T3 or T3i?

[10dedfish]

Hey Everyone,

I have been saving and scrimping for a while now, and I am in the final stages of the process. Im looking at buying either a T3 or T3i, and I'm having some problems deciding between the two. Other than the T3i being 18M pixels and remote flash capable, are there any other noticeable differences between the two cameras to justify the 200$ increase in price? Most of the reviews are almost word for word the same (go figure) so I'm asking for peoples own experience/recommendations from using the camera.

I do mostly vacation/landscape pictures as a hobby, but have also done some portrait work on the side, also as a hobby. I have 3 lens from my Rebel XS, the kit lens, the nifty 50, and a 70-200.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[WilsonFlyer]

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3-vs-Canon-T3i

T3i. Definitely.

 

[photo_chick]

The T3 is bare bones entry level. The T3i is a step up and gives you more of everything. The T2i, T3i, 60D and 7D all use an almost identical sensor so no matter which of those you get you'll have great ISO performance and image quality. There's other features but that's the big divider in my book. It's not that the T3 is bad, it's a solid camera and it has full manual controls which is all you need in a camera to take control. But if you could afford the T3i I'd go for it, or even the T2i, over the T3. I've used all 3 as well as the XS. Any of them are going to be noticeably better than the XS when it comes to ISO performance.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Hey 10d I am in the same boat as you are in trying to make this decision. Keep going back and forth on it. On one hand I really would like to go with the T2i or T3i but on the other hand there is the price diffeerrnce between that and the T3.

I know you get what you pay for but there is also the little fact that I am taking the family to Disney in May and i am trying to come up with the cash for that as well.

I also wonder if getting the T3 and using the extra money on something like a nice lens or external flash might be a way to go for me as i hear alot of people say the lens is more important than the camera.

Sorry I don't have any real words of advice to offer but i just thought I would let you know I share in your dilemma.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that many of the rumor sites are alluding to the fact that the T4i is right around the corner. I tend to think it's a little further out than that (maybe late fall?) but it's probably still worth mentioning. then again, you can wait yourself to death in this hobby waiting for just the right thing.

Let's face it. the T3 is the entry level camera mass-produced for the likes of Target and Walmart and likely has a much greater profit margin than the T3i, and is thus much cheaper to manufacture. That being the case, you can derive what you may from it. I'm not bad-mouthing the camera. I'm just saying that for my money, the T3i is better built, has more features, and is well worth the cost difference.

That's just my opinion based on years of Canon ownership and owning just about every Rebel ever manufactured; especially since the digital era began. Now, T3 owners can have at me. I know I opened up a can of worms but that's what's in the can as far as I'm concerned.

 

[10dedfish]

Thanks everyone for your input. After reviewing alot of site this morning, and bouncing it against what everyone has said here, I will more than likely hold out for the T3i. I think the overall improvements (mostly remote flash trigger) would be well worth the additional price.

Thanks Everyone

Matt

 

[reimero]

For what it's worth, the difference between a T2i and T3i is minimal: the T3i has the fold-out LCD display, otherwise they're nearly identical, and the T2i is about $100 cheaper.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

For what it's worth, the difference between a T2i and T3i is minimal: the T3i has the fold-out LCD display, otherwise they're nearly identical, and the T2i is about $100 cheaper.

That's simply bad information. There are several MAJOR differences in the T3 and the T3i including, but not limited to, the sensor itself. See the link I posted.

People need to be careful about falling for the marketing at Target and Walmart that would mostly have you to believe these two cameras are "just the (substiture store name here) version of the T3i." I actually had a Target associate tell me that one night (I like screwing with electronics folks when I'm in stores. LOL). After letting them dig a ditch for themselves big enough to park a bulldozer in, I corrected both him and his manager, who was heavily backing up the guy's pitch. Personal due diligence applies more at retail today than ever before. 80% of the people standing there would have bought everything those guys told me, hook, line and sinker. It's sad actually. I cctually think they believed a lot of it and they didn't have a CLUE. Most of what they were saying was just flat-out WRONG. They were very embarrassed when they realized I knew what I was talking about. I've always wondered if folks like this changed their pitch after nowing the truth or at least bothered to verify what they have learned. I digress.

Actually, there is quite a bit of difference between the two and most of it matters, at least it does to me and my photography.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

That's simply bad information. There are several MAJOR differences in the T3 and the T3i including, but not limited to, the sensor itself. See the link I posted.

People need to be careful about falling for the marketing at Target and Walmart that would mostly have you to believe these two cameras are "just the (substiture store name here) version of the T3i." I actually had a Target associate tell me that one night (I like screwing with electronics folks when I'm in stores. LOL). After letting them dig a ditch for themselves big enough to park a bulldozer in, I corrected both him and his manager, who was heavily backing up the guy's pitch. Personal due diligence applies more at retail today than ever before. 80% of the people standing there would have bought everything those guys told me, hook, line and sinker. It's sad actually. I cctually think they believed a lot of it and they didn't have a CLUE. Most of what they were saying was just flat-out WRONG. They were very embarrassed when they realized I knew what I was talking about. I've always wondered if folks like this changed their pitch after nowing the truth or at least bothered to verify what they have learned. I digress.

Actually, there is quite a bit of difference between the two and most of it matters, at least it does to me and my photography.

You may want to re-read the PP comments as they were comparing the T2i to the T3i not the T3. There is significant differences between the T3 and the T3i, but not so much between the T2i and the T3i.

 

[photo_chick]

The build quality between the T3 and the T3i really isn't much different. Canon went all plastic on the entire Rebel line a while back. I've used both side by side and there honestly is not a lot of difference in the quality of the build.

I went back and looked at the specs again. I really think the T3 is being sold short. Here's the real differences:

ISO: T3 stops at 6400, T3i 6400 +12800 in the expanded range
view finder: nearly identical.

LCD screen: T3i is slightly larger and articulated with more colors

AF system: exactly the same

continuous drive T3 3fps, T3i 3.7 FPS (so not a huge gap)

built in flash: The T3i has a slightly more powerful built in flash

Metering: The T3i has spot added to the modes, otherwise it's the same.

WB bracketing: The T3i gives you different ways to bracket but really, shoot RAW and you will never use it.

Video: The T3 has 720, the T3i has 1080 and the T3 gives you more frame rate control. If you plan on making professional videos this will make a difference.

Battery life: The T3 is rated to last longer.

aspect ratio: THe T3 just has standard 3:2, the T3i has all the new variations like 16:9, 1:1, etc. (you can crop 3:2 images to these if you want to)

External flash- the T3i has more features here that cut down on the need for peripherals in some situations. If you plan to do studio photography with strobes it makes a difference. If not you'll never use these features.

Image processor: the same

sensor- The T3i has more megapixels. The 12 that the T3i has is more than enough to make really nice 16x20 prints from, or larger if you really want to.

build- Almost the same size. Both plastic. The T3i is slightly heavier.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

You may want to re-read the PP comments as they were comparing the T2i to the T3i not the T3. There is significant differences between the T3 and the T3i, but not so much between the T2i and the T3i.

Oh my gosh! You're SO right. I TOTALLY missed that!

To the poster... Please accept my apologies!

They are exactly right. As a matter of fact, I Totally skipped the T3i for exactly the reason they mentioned (currently have a 60D and a T2i).

 

[reimero]

Oh my gosh! You're SO right. I TOTALLY missed that!

To the poster... Please accept my apologies!

They are exactly right. As a matter of fact, I Totally skipped the T3i for exactly the reason they mentioned (currently have a 60D and a T2i).

No problem, I've done that myself

 

[10dedfish]

Wow, great discussion in here today!

The main reason I'm thinking T3i is the ability to remote trigger of the external flashes. I'm trying to get more into portrait photography as a means of supporting my camera habit, and I think that this could save me more money in the future by not having to purchase a master flash unit.

After reading the posts about the T2i, I did do some research and I think I still have to lean towards the T3i. I ran it by SWMBO last night and got the initial approval, just need to get things lined up now.

Thanks everyone for your opinions and experience!!

Matt

 

[iamadisneynut]

I was having much the same dilemma when deciding what to purchase my DH as a gift. Went with the T3i and he LOVES it. Maybe more than he loves me. It's a great camera, we took it to Disney in March and the pictures are incredible, the video is great too.

He could tell you more about the specifics, but you won't regret it.

 

[photo_chick]

Wow, great discussion in here today!

The main reason I'm thinking T3i is the ability to remote trigger of the external flashes. I'm trying to get more into portrait photography as a means of supporting my camera habit, and I think that this could save me more money in the future by not having to purchase a master flash unit.

After reading the posts about the T2i, I did do some research and I think I still have to lean towards the T3i. I ran it by SWMBO last night and got the initial approval, just need to get things lined up now.

Thanks everyone for your opinions and experience!!

Matt

In that case I would absolutely pony up the extra cash now for the T3i. You'll end up spending as much if not more later for what you'd need otherwise, and this way you have less equipment to worry about dealing with.

 

[bob100]

The main reason I'm thinking T3i is the ability to remote trigger of the external flashes. I'm trying to get more into portrait photography as a means of supporting my camera habit, and I think that this could save me more money in the future by not having to purchase a master flash unit.

Matt

that's good but keep in mind you can also trigger off-camera flashes for $15 with manual wireless triggers. The newer models do have the ability to control flashes with more features - ETTL, high speed sync, etc.

 

[10dedfish]

that's good but keep in mind you can also trigger off-camera flashes for $15 with manual wireless triggers. The newer models do have the ability to control flashes with more features - ETTL, high speed sync, etc.

True, however, if its built into the camera, I dont have to worry about the batteries going dead or me leaving it at home!

Matt

 

[photo_chick]

True, however, if its built into the camera, I dont have to worry about the batteries going dead or me leaving it at home!

Matt

Absolutely. Or dropping it on the floor in the middle of a shoot and breaking it. Which someone did with the pocket wizard in the studio I work in.