[Video] Video Modes Compared: T4i/650D vs 5D3 vs 1D-X

Gizmodo compared the video modes of three Canon DSRLs in a price range from $1000 – $7000. It’s Rebel T4i/650D vs EOS 5D Mark III vs EOS-1D X. From entry level to top end.

[…] all three cameras […] shot the same scene with the same lens (Canon 24-105 f/4) and settings (f/9, 1/50, ISO 100). We use a picture style with sharpness at 0, contrast at 0, and saturation at -2. We adjusted the focal length on the crop-sensor t4i to match that of the other two cameras. Obviously this isn’t completely scientific, but we did our best.

The outcome may surprise you. While the EOS 1D-X is obviously the best performing gear here, and the 5D Mark III is second placed, the performance of the Rebel T4i/650D is by far not so much worse as the others cost more (we’re talking about video modes here). See for yourself, and do it by enlarging the video to full screen (otherwise moire artifacts are hard to spot).

EOS 1D-X price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA EOS 5D Mark III price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA Rebel T4i/EOS 650D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA EF 24-105 f/4L price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via gizmodo]

[Review] Rebel T4i/650D (and EOS M) Hybrid AF System – A Video Review (and updated EOS M pre-order list)

DPreview wanted to have a closer look at Canon’s recently introduced Hybrid Auto-Focus system. This AF-system is featured on the Rebel T4i/650D and the EOS M. Does the AF-system improve AF in live view? How well is this technology suited for mirrorless cameras? The videos show how Hybrid AF works (video above), and compares this AF-system both to the conventional phase-detection AF and to the Panasonic DMC-G5 (video below). If you live in Europe you can pre-order the DMC-G5 at Jessops, or find it on . If you live in the US you can pre-order pre-order at B&H and Adorama). Whereveer you are located, you may pre-order at DigitalRev. An EF-S 18-135mm STM was used for the test, this lens has been designed specifically for Canon’s hybrid AF-system.

 

EOS M pre-order links:

USA & world-wide:
EOS M page on Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here), B&H (click here)
EOS M Black at Amazon (click here), Amazon UK (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M White at BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 22mm pancake at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M 18-55mm kit lens at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M adapter at Amazon (click here) and BHphoto (click here).
EOS M Flash at Amazon (click here), Adorama (click here) and BHphoto (click here).

Germany (Amazon DE):
EOS M black with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here)
EOS M white with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here)
EOS M red with EF-M 18-55mm 1:3,5-5,6 IS STM lens and Speedlite 90EX for €849 (click here)
EF-M 22mm 1:2 STM Pancake lens for €249 (click here)
EF-EOS M Adapter for €129 (click here)
wexcameras.de (click here)

Italy: Amazon IT (click here)

UK: Amazon UK (click here)

More pre-order options here.

[via dpreview]

[Patent] Another Canon Patent For Improved Phase-Detection Autofocus (next mirrorless sensor?)

Conventional approach (left) and patented approach (right)

Egami (machine translated) spotted another patent filed by Canon and related to methods that aim to improve the performance and accuracy of the phase-detection AF. This is the second patent in a few days – the first one can be seen here. Such an AF method is featured on the Rebel T4i/650D and on Canon’s recently announced mirrorless camera, the EOS M. Note that such an AF method is particularly useful on a mirrorless camera, given that such cameras, since they are missing the mirror, can not focus in the “traditional way”.

As far as I can tell, the patent details methods to increase AF performance by eliminating problems caused by the angle of incidence of the light: “[…] reduce the diffraction limit by a high refractive index layer“. Another discussed issue is the reduction of the pixel size (higher resolution??). I am more and more confident that both patents are related to an upcoming sensor which, I guess, will be at the heart of the more pro-oriented mirrorless camera most of us are expecting to be announced in September at Photokina.

  • Patent Publication No. 2012-151367
    • 2012.8.9 Release Date
    • 2011.1.20 filing date
  • The diameter of the spot light focusing of the micro lens
    • Determined by the numerical aperture and λ the wavelength of the incident light
    • By the wave nature of light, not smaller than the diffraction limit
    • When the pixel size below the diffraction limit, pupil division is impossible
    • ⊿ = 1.22 * (λ / n * sinθ) diffraction limit
    • ※ This angle θ is half the chance of lens optical system was synthesized in the micro-lenses and layers
  • Related art
    • There is a light flux can not reach into the openings of the light-shielding layer of the phase difference AF pixel for the image plane, the light-receiving efficiency is reduced
    • Although the distance can be shortened and the photoelectric conversion unit if microlens back-illuminated (BSI), if the pixel consists of a low refractive index layer in the layer lens +, for total internal reflection occurs, can not be expected to increase the angle
  • Canon’s patented
    • To reduce the diffraction limit by a high refractive index layer
    • Structure of the pixel
      • Within a layer lens, and light shielding layer formed between the microlens
      • The high refractive index layer, filled between the lens and the light-shielding layer in the layer
      • The low refractive index layer, a light shielding layer filled between the microlens and
      • Optical system consisting of micro-lens and lens in the layer, connecting the focal point in the PD
      • A case
        • Λ = 540nm wavelength of the incident light
        • 1.6 refractive index of the microlens
        • 1.45 refractive index of the low refractive index layer
        • Layer of high refractive index lens and in the layer refractive index n = 2.3 (silica Sio 2 of the prior art is n = 1.46)
[via egami]

Canon Recalls 68,200 T4i/650D Due To Possible Allergic Reactions

Image Credits: engadget.com

These are news I do not like, Holy Whatever! The Rebel T4i/650D is a cute little DSLR, I played around with it and didn’t get any skin rash. Engadget reported it first, let me quote the core of the message:

Hazard: A chemical used in the camera’s rubber grips can result in a reaction that changes the grips from black to white and poses a risk of skin irritation to the consumer.

Ok, no reason to panic. Check if you are involved (click here for the whole story):

Description: This recall involves EOS Rebel T4i digital SLR cameras with a 12-digit serial number that contain a second digit that is a “3” or “4” and a sixth digit that is a “1.” Serial numbers are printed on the bottom of the camera. The Canon logo and the model name are printed on the front of the camera.

Sold at: B&H Photo, Best Buy and camera and mass merchandise stores nationwide and Amazon.com and other online retailers between June 2012 and July 2012 for between $850 and $1,200.

Canon will replace the rubber grips free of charge. In the USA you can ring 855-902-3277.

For the time being, according to reports, there is only one customer affected by a «minor rash» after having touched a Rebel T4i.

[cpsc.gov, via engadget]

Voigtlander 40mm f/2.0 SL-II In Stock & Ready To Ship (and more deals from B&H)

B&H has the Voigtlander 40mm f/2.0 SL-II in stock ($539, click here). Stock is limited, so, of you were waiting for this particular lens, don’t waste time.

There is more coming from B&H today. They have some cool discounts on battery grips for some Canon DSLRs, the offer is ending August 13th. Get the Vello BG-C2 Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark II sold for $54.95 (click here), or the Vello BG-C5 Battery Grip for Canon EOS T4i, T3i & T2i for $57 (click here), or the Vello BG-C6 Battery Grip for Canon EOS 60 for $57.50 (click here).

Finally, get a Pixma Pro 9000 Mk II with a Canon camera and save up to $400 (click here). For instance, you can get the Powershot G12 for $309.

[Review] Rebel T4i/650D With 18-135mm IS STM Reviewed And Compared

Cameralabs published a detailed review of the Rebel T4i/650D with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens. One of the highlight of the T4i/650D is the Auto-Focus system (emphasis mine):

The hybrid CMOS AF sensor combined with improvements to the stand alone phase detect AF provides the T4i / 650D with one of the most sophisticated focusing systems of any Canon DSLR, particularly for continuous autofocus during movie recording. Coupled with one of the new quiet STM lenses its movie autofocusing is on a par with that offerred by touch-screen mirrorless compact system cameras.

It’s the same AF that is featured on the recently announced EOS M. We wrote before about how much the Rebel T4i/650D was a testbed for the technologies later employed on the EOS M. Camerlabs compares the T4i/650D to Nikon’s D3200. The Rebel T4i/650D gets a “highly recommended” final score. From the verdict:

With the Rebel T4i / EOS 650D Canon has neatly addressed […] issues. The Hybrid CMOS AF sensor improves AF capability in Live view but, more importantly, makes this the first Canon DSLR to provide truly effective continuous AF during movie recording, putting it on a par with Sony’s SLT models and touch-screen mirrorless CSC’s like the Olympus PEN E-P3 and Panasonic Lumix GX1.

Its 3 inch touch-screen […] is intended to pull in compact upgraders and will succeed, but even those who love to use physical controls will find it enhances the handling characteristics in a very positive fashion. Other enhancements, like built-in stereo microphones, 5fps continuous shooting, the Multi shot noise reduction stacking mode and built-in correction for chromatic aberration make the Rebel T4i / EOS 650D an excellent all-round performer and a hard act to beat for first time buyers with a little extra in the budget or those looking to move up to the next level. I highly recommend it.

[via Cameralabs]