Canon T3i or T4i?????

caa1277

American by birth............Grumpy by choice!
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
388
I am trying to decide if the Canon T3i or T4i is the best entry level DSLR for me. I do have experience using DSLR's for work (I'm a CSI, so photography is an everday thing), but I want to get one for myself for personal use. I know the T4i is about $150-200 more than the T3i, but I'm not sure if the price difference is worth it. From what I can tell from dpreview.com when comparing the two side-by-side, the only real difference I can see is the fps and the processor. What do you think? Is the price difference really worth going for the T4i over the T3i or not? TIA for the help!
 
The t4i actually has a few more improvements. It added autofocus in video mode. Although it isn't that fast it isn't too bad. It also has the touch screen, which I have found far more useful than I thought it would be.

What kind of budget are you looking at? If your looking at less than a $150 difference, I would probably get the t4i. Also, are you looking at just the body or the kit. While it will cost around $200 more I would look at the 18-135mm lens. It is much better than the 18-55mm kit lens.

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards
 
The t4i actually has a few more improvements. It added autofocus in video mode. Although it isn't that fast it isn't too bad. It also has the touch screen, which I have found far more useful than I thought it would be.

What kind of budget are you looking at? If your looking at less than a $150 difference, I would probably get the t4i. Also, are you looking at just the body or the kit. While it will cost around $200 more I would look at the 18-135mm lens. It is much better than the 18-55mm kit lens.

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards

I saw that about the video, but I will most likely not be using the camera to do any kind of video. Some of my co-workers have the T3i cameras at work that do video and they've had some problems with it. My budget is more in the T3i kit range, but if I find that the T4i is better and worth it, I would probably spend the extra $$$ and get the T4i kit. I've found some pretty good kit bundles on Amazon that also include a 75-300mm lens in addition to the 18-55mm or 18-135mm.
 
caa1277 said:
I saw that about the video, but I will most likely not be using the camera to do any kind of video. Some of my co-workers have the T3i cameras at work that do video and they've had some problems with it. My budget is more in the T3i kit range, but if I find that the T4i is better and worth it, I would probably spend the extra $$$ and get the T4i kit. I've found some pretty good kit bundles on Amazon that also include a 75-300mm lens in addition to the 18-55mm or 18-135mm.

I believe that they made a number of improvements to the video, in addition to the autofocus, to the t4i, but I'm not sure how much. But if you don't think you are going to shoot much video I'm not sure how useful that would be. The 18-135 kit lens for the t4i has also been improved with faster silent motor focus, very useful for video.

Truthfully you wouldn't go wrong with either one. If you are looking at an 18-135 lens I would get it as the kit ($200 more) than the regular kit, but cheaper than buying it separately ($450 on Amazon). Again it's a much nicer lens, that shoots and feels more professional, and works better as a walk around camera.

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards
 

I am trying to decide if the Canon T3i or T4i is the best entry level DSLR for me. I do have experience using DSLR's for work (I'm a CSI, so photography is an everday thing), but I want to get one for myself for personal use. I know the T4i is about $150-200 more than the T3i, but I'm not sure if the price difference is worth it. From what I can tell from dpreview.com when comparing the two side-by-side, the only real difference I can see is the fps and the processor. What do you think? Is the price difference really worth going for the T4i over the T3i or not? TIA for the help!

The T4i has a newer sensor design that has a little less noise. The difference I've seen firsthand in that alone makes it worth the cost to me. But we all have different needs and what is worth it to me may not be worth it to you.

Edited to add... If you buy it at B&H right now the T4i with the 18-55 kit lens is the same price as the T3i. I think that price is good until February 2. You won't see the low price until you add it to your cart.
 
The T4i has a newer sensor design that has a little less noise. The difference I've seen firsthand in that alone makes it worth the cost to me. But we all have different needs and what is worth it to me may not be worth it to you.

Edited to add... If you buy it at B&H right now the T4i with the 18-55 kit lens is the same price as the T3i. I think that price is good until February 2. You won't see the low price until you add it to your cart.

I would agree with this, going from a T3i to a T4i myself there wasn't huge differences, just suddle improvements.
 
The T4i has a newer sensor design that has a little less noise. The difference I've seen firsthand in that alone makes it worth the cost to me. But we all have different needs and what is worth it to me may not be worth it to you.

Edited to add... If you buy it at B&H right now the T4i with the 18-55 kit lens is the same price as the T3i. I think that price is good until February 2. You won't see the low price until you add it to your cart.

I'm still considering an upgrade from T2i (with the same sensor as the T3i) to the T4i. For that reason. I love shooting low light and would love a little better performance there.

And that price is mighty tempting.......
 
I would agree with this, going from a T3i to a T4i myself there wasn't huge differences, just suddle improvements.

actually some of the improvements are more than 'subtle'. The FPS RAW shooting rate was increased from 3.5 to 5 and the focus points are all "cross type" instead of just the center one one the older Rebel versions
 
Thanks everyone for all of your input. I just can't decide if those changes are the worst the extra money to me. I do like the fact the T4i has the upgraded sensor which will help in lower light settings. This camera will be just for hobby shooting, vacations, family gatherings and the like. I'm still torn on which way to go. :confused3
 
Thanks everyone for all of your input. I just can't decide if those changes are the worst the extra money to me. I do like the fact the T4i has the upgraded sensor which will help in lower light settings. This camera will be just for hobby shooting, vacations, family gatherings and the like. I'm still torn on which way to go. :confused3

Again, right now the T4i and T3i are both the same price with the 18-55 kit lens at B&H. So there's not any extra expense if you can move before the rebate ends. If you buy the model with the 18-135 STM lens that's $200 more you're not really paying more for the camera, only for the lens.
 
I've now leaned more toward the T4i. Some of my co-workers who have the T3i have been noticing more issues with it such as the sensor not functioning properly in colder temperatures, issues with the video feature and focusing issues. So, I think at this point I'm going to start looking harder at the T4i and see where I can find the best deal. I'd like to purchase a kit that comes with the standard lens and with a telephoto lens.
 
I've now leaned more toward the T4i. Some of my co-workers who have the T3i have been noticing more issues with it such as the sensor not functioning properly in colder temperatures, issues with the video feature and focusing issues. So, I think at this point I'm going to start looking harder at the T4i and see where I can find the best deal. I'd like to purchase a kit that comes with the standard lens and with a telephoto lens.

You're probably not going to find anyone who will beat the price B&H has right now for the T4i with the 18-55. At least not a reputable company. As far as a package with a telephoto, there are many places that sell a setup with the 75-300. I'd avoid that. It's probably the worst lens Canon still has in production. The 55-250 is a much better telephoto zoom and close to the same price. You can find packages with the 55-250 as well but the one's I've seen haven't really been any cheaper than buying the lens separately.
 
Amazon also has some great prices right now. The T4i with the 18-55 kit lens is $650, and the 18-135 is $850.


photo_chick said:
As far as a package with a telephoto, there are many places that sell a setup with the 75-300. I'd avoid that. It's probably the worst lens Canon still has in production. The 55-250 is a much better telephoto zoom and close to the same price. You can find packages with the 55-250 as well but the one's I've seen haven't really been any cheaper than buying the lens separately.

Agree in the lenses. The 75-300 isn't bad, but the 55-250 is a much better. If your not in a rush, I'd watch for any price fluctuation. Around Christmas I saw it for under $200 on Amazon. When I got my t4i this fall I got it for $40 after an instant rebate, :) , but the camera was also $200 more then :(.

Agree that B&H is a great place to order from, I just order from Amazon (can't beat $4 next day shipping) more now. I thinks it's wonderful that they are proud of their Jewish heritage and don't take orders when they celebrate holidays, but why do those holidays always coincide with when I need to order something. ;)

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards
 
You're probably not going to find anyone who will beat the price B&H has right now for the T4i with the 18-55. At least not a reputable company. As far as a package with a telephoto, there are many places that sell a setup with the 75-300. I'd avoid that. It's probably the worst lens Canon still has in production. The 55-250 is a much better telephoto zoom and close to the same price. You can find packages with the 55-250 as well but the one's I've seen haven't really been any cheaper than buying the lens separately.

I wonder if I were to call B&H if they would put something together for me? The camera a good telephoto lens. All they can do is say no or the price is to high and I say no. ;)

I really didn't think that there would be that much of a difference in the lenses. Thanks for the heads up! :thumbsup2
 
Amazon also has some great prices right now. The T4i with the 18-55 kit lens is $650, and the 18-135 is $850.




Agree in the lenses. The 75-300 isn't bad, but the 55-250 is a much better. If your not in a rush, I'd watch for any price fluctuation. Around Christmas I saw it for under $200 on Amazon. When I got my t4i this fall I got it for $40 after an instant rebate, :) , but the camera was also $200 more then :(.

Agree that B&H is a great place to order from, I just order from Amazon (can't beat $4 next day shipping) more now. I thinks it's wonderful that they are proud of their Jewish heritage and don't take orders when they celebrate holidays, but why do those holidays always coincide with when I need to order something. ;)

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards



I'd rather purchase through Amazon simply for the fact that I have some gift cards for there that I received for Christmas and my birthday. A lot of items, especially the cameras, are sold by another company, but through Amazon. And your right about the shipping. It's hard to beat Amazon's shipping rates.
 
IMO B&H Photo is the best retailer for cameras in the business. I have ordered from them several times and always impressed in the short ship time and excellent costumer service.
 
I'd rather purchase through Amazon simply for the fact that I have some gift cards for there that I received for Christmas and my birthday. A lot of items, especially the cameras, are sold by another company, but through Amazon. And your right about the shipping. It's hard to beat Amazon's shipping rates.

There is a reason everyone shops for cameras at B&H and not Amazon. From my experience, B&H's customer service is far, far superior to Amazon's.

As far as putting together a package... Call B&H and tell them what you want and see what they can do for you. Or just add it all to your cart. And you can beat Amazon's shipping. B&H has free shipping right now.
 
photo_chick said:
There is a reason everyone shops for cameras at B&H and not Amazon. From my experience, B&H's customer service is far, far superior to Amazon's.

As far as putting together a package... Call B&H and tell them what you want and see what they can do for you. Or just add it all to your cart. And you can beat Amazon's shipping. B&H has free shipping right now.

I agree. I only buy from b&h. I have never paid for shipping through them. Even on just a memory card. I just trust them and their return process is very very easy.

Oh anyone who lives near NYC should deff check out those store. I compare it to a ups sorting facility but you can shop there. It is the most amazing store I have ever been in. Words any describe.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards
 
The price difference on the Canon T4i:

Amazon - Canon T4i with 18-135mm + 55-250mm lens: Total $849

B&H - Canon T4i with 18-135mm lens + 55-250mm lens: Total $956

I have $50 in Amazon gift cards, so that would knock them down to $799 out-of-pocket. In this day and time, it's hard not to save $150. That's more money that I can put into my WDW trip for this June. Now, to just get the approval and go ahead from the wife! :worried:
 




















Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom