Can a firmware update improve autofocus on the Canon EOS 650D (T4i)?
Asked 10/10/2012
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I'm deciding between the Canon EOS 650D/T4i and the 600D/T3i. I was leaning toward the T4i because of its autofocus, especially for Live View and video, but the sample videos I’ve seen weren’t very impressive.
Are the T4i’s autofocus limitations mostly due to hardware, or is it realistic to expect Canon to improve autofocus performance significantly with a future firmware update?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The 650D/t4i (like all modern DSLRS) has two separate auto-focus systems:
The "phase detection" system is used when using the optical viewfinder and the "contrast detection" system that is used when using the camera's screen (and when doing video since you can't use the optical viewfinder for video).
The new feature in the 650D/t4i system is an added phase detection element to the contrast detection system (what they call "hybrid autofocus"), I'll still refer to it as "contrast detection" in this answer.
"phase detection" systems are very fast, "contrast detection" system are typically slower but more accurate.
The "phase detection" system of the 650D/t4i is very good and very fast.
The "contrast detection" system is not as fast as in mirrorless cameras (that don't have "phase detection" at all) but still very fast compared to other entry level DSLRs.
So, can a firmware upgrade improve contrast detection auto focus? probably yes, contrast detection is mostly software.
Will a firmware upgrade improve contrast detection auto focus? very unlikely because right now the 650D/t4i (with an STM lens) has the fastest contrast detection auto-focus system in the entry level DSLR category !!!!!
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
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Probably not in any major way. The T4i uses two autofocus systems: fast phase-detect AF when using the optical viewfinder, and a slower Live View/video system that relies on contrast detection plus Canon’s added on-sensor phase-detect elements (“hybrid AF”).
The viewfinder AF is already fast and generally very good. The weaker area is Live View/video autofocus, and those limitations are mostly tied to the camera’s hardware design and processing approach, not just firmware.
Firmware updates can fix bugs and sometimes add features, but historically major autofocus performance improvements are uncommon unless Canon is correcting a specific problem. So while a future update might refine behavior a little, you should not buy the T4i assuming firmware will transform its video autofocus.
If Live View/video AF performance is a key factor, judge the camera based on how it performs now rather than on hoped-for updates.
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