Digital SLR cameras take awesome photos. We all know that. However, any of them built within the last couple years or so usually also include the ability to record videos.
Due to the optics of a DSLR, the video quality is AMAZING. They really blow away traditional video cameras in a lot of ways.
The newer, more expensive DSLRs come with a lot more bells and whistles when it comes to recording video. As more people are turning to DSLRs for video, manufacturers are actually paying more attention to it.
As you go a bit older, video was more of a novelty on the digital SLR. For example, I own a Canon T1i (aka the 500D). It is a great camera – and it records video. However, the video capabilities of the T1i are pretty simplistic. The newer T3i was built with video in mind. With the T1i, video was new and not well developed.
One of the signs of this is lack of an external microphone jack. Onboard audio on any camera sucks. Bigtime. It picks up a lot of environmental noise. Fine for amateur home movies, but not so good for anything with more professional intentions.
There is a quick and easy (and relatively cheap) way to get around this problem by using an external recording device. Here is a video to explain:
Equipment in this video:
If you are in the market for a DSLR, definitely take into account the video capabilities and ensure it has an external mic jack.
If you already own one that doesn’t have the jack, try this. It’ll save you from forking over the dough for a whole new camera for such a relatively tiny feature. 
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Thank you David. I’ve been interested in how to do a 2 camera shoot. Do I need to buy an expensive program to make it happen? It would be more interesting do a 2 camera shoot than just with one camera.
No, you’ll just need a decent movie editor, but nothing expensive. Set up two cameras to record simultaneously, and record your audio either with one or the other (or an outside mic).
Be sure to use the clapping technique I mention in the video.
In editing, line up each track with the claps. Then, without messing up sync, you can choose to switch between one track of footage or the other.
Hope that makes sense.
Very nice info. Great tip for audio and you just saved me a couple bones. Thank you.