Style: Body + 18 55mm lens

2,182 of 2,207 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars picking between the T3i, T2i, 60D and 7D, February 27, 2011
By dojoklo (Cambridge, MA) See all my reviews This review is from: Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC four Imaging with EF S 18 55mm f/3.5 5.6 IS Lens (Camera) The Canon Rebel T3i takes the buyer level dSLR a couple steps closer to the mid level Canon 60D with the addition of the rotating rear LCD screen, remote flash firing, and in camera processing features. The already greatly competent, older Rebel T2i already shared many vital features with the 60D (and features of the semi pro 7D) as well as the 18 MP sensor, 63 zone contact metering system, high ISO performance, HD movie potential, and Digic four image processor. With the new upgrades, it may make it more hard to decide between them. But there are many vital differences.

If you’re considering the Rebel T3i vs T2i, the Rebel T3i is replacing the T2i. Since both cameras share the same 18 megapixel sensor and Digic four processor, both the T2i and T3i will create pictures with exactly the same image quality, produce the same low light/ high ISO performance, shoot at 3.7 frames per second, and have almost the same size and build quality. They’re both offered with the same 18 55mm kit lens (with many minor cosmetic differences on the new T3i kit lens). The T3i is somewhat bigger and heavier caused by the addition of the rotating rear LCD monitor. And that’s one of the biggest differences between the two cameras. Do you want and need a vari angle rear screen or not? The other big difference is the capability of the T3i to remotely control many off camera flashes. Like the 60D and 7D, you may be able to use the fitted flash of the T3i to trigger other Canon Speedlites. Many other minor additions to the T3i include the Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, which is a feature borrowed from point and shoot cameras. When in Auto mode, the T3i will make a motivation of what kind of scene you’re shooting close up, portrait, landscape, etc. And automatically configure the camera settings therefore. But, if you want to use a powerful and costly digital SLR as a point and shoot, you may want to most likely save the money and just purchase a nice, high quality point and shoot like the Canon S95. Other extra but not essential upgrades include the in camera processing Creative Filters, and the capability to decide different image size ratios and to rate your pictures. (Helpful hint: press the Q Button while in image playback and you may be able to access features like ranking, rotating, and Creative Filters.) there’s also a marginally useful Feature Guide which gives brief descriptions of different settings and many extra video features like Video Snapshot, which you may be able to use to shoot short video clips that are automatically joined together into a video, with music.

Canon Rebel T3i and 60D and 7D
Sensor and Image Quality: All three cameras share a alike sensor and 18 megapixels, and so their image quality will be virtually the same. All are able of taking professional quality pictures.

Exposure Metering: The three cameras all share the new 63 zone, dual layer contact metering system and four metering modes. That means they’ll all find out the contact virtually identically and enable you to take properly exposed photos in most every situation, as well as hard back lit scenes. The size of the regions metered for fractional and Spot metering differ somewhat between the cameras, but that is not anything important.

Autofocus: The T3i shares a alike autofocus system to the 60D, with nine concentrate points and three auto focusing modes. But the nine AF points of the 60D are more responsive than those of the T3i: all are cross type in the 60D, only the center is cross type in the T3i. The 60D autofocus system is less complex than the sophisticated AF system of the 7D with its 19 AF point system and its extra Zone, Spot, and Expansion concentrate modes. These different modes address how you want to deal with and group the many AF points. Plus the custom settings of the 7D let one to customize how the AF system works how it tracks subjects, how it deals with objects that come between you and your initial subject, how quickly it responds to these changes of possible subjects that are at different distances from you, etc. But, if you aren’t an avid sports photographer, a wildlife shooter, or someone who understands, needs, and will use the elaborate features of the 7D AF system, then this should not sway you.

Construction: As you may be able to most likely figure out from the prices, each camera isn’t built the same. The T3i has comparatively strong construction of a stainless steel frame with polycarbonate body. The 60D has a stronger and lighter aluminum frame and polycarbonate body, but not as strong as the 7D’s magnesium alloy construction. The 60D also has many total of weather sealing more than the T3i, less than the 7D. But for most users, as well as those using the camera daily or in travel situations, the construction of any of these cameras is far more than good enough, strong enough, and lasting enough.

ISO: Since they all share a alike sensor, the ISO sensitivity and performance at high ISO settings is virtually the same for these three cameras. But do not take my word for it, do not be swayed by pixel peepers on forums, instead check out the camera sensor tests at dxomark to verify this. As you may be able to see, they all share the same in general score, and show alike performance.

Controls: As with construction, the buttons and controls differ with the cameras. Unlike the T3i, the 60D and 7D have almost every control an advanced photographer needs on the outside of the camera and they have the top LCD panel and rear fast Control Dial that aren’t on the T3i. With all the cameras, any controls may also be easily accessed with the Q Button and Q Menu or in the other menus on the rear LCD monitor. The top buttons of the 60D set only one setting each, so this is less complicated than the multiple setting buttons of the 7D. Canon removed the white balance (WB) button on the 60D that the 7D has, but that is not a big deal use the Q Menu. Another change on the 60D is that the Multi controller was moved from the thumb joystick like the 7D and 50D and placed in the center of the rear Quick control dial. This does not change how it functions, and should just be a matter of to get used to the difference. If you plan on using your camera on Auto or Program most of the time, then the controls of the T3i are more than enough for your needs. If you work in Av, Tv, or M modes and need quicker and more direct access to your controls and the extra top LCD screen to view and change your current settings, then you have to think about the 60D or 7D over the T3i.

Menus and Custom Functions: These let for greater control over customizing how the camera functions. The T3i has less Menu and Custom Function setting alternatives than the 60D, and the 7D has still some more than the 60D. These settings enable you to customize the operation, function, and controls to work how you want them to, as well as things like contact increments, peripheral illuminations correction for lenses (fixes black corners), tweaking how the autofocus system operates, setting more exact white balance settings, and customizing which button does what. There are ebooks like my Canon T3i Experience The Still Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation With the Canon Rebel T3i / EOS 600D and Your World 60D The Photographer’s Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon 60D which walk you through all of the Menu settings and Custom Function settings so that you may set up your camera to work best for how you photograph, and also begin to learn to master all the advanced features, settings, and controls of these powerful dSLR camera.

Wireless Flash: Like the 7D and 60D, the T3i incorporates wireless flash triggering. This lets you to trigger many off camera flashes at different output levels. The T2i doesn’t have the feature.

Articulating LCD Screen: The big new feature that the 60D and T3i have that the 7D and T2i don’t is the articulating rear LCD screen. This may prove useful for videographers, also as for setting up compositions while the camera is on a tripod, for macro use, or for using it from unusually low or high vantage points. Many users will be able to avoid purchasing an costly angle finder because of this feature. There’s also an electronic level in the 7D and 60D, observable in the viewfinder, rear LCD, or top LCD.

Viewfinder: The T3i has a pentamirror viewfinder with 95 coverage of the real ensuing image. The 60D has a big, bright pentaprism viewfinder with 96 coverage, not quite as nice as the almost 100 view of the 7D pentaprism.

Processor: The T3i shares the same Digic four processor as the 60D. The 7D has dual Digic four processors. But, if you do not have to shoot dozens of uninterrupted pictures, you most likely will not notice any processing speed issues.

Continuous Shooting Speed: The T3i can shoot 3.7 frames per second. The 7D can shoot a blazing eight frames per second, in which the photos barely change from frame to frame. The 60D can shoot a respectable 5.3 fps which is really a more useful rate. If you need the very high fps for sports, wildlife, or another action shooting, get the 7D. If not, do not be swayed by this extreme feature.

Memory Card: The T3i and 60D use the SD memory card. The 7D uses the CF card.

Battery: The T3i and T2i use the smaller LP E8 battery with less capacity than the LP E6 battery used by the 60D and 7D.

Size and Weight: The T3i is smaller and lighter than the 60D, which in turn is smaller and lighter than the 7D. Go to a. Read more ›

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775 of 791 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Busy Mom/The Family Photographer T3i a great intro dSLR, March 21, 2011
By W. Edwards “library lady” (Spokane, WA) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC four Imaging with EF S 18 55mm f/3.5 5.6 IS Lens (Camera) I’m not a camera expert, but rather, I am a busy mom who loves to take pictures and who adores my subjects. This, then, is a review from a busy mom/amateur’s point of view.

MY GOALS/EXPECTATIONS:

I have generally been a photo fiend, taking my camera everywhere and pulling it out at any opportunity. While I’d gotten to a decent level of archiving vital times with my point and shoot cameras over the years, I wanted to take my photography to the next level. I has been inspired by my brother in law’s photos of his kids to take the dSLR plunge. But I knew (and still know), little about professional photography. I wanted to start taking better photos now. But I also wanted to have room to grow as a photographer and a camera that could grow with me.

I also wanted the concentrate to stay firmly on my family while I was wanting to invest many time and care into the camera, I did not want it to become like a pet I had to constantly watch over. While any dSLR takes many care and consideration, I have found the T3i was an excellent camera for me and I have been quite happy with it.

PROS:

USER FRIENDLY: The auto mode (or auto without flash, my favorite) is greatly forgiving, taking very sharp pictures, true to color. They look so clear that I feel I am capturing as close to real life as I have ever seen before in a camera.

FAST: While I on occasion go in for trying out new modes and manual settings, I frequently leave the camera in auto or auto sans flash mode and just click away so that I can at least catch a moment before it is gone. I then play with manual settings if my kids stay still long enough for me to attempt something new. My last cameras generally had a awful delay for the autofocus (the only mode they typically had), meaning I almost generally lost the moment when the toddler was on the move. The t3i is so ridiculously fast that I can snap many pics in the time one picture took before.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES: This kind of goes without saying at this tier of camera, but the pictures are just amazing quality. Coming from the land of point and shoot, I am pretty blown away. And I know I am only touching the tip of the iceberg for what is possible.

BEAUTIFUL VIDEO: This is the nice new feature of the t3i. I was not sure I’d want or need the HD video. But hey, when you have got it, you use it. I have gotten many surprisingly clear footage of the kiddo playing in the park with daddy and I am so happy we went for the model with that feature.

BIG, CLEAR DISPLAY: it is really easy to see what pics you have just taken and change your photo taking therefore. Just by seeing what I have gotten, I am able to attempt again and improve a shot nearly now.

CLEAR MENUS/ABILITY TO IMPROVE: The interface on this is so intuitive that I have been able to learn many without cracking open the manual (though that manual is my new reading material). The entry point for a new user is just a step up from normal photography the possibilities, but, are almost endless.

NICE KIT LENS: For all that photographers get into new and better lenses, the kit lens on this is really nice and easy to use. I think it’ll hold us for a good long while before I get to be more of an expert. It gives me the range of zoom and concentrate I need for now.

EYE FI COMPATIBLE: WOW. I can not tell you how much this busy mom loves this feature. If you get an eye fi card, your pictures may be set up to automatically upload to your computer whenever you’re inside range of your synched wireless network. My husband set up a SmugMug account and the eye fi potential. I take pics to my heart’s content while out on walks, in the park, etc., and come home, then leave the camera on (auto shut off after eight minutes) to upload the pics. I can then tag and sort pictures afterward at my leisure. For a busy mom, this is surprisingly useful. I do not have to take time out to upload the pics the camera does that for me.

BATTERY LIFE (for common use): So far, the battery we bought for the camera lasts well throughout normal photo taking. It is just a regular Canon battery for the rebel line and it charges quickly. When taking pics like a mad woman, it lasts through a shoot. HD video eats it up more quickly, so be warned. Still, I rarely run out of juice throughout the day so long as I pop the battery into its charger in the evening. But, uploading is another story (See below in cons).

Those are just the 1st not many things I love about this camera. Here, but, are the.Not cons, really, just challenges for a busy mom:

CHALLENGES:

DSLRs ARE costly, fragile, BIG AND BULKY:

And busy parents’ lives have enough precious and fragile things to worry about namely, the kids. No to get around it you can not just toss a dSLR into a pocket and go. I am in a quest for a good bag/carrying solution (heh, yeah, wish me luck with that.) and I am trying to get used to having one part of my brain keeping an eye on the camera also as keeping the most of my concentrate on the kids. When I am in photo journalist mode, it is no problem, but switching back to mom mode is the hard part. I have already seen the camera knocked onto the ground (a short distance onto soft ground, so it was okay, but still, the experience practically gave me a heart attack) and once, when bending over, I caught the toddler on the temple with the kit lens (She sobbed. I felt so awful!) This thing requires constant awareness to both the camera AND the kids when using it. I am quickly adjusting, but if you are not totally dedicated to learning to use and love the dSLR, you may want to stick to really good point and shoot camera if you are a busy parent.

that is really the big one.

BATTERY LIFE (when uploading pics via eye fi): Uploading pictures by eye fi looks to eat the battery alive. It appears that the camera will not autoshutoff when uploading, so this morning, after some hours of uploading big, glorious pictures to my SmugMug account, the battery ran out of juice. I wish there was a plug in mode or many sort of docking station I could input the camera into when I return home. If it is only some pics, they upload and the camera shuts itself off. But if it is a bunch of pics (and when the weather’s nice and the lighting’s good, I take many of pics), the camera requires a battery recharge just to finish uploading my pictures.

SWIVEL SCREEN WORRIES: I find that the swivel screen, while hugely useful, is something I constantly worry that I am going to snap off. But, you may be able to keep it closed with the screen facing in(a nice feature) or tuck it onto the camera with the screen facing out. I also find if I am looking out of the eye piece, I leave cheek smudges all over the screen when its facing out.

MANUAL MODE GOOFS: many of my manual mode forays have been less than stellar. I have taken a shot set up so nice, concentrate just perfect, subject just so. Only to learn I left it in white balance modification for indoors and I was outdoors so the whole picture seems I dipped it in blue. I have learned to take pics in auto mode 1st before experimenting too much. I also learned to check the screen many before proceeding.

SUMMARY: While the dSLR has obliged me to make many modifications for as well as it in my busy life, I really love this camera, am happy with the investment, am inspired by its easy use, and I LOVE the pictures I have gotten of my family.

5 STARS: And so I give it five stars my whole point in purchasing a nice camera was to make and preserve FAMILY memories and the t3i records those memories beautifully in .Jpg, raw, or HD video with a minimum of dSLR fuss.

UPDATE: about six months afterward

STILL AWESOME: I totally stand by the above review. If anything, I have come to adore this camera more than I did when we 1st got it. When baby #2 arrived, the quality of pictures that we got far surpassed the pictures from the 1st baby’s photo shoots. I am really happy with this investment, as the pictures we get are lovely, clear, true to light/true to color, and just catch the memories so well. Really, this is EXACTLY what I hoped for as an amateur photographer/mom.

GOT BETTER:

Battery Woes: We invested in an A/C adapter for the camera and now not eat the battery alive when leaving the camera to upload pictures via the Eye Fi connection. It is a little annoying to have to exchange over to the A/C , then back to a battery all the time I could rather have a charging station of kinds but it works and it means I stick the battery in the charger so it is nearly generally prepared to go.

Ease of Use: I adjusted to using this thing pretty quickly. I invested in a LowePro FastPack 250 and it works nicely as a diaper bag/day bag/camera bag. Not the most nice purse, but it works well. I am much better at being prepared for any photo situation now.

Swivel Screen: No problems to report. I just leave it screen out all the time.

SAME: Awesome camera all around. Really, really remarkable. There may be higher tiers of quality out there, but for what I use in following the kids around, this captures amazing shots quickly. Love it.

GOT (just a little) WORSE:

Eye Fi Annoyance: This is going to differ from person to person, but our Eye Fi stuff has had many kinks to work out. The card we bought obliged some number of updates recently, then we had to change SmugMug account stuff, but the changed password meant Eye Fi could not upload. Blah, blah, blah, I am sure most of the problem is ME not to get the changes my hubby made. Still, Eye Fi is typically auto, but from time to time, it requires maintenance and understanding from all parties uploading stuff. Just be warned, it is not so automagical as I hoped it could be.

Other than that though, awesome camera. I am really loving it. On the whole, a Lotta camera for Low maintenance.

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388 of 400 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars picking between the T3i, T2i, 60D and 7D, February 27, 2011
By dojoklo (Cambridge, MA) See all my reviews This review is from: Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC four Imaging (Body Only) (Camera) is showing the reviews from the “T3i body only” and “T3i with kit lens” together on the same page here, so as not to have two copies of the almost same comparison/ review, see my above review with the same title for the full text of what was earlier shown here.

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