The Canon EOS Rebel T4i has officially been announced! This page contains a summary of the rumors leading up to the announce of the T4i on June 8th, 2012. For the official specifications and information on the T4i, check out our full review.
June 6th, 2012
Canon EOS Rebel T4i Pictures Leaked!
Although there are no confirmed specifications, pictures of the T4i have surfaced today. Attached to the expected body is a new EF-S 18-135mm lens. This lens is labeled as IS STM. IS stands for image stabilization. STM refers to a silent autofocus mechanism. From the pictures, we cannot tell if this lens will have full time autofocus, however the silent STM autofocus is a good sign!
May 29th, 2012
Two New Lenses to be announced with Canon Rebel T4i / Canon 650D in June?
According to speculations and anonymous information around the internet, Canon may be releasing two new lenses in June along with the release of the T4i. These lenses are rumored to be the EF-S 18-135mm IS II and the EF 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens.
Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS II
We have been hearing information about the new lens to arrive with Canon’s newest entry level DSLR, the Canon T4i, for months. Along with an upgraded image stabilization system, other new features have been rumored to compliment new video features in the T4i. The most exciting of these is continuous autofocus during video capture.
While video capability in DSLR cameras is a relatively new feature, it has made leaps and bounds toward the quality and look only previously available in very expensive professional video cameras. Started revolution
It is likely that the aperture of the lens will remain 3.5-5.6. This is the same as the first generation of the 18-135. It is unlikely to change because in order to keep the cost of the lens down and provide the range flexibility from the wide angle of 18mm end (equivalent to around 28mm on a crop sensor body) to the long 135mm telephoto end.
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
Potentially, this new lens will have special features for DSLR Video!
In addition to a new kit lens, rumors have hinted toward a new class of lens from Canon. The rumors specifically have surrounded the specifications of a pancake lens with a 40mm focal length and a relatively wide 2.8 aperture. For those who are wondering: what is a pancake lens? I’ll explain. A pancake lens is a colloquial term given to a prime, or fixed focal length, lens that is very small in phhysical size. Because lenses are round, the “pancake” nickname has developed from the slim size. Rumors have pegged the 40mm pancake lens at around $300.
Personally, I don’t think that this makes very much sense. Why would anyone purchase a $300 pancake lens when you can buy a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens for a third of the cost? When you are attaching it to a big DSLR camera, what is the difference between the 1.6 inch length of the 50mm 1.8 compared to a perhaps smaller pancake lens? Additionally, the rumored 40mm focal length is too close to the 50mm, especially when the 50 1.8 is a full stop and a half faster than the rumored 2.8 aperture for the pancake lens.
There is really only one reason that this new pancake lens would make sense and that is… for a mirrorless camera! There have been numerous rumors suggesting that Canon will soon be entering into the mirrorless camera game and perhaps this is a lens they will use? This creates a number of interesting questions. Why would they release this new lens BEFORE announcing any mirrorless cameras? Will their mirrorless cameras have the same EF mount as their DSLRs?
What do you guys think? Are you excited for these new lenses? How about for a Canon mirrorless camera?
May 17th, 2012
Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D Update
New information indicates that the Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D will be announced in the month of June. Other rumors from Canon Rumors have suggested the following specs for the camera:
- Touchscreen LCD
- 9 autofocus points, potentially all cross-type
- 18mp sensor (possibly not updated from the T3i)
- Continuous autofocus for video recording.
May 1st, 2012
Megapixels
There have been numerous reports about the expected megapixels of the Canon T4i. Some have claimed it will be 18.1mp, others 24mp. As many people know, the key to excellent image and video quality is not the number of megapixels, but the size of each pixel. Additionally, as shown in the Canon 5D Mark III, for DSLR Video, the ratio of the total pixel width to standard HD Video pixel width (1920) is important for high quality video. Having an even ratio can reduce ugly artifacts in the video and make a cleaner overall appearance. Will the T4i /650D ‘s sensor take this into account?
Wireless Flash Control
A major upgrade of the T3i (600D) over its predicessor the T2i(550D) was wireless flash control. After the 60D and the 7D got wirless flash control through the build in flash, the T3i had the same feature. What this meant was the T3i/550D’s built in flsah could control or command 1-4 remote flashes wirelessly. The built in flash can be used with the external flashes, or can just command these flashes. Within the 4 channels you can have 2 groups and control exposure compensation for each group.
The recently announced Canon 5D Mark III had a major upgrade of wireless radio control. Could this trickle down the the T4i/650D?
New Sensor
Rumors surrounding the sensor for the newest Rebel camera point to there won’t be a new APS-C sensor untill the 70D and the 7D Mark II.