A new control layout and a touch screen make the Canon EOS Rebel T4i a bit more streamlined for shooting video than the T3i.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
The Canon EOS Rebel T4i's body is very similar to the T3i's; the biggest difference is on the inside, with the new hybrid sensor. The sensor has the usual set of nine phase-detection autofocus sensors in the center, but adds a larger set of contrast-detection AF sensors around them for use with the new STM lenses, like the 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 shown here. The lenses include a stepper motor for silent AF operation during movie shooting. Support for contrast AF allows them to perform continuous AF during movie capture as well.
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New lens
The second STM lens that Canon's announcing with the T4i is a 40mm f2.8 (60mm equivalent) pancake. It doesn't have image stabilization, but it's quite inexpensive at $199.
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Pancake lens
The 40mm lens is so thin there's barely room for the AF/MF switch on the barrel. Personally, I'd rather have it be larger with OIS, as it seems silly to intentionally work to make a lens this thin on such a large body.
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Microphone
It also now has a prominently placed stereo microphone.
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Movie friendlier
The camera still has a specific movie mode, but Canon moved it from the awkward spot on the mode dial to the easier-to-get-to location on the power switch.
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Touch screen
The other major upgrade to the T4i is a very well-implemented and smoothly operating touch-screen interface.
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LCD
The camera keeps the series' articulated LCD.
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Back controls
The thumb rest is a little larger than the T3i's and the buttons have a slightly different shape, but otherwise, the T4i's control layout is identical to the T3i's.
