DSLR Camera Options

Question

I'm fairly new to editing film, mostly from my GoPro and a older camera, but I'm in the market for a DSLR so I can bring my videography and editing to the next level.
  My friend has a Canon 60d and it seems like a decent camera based on footage quality and FPS but I am unsure of what type of camera to buy, whether there is a better one out there than the 60d for that price range.
I like the flip out screen.
Doesn't need to be touch screen.
Going to be used for mostly shooting video but pictures will be taken also.
I can learn quickly so learning curve shouldn't be an issue.
If anyone has suggestions, or even a starting place to look for a camera, please don't be shy.
Thanks!

Answer 1

Steven L. Gotz wrote:
OK, that brought a chuckle. I said pretty much the same thing just the other day about my camera and the Canon 5D Mark III.
See, here's the deal. There are so many cameras that do so many amazing things, that so many people want. But the price is relative. I just spoke with a professional photographer on assignment in San Francisco to shoot tourist locations. He had the Canon 5D Mark III. We discussed the advantages of my GH3 and the superior features of his camera. I said that his video was stored even less compressed than mine, and his number of pixels was around twice mine. But the price is closer to three times mine. So I am still happy with my choice and when I see his lens that tops out at 300mm and I realize I can do twice that at half the size because my lenses are Four Thirds on a cropped sensor, I am even happier with mine.
When he talked about his megapixels I just laughed and said, "That's great if you need to shoot pictures for Billboards!)
So, now we have a situation where I am touting my GH3 and someone else says, "Ah, but mine is half the price".
I am willing to bet that if you bought the T3i, someone else would come along and say "Yes, but mine cost half of that" and they would be happy with their purchase.
It is funny how money is relative. And the value for the money is a personal issue. What do I need, why do I need it, how much am I willing to give up to save money or how much am I willing to spend (forgoing other important things like entertainment or food) all is very personal.
I am fairly well off financially for a telecommunications technician, and I can spend more because I made some money teaching video editing and writing about it. But it is readily apparent that a few of our friends here on the forum appear to be in very good shape financially. Appearances can be deceiving, of course, and I am sure they look at themselves as just doing OK, and see other people doing much better (like at auctions). Sorry guys, but that is how it appears.  People who see most of their movies on flights from London to New York or build monster editing computers that need their own electric company power station. You know who you are!
Yet others on this forum see things differently. The prices I pay for things and think I am getting a bargain - like my $150 tripod (purchased used) that finally took me into the world of Bogen/Manfrotto might totally freak out some people, and others would think that I should have spent more to get lighter legs.  And I may buy lighter legs for my 3029 head if I decide I like the way it works, or I may buy a completely new set for traveling. Who knows. However, there are people perfectly content to use their $50 tripod and would never give mine a second thought.
That said, I highly suggest that you spend time on http://www.dpreview.com and make sure that you plan as far ahead as your budget will allow. For me, I am probably going to be locked into my lenses for quite some time to come so moving to 35mm just isn't going to be an option. I didn't understand that as well when I made my purchase as I do now.
If you get the T3i you will end up locked into the size of the lenses that fit that camera. And the lenses cost me a lot more than my camera already, and there are always going to be lenses I want to add to my toolbox.
Compare the T3i to other cameras. If you are lucky, whatever you end up buying, you will be as happy with your decision as I am with mine. It's all relative. You need to choose for you. Hopefully this thread has helped you to focus on what you want, and need and can afford.
Good luck!
How would this thread help me focus on what I want? I am not looking for advise. The original poster had asked questions about DSLR cameras not me. I  pointed out that the key features between brands may be different. He latter stated he wanted to do time lapse photography after I suggested it. I needed time lapse photography for a client so I got the Nikon D5100. Next I will get a Canon T3i. I already now what I want. I was just trying to ask what features the original poster might need. It is great that you have all the money that you need but the original poster has a budget to follow unlike yourself. Having said that I am not sure why you made such a long reply to me?