Canon T3i Review

If $1000 feels like too big of outlay for the Sony a65 or the Canon T4i, then the Canon T3i and the Nikon D5100 are both quite respectable cameras with excellent picture quality that will serve you well for all but the most demanding photographic tasks.

For example, neither supplies a particularly high continuous shooting frame rate that is prized for capturing quick action like sports.

And though both can capture Full HD video at a variety of frame rates, neither would be my first choice for a video camera. Their Live View autofocusing is a bit slow and noisy.

With that said, when it comes to every day photo tasks, I wouldn't kick either of them out of my camera bag.

What's Hot about the Canon T3i

• 18MP CMOS APS-C sensor
• Excellent image quality and dynamic range
• Wide selection of lenses
• Wireless flash control
• Articulating screen
• Digital Zoom and Video Snapshot movie options
• 1080p video at multiple frame rates with audio level meters
• Input for external microphone

What's Not So Caliente about the Canon T3i

• Relatively slow under 4fps continuous full resolution shooting
• Slow autofocus in Live Mode
• Smallish hand grip
• No integrated image stabilization, (on the lens only)
• No Panorama, 3D or HDR shooting modes
• No built-in GPS
• No continuous auto focus in movie mode

Design

Canon has been designing cameras for a long time and has refined the look and feel of their products over the years.

The physical layout of the controls is sensible. Even those new to handling DSLRs shouldn't have a difficult time navigating the T3i. Though it will still require some time and study to familiarize yourself with all the buttons and knobs.

The resolution and sharpness of the 3-inch LCD articulating screen is the best in the shootout along with the T4i. And that is a major plus.

For example, both the Canon T3i and the Nikon D5100 have similar sized screens, but the image fills the whole screen on the Canon while the Nikon uses less of the screen to display the image and therefore it is slightly smaller.

For those with oversized hands, the grip on the Canon could be a little more generous as the pinkie tends to slip off the bottom.

Image Quality

Though the Canon T3i "only" sports an 18MP sensor, its image quality compares very well with the Sony a65. In fact, its JPEGs often hold up better, especially at high ISOs. Click on the PhotoScope link and judge for yourself. Experiment with different ISO settings.

The T3i's dynamic range is also excellent. Again, if you want to extract the essence out of the camera, capture and process RAW files. Noise doesn't become really problematic until you reach an ISO of 6400 or higher, which is quite an accomplishment.

Even though I disparaged the T3i as a good video camera, the quality of its Full HD video is very good. It's just that some of the basic video camera operations are lacking. The focus servo can be noisy, though when Harley's are rolling by, who can tell.

Features

The Canon T3i doesn't spoil you with some of the fun features like Panorama, 3D and HDR shooting modes, but it does include a few useful, higher-end add-ons like the capability to control wireless flash units and a jack for an external microphone.

Like any self-respecting digital camera these days, it supplies a laundry list of Picture Styles like Landscape, Monochrome, and the old reliable Faithful.

Canon also offers some in-camera post processing Creative Filters like Grainy B&W, Fish-eye and Toy camera.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature is a Movie Mode option called Digital Zoom, which allows you to zoom in 3 or 10 times as you are capturing video.

The image quality at 3 times zoom holds up pretty well. 10 times zoom tends to get noisy and you really need to have the camera secured on a tripod because any shaking becomes magnified. It's worth testing especially when shooting a subject in the distance.

Verdict

If it weren't for the Sony a65, the Canon T3i would vie for the top spot in this shootout. And with the rollout of the T4i, the price of the T3i should inevitably drop to an almost irresistible level.

Even better, if you simply want a still image camera, the T2i has similar image quality to the T3i and it should be an even bigger bargain. See how they match in the PhotoScope feature.

And if you are waiting for improved and quieter autofocusing while recording video, the T4i seems to be addressing that head-on.

Buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i here:

Amazon $160.00    

Canon T3i Photo Gallery

More about the Canon T3i

Canon T3i spec sheet

Compare the Canon T3i to the Competition