Announced on January 7, 2011, a year and a day after the release of the EOS Rebel T2i (550D), the Canon EOS Rebel T3i (more frequently known as the 600D) is Canon’s latest attempt at offering entry-level photographers a fully featured, but affordable camera that comes closer than ever to stepping on its pricier stablemates’ toes. One couldn’t help but to notice on announcement day though, that the new flagship Rebel both sounded and looked a lot like the previous flagship, so that in nearly every key regard, the T3i is essentially unchanged from the T2i. The 18MP sensor is likely quite similar to that found in the T2i, the 7D, and 60D (there are indications that the gapless microlenses are now gapless-ier?), the AF system is the same 9 point system on the T2i, the same 63-zone metering system remains, and the ISO range (100-12,800) and continuous shooting rate (3.7 fps) also remain exactly the same. So what are we dealing with here? A rebadged T2i? Well, no…not quite. Externally the biggest difference is the T3i’s excellent vari-angle display, similar in design to that found on the EOS 60D, including the 3″ 1,040,000 dot LCD. The outside has also been mildly resculpted, and more grip material has been added on the camera’s non-grip side, the net result being that the T3i looks, feels, and grips better than ever.
The other changes are a mix of trickling down the 60D’s creative filters, and the addition of beginner friendly features like the new EOS Feature Guide which offers explanations of various camera settings, and a new Basic + function which allows the unexperienced to make camera changes via easy to understand setting options. To summarize, here’s the key differences separating the T3i from the T2i:
Vari-angle display
Feature Guide
Basic + function
new “Scene intelligent” Auto Mode, which is rebranded “A+” on the shooting mode dial (replaces “Green Zone”)
‘Creative Filters’ (applicable only in playback)
Multi-aspect ratio shooting (3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1)
‘Video Snapshot’ mode combines smaller video clips into one larger clip
Auto Lighting Optimizer adjustable in 4 levels
3x and 10x magnification with Movie Digital Zoom feature (crops from the sensor with no loss in quality)
Image rating (1-5 stars)
Manual audio level control
Eye sensor LCD now replaced with ‘DISP’ button
Integrated Wireless flash controller with multi-flash support
If you’re thinking a T2i with a firmware update, you’re probably more than half right. The T3i is part of a clear recent trend, where new cameras feature fewer and fewer significant upgrades, in part because even entry-level cameras are so good now. There’s frankly very little wiggle room between entry-level cameras and more advanced amateur models, forcing camera makers to make arbitrary feature lists designed to appeal to various sub-$1000 price points. Still, the T3i is a better camera than the T2i, and that’s just based on the improved feel and grip of the T3i and the versatile articulating LCD. Additionally the T3i should be even easier to use for less skilled photographers, and for videographers, the T3i really becomes a no-brainer choice for anybody wanting to take great video on a limited budget. It’s not a huge upgrade, but the T3i has enough going for it to remain a compelling entry-level option for the next year long product cycle.
Specifications | |
Camera | Canon EOS Rebel T3i (600D) |
Street Price | |
Sensor | 18MP 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor |
AF System | 9-point CMOS sensor | F5.6 cross-type at center, extra sensitivity at F2.8 |
ISO Range | 100-12800 |
Continuous Shooting | 3.7 fps for 34 Large/Fine JPEG / 6 RAW frames |
LCD | Vari-angle 3.0″ LCD , 1,040,000 dots |
Viewfinder | Pentamirror, 95% frame coverage, Magnification: 0.85x |
Shooting Modes | Program AE (Shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, Automatic depth-of-field, Scene Intelligent Auto, Flash Off, Creative Auto, Programmed Image Control modes, E-TTL II autoflash program AE |
Scene Modes | n/a |
Video | 1920 x 1080 (1080p, 16:9) @ 30/25/24 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p, 16:9) @ 60/50 fps, 640 x 480 (4:3) @ 60/50 fps, MOV format using H.264 compression, linear PCM audio |
Output | USB 2.0, Video out (PAL / NTSC) (integrated with USB terminal), HDMI mini output, E3 type wired remote control, Remote Controller RC-6, External microphone |
Storage | SD / SDHC /SDXC cards |
Dimensions | 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1″ / 133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7mm |
Weight | 18.2 oz / 515g Body only |
Technical Analysis
The Canon EOS Rebel T3i features an 18MP 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor, which likely is quite similar to those found in the both the EOS 60D and the Rebel T2i. Various sources have indicated that this new sensor may have been improved with even smaller gaps between what were previously described as gapless micro lenses. Regardless, one wouldn’t expect large differences in image quality between the T3i, the T2i, and the 60D, and that’s largely in line with what we’ve found. We have looked back at several of our ISO test shots taken with the T2i and 60D, and have noticed a very slight improvement in the T3i, but it’s so small that it’s unlikely to make a difference in printed results.
At lower sensitivity settings, image quality is very good, excellent in fact. The photo quality is highly appealing with a nice punchy look, and thanks to 18MP of resolution, frequently packing a high degree of detail. We’ve been impressed with the T3i’s metering (63-zone iFCL sensor), as it’s done a real good job at handling high contrast situations. Likely due to Highlight Tone priority, the T3i has done a great job of avoiding blown highlights, which has been good for us considering this year’s snowfall.
ISO performance is also pretty impressive, especially considering that conventional wisdom suggests that 18MP should lead to a substantial amount of noise at higher sensitivities. At its top (extended) range of ISO 12,800, the T3i is punished with a substantial amount of chroma noise, but pull it down a stop or two, and things get quite usable. If you need to work at ISO 1600, the T3i can handle it, maintaining detail and only showing a very fine and minimal amount of noise. Bump the ISO to 3200 or 6400 and that noise pattern gets bigger, but even here things are surprisingly useful. To be fair ISO 12,800 may even have some uses in the right setting, which isn’t too bad considering the T3i’s entry level status.
Thus far all of this has been assuming the camera is set to RAW, but JPEG output is nearly as good. Again the output is very punchy, but not overly so, and the files remain nicely detailed until reaching into the higher ISO ranges, where noise reduction takes a toll on image detail. We found much more detail in the RAW files though, so to really take advantage of the T3i’s resolution, you’ll want to work in RAW and manage image sharpness and noise reduction yourself. Of course via Canon’s “picture styles” you can improve your in-camera results, so at least in JPEG, you might consider bumping the sharpness a notch or two.
The T3i now also features Creative Filters as seen on the EOS 60D. We’re all for creative filters, but the T3i only allows them to be applied post-capture. It would be infinitely more useful to see the effects live, and would likely lead to them being used more. The options include Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Fish-eye effect, Toy camera effect, and Miniature effect, and in their favor, the filters are pretty cool visually, and even customizable to some degree. As you’d expect, the filtered images are saved as a new file, so don’t worry…you can keep your original.
All in all it’s difficult to find fault in the output of the T3i. As with the 7D, the 60D, and the T2i, our only concern for photographers making the T3i their first DSLR, is that the likely included kit lens probably won’t flatter the T3i’s image sensor as much as nicer glass would. Let’s put it this way, if you get the T3i, you’ll want to buy better glass, and fast. Still it’s hard to fault a camera for providing too much detail, which in addition to very pretty pictures, the T3i is skilled at producing.
Focusing duties are handled by a 9 point AF system with a centered cross-type f/2.8 focus point and 8 single axis points. Thanks to a well located button, focal points are easily changed either in the viewfinder or on the LCD using the command dial or the multi-selector. Focusing performance is fast and reliable in just about every scenario we tested it in, and more so than many entry level cameras, the T3i can even handle light action shots, though you’ll be hampered by the 3.7 fps shooting rate. The fast and reliable AF is in stark contrast to the T3i’s live view AF which is just as slow as the T2i. Given the wonderful LCD, and our experience with other recent DSLR live view AF systems, we’d hope for some improvement, but to no avail. Live view focusing speeds are nicely improved by opting for the T3i’s AF Quick mode which uses phase detection to focus, but at the expense of accuracy and LCD blackout. Still, you’ll want to opt for it in general shooting scenarios, because the contrast detect option is just too darn slow. On the plus side, being able to use 10x magnification on an LCD like this is a real plus, so if you’re a tripod based Live View shooter (macro, landscape) you are definitely going to want to try live view and manual focus.
Outside of the average 3.7 fps continuous shooting speed and 6 RAW frame burst depth, general camera operation is nicely responsive, with the T3i smoothly moving through its various options, settings, and menus, and even making the jump to playback with near no delay. Startup times are near instant, just turn it on, and it’s ready to go.
Ok, so not much has changed in the image quality and performance departments, but as we’ve indicated in our intro, most of the T3i’s changes come in the form of exterior modifications, the new LCD, and new camera functions. Combined, the T3i is easily the best feeling, best looking, and most enjoyable Rebel to use yet.
On the outside, the T3i benefits from subtle resculpting. We’ve never been fans of the thin shallow grip that’s afflicted previous models (though we hear a preference for it by many female photographers), but thankfully the T3i now offers a camera grip that is actually quite comfortable, almost surprisingly so given the subtlety of the changes. Combined with the grooved channel for the thumb on the rear, the T3i is a much better camera in the hand than the T2i, and the addition of more grip material on the camera’s non-grip side make it feel better, while looking more professional. Build quality is very good, certainly no different than that of the T2i, and the only real distinct danger point, the hinge of the articulating LCD, is beefy enough to withstand frequent use and some degree of rough handling. Our only trouble spot is with the T3i’s USB and HDMI connection cover. Placed right at the edge of the vari-angle LCD’s hinge, it has an easy to catch edge that is tricky to fully close, leaving it vulnerable to dust or moisture.
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