Canon The Empire Strikes Back - Canon Announces Rebel T4i/650D and 40mm Pancake Lens

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:

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".

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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.
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The new Canon T4i offers an interesting glimpse into technology that may find it's way into a future mirrorless Canon CSC. At the same time, Canon's efforts to introduce this functionality into their DSLR line and the introduction of the new pancake lens are signs that a Canon mirrorless CSC may be further off than we thought. For now, the Canon Empire will continue to use its fleet of small black DSLRs to strike back against the mirrorless Rebellion.


Full coverage of the latest Canon announcements at 1001 Noisy Cameras.
 
I think it means that the future Canon mirrorless camera will have sensor-based PDAF. If this is so and they also use more or less reasonable sensor size, it might be a revolution among mirrorless cameras.
 
I think it means that the future Canon mirrorless camera will have sensor-based PDAF. If this is so and they also use more or less reasonable sensor size, it might be a revolution among mirrorless cameras.

I've just got Star Wars on the mind, but I'm imagining some Canon chief holding a prototype of the Canon mirrorless CSC and saying something akin to "Now, Lord Vader will provide us with the location of the Rebel fortress by the time this station is operational. We will then crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke" :tongue:.
 
Is it just me, or is it interesting that Canon have released a lens that's within half a stop of the Panny 20mm (FOV and DOF on FF), except it's three years late?
Gordon
 
True. I love my FA43 on the Pentax, but I feel silly using it if I am also not using the little hood that comes with it. Body cap, yes.

My 28mm isn't that small, but not huge either and yes it is hooded when I go out ..mostly I use the hoods so when I am carrying the camera on my shoulder strap if it bumps something it's the hood not the lens. Sometimes I end up braceleting my hoods though when I am doing something close.
 
If the hybrid AF were on the level of current mirrorless cameras this camera would have been very interesting- they basically address the mirror less segment by expanding their SLR, rather than developing a new system from scratch. After all, a D Rebel isn't that much bigger than a NEX if you have comparable lenses attached to both (say the kit zooms). But reading between the lines it seems the on-phase detection AF sensor isn't nearly as robust as the standard phase detection AF.

On a side note, why must they continue to put the exposure compensation button in an awkward location? (have to stretch thumb to reach it)

I've always liked Canon DSLR IQ, Canon was the first to use these large CMOS sensors and my first D30 (not 30D) was a revelation. The interesting thing is that I've owned a couple of DRebel generations since then that have better high ISO performance and greater resolution, but I have a lot of D30 images that just strike me in ways later pictures don't. Totally subjective observation that may be due to any number of other factors, but I've always wondered about that.
 
I actually pre-ordered this lens. It's the first time I've ever pre-ordered any photography-related item. I don't pre-order cameras and lenses because I like to see real-world examples (I hate MTF charts and graphs and brick wall photos). But I still have my 5Dc as a backup to my 5D2. It sits in the bag most of the time. I ditched the battery grip for it and bought the 40mm as a small(er) walk-around kit. It's amazing. Combined with my GRD3 or a 35mm point-and-shoot, I have all I need for a full day of shooting. It's a great little lens for the money. I'd have been happy if I paid $299 for it. At $199, it's an excellent companion.

Here are some samples from my first outing with it:
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And one of my pug. Because, well, my 5Dc now sort of looks like a pug with that flat nose. Besides, everyone loves a good pug picture. How could you not? :)
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