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Canon T4i Comparison Review

The Canon EOS Rebel T4i (called Canon 650D in some regions) is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was revealed to the public in June 2012 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 17.9 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon T4i a good camera? The T4i has a Camera Elo of 1669. This rating puts the T4i among the top 50 percent of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the T4i ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Canon T4i
Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses
17.9 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/30p Video
ISO 100 - 12 800 (100 - 25 600)
Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Swivel touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second
440 shots per battery charge
133 x 100 x 79 mm, 575 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Canon T4i vis-à-vis a credit card. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon T4i vs credit card front
T4i versus credit card top view
T4i and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon T4i alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T4i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
2.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon T5i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 649ebay.com
5.
 
Canon T3i 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T1i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon XSi 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon XTi 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
10.
 
Canon XT 127 mm 94 mm 64 mm 540 g 400 n Feb 2005 899ebay.com
11.
 
Canon Rebel 142 mm 99 mm 72 mm 649 g 400 n Aug 2003 899ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon T4i was launched in the US market at a price of $849. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Check T4i offers at
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Canon T4i features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon T4i among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Canon T4i sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon T4i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
2.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
3.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
4.
 
Canon T5i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
5.
 
Canon T3i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
6.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
7.
 
Canon T1i APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
8.
 
Canon XSi APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
9.
 
Canon XTi APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
10.
 
Canon XT APS-C 8.0 3456 2304none21.810.863760
11.
 
Canon Rebel APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.010.854455
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The T4i indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the T4i can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the T4i has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.53x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon T4i and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon T4ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon T5ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon T3ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
6.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T1ioptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
8.
 
Canon XSioptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
9.
 
Canon XTioptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon XToptical n1.8 / 115 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon Rebeloptical n1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Canon EOS Rebel T4i is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the T4i

One convenient feature of the T4i is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T4i and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon T4iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon T5iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon T3iYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon T1iYmono / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon XSiY- / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon XTiY- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Canon XTY- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Canon RebelY- / ----1.1---
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It is notable that the T4i has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the T4i can be found in the free online Canon T4i Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the T4i handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T4i4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
2.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon T5i......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 649ebay.com
5.
 
Canon T3i3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T1i..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon XSi..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon XTi..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
10.
 
Canon XT..80/100..+ +o.. Feb 2005 899ebay.com
11.
 
Canon Rebel......+ +.... Aug 2003 899ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Canon T4i FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the T4i.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Canon T4i based on?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon T4i to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the T4i with the DIGIC 5 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon T4i?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800.

Does the Canon T4i have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the T4i is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS Rebel T4i?

Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the T4i. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the T4i over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Canon T4i?

Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your T4i has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon T4i shutter count page.

Does the Canon T4i feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon T4i for flash photography?

The T4i's flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.

Does the Canon T4i support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Canon T4i use?

The camera gets its power from the LP-E8 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Canon T4i?

Yes, Canon offers the BG-E8 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Canon T4i
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2012
    Launch Price USD 849
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 184 x 3 456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 5
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 722
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type LP-E8 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)440 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 133 x 100 x 79 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 575 g (20.3 oz)

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