OK, I am definitely not a fan of the Canon 18-55 IS. Some here- drink too much kool-aid. Or at least the wrong kool-aid. Respectable ? perhaps. Limited? Definitely. Does it have known flaws ? Yep, just like every other lens out there below a certain price point. Don't ask me- ask anyone that uses one.. My biggest gripes with it- limited range. For that limited range- you still don't get a faster lens- just a cheaper lens! So, it's a slow lens, with limited range, and other things that are far from optimal. It's like buying a yugo!
Most cameras and lenses are a culmination of at least several basic facts. 1) you get what you pay for 2) if you pay more - you are often more likely to be more satisfied. 3) Any basic DSLR's are the same on the basic levels. For basic picture taking, you could easily take the same pictures, in good lighting, with an XSI from years back, and a t4i -current- and be nearly the same. The differences will be where you can't take the picture very well with the XSI and where the t4i will excel. In other words, technology changes, and the changes are usually at the edges- the limits- improvements that the older cameras usually lack. So, yeah, I am usually a fan of getting the newer technology- even though I end up paying for it.
Canon, first off, is a business that is in it for the money. As they research their business, and develop newer technology- they often don't include those newer features, enhancements into their product lines. Rather, they bring that technology out in the next model in the series. Sometimes they do- but not that often, do they provide a major upgrade including features- usually, it's limited to fixing issues The t3i and t4i are part of the Rebel series- entry level cameras. Price wise, they don't make as much off from these cameras- per camera- but do make more from raw number of sales . So, reality- they just bring out the improvements in whatever the next generation is - and see who bites.
Now, body vs lens: Most people buy a body and a kit lens to start out with. Later, they tend to add or upgrade lenses as they progress- so in a lot of ways- the body starts getting left behind- so to speak. IMO, it's beneficial to start out with the newest body you can- because you will likely keep it for a while.
18-135 IS ( as that comes with the 60D, T3i, 7D, etc ) is, in my opinion, a relatively decent lens to start out with. It's convenient- and gives a bit of versatility- i.e. it covers a wide range that a lot of people could or tend to use. It's main limitations- it's still a kit lens. The 18-55 IS, on the other hand, it's range, to me, and a lot of others as well, is kind of limited. To me, 18-55 is about the range you would use indoors - in a home or whatever- and it's ok for that. Take it outside- and then you realize how short it is. You will then find your need for more reach.
This is where the 55-250 comes in. Paired together- the 18-55 IS and the 55-250 butt up nicely. When you run out of range on one- swap over- and use the other. Swap the lens. Problem is, sometimes, you end up doing that repeatedly- swapping from one to the other and back.. back and forth, back and forth.. Pain in the you know what. Take a 18-135 IS and a 55-250 IS - well , there's a fair amount of overlap. Some people say- bad- waste- etc. I say great. Why? Rather than swapping lenses repeatedly at 55mm, I just keep going- and take it all the way up to 135mm. Less lens swapping. Less fatigue. More enjoyable. Heck, for most purposes, I can go out walking around- and carry only one lens. So, to me- a 18-135 is a lens of convenience. Difference in IQ- not really. Some will quote tests. Real life- not !
Now the t4i- with the 18-135 IS STM- optimized for video. I think the new 18-135 IS STM is actually a bit sharper than the older 18-135 IS. So, yes- Canon charges a little bit more for it. Worthwhile- probably. If you want to do video with a DSLR- and let it autofocus - the t4i/18-135 IS STM combo is the way to go. It focuses quickly. It's quiet- almost imperceptible. From my copy- it's sharper than the original 18-135. Want more range later - get another lens- need cheap- use a 55-250 .. Or go to a better lens like a 70-200..
Some say get a dedicated camcorder. Same people that say that- should be using a point and shoot instead of a DSLR - for the same reasons! What's the biggest differences between a $300 camcorder and a $1100 DSLR ? Or a $800 DSLR ? The size of the sensor. The amount of separation you get - the Depth of Focus that you get from a DSLR. Most of those dedicated camcorders are using very small sensors- and the smaller the sensors- the more that happens to be in focus at once- less separation. So, I say- those that say get a $300 camcorder- get a $200 P&S to go along with it. Perfect match!
In the end, I would suggest getting as much camera and lens that you can afford - going in. Don't look at it as a bargain hunt! Then learn with it. Use it. enjoy it. Then upgrade the lenses if and when you outgrow them or you need something else or in addition to what you already have.
EOS 5D III, EOS 7D,EOS Rebel T4i, Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, Canon 24-105L, Canon 18-135 IS STM, 1.4x TC III, 2.0x TC III, Σ 50mm f/1.4, Σ 17-50 OS, Σ 70-200 OS, Σ 50-500 OS, Σ 1.4x TC, Σ 2.0x TC, 580EXII(3), Canon SX-40, Canon S100
Fond memories: Rebel T1i, Canon 18-55 IS, Canon 55-250 IS, 18-135 IS (Given to a good home)...
