Is the T4i/650D pointing towards MILC hybrid sensor?

[Johnny]

What do you think about that, Bob?

The new 650D has a hybrid AF sensor and to me it would seem logical to think the anticipated MILC camera will use the same technology, but possibly not the same sensor. One should think Canon would use the same technology to save some money. Some Internet sites has been testing the 650D and it seems like the hybrid AF is relatively slow but smooth. It seems to well suited for video. They said the Nikon 1 has a much faster AF.

It seems like Canon is pretty much focused on video and probably for a good reason. Video is inn. It seems like we wont get a new MILC camera with snappy phase detection AF as some of us were hoping for. I would be really surprised if we did.

[Bob Atkins]

I'm sure the technology used in the T4i sensor will also be used in the sensor for any mirrorless camera. It's tough to say if Canon will go the APS-C route and use the T4i sensor or if they'll make a smaller version which would enable them to make a smaller camera and launch a line of smaller lenses. From a purely economic viewpoint they might get more revenue from a smaller sensor needing a new set of lenses, though they could also make a new set of lenses for an APS-C mirrorless camera too. Sony (APS-C) and Olympus (4/3) went with the same sensors they used on their DSLRs, while Nikon went the other way and made a smaller camera. Both schemes have their merits for a sales perspective.

The phase sensitive AF zones on the T4i are "assist" AF sensors. They tell the camera which way to focus and about how much to focus, though as I understand it the final focusing is done using the sensor pixels in a contrast detection mode. That's why it's slower then the Nikon 1 system which I think is phase sensitive all the way, just like a regular DSLR.