How to make the most of my Canon Powershot?

gebo

gebo

My camera is a Canon Powershot SX20is. It doesn't have interchangeable lenses, records 720p maximum and the image is very noisy in low light. Not ideal but it's what I've got.

Since there's not much control on depth of field I allways feel very limited by this camera, and the overall look of the image seems much inferior to a 550D/t2i for instance.

How can I make my videos look more interesting with these limitations?
Any advice? I want my videos too look like they were shot on Alexa or RED (just kidding...)

Advice anyone?

Canon_SX20IS_Front_view.JPG
 
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Making shots look interesting has very little to do with the camera used. Shot composition is the key. Watch your favorite films where you like the look of the shots used and try to deconstruct them. That will give you a better understanding as to why certain shot look good while others don't...
 
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I have the same cam. I curse it AND I get a lot of video out of it. I have done a few commercials with it and I am currently filming a short with it. i have lavs and a shotgun / DR-40 recorder as my main kit. I dont care so much about DOF ( overused IMO ) You can still open up the aperture all the way and get some DOF effects w/ it.

If you have an interesting story and use good lighting and good camera work, it is a capable cam. Do I want a better one..YES ? Do I think I can get some good work with it? YES . You have manual focus, shutter speed, aperture, ISO 80 - 1600, exposure lock to work with. The 20x zoom is decent and the Image stabilization is OK. Im hoping my next cam will be a VIXIA HF G10 or a XA10

I shot the following web video with my SX20is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf9lossfMHA

AND this one :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4dUM-3JEJM





.
 
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Thanks for the advice. I guess I must stop blaming the camera... :lol:
It has some manual functions, iso, aperture, focus (to focus manually I must turn the wheel on the back).

Here's a test I shot with it. It shows the maximum DOF I can get with it (the branches over the river).
I also graded to make it look more interesting...

What do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzCHgVaPJ9I
 
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I think your test footage looks nice. There are movies that had theatrical releases that were shot on cameras of much less quality than what you're shooting with. Keep rockin with what you've got!

P.S. Shallow DOF is overrated. :)
 
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Have a look at the CHDK software too - http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

It's basically Magic Lantern for Canon's non DSLR ranges. I'm not all that up on what additional functionality it offers your specfic camera, (I've had a play with it running on an SX50) but I reckon you'll probably find a good few options to get excited about. :)
 
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