Amin
Hall of Famer
Executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A
Yuichi Ishizuka sums up the new camera announcement with the following statement:
Yuichi Ishizuka sums up the new camera announcement with the following statement:
Our Rebel line of cameras bridges the gap between the casual photographer and someone looking to advance their photography and capture moments in new and creative ways. The EOS Rebel T4i boasts full HD video with AF and touch-screen navigation, inspiring even more photographers and videographers to explore the creative options made possible with DSLR cameras and lenses.
What he's really trying to say is "Mirrorless CSCs are beginning to eat our lunch. The Rebel T4i is our response".
The Rebel T4i introduces several features geared towards improving the live view and video performance, both of which are currently strengths of mirrorless CSCs. A new Hybrid AF system which makes use of both contrast detection autofocus (CDAF) and phase detection autofocus (PDAF) in order to assure fast autofocus which is both accurate (advantage CDAF) and capable of tracking well (advantage PDAF). The Nikon 1 System also implements a combined CDAF/PDAF system although in a very different manner. Whereas the Nikon switches between CDAF and PDAF depending on the light level, the new Canon uses CDAF to fine tune PDAF results. It remains to be seen how well the Canon system will work in practice.
Another key feature introduced with the Canon T4i is a touchscreen interface that allows touch activated autofocus for both still photos and video in Live View, similar to some of the latest Panasonic and Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras. Touch shutter release functionality can also be enabled.
Crucially, the T4i is Canon's first DSLR to feature continuous autofocus during video recording. The camera also features a built in stereo microphone, and two new STM lenses are being introduced which promise silent autofocus, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. The former is a versatile zoom for both still and video use on Canon APS-C cameras, while the latter is a pancake lens, offering the most compact form factor seen to date in a Canon DSLR.
Full coverage of the latest Canon announcements at 1001 Noisy Cameras.