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Is there a D-SLR (including the new Nikon and Canon 60D) that can take video with continuous autofocus? On cameras that don't support that feature, is it possible to autofocus by pressing a button while shooting a video?

I'm looking into a getting a new DSLR and the video feature is quite important to me. Wondering if the existing cameras are worth the investment or if I should wait a bit more...

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Guys! The question is about "Continuous autofocus during recording video"! – Ali Jan 13 '12 at 18:41
I know you want an interchangeable lens system, but it should be noted that Fujifilm is working on a different solution than Sony- they are putting the phase detection sensor in the imaging sensor. Check out the Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR. It is not released yet, but available for preorder. – Phil Jan 18 at 16:46
All Nikon 1 and the Sony NEX-6 also have phase detection sensors buried inside the imaging sensor as far as I know. – Marco Mp Jan 18 at 17:12

9 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

The Sony Alpha A55 is a new ILC (SLD, actually) camera that can do this.

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1  
Damn that looks like exactly what I wanted, but I hope Canon had a camera that did this, not sure I want to commit to Sony... What do I do now :) – Dimitris Sep 29 '10 at 15:49
3  
Technically, the Alpha A55 is an SLT (single lens translucent) not an SLR, as it has a translucent mirror in stead of a reflexive one. This gives it the unique ability to auto-focus during video recording by using its phase-detection AF. As I understand it, that is impossible for any existing SLR on the market, as it is a fundamental shift in camera design. dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/default.asp – Sean Sep 29 '10 at 15:54
That's true. My question should probably be about "interchangeable lens cameras" rather than "single reflex". – Dimitris Sep 30 '10 at 11:05
up vote 6 down vote

I recently purchased a 7D (with the intent of using its movie capability as well). I will share my experience.

Like the 5DMkII, the 7D allows you to autofocus during shooting by pressing the shutter button/AF button. As che suggests in his answer for the 5D, the results are poor if you do this during your live shoot and I would definitely not recommend it.

My focusing workflow: before I start recording, I use autofocus to focus on the target area, and then whilst filming I use manual ring focus. I found that using the ring focus in this way was much easier than I thought and it also gives far more control over what you can do.

My old video camera was a far cheaper auto focusing one. Often I wanted to be able to have full control over the focus, either because it would do it wrong or I wanted to do something more creative. Now I can, and I am not sure I have much desire for full time auto focus for most of the stuff I am shooting...

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Manual focus offers flexibility and I agree that if you shoot anything good you will be using it but still continuous autofocus like the one the Sony A55 seems to offering is a very useful feature that I'd like to have for quick videos in holidays etc. – Dimitris Oct 3 '10 at 21:12
up vote 4 down vote

The new Nikon DSLRs (D3100 and D7000) support that feature.

As for non-DSLRs, the new Sony SLTs (A33 and A55) and the micro-4/3 models (Panasonic GH1 and newly announced GH2).

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2  
I think the new Sony's are a different kind of camera...rather than being a DSLR, they use a translucent mirror. – jrista♦ Sep 30 '10 at 1:41
Are you sure D7000 supports that? Continuous autofocus during recording video? – Ali Jan 13 '12 at 18:39
@Ali Yes the D7000 support continuous autofocus on video, but its not what you'd expect. Its quite finicky and there is always the induced noise. I just use manual focus myself. – user1266515 Jan 18 at 16:07
For the D3100 it does not do it continuously (even if you select AF-F), but if you half-press the shutter while recording it tries to autofocus using contrast, which more often than not means that the lens goes hunting for focus for 2-3 seconds before it's able to really nail it down (terrible effect). You are often served better using manual focus, even if you slighly miss it. – Marco Mp Jan 18 at 16:35
up vote 3 down vote

You should check out Canon's new EOS-M. It does continuous autofocus and has the added bonus that you can re-use your canon lenses on it.

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Now that's interesting. – Dimitris Aug 28 '12 at 17:34
up vote 2 down vote

I believe the Nikon D7000 supports autofocus in movie mode, beyond that most that I'm aware of are manual focus.

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1  
You mean continuous autofocus, or one off when the user wants? – Dimitris Sep 29 '10 at 13:18
I believe you can turn it off, it's a focus mode setting on the camera (AF-F) so I would assume switching it to any other would disable it. – John Cavan♦ Sep 29 '10 at 14:51
up vote 1 down vote

Canon EOS 5D Mark II allows you to autofocus when shooting video, but the results are quite ugly.

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up vote 1 down vote

The new Sony a57, a65 and a77 all have super fast autofocus in video. works very well. They also have a very easy manual focus feature that is called peaking mode (I beleive?) that will light up what ever spot is in focus at that time. And you can select a red, white or black color. very cool!

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up vote 1 down vote

The Canon T4i has continuous autofocus during movie record as well.

Actually, for a more comprehensive and up-to-date list, I'd recommend checking out snapsort, which will list all cameras matching a certain feature. In our case: The best recent DSLRs that can focus continuously while recording movies

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up vote 0 down vote

Nikon D3100,3200,5100 and 5200 : these all have the auto focus feature when shooting video...its an awesome feature

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I have a D3100 and the result is quite terrible. Much better going manual focus instead (see my comment above for details). – Marco Mp Jan 18 at 16:36

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