Is Canon Testing Its Mirrorless Technology On The Rebel T4i/650D/X6i?

Techradar had this pretty smart intuition: The T4i/650D/X6i features technologies that are needed in mirrorless cameras, and that, therefore, the T4i/650D/X6i could be Canon’s testbed for its upcoming mirrorless system cam. Well, there is something in that. As techradar writes:

[…] the EOS 650D [Rebel T4i/Kiss X6i] is Canon’s first DSLR to feature full-time autofocusing in Live View and video mode. Both of these modes require the reflex mirror to be lifted out of the way, so the camera in effect emulates a mirrorless model.

Right. The T4i/650D/X6i sports a new Hybrid AF system, combining phase detection and contrast detection. Hybrid AF system are already featured on mirrorless cameras such as Nikon’s J1 and V1. techradar again:

[…] the technology […] doesn’t have to be DSLR specific. In Live View and movie mode, the camera’s reflex mirror is lifted, and Canon uses a dedicated AF system on the image sensor instead of the independent AF sensor in the camera’s mirror box. It’s a hybrid system that uses both contrast and phase detection to get superfast, precise autofocus. That’s important because it means Canon has built a sophisticated AF system that already works without a mirror.

Next, it’s the touchscreen that captures our attention. Mirrorless cameras are smaller than DSLR yet delivering all the advanced features of the latter. In other words: little room for buttons and controls. A touchscreen would solve that problem.

What do you think? Is the Rebel T4i/650D/X6i showing technologies that are perfectly suited for a mirrorless camera, and could this be a hint that Canon’s mirrorless system camera is really around the corner?

See here for more information (and pre-order links) about the new Rebel T4i/650D/X6i, here for hands-on videos, here for a comprehensive first impressions review.

[techradar via gizmodo]

Canon Mirrorless Concept by D. Riesenberg

[Gear] The New Apple MacBook With Retina Display – A Game Changer For Photographers?

I think it is, or at least will be in the next future. Since Apple’s new MacBook Pro with Retina display was announced yesterday at WWDC in San Francisco, the hype is big, and it’s getting bigger by the day. Apple really had a radically innovative approach when engineering the new MacBook Pro flagship. Not only it’s thinner and lighter than all its predecessors and does it have sheer power never seen before on a portable computer, the real innovation, the thing that each and everyone would like to have is the Retina display. Let me explain this. The new MacBook Pro Retina has a resolution of 2880×1800 pixels (3 million more than HDTV) on 15.4 inches; that’s over 5 million pixels! Amazing, isn’t it? It’s easy to figure out what that means for photographers. It means that you can see every detail in your image, at a level you couldn’t before. Moreover, Apple claims that the Retina display has better contrast, better viewing angle, less reflections. Apple also updated its photo applications, iPhoto and the more professionally oriented Aperture. Both will very soon be ready for the Retina Display. Others are following, Photoshop CS6 is already amazing on this new display.  And now the good news: B&H has a limited quantity of Retina MacBook Pros available for pre-order (click here to see all available MacBook Pro Retina models):

  • 15.4″ MacBook Pro Notebook Computer with Retina Display, nVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Graphics (1GB), 2880 x 1880 Native Resolution

There are lots of hands-on reviews and people sharing its thoughts about the new Retina MacBook Pro (I list some made from a photographers point of view): British Journal of Photography, DPreview, fstoppers, and engadget’s review: We just know one thing: the new display is gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Text is incredibly sharp and clear, 1080p video is amazing and images, of course, look great.

Click here to open the rest of the article

[Rumor] Canon Working On A DSLR With A Sensor Bigger Than Full-Frame

I was a little bit uncertain if I should post this. The rumor comes from a new source, and it is the first time I hear this very rumor. After having had some emails with the source, I had the feeling that I could trust it. However, this is a rumor, and as all rumors it has to be taken with a grain of salt. Ok, here it is: I have been told that Canon is working on a new DSLR, a camera that will be a complete game changer and that will be announced in September (Photokina). Aimed at the super-pro photo-crowd, this DSLR will sport a entirely new sensor, a sensor that is said to be bigger than a full-frame sensor. No word, unfortunately, about resolution or other core specs, nor if it will be medium format or not. Just “bigger than full-frame” (see the pic below to get an idea about sensor sizes). If the rumor turns out to be true, it would mean that Canon is expanding its territory, not only jumping (hopefully soon) on the mirror-less bandwagon, but also invading a domain where others are the main players.

This is a hot summer regarding Canon announcements, and we can expect more rumors to leak in the next weeks and months. We should see a mirror-less camera announced in the next weeks (if all the rumors I and others reported are true). Then there is Photokina in September, where most of us expect the EOS 70D and the EOS 7D Mark II to be announced. And the new, mysterious DSLR with a sensor bigger than full-frame. Stay tuned!

EOS 1D-X and EOS 5D Mark III Auto-Focus Guide Updated

I wrote about this cool guide time ago. Now the AF Settings Guidebook has been updated:

This guide offers a wealth of information about different possible settings and when to apply them. It explores the basic characteristics of the new AF system, shows the differences that occur when various lenses are mounted, and even gives suggestions for instantly changing from one AF point or AF area mode to another.

The Guidebook can be downloaded from this site (scroll down to find the links).

[via IR]

 

[Deals] Rebel T4i Kit With Lots Of Accessories

Adorama has a cool Rebel T4i (650D/X6i) kit available on pre-order for $998.02 (click here). Included accessories:

  • Rebel T4i body
  • EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens
  • 32GB SD Memory Card
  • Camera Bag
  • Spare LP-E8 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery
  • Cleaning Kit
  • Screen Protector
  • FREE: Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle for PC/Mac a $599 00 Retail Value

Alternatively, you can get the same kit without the EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens for 899.94 (click here). More about the T4i: a bunch of hands-on videos, specifications and a previews round-up. Finally, a detailed first impression review.