Why does my camera only record 10 minutes at a time?

I have a Nikon D3100 DSLR. When you put it in the video mode to record it only allows me to record 10 minutes of video at a time, I'm wondering if this is due to the memory card I have in it, or perhaps I have it on a setting making it do this? How/is there a fix for this? I would like to record more than 10 minutes at a time.

It can be the memory card or the frim ware on the carmera

As "blaze" indicates the memory card is a limiting factor. But really if want a camcorder, you should buy a camcorder. Trying to make a "still" camera (DSLR) do double duty is really not the way to go about it.

I think you set a video limitation to your video capture, try changing the settings.

There's no official fix for it. The 10 minute limit is due to the fact that otherwise you would exceed the maximum file size for the fat32 filesystem that the camera uses.

Since not many people shoot 10 minute takes Nikon didn't think this would be an issue.

There are two things that will limit the size (thus length of time) of a video file.

* the maximum size file that the card can hold (under 2 gb)
* how fast the CMOS sensor gets so hot it turns off to protect the sensor.

If you are working from a script, your longest takes should not be much longer than 3 or 4 minutes.

As mentioned above, if your goal is to shoot video, you really need a video camera.

Anyway you look at it, your problem is rooted in the fact that you are trying to make a video using a still camera. A camcorder would have been a better tool for the job.

I'd just like to say that everyone who is saying "stop trying to film on DSLRs, they are not video cameras" is totally WRONG. I'm a professional cinematographer and I just got paid to shoot a feature film on a DSLR (5Dmkii). The quality of DSLRs is far superior to any other video camera else in a DSLR price range as the sensor size and lenses are by far better quality!

As for your question: The card can only process a fixed amount of information in one bulk. It doesn't matter the size of the card, SD and CF cards can only handle so much in one go. You can break in the filming and INSTANTLY start filming a moment later, however, proving the camera can continue filming for longer. I have filmed live performances before for over an hour by starting to film instantly after the camera had cut the take or cutting early during pauses, it takes but a second to do. The camera DOES heat up and there's only a certain amount it can take before it starts to mess about, but it can go for over an hour before this happens.