With Canon and Nikon both competing to dominate the entry-level market, they have both unveiled movie friendly digital SLRs to tempt enthusiast and professional videographers. Despite the two digital SLRs coming from different producers, they have a lot in common. They are both useful upgrades to current DSLRs (the Canon T3i and the D5100), and are designed to strengthen their markets by extending into movie making, which both Canon and Nikon recognize as potential areas for expansion. It is clear that Nikon and Canon are regarding the beginner level market as a major battleground, particularly in the USA.
The Canon T4i doesn't feel quite as tough as the D5200, but it is solid enough for everyday use. It is a slightly larger than the D5200 though, and so much easier for anyone with normal sized hands to grip. The scroll-wheel clicks comfortingly as it turns and the rear buttons are tactile. The design at the back of the Canon T4i is well constructed and has more buttons, making diving into the menu options a lot more speedy and easier. Some are multi-functional, which can need some thought. For example, the same button that begins recording video in movie mode also commences Live View in still shooting mode. The small downside of this is that some of the buttons are too close together. However, the Canon T4i has a dedicated ISO function, and immediate access to white balance, drive mode, and AF settings (the D5200 doesn't have any of these). There is an IR sensor on the front of the camera, but no Fn button as there isn't really any requirement for it.
Both cameras have an articulating liquid crystal display backscreen. The Canon T4i has a noticeably higher resolution than that of the D5200. The Canon's LCD view screen has 1040 thousand dots, while the D5200 has 921 thousand. One of the the Canon T4i's best selling points is that the LCD backscreen is a touchscreen. This makes it much easier to configure settings and, more importantly, it lets you pick a focus point through Live View. You can also shoot your photograph by tapping on the point where you want the camera to focus. These are very progressive and useful options, taken from the Compact System Camera (CSC) ranges that are for sale now. It is excellent to see this technology being adopted by the Canon T4i as it makes it far more accessible than any other camera in its range.
The Canon's phase detect AF system is exceptionally quick. Although it has only 9-point AF system, against the 39-points of the D5200, it is both responsive and accurate for every day photography. The Canon T4i lacks a dedicated AF assist light, but it is able to use its built-in flash in these instances. The T4i offers full-time AutoFocus in video mode, which competes with the D5200 and, with Canon's STM lenses, the focussing is silent enough for shooting video. It also has an external Mic socket. It is reasonable to say that the Canon Rebel T4i is likely to be the better camera for shooting movies. The liquid crystal display viewingscreen, full-time AutoFocus, and external Mic make it ideal for your everyday video requirements.
The Nikon D5200 is a very compact camera and smaller than it's fore runner, the D5100. This could introduce problems for those of us with expansive (average!) hands. It sometimes doesn't carry like a regular DSLR, especially when attached to a big lens. Although it doesn't match the build quality of the magnesium alloy D7000, the tough plastic casing feels pretty solid and sturdy. The layout at the rear is easy to navigate with an array of buttons to make access to the multiple features simple to follow. Live view is easily accessed and film recording can be initiated with a press of a single button. It has just one control dial which is snappy and responsive. There is an IR port on the front of the camera and also a dedicated AF assist light, which the Canon T4i fails to have. On the right side there is a customizable Fn button which can be used to manage image quality, ISO, active-D lighting, or white balance (there are no dedicated single buttons for these features). The pop-up flash automatic in green mode, meaning that the flash will pop up on its own if the camera thinks it is required.
The LCD screen is has come from the D5100, where it was enormously popular. Like with the Canon T4i, it is very handy for shooting at unusual angles and is really useful when shooting movies. The help menus are good and make the Nikon D5200 quite novice friendly. The visual display rotates with the camera, meaning that information on the status screen won't appear sideways when you're taking portraits. The playback function is quick and efficient you won't need to wait for images to load. And there is a comprehensive info screen which lets you control just about every shooting parameter that the camera has to offer. However the four way selector is not as easy to use as the one on the Canon. The Nikon D5200 doesn't have as many buttons on the back as the Canon T4i, making a few of the menu choices difficult to get to. The new(ish) Expeed 3 processor makes the Nikon quick and decisive in phase detect AutoFocus and extremely fast in Live View. The D5200's articulated screen comes in handy for shooting video, and Nikon have raised the number of frame rate options, introducing 60i and 50i. Like the Canon T4i, it will accept an external microphone and has full-time video AutoFocus.
At low very ISO, the Canon T4i equals the Nikon, though the D5200 is a little better at the top (non-expanded) ISO. Overall, the Nikon delivers slightly better image quality than the Canon. Remember, the Canon T4i also has a physically smaller sensor than the D5200. It may not seem like much, but 1.6x rather than 1.5x, combined with the increased resolution, puts the Nikon D5200 ahead. For more information on the sensors, take a look at the sensor scores published by DxO labs.
In short, the Canon Rebel T4i has excellent AutoFocus, a great articulated touchscreen and is a really superb video camera. The Nikon D5200 has remarkable, fast AutoFocus, a good articulated screen, a great buffer/processor and very useful in-camera guides.
I think if you had no camera loyalty either way, the Canon T4i would be the better camera to purchase. The difference in image quality is not really noticeable under average conditions and the Canon certainly matches the D5200 on the movie front. Whilst both DSLRs are superb in their own ways, the Nikon D5200 is more expensive than the small improvements over the Canon T4i would warrant.
The Canon T4i doesn't feel quite as tough as the D5200, but it is solid enough for everyday use. It is a slightly larger than the D5200 though, and so much easier for anyone with normal sized hands to grip. The scroll-wheel clicks comfortingly as it turns and the rear buttons are tactile. The design at the back of the Canon T4i is well constructed and has more buttons, making diving into the menu options a lot more speedy and easier. Some are multi-functional, which can need some thought. For example, the same button that begins recording video in movie mode also commences Live View in still shooting mode. The small downside of this is that some of the buttons are too close together. However, the Canon T4i has a dedicated ISO function, and immediate access to white balance, drive mode, and AF settings (the D5200 doesn't have any of these). There is an IR sensor on the front of the camera, but no Fn button as there isn't really any requirement for it.
Both cameras have an articulating liquid crystal display backscreen. The Canon T4i has a noticeably higher resolution than that of the D5200. The Canon's LCD view screen has 1040 thousand dots, while the D5200 has 921 thousand. One of the the Canon T4i's best selling points is that the LCD backscreen is a touchscreen. This makes it much easier to configure settings and, more importantly, it lets you pick a focus point through Live View. You can also shoot your photograph by tapping on the point where you want the camera to focus. These are very progressive and useful options, taken from the Compact System Camera (CSC) ranges that are for sale now. It is excellent to see this technology being adopted by the Canon T4i as it makes it far more accessible than any other camera in its range.
The Canon's phase detect AF system is exceptionally quick. Although it has only 9-point AF system, against the 39-points of the D5200, it is both responsive and accurate for every day photography. The Canon T4i lacks a dedicated AF assist light, but it is able to use its built-in flash in these instances. The T4i offers full-time AutoFocus in video mode, which competes with the D5200 and, with Canon's STM lenses, the focussing is silent enough for shooting video. It also has an external Mic socket. It is reasonable to say that the Canon Rebel T4i is likely to be the better camera for shooting movies. The liquid crystal display viewingscreen, full-time AutoFocus, and external Mic make it ideal for your everyday video requirements.
The Nikon D5200 is a very compact camera and smaller than it's fore runner, the D5100. This could introduce problems for those of us with expansive (average!) hands. It sometimes doesn't carry like a regular DSLR, especially when attached to a big lens. Although it doesn't match the build quality of the magnesium alloy D7000, the tough plastic casing feels pretty solid and sturdy. The layout at the rear is easy to navigate with an array of buttons to make access to the multiple features simple to follow. Live view is easily accessed and film recording can be initiated with a press of a single button. It has just one control dial which is snappy and responsive. There is an IR port on the front of the camera and also a dedicated AF assist light, which the Canon T4i fails to have. On the right side there is a customizable Fn button which can be used to manage image quality, ISO, active-D lighting, or white balance (there are no dedicated single buttons for these features). The pop-up flash automatic in green mode, meaning that the flash will pop up on its own if the camera thinks it is required.
The LCD screen is has come from the D5100, where it was enormously popular. Like with the Canon T4i, it is very handy for shooting at unusual angles and is really useful when shooting movies. The help menus are good and make the Nikon D5200 quite novice friendly. The visual display rotates with the camera, meaning that information on the status screen won't appear sideways when you're taking portraits. The playback function is quick and efficient you won't need to wait for images to load. And there is a comprehensive info screen which lets you control just about every shooting parameter that the camera has to offer. However the four way selector is not as easy to use as the one on the Canon. The Nikon D5200 doesn't have as many buttons on the back as the Canon T4i, making a few of the menu choices difficult to get to. The new(ish) Expeed 3 processor makes the Nikon quick and decisive in phase detect AutoFocus and extremely fast in Live View. The D5200's articulated screen comes in handy for shooting video, and Nikon have raised the number of frame rate options, introducing 60i and 50i. Like the Canon T4i, it will accept an external microphone and has full-time video AutoFocus.
At low very ISO, the Canon T4i equals the Nikon, though the D5200 is a little better at the top (non-expanded) ISO. Overall, the Nikon delivers slightly better image quality than the Canon. Remember, the Canon T4i also has a physically smaller sensor than the D5200. It may not seem like much, but 1.6x rather than 1.5x, combined with the increased resolution, puts the Nikon D5200 ahead. For more information on the sensors, take a look at the sensor scores published by DxO labs.
In short, the Canon Rebel T4i has excellent AutoFocus, a great articulated touchscreen and is a really superb video camera. The Nikon D5200 has remarkable, fast AutoFocus, a good articulated screen, a great buffer/processor and very useful in-camera guides.
I think if you had no camera loyalty either way, the Canon T4i would be the better camera to purchase. The difference in image quality is not really noticeable under average conditions and the Canon certainly matches the D5200 on the movie front. Whilst both DSLRs are superb in their own ways, the Nikon D5200 is more expensive than the small improvements over the Canon T4i would warrant.
About the Author:
Jeremy Bayston has worked in the photographic industry for two decades. He has a particular interest in digital imagery. Learn more about the new Nikon D5200 on his website www.d5200.org and download a free 25 page guide to the new camera. Discover more about the Canon rebel T4i on his website www.rebel-T4i.com. Both sites offer expert advice and reviews of Nikon and Canon products.
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