Thanks to Johnny Apple's more accurate statement on atmospheric pressure at depth. The formula divers use is 14.7 psi for each 34 foot. I made a quick comment while an intense satellite radio discussion was playing in the background and I was having difficulty even responding to this topic. As it wasn't my house I didn't just go turn off the distraction.

We are going to test our video quality on our Vi O camcorders (we have two with the latest color correction that work OK on Apple computer gear and Aperature 3 and Final Cut Pro). We are also going to compare the Sony camcorder mentioned with the housing compared to the D7000.

On the Bandwagon's comments on the D7000 certainly should be a warning to me about video quality. We did find that our expensive underwater housing for the D90 would also allow the D7000 to be used. We know the D90 video UW is not good enough. We also have had real problems with the SONY $1000 camcorder we have for a sport housing for that will go down to 33 FEET which is where I provided an incorrect statement as to why. 34 feet deep usually measures at around 2 atmospheres of pressure on our diving gauges which are hardly scientific instruments and many sets of diving gear don't have it. We usually use hookah diving air lines and not SCUBA.

Note to all: Great comments on this topic and my apologies for a inaccurate post. There are SOME reasons for trying to do video on DSLR. It is becoming a more popular option. Is it really that capable NOW?? I sure don't know that answer but I have found that I tend to carry one camera (usually a DSLR) in the field and both stills and video are becoming critical.

OnTheBandwagon said:
But camcorders have MUCH faster focus for live video.
I bought a D7000 hoping to use as dual still/video camera, and gave up on the Video aspcts. The slow searching focus was a deal-breaker

I ahve a 3 yr old Canon HF-100, which had zoom issues and I took my chances putting in a new switch ($25) and it works great. Video quality is awesome and I imagine their newer cameras are even better.

I agree. Ive always been one of those "right rool for the right job" type of person. Unless video is just the occasional thing, and you are primarily doing stills, then get a camcorder. Just like if you are doing still shots, use the DSLR, not the camcorder to do that.

But my earlier point was more to the idea that for the most part, the time limit isnt the issue that most people think it is. for edting purposes, its better to have multiple shots anyway. One long shot (unless its really what you want) is generally worse for editing purposes.

hussanali said:
I am sick of this nonsense time limit? Why it is? Can you please tell me which camcorder has video qaulity that of Nikon D3100 & also why is there time limit! What is difference between camcorder or DSLR . Personally I think DSLR has high image/video quality than camcorder.

But camcorders have MUCH faster focus for live video.
I bought a D7000 hoping to use as dual still/video camera, and gave up on the Video aspcts. The slow searching focus was a deal-breaker

I ahve a 3 yr old Canon HF-100, which had zoom issues and I took my chances putting in a new switch ($25) and it works great. Video quality is awesome and I imagine their newer cameras are even better.

I don't mean to be pedantic but atmospheric pressure is 34 feet of water. Did you mean meters, DaveyJ? 33 meters of water is about 3 atmospheres of gauge pressure.

In Alaska we did test a Nikon D3100 versus a small Sony camcorder in a neat spot with wildlife action, we did the same in Acadia in Maine. But our real test is Underwater which we specialize in. That we CANNOT do with a D3100 due to the expense of this sort of shootout. Aquatic housings cost more than any camera with few exceptions limited to less than 33 feet deep (3X surface atmospheres pressure increase at 33 feet). Another serious factor is splash or force of immersion generated by surfing, kayaking, or even wading or falling into the water. That camcorder versus DSLR question with UW photography is critical. The new Nikon AW100 (rugged use and up to 33 ft. deep in water) is OK but NO ROCK STAR.

I'd like to see that same comparison on the D7000 versus say what?? SONY Camcorder. We are about to test our UW housing SONY camcorder versus a D7000. The camcorder was the better part of $1000. Which do you think would win? I have extensively tested the D3100 without camcorder shootouts.....the D3100 is OK but NOT a D7000 for video. The class of the capture card is quite critical.

This is a good thread and I hope it gets some traffic as it does have a LOT of current relevance.

Why is the timelimit an issue? If you are doing one long continual shot, you probably need a professional camcorder anyway.

If you are doing quickies, then the DSLR should suit your needs.

As for the quality... im not sure id agree. but I'd like to know why you feel the DSLR is better, then we might be able to direct you to a camcorder that would suit your needs.

The recording time limit relates to several issues. I read that different taxes are charged on still cameras and video cameras. If still camera manufacturers allowed them to film for longer than they do, they would be classed as video cameras and be taxed more heavily (more expensive). Anyone know why they are treated differently? Also I think Tao and others mentioned that the file size of a full HD recording for more than a short time would be difficult or impossible to manage? With regards to your other question about an alternative, I would think any HD video camera would be better than that offered by a DSLR. The latter gives you the obvious advantage of a wide range of quality lenses and larger sensor, but a bespoke video camera gives you the advantage of (currently) better auto focus and features specifically designed for movie making (power zoom etc). Some may (will) disagree, but I would not buy a DSLR currently if my main aim was to shoot movies.

This link mentions a few more possible reasons for the time restriction.
http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/14563/why-is-there-a-limit-restriction-to-the-1080p-film-video-recording-time-duration

I am sick of this nonsense time limit? Why it is? Can you please tell me which camcorder has video qaulity that of Nikon D3100 & also why is there time limit! What is difference between camcorder or DSLR . Personally I think DSLR has high image/video quality than camcorder.