Though I've been unable to find a definitive answer, I have found two sites that quote specs for the T2i/550D that specifically say that the movie files are limited to 4GB.
I can't help but think that had Canon made the T2i/550D capable of recording longer than that, they would have made a mention of it.... being able to record HD for 29 minutes is a significant change.
It seems the only reason they have to limit it to 12 minutes, is because anything longer and it would be considered a video camera (not a still camera) in Europe...resulting in a higher tax for Canon. By keeping it under 4GB/12 minutes, they can still call it a still camera and avoid that extra cost, which would most likely translate into a higher price tag. Can you imagine how unhappy the still photographers would be if they had to pay more for a "video" camera that they only wanted to shoot stills with?
ReplyDeleteStill, it's ridiculous. I hope somebody learns to hack that limit and posts the instructions online for us Yanks wanting continuous shooting...
I've read that the limit for it to be considered a video camera is 29 minutes 59 seconds (that's why the Canon 7D stops recording at that length in SD mode.)
ReplyDeleteIn HD mode they shut it off at 4 GB because that was the file size limit of the FAT32 file system used on the memory cards.
CANON SAYS 30 MIN. IN 1 CONSTANT RECORDING SESSION...THEN ABOUT 10 SEC. TO WRITE THE INFO...THEN YOU CAN CONTINUE
ReplyDelete30 min in SD (640 x 480) but only about 12 min (4GB) in either 720p or 1080p
ReplyDelete