Canon T5i(700D) - Everything you want to know

 

Picture of a Canon T5i Coming Soon

My Series of how-to Videos using the Canon T5i and T4i

 

T5i(700D) Information

Amazon Free Accessories - Get a 16GB SD Card and SlingBag with your SL1, or T5i purchase.

The Versus Posts

Other Recent Canon Posts

Q: Should I buy the T5i to replace my aging camcorder?A: Maybe - Camcorders are still easier to work with, focus faster and you can get a nice 1080P camcorder for less Sony HDRPJ260V High Definition Handycam 8.9 MP Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom, 16 GB Embedded Memory and Built-in Projector  What you don't get with a camcorder is excellent low light capabilities that the T5i offers and the lovely blurred backgrounds you get shooting with the larger sensor at large apertures. Not to mention all the lenses Canon has to offer and of course an excellent camera capable of taking photos, none of the camcorders can take even close to a comparable photo at this time.  You now have the option of the 70D from Canon which does offer camcorder like focusing power with an incredible high quality sensor. More about the Canon 70D.Q: I have a canon T3i, should I upgrade?A: Review the T3i vs T5i post above.  The T5i is a nicer camera but doesn't offer a ton of new features that will make you a better photographer or produce much higher quality photos. The one caveat is the new 18-135 STM lens is excellent and buying the T5i with the 18-135 kit is a good value and one of the first longer range "walk-around" lenses that I can highly recommend.Q: I don't understand the difference between the auto focus during video of the T3i and the T5i- can you explain this simply?A: Most DSLRS have a mirror that bounces the light coming into the camera up to the viewfinder and the big brains of the camera(responsible for focusing), when you go to take a photo the camera focuses(very quickly) and then the mirror flips up(this usually is louder than the actual shutter) and the light hits the sensor and you have a photo.   In live view or while filming (basically the same as live view) the mirror is flipped up and stays up, this blocks the big brains from being part of the focusing and as a result the camera focuses much more slowly as it uses the littler brain connected to the sensor and can only do it when you ask the sensor to focus, it is not capable of continuous AF.  You also have the option of letting the mirror flip down for a second, refocus, and continue filming. This does cut off light to the sensor for a moment and interrupts the video.    Canon has made changes to the sensor, it is now a hybrid CMOS sensor that basically has a bigger brain and is capable of continuously auto focusing while filming without flipping down the mirror or being very slow about it.Q: Is the T5i fast enough for sports photography?A: The T5i is now up to 5.3 FPS - Frames Per Second, Shooting RAW you can only get six shots before the buffer needs to clear.  My direct experience with the T3i was that this buffer really took time to clear, especially if you were shooting RAW.  JPEG gives you almost 22 shots before the buffer is full.  So, you hold the shutter down for one second and you get 6 shots and can't take any more for several seconds.  In the world of sports (except maybe your child) this is not fast enough and the buffer does not clear fast enough.  If you are serious about sports the 60D or 70D is an option or buy  7D - used would be just fine and at $1000 a great deal for a serious camera. Watch my video that details burst mode shooting with the Canon T4i/T5iQ: Is the T5i the best camera in its class?  A: Really hard to answer this one - And you probably need to really define the "class" you are talking about.  The T5i is an excellent camera with lovely features but it isn't really a game changer (I know that this doesn't directly answer the question)  And there are now loads of options.  I am still Canon biased, you are buying into a huge ecosystem - tons of excellent lenses (Canon Recommended Lenses (by budget)), oodles of accessories and quality control plus customer service that is really only matched by Apple.    When I am shooting weddings I am always keeping an eye on the guests and what they shoot with and Canon is still champ in numbers but cameras like the Sony NEX series and Olympus Pen are certainly on the increase.  A strong alternative is the Sony a65 or the Nikon D5200Q: Can I use my old Canon lenses with the T5iA: You can use your old lenses with the t5i, unless they are really old.  If they have the designation EF or EF-S they will work just fine with your T5i.Q: What SD Card should I get if I am going to be shooting videoA: You want the SanDisk Extreme 16GB SDHC Flash Memory Card It is fast, reliable and affordable, you do NOT Need the ones labeled Video, they don't offer anything different and the SanDisk Extreme works perfectly for video and photos.  If you will be shooting LOADS of video with the canon T5i grab the 32GB versionQ: If I am primarily interested in video - is the T5i or the D5200 a better dslr for videoA: The T5i is easier to work with but the D5200 is excellent in lower light and allows clean/uncompressed HDMI out. Two downsides to Nikon D5200 1. can't change aperture during video or even when live view is turned on.  2. Kit lenses on the Nikon stink and you really need to shoot with a better lens.  Primes are great option, so is the SIgma 17-70 C.  My review of the Sigma 17-70C.Q: Earlier Rebels could only film for 12 minutes, What is the movie recording limit on the T4i?A: The limit is now 29min and 59seconds.  With a fully-charged Battery Pack LP-E8, the total movie shooting time approx. 1 hr. 40 min. at room temperature and approx. 1 hr. 20 min. at lower temps. Remember that each 20 minute clip at 1080P is going to be nearly 10GB.  A complete list of recording limits of the T2, T3i, T4i, T5i and D5200.Q: Should I buy a spare battery? and if so third part or canon?A: I would buy a spare, battery life is good -about 500 shots-  but it is always nice to have a spare around and I might even say essential if you plan on shoot lots of video.  Buying the Canon Brand LP-E8 for the T4i (same battery used for t2i and t3i) is safest but there honestly is little chance anything bad will happen from using a 3rd party battery other than it might not last quite as long.  Though in my experience with the Rebel XT 3rd party batteries were just fine.Q: How is the Canon T5i Touchscreen? Do you accidentally press it with your nose?A:  The Canon T5i touchscreen is excellent, this isn't a cheap resistive screen we have seen on other P&S cameras, rather it is a screen very similar to the Apple iPhone and iPad screens we all know and love - it is fast, responsive and for now Canon still offers physical buttons for all the controls so you the touchscreen's use is entirely optional, though I think you will find it a much faster and more intuitive way to change settings. - Video Demo of the Touch Screen. In over a year of use of the T4i/T5i screen I have not once accidentally activated the screen.Q: Will EF Lenses work on the Canon T4i?A:  YES - EF and EF-S lenses work on the Canon T4i. EF-S do NOT work on full frame cameras like the 5D Mark II and III. My list of Canon Recommended lenses.Have a question not answered here? Leave it in the comments on on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.Recommendations Liking this page will also put you in the running for the future giveaways.  Did you know I just gave away $600 in prizes!