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

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".


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.
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.

Full specifications -

Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D Full Specifications « Canon Rumors

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.

Originally Posted by stratokaster

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" .

Amin, I hate to tell you this, but I think you ARE the Rebel fortress, with your three sites. :)

You rebel scum!!

Good for them, but my 20/1.7 will still be cooler

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

The 40mm FOV is my favorite by far, I just hope one day Panny will bring out a version II

I like my 28mm 1.8 but I have to say that little pancake is cute :D It would look like.. a body cap on a MK5+ camera.