Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D

The Rebel T4i, sold elsewhere as the EOS 650D, is an APS-C DSLR released in 2012. Its Canon EF mount takes interchangeable lenses, and the optical viewfinder shows the scene directly.

Its most modern-feeling feature is the screen. The 3-inch LCD is touch-sensitive and flips out from the body, so framing at awkward angles and quick setting changes are both possible.

The body weighs 575 g, a manageable figure for carrying. There is no wireless transfer, so moving images to a computer means a card reader or a cable.

The APS-C CMOS sensor works with the Digic 5 processor to produce files suited to prints and reasonable cropping. Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 12800. The optics score of 40/100 is modest, and the camera sits in the bottom 6% of our database for optics.

Burst shooting tops out at 5 fps, a maximum rather than a sustained promise. Nine autofocus points are available, so focusing and then recomposing is often the practical approach. The optical pentamirror viewfinder gives a direct view of the scene without a live exposure preview.

There is no in-body stabilisation. Sharp handheld results in dim light therefore depend on stabilised lenses, faster shutter speeds or a tripod. The maximum shutter speed is 1/4000s.

The Canon EF mount accepts the brand's EF lenses, leaving room to grow beyond a first lens.

Recording tops out at Full HD, and the fastest frame rate available is 30 fps. These are separate maximums rather than a combined recording mode. That covers everyday clips and web video, but the ceiling rules out slow-motion work and any higher-resolution output.

Footage is recorded as Motion JPEG, which treats each frame as an individually compressed image. Confirm your editing software supports the format before committing to video work.

The video score is modest at 43/100, reflecting the Full HD resolution limit and the 30 fps frame rate ceiling. Full HD remains usable for occasional clips alongside stills.

There is no built-in timelapse function, so frame sequences have to be started some other way, which also counts against the video score.

Handling centres on the 3-inch LCD with 1,040,000 dots. It is a touchscreen and it flips out from the body, so you can tap to set focus in live view and compose from high or low angles.

Lighting is covered both ways. The built-in flash handles dim indoor snapshots, and the camera also supports an external flash when you want more power and direction over the light.

The features score is a modest 57/100, and the missing weather sealing and Bluetooth cost it points. Wi-Fi and GPS are also absent, so images travel by card or cable and location tagging must be added separately.

Storage is a single slot that takes SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. One card means no duplicate recording, so carry a spare and copy images off regularly on busy days.

The LP-E8 battery is rated at 440 shots per charge, though real-world results depend on settings and usage. A second battery is sensible for longer shooting days.

The camera offers no USB charging, so topping up from a laptop or power bank is not an option. Plan charging between sessions when travelling. The storage and battery score is limited at 24/100, and the single slot, the 440-shot rating and the missing USB charging explain the lost points.