[Review] Rebel T4i/EOS 650D Is A Great Entry Level DSLR

The Phoblographer just published its review of the Rebel T4i (named EOS 650D in Europe). The review is detailed and well-reasoned, as usual. You may be surprised to learn that the Auto-Focus on the T4i/650D can easily outperform the AF of the EOS 5D Mark II (well, in certain situation):

For a wide majority of shooting situations, the Canon T4i’s phase detection focusing is extremely quick; when not in Live View Mode […] My general way of using cameras no matter what the make or model is to manually select a single focusing point when shooting. However, when the user enables all focusing points to be used, you’ll end up having little to no problem in terms of both speed and accuracy. In fact, the Canon T4i’s focusing is better than my Canon 5D Mk II’s. Now don’t take this the wrong way; they are two totally different cameras. However, it is a testament to show just how far the technology has come: an entry level Rebel can outdo a 5D Mk II in terms of focusing. That’s pretty crazy when you think about it.

Many sample images at different ISO settings are provided (btw, the T4i/650D has a rather good high ISO performance). All in all a review that’s worth to be read. From the conclusion:

The Canon T4i is a wonderful entry level camera with loads and loads of lenses available to the system. The image quality is excellent, it is easy to use, and it has a rather decent video mode. The menus can be a bit complex, but overall there really is absolutely no real problem with this camera despite what seems to be modest upgrades from its predecessor.

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[Review] EOS 60D vs T4i/650D (and Canon DSLR deals, Amazon GoldBox)

Another >12 min video review by DigitalRev: EOS 60D vs Rebel T4i/650D. Which one is better suited for your needs?

In this video we take a little trip to the Ani Com fair, which showcases a load of people dressing up in maids and schoolgirl uniforms, to compare two of Canon’s most popular DSLRs: the EOS 60D and recently released 650D. Just which one is right for you?

Next, I found a sort of Goldbox deal going on on Amazon, for six different Canon DSLRs kits (click here to see them all). The DSLRs kits are:

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[Review] Rebel T4i/650D/X6i Full Review By DPreview

DPreview published the awaited review of the Rebel T4i/650D. I didn’t expect it to be that positive, final score is 77/100. However, the “biggest disappointment […] lies in the camera’s ‘hybrid’ AF performance in live view and video modes“. No surprise here. The positive aspects:

  • Comprehensive touchscreen interface that is intuitive and efficient
  • High image quality with good balance between detail and noise reduction in JPEG output
  • Good subject tracking AF in viewfinder shooting mode (compared to mirrorless competition)
  • 5 fps with ample buffering in JPEG-only mode
  • Very responsive operation, with menu access available even when buffer is full
  • Good-looking video output with manual exposure and audio controls
  • New ‘hybrid AF’ is a step forward (compared to its predecessor)
  • Built-in lens correction for vignetting and CA
  • Effective HDR, lowlight and noise reduction multi-exposure modes
  • Wireless strobe triggering via built-in flash
  • Eye sensor to toggle LCD on and off
  • Built-in stereo mics
  • External microphone socket
  • Updated LCD screen minimizes fingerprint smudges from touchscreen use
  • High quality raw converter in software bundle

Rebel T4i/EOS 650D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via DPreview]

 

[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]