• DSLR Video

  If video on DSLR uses only part of sensor, how come I still get great DOF?

  Posted by Vic Noseworthy on October 23, 2012 at 11:41 am

  Hi folks,
  One thing I’ve wondered about is this:
  From what I understand, when I shoot video using my Canon T3i, it uses only 1080 x 1920 of the (significantly!) higher resolution sensor. Yet, it’s this larger sensor that gives me the bokeh I so love. Seems to be a conflict in the logic here. Can anyone explain how I get the bokeh afforded by a large sensor if only a small piece of the sensor is being used?
  Thanks so much!
  Vic

  Pete Burger replied 13 years, 9 months ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Pete Burger

  October 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm

  In 1080p and 720p your DSLR uses the full sensor but reduces the framesize through line-skipping. Only when you’re shooting in SD, the center part of the sensor is used. This won’t reduce DOF either because it’s like extracting just a portion of the full-frame which still has the “full” shallow DOF.

  ——————————————
  “Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot.” – Buster Keaton

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• 

  Vic Noseworthy

  October 23, 2012 at 6:20 pm

  Hmmm… interesting. Thanks, Peter. So, then, does this mean it also uses only a segment of each line, too? (Otherwise, wouldn’t the ratio be off?)
  Thanks again,
  Vic
• 

  Pete Burger

  October 23, 2012 at 7:36 pm

  I’d say the camera crops the picture above and below.

  ——————————————
  “Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot.” – Buster Keaton

  Me on Twitter (english/german)
  https://twitter.com/FastFoodVideo

  Posts by FastFoodVideo

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