What is the 12 minute limit - DSLR Video Limits

When shooting video on most Canon DLSR's, you'll run into a limit of 12 minutes of recording time.

When you've recorded 4.28 gigabytes of footage (approximately 12 minutes at 1080p) your camera will automatically stop recording.

To start recording again, you'll need to press the record button. You can stop the recording at any point before the 12 minutes is up and your 12 minute limit will reset. The bottom line is, if you are recording something where the camera is continuously filming for long periods of time, you'll have to hit the record button every 12 minutes.

Most people shooting with DLSR's are not shooting pieces that are longer than a couple minutes in length for any one shot. These cameras are often used in this way, in a more cinematic style of shooting. However this can be a major limitation if you are shooting long interviews or talks.

Something to consider when purchasing this type of camera.

Gear used in this video:

[aletaques]

You wore the only guy, that said the true, all the others only say about the SD card, and lower quality, but the 12 minutes more or less problem remains. Thanks for the video.

[YUNGSKOOL]

I just watched about 5 videos before I got to yours and everyone says it's "a cheap sd card" I have a high quality card so felt that wasn't it.. Watched your video and now I feel better knowing its not just a problem with my camera! Thanks for the video!

[pbpraga]

This is the problem: the format of the card is FAT 32, and that format only allows 4 GB files. You can have many as the cards can take, but no more tan 4 GB per file. And thats exactly the size of a 1080p 12 minutes file.
If you try 720p, you could record more time.Its not about time, but the size of the file.

Greetings

[myuniversalgrowth]

Dude, thank you so much for this. Just like most people here. I've been wondering why it stops. And thank you for going into detail on why the camera doesn't shoot past 12min. like the taxes and cost and what not. No wonder why people who video long use Panasonic!

[jasonrosensweigrealtor]

I was shooting an interview the other day and experienced exactly this. I've had this camera for years but never filmed much video and had no idea about this limitation. Thankfully I was rolling on a second HD cell phone camera as well. Now that I know about this limitation I can work around it so thanks!

[nanaeats]

This video is redundant and should be updated. Although the file limit is still the same, the cameras now stops and restarts seamlessly. The real problem is or was the thermal limit for the sensitive electronics. The newer cameras still warm up, but the heat is dissipated better than before.

[RayOrtega]

Yes this video is about the 60D too as mentioned in the title and yes it's limited too but as you'll see in the title again, the limit is approximately 12 minutes at 1080p. You can get a longer run time by filming in SD but then you might as well being using any standard video cam. Thanks for watching!

[MrHPotterPresents]

4GB – 11min (.mov)
8GB – 22min (.mov)
16GB – 44min (.mov)
32GB – 88min (.mov)
64GB – 176min (.mov)

[MaryAnnFarley]

My Canon T3i shuts down the second video sooner than 12 minutes. I bought this camera for both standard shot AND movies. Had no idea this would happen. But I thank you for such a clear explanation.

[RayOrtega]

I appreciate the compliment and thank you for watching!

[MuhammadWhiteTV]

It’s 2022, and I film with the t3i. It stops around 12 minutes 8 seconds. Even with a 128gb sd card. Shooting films I have no issues but when I film speeches etc I use a 2 camera t3i setup which allows me to always have a camera going. 🎥🎬🔥

[RayOrtega]

I think so but you'll want to check the specs. Most DSLR's have some kind of time limitation. I think the new T4i has been bumped up to 30 minutes at 1080. Not sure they increased it in the T3i. Check the links in description for where you can find the specs.

[RayOrtega]

Awesome. Glad it helped. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[kwiatjoh]

Sorry, didn't read your comments above, it's only a continuous limit, saweeet. You're still my DSLR Indi-film manual, deal with it. Thanks, keep 'em coming.

[RayOrtega]

Yep Magic Lantern is how you can get around the limit. I haven't played with it yet because my focus here is to teach people their cams straight out of the box but ML is a great piece of firmware. You don't have to beware however that it voids your warranty.

[monicaacosta]

Thank you so much! This was so helpful. I was getting so frustrated since i dont know anything about cameras.

[RayOrtega]

They all shoot the same quality video so choose based on the different features that the cams have. Pick ones that you like best and combine that with your budget.

[RayOrtega]

Tough question since every wedding is different and then it also depends on how you shoot it. Figure out how long you think you'll shoot then buy at least one extra 32 gb card. You calculations are right at 1080p.

[yutbacount]

Yes, I also shoot with a 60D and did my cousins wedding with it. The only problem, is what Ray stated. The time limit. But the video cam out beautifully, working on the post-production right now.

Thanks again ray for all your tips!

[RayOrtega]

Yes, the 550d or T2i is one of the first models. I have it and shoot with it and it's limited all around. You have to go to the T4i before you time limit increases. Maybe T3i but I don't think so.