Filming with multiple cameras?

I'm filming a documentary and plan on using 3 cameras: Canon T4i, Canon Vixia HF M40, as well as the Nikon D3100. I will be filming at 1080p 30fps. The problem is only the Canon cameras support 30p for full HD. The Nikon can shoot 30p but only at 720p. If I use all the cameras and edit in a 1080p timeline, will the Nikon clips be noticeably different compared to the other two?

Ben:

I know we had the frame-rate discussion a couple of weeks ago, and recommended the 30fps for broadcast TV, but if your Office-style mockumentary project is mostly for fun or YouTube distribution, your easiest workflow might actually be at 24fps, which all 3 cameras can shoot in full-HD resolution (1920x1080 @24p). Using normal 3:2 pulldown in the final render, you can still output @30fps with no resolution compromises, and no re-sizing.

With the Nikon footage set for 720@30p, the pixel array is 1280x720, and the rescaling artifacts might be noticeable sized to 1920x1080. Do what the "big boys" do and shoot some 3 camera test footage at the various settings (using a test chart or other "same thing" subject), import & intercut to see how things match up. Then you can make a "real world" decision, and not just one on paper.

There's a lot more to "matching camera footage" than just screen size, FPS, and white balance. ISO settings on your two DSLRs and gamma curve differences (among other things) need to be taken into account.

You can do a lot of "color grading" and footage matching in post-production (within limits of the software), but the more careful you are when shooting & the less you have to worry about "in post", the better off you'll be.

You've mentioned in other Q&A's about owning Final Cut Express, and mentioned FCP (but not specifically that you have it too). Keep your editing platform & codecs capability in mind when deciding the final screen size and frame-rate.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.