Canon's new T4i

My Canon T2i is now 2 years old and it still takes damn good video.  But for the last 6 months I’ve been shooting with an HVX200; not because the picture quality is better but because shooting with a DSLR is a freaking hassle.  There are really only 3 reasons I’ve been using my HVX;  it has a flip out view screen (very helpful if you’re filming yourself), it has autofocus and I can record stereo audio.

My dream video camera would combine the best attributes of a DSLR (sharp, film-like HD) and the best features of a prosumer camcorder.  Oh….and it would be nice if this magic device cost less than a thousand bucks.  Well, I guess video camera dreams really can come true.  On Friday, Canon announced the details of their new T4i and I’ll probably be buying one as soon as they’re available.

The T4i comes with pretty much every feature I’ve ever wanted to see in a DSLR.  For starters, it’s got a flip out view screen (just like the 60D) that also happens to be a touch screen.  I have an ipad and I swear, every once in a while I will put my fingers on my T2i’s screen and try to enlarge the picture.  So a real touch screen will help me look like less of an idiot.  According to Canon’s press release, the camera will also record “Incredible Stereo Sound.”  But I would probably still record audio desperately to my Zoom recorder.  If this camera really can capyure incredible audio it would be a major advancement for the T-i line.  But for me the most exciting feature is the “silent and Continuous Autofocus.”  When I’m not shooting video contest entries I’m shooting documentary projects….and it is incredibly frustrating to try and shoot on the fly with a DSLR.  You can’t capture reality if it’s constantly going in and out of focus.

So I am very psyched about the T4i.  I’m hoping to shoot a documentary short this winter and I have been searching and searching for just the right camera.  (I’ll be filming a lot of action outside.)  So I think this is just what I’ve been looking for.  Here’s some info about when you can buy one of these and how much it will cost:

The EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR camera will be available at the end of June for an estimated retail price of $849.99 for the body alone; $949.99 bundled with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens kit and a Movie Kit bundle for $1199.00 with the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.

I don’t know a lot about lenses but I do know that a 18-135mm would have a crazy range.  You could do some really interesting stuff with that much zoom.  So the “Movie Bundle Kit” sounds like it might be the best option.