloured it using Magic Bullet Looks.

The New Me

This is a great piece on the story of Ex NFL player Deryck Toles. It was shot and edited entirely by Corey Reese, and is a very inspirational and powerful piece.

Click here to view the embedded video.

While the story is not the best technically, it provides a deep and emotional story which makes you forget about the technical details. It is a true example of what can be done with the 7D by anyone who does not have the videography skills of Phillip Bloom but does possess a keen eye for a good story.