With more and more people graduating from touchscreen smartphones or digital cameras towards a more professional equipment set, mirrorless cameras have been the obvious choice for many lately. DSLR manufacturers are constantly trying to come up with products with the functionality of a mirror less as well as the power of a DSLR. Canon, keeping that in mind, recently launched its EOS 650D (Rebel T4i), the first DSLR ever to feature a touch screen. You can swipe between photographs, operate it with multi touch, set gestures for specific functions etc.

Apart from the touchscreen, Canon has also added some other features to make it a competent entrant in the entry-level DSLR market. For one, it features the Canon DIGIC 5 processor, previously seen on a couple of its compact cameras. The processor gives way to an increased maximum ISO of 12800 (25,600 in extended mode). Canon has also added a built in microphone to capture sound with the video, and has a socket for an external microphone, if one wishes to record better sound quality. Apart from this, Canon has introduced two new scene modes, ‘HDR Backlight’, and ‘Handheld Night Scene’. 

Looking at the history of the Rebel series, Canon will most probably discontinue the 550D, and bring the 600D’s price a notch down to accommodate the new 650D. There aren’t many major changes in the camera, and if you have a fairly capable DSLR which you recently bought, this one is not for you. But for photographers graduating to DSLR’s from handhelds or smartphones, this might just be what you’re looking for, and the touchscreen sure wouldn’t hurt.

Here are some quick specs:

• 18 MP APS-C
• DIGIC 5+
• SDHC slot, USH-1 complaint
• Current xxD’s AF system (9 cross-type points, found in 40D, 50D, 60D)
• T3i metering system (63 zones like 7D and 5DIII)
• 5 fps
• Pentamirror Viewfinder
• ISO 100-12,800 expandable to 25,600
• Articulated touchscreen LCD
• Hybrid AF during video shooting