Canon EOS Rebel T4i First Impressions Review

Focus

The Canon T4i borrows the same 9-point, all cross-type sensor as used on the Canon 60D. This offers a single center high-precision point that's effective at f/2.8. The camera also has AF integrated into the CMOS image sensor, allowing for hybrid phase detection and contrast-detection autofocus even while recording video or shooting in live view.

We found the focus to be much snappier than on the T3i, in particular it was very smooth with the new 18-135 STM lens attached to it. During video, focus was nearly silent and smoothly moved to grab the subject we wanted. With a non-STM lens the focus isn't as smooth, but it's still accurate, though the same trouble with low-contrast subjects exists.

Exposure & Metering

The Canon T4i will utilize the same 63-zone metering system that we saw in the Canon T3i. It's a fair system that tends to do well in most troublesome lighting situations, but struggles if there is a major discrepancy between the lightest and darkest areas of the scene. The T4i features the standard evaluative, spot, and center-weighted metering modes.

ISO

The combination of a new Digic 5 processor and a new 18-megapixel CMOS image sensor combines to give the Canon T4i an ISO range that extends from 100 to 12800 native, with expansion options allowing you to go to 25600 if you so desire. The ISO button on the camera has been moved slightly. It's still on the top plate but positioned further to the left, closer to the mode dial where the DISP. key on the T3i was located. The camera allows you to set ISO manually or automatically, with the auto ISO range controllable in the menu.

White Balance

The Canon T4i features the same white balance system we've grown to love (or loathe) as other Canon cameras. It has a standard automatic white balance that handles most color temperatures, save for indoor tungsten lighting. In addition there are several standard preset white balances for cloudy, shady, daylight, tungsten, or fluorescent conditions.

You can also take a custom white balance, but as on other Canon cameras it's a little more difficult to do than is necessary, as you have to first take your shot of a white object, go into the menu, tell the camera to use that image as a reference, and then set white balance to the "custom" setting. This isn't by itself overly complicated, but when nearly every other camera in its class allows you to simply point the camera at a white object and take a custom white balance, without messing about in the menu, it's a frustration.

Image Stabilization

The Canon T4i does not feature any in-body image stabilization, as is the case with all Canon DSLRs. The image stabilization is a feature built into the lens itself. Canon doesn't claim any real improvement in this regard, with their IS still being rated as improving shots "by about four stops."

Picture Effects

The Canon Rebel T4i includes a host of in-camera scene modes, as well as creative filters that can be applied in playback. These can even be combined multiple times over, allowing you to customize effects at well. The main additions with regard to this feature are the "Art Bold" and "Water Painting" effect that are making their Rebel-series debut. The filters are only available during playback, however, so there is no live preview of what the effect will have on your image while recording shots. When these are applied, though, the original image is preserved for posterity.