Canon EOS Rebel T4i First Impressions Review

Lens Mount & Sensor

The Canon Rebel T4i features a new 18-megapixel CMOS image sensor that has been redesigned, offering hybrid phase detection/contrast detection autofocus built into the center of the center for live view and video recording. It's still an APS-C image sensor, which is much larger than your typical point-and-shoot, somewhat larger than most of the "mirrorless" interchangeable lens cameras, and smaller than your professional full-frame DSLRs.

LCD & Viewfinder

The Canon Rebel T4i utilizes the same 1.04 million-dot display as on the Rebel T3i, but has added a touchpanel that adds touch control. This is useful in playback with pinch-to-zoom and swiping gestures, as well as the ability to use touch to focus and touch shutter controls while shooting. The LCD's resolution is great during playback for checking fine details and very useful for establishing focus. The LCD is also mounted on an articulated hinge on the left side, allowing it to swing out from the camera body and turned to face forward, upwards, downwards, or flipped inside so it faces the body, protecting the screen.

The viewfinder on the Canon Rebel T4i is bright and clear, offering nearly full coverage of the final image frame. It has the nine focus points outlined on the matte screen, with the points lighting up in red when they're being utilized in phase detection AF. This can be a bit distracting, as on the unit we tested the points lit up a little brighter than normal, with a fog around them, though that may be down to the unit being a pre-production sample and not a production unit.

Flash

The built-in flash on the Canon T4i is a standard model, flipping up from the body around the hot shoe. We didn't get an exact power figure on it (we'll update when we do), but it seemed to be the same unit as found on the Canon T3i. Flash control is available through the menu, with a no-flash automatic shooting option available on the physical mode dial as well.

Jacks, Ports & Plugs

The T4i houses the same ports as the T3i, with a mini-USB and mini-HDMI input/output interface on the left side of the body behind a rubber flap. In addition, the camera has a 3.5mm mic port and a mini remote socket terminal behind a second flap, also on the left side of the body.

Battery

The Canon T4i uses the same LP-E8 battery as found on the Canon T3i. It slots into a dedicated compartment on the bottom of the camera. If you're upgrading from the T3i this is great news, because your battery and charger are both still usable in the new model. Canon rates the battery as almost as effective as it was in the T3i, though that's by CIPA rating standards, which we don't feel represent true usage for any level of user.

Memory

The Canon T4i utilizes standard SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, with a dedicated compartment on the right side of the body into the grip. Memory is inserted into the camera by sliding the plastic door backwards, revealing the port. The camera doesn't feature any usable built-in memory and an SD card of some sort is required (but not provided) to use the camera.