The 29:59 limit in SD mode is not due to the 4GB limit.

Because your HF100 is a camcorder and is defined as such.

D-SLRs are not defined as camcorders, they are still-photo cameras. That is the distinction, and that is the reason why they are hobbled with 30 min. video recording, to prevent classification as a camcorder and therefore taxed higher (in the EU, but affects all cameras worldwide as there is only one model worldwide, and not a separate model for the EU). In other words, the limitation is there to keep the price down.

Guys, we're not going to debate the reason why the file size limitation is there, because that debate is not going to change anything... the fact is that the 4GB limitation exists, and yes it will be present even when recording to SDXC cards. For what it's worth, I've been told by more than one person at Canon USA that the reason is due mainly to the EU restrictions. Let's stop arguing about it please. Arguing about it doesn't change the fact that it's there.

For all we know it could even be some Canon internal agreement enforced between the still camera division & camcorder division so that the former doesn't steal customers of the latter.

Canon has completely re-organized last year and those previously separate divisions have since merged together. Within Canon USA, high-end camcorders such as the forthcoming tapeless replacement to the XH series plus all existing HDV models, together with the entire still photography EOS Digital SLR line and the imagePROGRAF large format printers are now all under the auspices of PPMD (Professional Products Marketing Division). Blame it on convergence, but those product lines are not competing with each other.

The original parody about the D3x was the best:

YouTube - Hitler rants about D3x

Some of the subtitles even matched what Hitler was saying. All of the other camera/Downfall parodies were probably derived from this original one since they seem to follow the same basic script.

As for the T2i, looks like a nice camera. I've been waiting for something like this at this price point. I'm most likely getting this one!

30 minutes sounds pretty good to me! is there any reason people dont think we'll see an increase in recording limit with the new cards?

(sorry chris i know you said you dont want to discuss it but i think its kind of a big potential selling point, for me at least - but i agree theres no need to argue about it!)

edited post.

That sounds like a Canon USA (marketing) re-org. The structure in Japan might be different.

So being a complete newbie to the DSLR front... The 4 gig limit that we are talking about literally means that you have to hit record every 12 min or so???? I had assumed that it just recorded continuously but no file was larger than 4 g's. ( A whole bunch of 4 gig that you later stitch back together.)

how the heck does anyone shoot a whole ceremony with one of these!?
ha! :o)
I guess it will still be amazing for the cutaways, B-roll, etc but I probably wont be tossing out my XHA1s anytime soon...
I had hoped I could mount a few around the church inconspicuously, hit record, and then let'em roll... all the while roving with a 5th 550D getting the creatives....
32 gig card at 4 gig per 12 min = 96 min... That's plenty for the ceremonys I shoot.
What are others doing for this then? manning all cams? running them in intervals?
Very excited to see how this plays out for my wedding business....
:o)

Darrick,

That's a better question to post in the Weddings forum.

Personally I use the dslr for b-roll at weddings, though there are a few that use only dslr.

Dslr are just another tool in the box. There are certainly situations where the traditional camera is still superior, though I find myself more and more reaching for the 5d2 instead of the XLh1.

Canon USA is Canon Inc.'s biggest customer. As far as the US market is concerned, the pro video and D-SLR product lines are managed by the same team of tech reps and sales managers. In other words, they don't compete against each other -- they're all under the same roof.

My point is that R&D, engineering, and product planning could be organized very differently, and those are the groups that most influence the technology and products that we enjoy. Personally, I have yet to work in a company in which marketing drives products. They're usually focused on selling what they've got rather than envisioning what we could have in the future.

Among most major corporations including all of the major camcorder manufacturers (not just Canon), marketing drives products. Marketing determines what the product will be. They are the product planning division, and it is very much a customer-driven approach.

Don't forget that these cameras can overheat. A colleague has switched to DSLR from HVX (lucky he didn't sell it!). Leave them on, shoot lots, and the li'l red thermometer starts flashing, and if you don't do anything about that, the camera will. It shuts down. The end. No switch back on until IT is ready, not you.

Luminaries such as Dan Chung and Philip Bloom mention it in passing, but that immediately will discount DSLRs from some shoots - half way through speeches?

Got a spare body for that moment? Not even that would really work.

Remember, Philip Bloom shoots only 15% of his work on DSLR. For videographers, it's an additional, special effects, crashcam, arty GV, sneaky stolen shot, night-time camera. It gives good 'interview' too. But long form? I'm glad I've got two EX1s for that.

Over-heating is a concern - though with the price of the Rebel, buy two bodies and switch them through the day to keep them from overheating!

I agree though, there's a lot of stuff that I wouldn't use a DSLR for.