Canon T5i Tech Info

At the heart of the Canon T5i is an APS-C CMOS image sensor, identical to that in the T4i.

Resolution is 18 megapixels, with a native 3:2 aspect ratio. Maximum image dimensions are 5,184 x 3,456 pixels.

As in the T4i, the sensor includes on-chip phase detection autofocus, or Hybrid CMOS AF in Canon parlance.

The system, available during both live view and movie capture, uses a combination of phase detection and contrast detection when the subject is in the center of the frame, and contrast detection alone when the subject strays nearer the edge of the frame. (That's the blue area, in the image above.)

The use of on-sensor phase-detect enables smoother autofocus, with less hunting.

The on-chip PDAF capability isn't used for still imaging when shooting through the viewfinder, though.

In this case, the T5i uses the same dedicated sensor seen previously in the EOS 60D.

Although there are still nine points as in the T1i, T2i, and T3i, like the T4i they're now all f/5.6 cross-types, with the center point being an f/2.8 high precision dual cross.

Autofocus working range is EV -0.5 to 18 at 23°C, ISO 100 equivalent.

Output from the image sensor is handled by a Canon DIGIC 5 image processor. That's now a generation behind the DIGIC 5+ used in some of Canon's more expensive SLRs.

As in the T4i, DIGIC 5 allows burst shooting performance to a manufacturer-rated five frames per second.

Like the T4i before it, the Canon Rebel T5i boasts an expanded sensitivity range compared to earlier Rebel models.

From a base of ISO 100 equivalent, the T5i offers up to ISO 12,800 equivalent ordinarily, and can be expanded to a maximum of ISO 25,600 equivalent. Movie capture is limited to ISO 6,400 or below.

As you'd expect in a Rebel-series camera, there's a Canon EF lens mount that's also compatible with EF-S lenses.

35mm lenses have a 1.6x focal length crop when mounted on the T5i. Two kit lens choices are available; either the new 18-55mm IS STM lens, or an equivalent of the T4i's 18-135mm IS STM lens kit.

The T5i's viewfinder is the same type used since the T3i. It's a pentamirror design with fixed focusing screen, rather than the brighter pentaprism type with interchangeable screen that's found in more expensive cameras. Coverage is 95% with a 0.85x magnification, and a somewhat tight 19mm eyepoint. Diopter correction is -3 to +1m^-1.

On the rear panel is a three-inch, 3:2 aspect LCD panel with 720 x 480 pixel resolution (~1,040,000 dots), the same size and resolution used since the T2i.

The T5i shares the same Clear View II panel introduced in the T4i, which removes the air gap between LCD and cover glass, reducing glare compared to the earlier Clear View design found on the T3i.

Like the T3i and T4i before it, the T5i's display is articulated on a side-mounted tilt/swivel mechanism. This allows viewing from a wide variety of angles, including in front of the camera.

It also allows a degree of protection for the display when not in use, since it can be closed facing inwards towards the camera body.

Like that of the T4i, the Canon T5i's monitor is overlaid with a touch panel.

It uses a multitouch glass capacitive design like most smartphones, rather than the less accurate plastic resistive type used in older or less-expensive cameras.

Canon's GUI--shown here in live view mode--is designed to make it easy to control using the touch screen. You can select a focus point, swipe between photos use pinch zoom in playback, and optionally control the shutter, but the touch screen can't be disabled or locked.

The T5i's built-in, popup flash strobe has a guide number of 13 meters (~43 feet) at ISO 100. Coverage is approximately 28mm (35mm-equivalent), and the recycle time is about three seconds. X-sync is at 1/200 second.

As well as the built-in flash, there's an intelligent hot shoe compatible with EX-series Speedlites and Canon's E-TTL II metering system. Both Canon's IR and radio-controlled wireless flash systems are supported, with the appropriate hardware.

The Handheld Night Scene mode automatically captures four high sensitivity shots, which are then microaligned and merged in-camera. The result: a single image with reduced noise levels, but with reduced likelihood of blurring from a slow shutter speed.

The HDR Backlight Control mode, again, captures three shots and microaligns them.

However, this time the exposure is varied between frames so as to hold onto more dynamic range than is possible with a single exposure.

Another multi-shot function dubbed Multi Shot Noise Reduction is found via the High ISO Speed NR mode. This is similar to Handheld Night Scene mode, in that it is used to reduce noise by averaging across exposures, but doesn't require the high initial ISO sensitivity.

The T5i includes a variety of post-capture Creative Filter functions, as seen on the T3i and T4i.

In Live View mode, you can also apply various creative filters, and you can now preview their effect before capture.

As you can tell from the Hybrid CMOS AF function discussed previously, Canon is courting consumer videographers with the T5i.

This is reinforced by the fact that the Movie mode sits not on the Mode dial, but on the Power switch instead, making for much quicker access.

Video can be captured at up to Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) resolution at 30 frames per second, using H.264 compression. By default, audio is captured with a built-in stereo microphone.

Both an external mic jack and manual audio levels control capability are also provided.

As well as the mic jack and hot shoe we've already mentioned, other connectivity options include a wired remote port, an infrared remote receiver in the hand grip, and both a combined USB data / standard-def video output.

There's also a high-def Mini HDMI video port.

The Canon T5i can accept Secure Digital flash memory cards. It's also compatible with the higher-capacity SDHC and SDXC cards, as well as the higher-speed UHS-I cards.

Wireless transfer is possible using Eye-Fi's Wi-Fi capable SD cards.

Shooting with the T2i or T3i and considering an upgrade? You'll be pleased to note that the T5i still uses the same LP-E8 battery pack, and is still CIPA rated for 440 shots on a charge.

It also still accepts the same BG-E8 battery grip which holds up to two LP-E8 battery packs to double battery life, or six AA batteries.