Is it bad for the 50d's sensor to record video?

Like it says. I was wondering if it is safe to use the 50d for video? Im concerned that it may overheat the sensor or something of that sort since Canon omitted this feature on the 50d

If the 50D has video capabilities, I would suggest that it was probably designed to be used for video.
But that's just a wild guess.

elitejp wrote in post #15549308
....since Canon omitted this feature on the 50d

Which feature?

elitejp wrote in post #15549308
Like it says. I was wondering if it is safe to use the 50d for video? Im concerned that it may overheat the sensor or something of that sort since Canon omitted this feature on the 50d

Are you hacking it? 50Ds are getting pretty cheap - I guess it wouldn't be that big a deal if you burned one up... But then why wouldn't you just get a T1i, T2i etc, or a 60D? Used prices on all these video capable bodies are pretty similar to a 50D and getting lower and lower

I already have the 50d and am not planning on changing cameras. Installing magic lantern gives the 50d the ability to shoot video. Now im just curious on how safe it is. As I dont feel like "burning up a sensor" just cause the 50d isnt terribly expensive now.

There are ZERO safeguards on the 50D to keep the sensor from over heating. And no methods for the sensor to dissipate the heat. This is the only thing to watch out for. Other than this, there is no problems with video. And the heat is not a problem unless you are filming a lot of long sequences in a short time. Just stopping for 5 minutes every now and then will help it a lot.

I believe i read that the feature to turn off the sensor is more for noise control than it is for safety. I keep thinking it was in one of Canon's white papers but can't seem to find it. Maybe someone else remembers the same thing.

Not for the 50D, as it was never intended to shoot video. However you are right, noise does become more evident the hotter the sensor gets.

The sensor is active all the time, just the same as it is in Live View shooting, so shooting video shouldn't present a problem. Most video cips are not that long, it is the joining of them in the editing process that creates the video. It is rare that I shoot for more than two minutes.

On the safety side turning the sensor off every so often would not be a bad idea.

artyman wrote in post #15551143
It is rare that I shoot for more than two minutes.

Wow, a HDSLR user who actulally understands how to shoot cinema, you're a rare breed as one doesn't see that level of knowledge very often on the Internet.

Wayne