With Canon and Nikon both fighting for the beginner level market, they have both released movie friendly DSLRs to tempt enthusiast and professional videographers. Despite the two DSLRs coming from different companies, they have a lot in common. They are both useful upgrades to current digital cameras (the D5100 and the Canon T3i), and are designed to consolidate their markets by extending into movie making, which both Canon and Nikon see as potential areas for growth. It is clear that Nikon and Canon are considering the beginner level market as a major battleground, particularly in the States.
The Canon T4i doesn't feel quite as sturdy as the D5200, but it is solid enough for everyday use. It is a slightly larger than the D5200 though, and so easier for anyone with average sized hands to grip. The scroll-wheel clicks reassuringly as it turns and the buttons on the back are responsive. The design at the back of the Canon T4i is well considered 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 starts recording video in movie mode also allows Live View in still shooting mode. The minor 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 lacks all 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 articulated LCD view screen. The Canon T4i has a recognizable larger resolution than that of the D5200. The Canon's LCD view screen has 1040 thousand pixels, while the D5200 has 921 thousand. One of the the Canon T4i's best selling points is that the LCD view screen is a touchscreen. This makes it much easier to arrange settings and, more importantly, it lets you select a focus point through Live View. You can also shoot your photograph by tapping on the area 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 great to see this technology being used by the Canon T4i as it makes it far more useable than any other DSLR in its range.
The Canon's phase detect AF system is extremely fast. Although it has only 9-point Auto Focus system, against the 39-points of the D5200, it is both quick and accurate for every day photography. The Canon T4i doesn't have a dedicated AF assist light, but it can use its built-in flash in these circumstances. The T4i supports full-time AutoFocus in video mode, which matches 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 possibly the better DSLR for shooting movies. The liquid crystal display view screen, full-time AF, and external Mic make it appropriate for your everyday video requirements.
The Nikon D5200 is a solidly built camera and smaller than it's predecessor, the D5100. This could create problems for those of us with expansive (average!) hands. It sometimes doesn't feel like a proper DSLR, especially when attached to a larger lens. Although it doesn't equal the build quality of the magnesium alloy D7000, the tough plastic body feels pretty solid and sturdy. The layout at the back is easy to navigate with an array of buttons to make access to the multiple options simple to follow. Live view is easily accessed and video recording can be started 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 body and also a dedicated AF assist light, which the Canon T4i doesn't have. On the right side there is a customizable Fn option which can be used to control image quality, ISO, active-D lighting, or white balance (there are no dedicated single buttons for these options). 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 liquid crystal display screen is taken from the D5100, where it was enormously popular. As with with the Canon T4i, it is very appropriate for shooting at different angles and is exceptionally useful when shooting movies. The help options are superb and make the Nikon D5200 quite novice friendly. The visual display rotates with the camera, meaning that text on the status screen won't show sideways when you're photographing portraits. The playback option is quick and efficient you won't need to wait for pictures to load. And there is a wide-ranging info screen which lets you manage just about every shooting parameter that the D5200 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 locate. The new(ish) Expeed 3 processor makes the Nikon fast and decisive in phase detect AutoFocus and extremely fast in Live View. The D5200's articulating screen comes in handy for shooting video, and Nikon have increased 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 slightly better at the top (non-expanded) ISO. Overall, the Nikon offers 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 in the lead. For more information on the sensors, take a look at the sensor scores published by DxO labs.
To summarize, the Canon Rebel T4i has excellent AutoFocus, a great articulated touchscreen and is a really superb video camera. The Nikon D5200 has excellent, fast AutoFocus, a good articulating screen, a great buffer/processor and very useful in-camera guides.
In my opinion if you had no camera loyalty either way, the Canon T4i would be the better camera to purchase. The difference in image quality is hardly noticeable under average conditions and the Canon certainly competes with the D5200 on the video front. Whilst both DSLRs are excellent 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 sturdy as the D5200, but it is solid enough for everyday use. It is a slightly larger than the D5200 though, and so easier for anyone with average sized hands to grip. The scroll-wheel clicks reassuringly as it turns and the buttons on the back are responsive. The design at the back of the Canon T4i is well considered 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 starts recording video in movie mode also allows Live View in still shooting mode. The minor 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 lacks all 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 articulated LCD view screen. The Canon T4i has a recognizable larger resolution than that of the D5200. The Canon's LCD view screen has 1040 thousand pixels, while the D5200 has 921 thousand. One of the the Canon T4i's best selling points is that the LCD view screen is a touchscreen. This makes it much easier to arrange settings and, more importantly, it lets you select a focus point through Live View. You can also shoot your photograph by tapping on the area 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 great to see this technology being used by the Canon T4i as it makes it far more useable than any other DSLR in its range.
The Canon's phase detect AF system is extremely fast. Although it has only 9-point Auto Focus system, against the 39-points of the D5200, it is both quick and accurate for every day photography. The Canon T4i doesn't have a dedicated AF assist light, but it can use its built-in flash in these circumstances. The T4i supports full-time AutoFocus in video mode, which matches 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 possibly the better DSLR for shooting movies. The liquid crystal display view screen, full-time AF, and external Mic make it appropriate for your everyday video requirements.
The Nikon D5200 is a solidly built camera and smaller than it's predecessor, the D5100. This could create problems for those of us with expansive (average!) hands. It sometimes doesn't feel like a proper DSLR, especially when attached to a larger lens. Although it doesn't equal the build quality of the magnesium alloy D7000, the tough plastic body feels pretty solid and sturdy. The layout at the back is easy to navigate with an array of buttons to make access to the multiple options simple to follow. Live view is easily accessed and video recording can be started 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 body and also a dedicated AF assist light, which the Canon T4i doesn't have. On the right side there is a customizable Fn option which can be used to control image quality, ISO, active-D lighting, or white balance (there are no dedicated single buttons for these options). 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 liquid crystal display screen is taken from the D5100, where it was enormously popular. As with with the Canon T4i, it is very appropriate for shooting at different angles and is exceptionally useful when shooting movies. The help options are superb and make the Nikon D5200 quite novice friendly. The visual display rotates with the camera, meaning that text on the status screen won't show sideways when you're photographing portraits. The playback option is quick and efficient you won't need to wait for pictures to load. And there is a wide-ranging info screen which lets you manage just about every shooting parameter that the D5200 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 locate. The new(ish) Expeed 3 processor makes the Nikon fast and decisive in phase detect AutoFocus and extremely fast in Live View. The D5200's articulating screen comes in handy for shooting video, and Nikon have increased 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 slightly better at the top (non-expanded) ISO. Overall, the Nikon offers 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 in the lead. For more information on the sensors, take a look at the sensor scores published by DxO labs.
To summarize, the Canon Rebel T4i has excellent AutoFocus, a great articulated touchscreen and is a really superb video camera. The Nikon D5200 has excellent, fast AutoFocus, a good articulating screen, a great buffer/processor and very useful in-camera guides.
In my opinion if you had no camera loyalty either way, the Canon T4i would be the better camera to purchase. The difference in image quality is hardly noticeable under average conditions and the Canon certainly competes with the D5200 on the video front. Whilst both DSLRs are excellent 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 photography 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 even download a free 25 page guide on 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.