Need help choosing between Canon EOS 60D or T3i

[jennstew73]

I am looking to upgrade my camera. I am currently using the first canon digital slr that was released a number of years ago. The picture quality is still good but the camera is very slow and is freezing up a lot. I already own the following lens 18-55 mm, 50mm, a sigma 70-300 mm macro. I am looking at purchasing one of the following packages
Canon EOS 60D with the 18-200 mm lens which is about 1300.00 or with the 18-135 mm lens which is about 1150.00
OR
Canon Rebel T3i with the 18-200 mm lens for about 1300.00 or with the 18-135 mm for about 1150.00

I am an amateur photographer who really enjoys taking pictures and playing around with my camera and it's settings along with different aspects of photography. I use my camera most often in Av or Tv mode, sometimes in manual mode when I am trying out new things. We are going to Disney in December and I am thinking the only lens I will take will be the one I choose with the camera and possibly the 50 mm. I will definitely have some low light situations so I want a camera that will be good for that, I have heard the T3i is great in low light.

Anyway I could really use some opinions from people in the photography know on both the lenses and the cameras I am looking into.

Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

Jenn S

 

[photo_chick]

The big difference performance wise between the T3i and the 60D is the burst rate. The 60D has a little bit faster burst rate, which means you can shoot a few more frames per second. There's other differences, but that and the physical size are the biggest ones to me. THe image sensor and processor are the same, so your IQ and ISO performance will be the same on both.

Go to dpreview.com and use their comparison tool. It's the best way to decide for yourself based on specs. Then go to the store and play with them, because that 60D is a good bit heftier than the T3i.

If I were shopping now and choosing between those two cameras I'd get the T3i. Well, actually I'd probably go find a T2i (with the 18-55 kit lens and not the 18-135 lens) and save a little more since it has the same sensor and image processor, as well as most of the other features, as the T3i. I'd use the saving to buy more lenses. But that's how I'd shop, and I'm not you.

 

[BigTuna07]

I have the T2i and the 7D. The T2i is excellent in low light!!! I was fortunate that I had the Xsi and it got junked out 2 months before the warranty expired. Best Buy gave us the T2i as a replacement and it is a way better camera than the Xsi!!! I almost forgot if you are looking for a little smaller camera. The T2i and the T3i can easily fit into my pocket!

I don't know anybody with the 60D, but I can tell you that the 7D blows the T2i away!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

If you shoot sports at all, I'd go with the 60D. If you're concerned about the size and weight of what you'll be carrying, I'd lean toward the T3i.

I cursed the burst rate on my T2i every time my son ran by at a cross country meet. Then after a few days carrying it around Disney, I was happy I hadn't opted for anything even an ounce heavier. It's all about trade-offs.

I LOVE the low light and high ISO performance of th eT2i, which is a must for Disney. The T3i has a similar processor so you'll do great with either choice.

 

[BigTuna07]

If you shoot sports at all, I'd go with the 60D. If you're concerned about the size and weight of what you'll be carrying, I'd lean toward the T3i.

I cursed the burst rate on my T2i every time my son ran by at a cross country meet. Then after a few days carrying it around Disney, I was happy I hadn't opted for anything even an ounce heavier. It's all about trade-offs.

I LOVE the low light and high ISO performance of th eT2i, which is a must for Disney. The T3i has a similar processor so you'll do great with either choice.

This is exactly why we have both the 7D and the T2i.

 

[Frantasmic]

OK, if you are referring to the original digital Rebel that came out in around 2004 (the 300), you should check you lenses. Your lenses that you state you have:

I already own the following lens 18-55 mm, 50mm, a sigma 70-300 mm macro. I am looking at purchasing one of the following packages

are probably the older non-stabilized lens. My 18-55 that came with my 300 I purchased was an older lens. Not that they won't work with either of the cameras you are looking at; it's just that there are better lenses available today that you will probably want to purchase.

I don't understand the package price though. it looks like the same lenses for the same prices. is there a mistake somewhere? If you can get the Canon 60D with those lenses for that price, I'd purchase the 60D.

I love mine.

 

[staceyhzoo]

I just went thru the same dilemma. Dh and I looked at both the T3i and the 60D about 10 times. We have 2 small kids and they are in sports classes and horses. I was worried about the weight difference, but I liked the feel of the 60D better, I have really small hands and I felt like I was going to drop it.

We were firmly parked on the fence, but DH went out and bought the 60D while I was at OT with dd (I LOVE that man).

I am very happy with it. He got the 60D body, 18-135, 55-250, and a nice dolicia bag, 2 memory cards, etc. for right at 1400 plus tax. I have ordered a 55mm and am saving for a wide angle lens.

I am slightly concerned about our next Disney trip, but after seeing the pics from our last trip with our very nice, great reviews, crap P&S, I'll take carrying the 60D around!

Good luck, both camera's a great choices!

 

[bob100]

I agree with the others, if you're going to shoot a lot of sports and action shots the 60D would be better with the higher FPS rate and buffer
http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/01/lab-test-canon-60d

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I have a T2i and was going to sell it and buy the T3i when it came out and luckily I put it off until the 60D launched so I bought it instead. Though I've never used the T3i, I can tell you this. I have NEVER regretted my decision to buy the 60D. The T2i is now my backup (wife's LOL) body.

 

[photo_chick]

I have a Rebel XT and a 50D. The burst rate on the 50D is twice what the XT is (and actually faster than the 60D). It was one of the reasons I went with the 50D. It looks great on paper but in reality it's not all that much faster. I shoot a lot of kids sports and dance and once in a while I feel like I get a little more with the 50D, but not that much. Not enough were I'd spend more money just for the burst rate with the firsthand experience I have now.

What I'm saying here is specs aren't everything. As far as image quality.. the T2i, T3i, 60D and 7D all have pretty much the same ISO performance and image quality (nearly identical sensors and image processors). The rest is bells and whistles... you just have to find the right bells and whistles for you. And that's something that's going to be different for each person.

 

[fireplug]

I have the T3i with the 18-200 lens and really like it! Its the only lens I use. I am just a plain old picture taker. But it proved very versatile from Alaska to Disney World to family pics etc. I dont know much about the 60D.... but try going to a store that has both of them and all the lenses and see which one "feels" better in your hands. Have fun shopping!

Squid

 

[KCmike]

Differences between the T3i and 60d include:

Size - It's not a rebel. 60d feels much bigger and just feels better in your hands. Which could be good or bad depending on your situation.

AF - 9 cross points of focus and better shutter speed for 60d, center cross type in T3i

T3i - has crop factor and 60d doesn't

60d build quality is suppose to be better

T3i is cheaper

I am not overly impressed with the 18-135 lens that comes with 60d.

60d has top line view on the camera

60d uses a bigger battery, its almost as big as my camcorder battery. I go a long time before charging again

If I had to do it all over again I would buy 60d body and a different lens.


Cnet has a good review ~ here it is:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-eos-rebel-t3i/4864-6501_7-34493918-2.html

 

[disneylover1988]

TBH，I like the canon one

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Differences between the T3i and 60d include:

Size - It's not a rebel. 60d feels much bigger and just feels better in your hands. Which could be good or bad depending on your situation.

AF - 9 cross points of focus and better shutter speed for 60d, center cross type in T3i

T3i - has crop factor and 60d doesn't

60d build quality is suppose to be better

T3i is cheaper

I am not overly impressed with the 18-135 lens that comes with 60d.

60d has top line view on the camera

60d uses a bigger battery, its almost as big as my camcorder battery. I go a long time before charging again

If I had to do it all over again I would buy 60d body and a different lens.


Cnet has a good review ~ here it is:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-eos-rebel-t3i/4864-6501_7-34493918-2.html

I'm sorry but that's a MAJOR error. BOTH bodies ARE crop cameras. You don't get into FF in the Canon line until you hit the 5D MkII.

This is a personal thing, but I also disagree your assessment of the 18-135. I own several walk-around lenses including the 17-55 2.8 and the 18-135 has become my walk-around lens of choice 90% of the time. It's a great lens with a great deal of versatility at a reasonable weight, size, aperture, and zoom range.

 

[reimero]

Honestly, I'd suggest going to a big box retailer (Superior Purchase or similar) and picking up each camera. The two are close enough in quality that it's really getting down to personal preference. The sizes are slightly different, and the control layout is slightly different.

 

[KCmike]

I'm sorry but that's a MAJOR error. BOTH bodies ARE crop cameras. You don't get into FF in the Canon line until you hit the 5D MkII.

This is a personal thing, but I also disagree your assessment of the 18-135. I own several walk-around lenses including the 17-55 2.8 and the 18-135 has become my walk-around lens of choice 90% of the time. It's a great lens with a great deal of versatility at a reasonable weight, size, aperture, and zoom range.

Sorry I chose the wrong words with the use of crop. I meant to say that when shooting video you can zoom not crop with the T3i. Thanks WilsonFlyer for pointing that out.

On the lens issue I have found that the lens isn't as sharp as my 18-55IS. It's nice to have that range but I just can't say that my shots are quite as tack sharp.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I see what you meant now about crop factor. I didn't even consider that might be what you were talking about. Sorry for my misunderstanding.

I have read about what you mean about the lens too, Mike.

Maybe I just got lucky and got a good copy. You are not the first one that I've seen make that comment here or over at POTN too. I love my 17-55 but the extra reach is so nice to have, especially on vacation. I've also been fortunate to capture some great shots on dark rides with the 17-55 that I just simply couldn't have gotten with the 18-135 without really jacking up the ISO to unreasonable/noisy levels.

 

[jennstew73]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think the next step will be trying them out in store and then I will go from there.

Jenn S

 

[KCmike]

I see what you meant now about crop factor. I didn't even consider that might be what you were talking about. Sorry for my misunderstanding.

I have read about what you mean about the lens too, Mike.

Maybe I just got lucky and got a good copy. You are not the first one that I've seen make that comment here or over at POTN too. I love my 17-55 but the extra reach is so nice to have, especially on vacation. I've also been fortunate to capture some great shots on dark rides with the 17-55 that I just simply couldn't have gotten with the 18-135 without really jacking up the ISO to unreasonable/noisy levels.

No problem. It was all my fault. Poor choice of words on my part.

Are you really one day away from a WDW vacation? Congrats! Is the 60d all fired up and ready to go?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Dark and EARLY (as opposed to bright and early. LOL) Wed am. Can't wait. I'm ready to leave right now. One client noted today that part of me must have already left.