The Canon T4i is a camera that once again emphasizes simplicity for the entry-level user base. With that said, the front of the camera only really contains the lens release button and a depth of field preview button that will probably go largely ignored by most users.
The top right of the camera is where most of the business will happen. Here is where you’ll find the shutter release, exposure control dial, ISO button, mode dial, and the on/off switch the the video mode incorporated into it here.
The back of the camera is fairly simple as well. One of the best features is the flip-out-tilting screen. Additionally, this is a touchscreen with touch-to-shoot functionality.
The back is where you’ll find settings and control like the aperture control, quick menu access, white balance, drive mode, autofocus selection point control, picture style selection, video record, menu access and more info.
Something else worth noting: the stereo microphones on top of the camera also work very well with their placement. Additionally, the finish doesn’t scratch as easily as the Canon 5D Mk III’s. And that is absolutely awesome.
Autofocus
For a wide majority of shooting situations, the Canon T4i’s phase detection focusing is extremely quick; when not in Live View Mode (more on that later.) My general way of using cameras no matter what the make or model is to manually select a single focusing point when shooting. However, when the user enables all focusing points to be used, you’ll end up having little to no problem in terms of both speed and accuracy. In fact, the Canon T4i’s focusing is better than my Canon 5D Mk II’s. Now don’t take this the wrong way; they are two totally different cameras. However, it is a testament to show just how far the technology has come: an entry level Rebel can outdo a 5D Mk II in terms of focusing. That’s pretty crazy when you think about it.
That means that when you want to snap photos of your kids moving about on the playground or in sports, you’ll be able to rely on your Rebel. In fact, the 18-135mm kit lens that comes with it is also very good and fast to focus. We generally don’t recommend zoom lenses, but since this one will be stopped down anyway, I can totally recommend it. Just remember that for applications like these, you’ll need to switch the camera into AI Servo mode.
In previous camera models, the Rebel’s only strong focusing point has been the center. Now, it seems to be all of the points. If Canon had put this focusing system into the 5D Mk II, they would have had many very happy users.
The only major autofocus problem comes when the camera is switched into Live View mode. It then becomes very slow even with the new lenses. If you can live with this problem, then fine. But that means that you’ll probably want to manually focus instead when you’re filming your cat running around as you make it chase a red dot from a laser pointer.
Ease of Use
Canon Rebels are generally very easy to use, and the T4i continues that tradition for the most part. With additions like the video mode being put on the On/Off switch and the back record button, users should find it easier to record video overall. As far as still operation goes, the Rebel has changed very little from its predecessors. So if you’re the tourists shooting photos of your family on a trip, this should be simple for you to use. Students will learn to grow with this camera and will eventually want to step up to Canon’s higher offerings with two dials vs one.
Also keep in mind that the new menu system can be a bit intimidating, but you’ll get through it once you wrap your brain around it.
Metering
In a Sunny 16 test, the Canon T4i underexposed around 1/3rd of a stop. That’s standard these days.
Image Quality
The T4i’s overall image quality is really quite good. The RAW files straight out of the camera need very little editing and the color accuracy is also really quite good. Overall, the files tend to render themselves more toward the warm side of the spectrum as well.
The image quality won’t only be good enough for mom and pop. It will also be good enough for professional shoots. The photo above is from a piece I wrote and photographed for Gear Patrol. You can see all the photos and read the article here; but the image quality was more than good enough for them.
Here are some other image samples:
High ISO Abilities
In general, the high ISO abilities of the Canon T4i are really pretty damned good. The noise at 12,800 ISO is easily dealt with with a simple touch of a noise reduction slider in Adobe Lightroom 4, but otherwise, I really didn’t feel a need to touch many of the photos otherwise. But even then, the image noise looks like film-noise. Here are some samples for you.
ISO 6400
ISO 3200
ISO 3200
ISO 1600
ISO 12,800
ISO 6400
ISO 6400
RAW File Versatility
The raw files in Adobe Lightroom 4 are fairly versatile and about on par with the top end of the mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras out there with the exception of the Fujifilm X Pro 1. Here are a couple of samples rendered with Chris Martin’s lightroom plugin.
Video Mode
Here’s a quick sample of the camera’s autofocusing. Notice the speed at which it is taking to focus. The camera was doing this all by itself.
Conclusions
The Canon T4i is a wonderful entry level camera with loads and loads of lenses available to the system. The image quality is excellent, it is easy to use, and it has a rather decent video mode. The menus can be a bit complex, but overall there really is absolutely no real problem with this camera despite what seems to be modest upgrades from its predecessor.
Still, it cannot outdo the Pentax K-30′s image quality, fps shooting, build quality, and overall ergonomic superiority. But it does beat it in terms of autofocusing capabilities, movie recording (you can actually change the aperture while recording in manual mode, but you always have been able to) and overall ease of use. I would also position it over the Nikon D3200 in terms of ease of use.
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