My Pro Friends Laughed When I Told Them About The Canon Rebel T3i

"Seriously, why would anyone with years of digital SLR experience get a Canon Rebel T3i?"

That was the question one of my professional friends at the camera club asked. 

"Are we really comparing a Canon 60D vs T3i?"

But, why not?

I could have taken this with a Canon 60D, but I used the Rebel T3i

After all, the new EOS Rebel has many of the same perks and benefits as the 60D.

• It has the same 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor.
• It has the same DIGIC 4 image processor.
• It has the exact same 3" LCD panel that swivels for use at weird angles.
• The ISO settings are also identical - 100 to 6400 and can be expanded to 12800.
• Both can have external flash units with wireless firing (plus Sync connector).
• The new Rebel also has the same video recording capabilities at HD 1080p with stereo sound.

By the time I got through this list, my friend had a different take on my camera.

(Did I mention that he is a professional photographer, and, even though he had heard about the new entry-level camera, he had not paid too much attention to it?)

Macro photos using the T3i are so
easy with Live View and 10x Zoom

Quite honestly, I was ready for a new camera when the T3i came out. Before the release of the Rebel, I was seriously thinking about either a 60D or a 7D. My first preference was the Canon EOS 7D, but after a short discussion with my better half, I made a quality decision to preserve my marriage. The Rebel costs half as much, and this is a major consideration right now given our present financial situation (details about this shall remain private).

Having mentioned the 7D, I will point out that it also has the same image sensor as the other two cameras. But there are some other major differences that would put me in that ball park if I was making money from my photography addiction.

But back to the comparison between the Canon Rebel T3i and the 60D.

I pointed out to my friend that there were indeed some differences. I mean, there would be no reason to produce two identical cameras.

On the side of the 60D:

• Better continuous shooting rate at 5.3 frames per second vs 3.7.
• The body is environmentally sealed.
• Shutter speeds go as high as 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec.
• View finder shows 0.95 of the image vs 0.85.
• Battery will last for about 1100 pictures vs 440. 

So, I have to admit that there is reason to consider the 60D for these added benefits. What I had to think about (again, my spouse's influence) - are these benefits worth the extra $200 I would have to shell out?

I opted for the Rebel rather than the 60D.

Did I mention that the T3i has some creative options that are brand new to any camera in the Canon Digital SLR line-up? More on that later, perhaps.

Better Photos From Better Cameras – Digital SLR Cameras For New Photographers

New Photographers of all ages are
getting mid-range DSLR cameras

Digital single lens reflex cameras (aka DSLR) are the newest rage in photography. While they have always been the choice of professionals, recent camera buyers are choosing these types of cameras much more frequently. All major manufacturers have models available, but the most popular brands are Nikon and Canon. Mid-range DSLR cameras can be purchased for about $1500. This is a real bargain when you consider prices only a few years ago were much higher. Right now, you can get one of the budget models for about $600.

How Many Megapixels?

If you have followed the trends in digital photography, you know that the size of image sensors has found a happy medium after a few years of intense competition, starting at 6-megapixels and increasing to the present day 14-18 megapixel sensors. Currently, if you get a camera with a 14-megapixel sensor, you will have plenty of “pixel-power” to produce images of the finest quality at just about any size for hanging on your wall.

In addition, features and settings have improved tremendously. Video is now a common feature and it usually comes with stereo sound and full HD quality. There are creative features and additional mode settings so that you can choose a photo style that will give you a finished photo with a professional look. This simply means that you can shoot your pictures and practically eliminate the post processing that was previously needed to get your images to wow your audiences.

Lens Choice

Lizard shot with Sigma 105 Macro Lens for Canon

Of course, the one thing that most new buyers state as their top reason for buying a mid-range DSLR camera is the flexibility that comes with interchangeable lenses. Lens choice can make a night-and-day difference in the outcome of a photo shoot. If you want to take more professional looking portraits, you can choose a lens just for that purpose. If, on the other hand, your goal is to get much better at nature photography, you would choose a different lens. The beauty is that the lenses go on the same camera. It is true that the lenses can actually cost as much or more than the unit you attach them to, but even if you can’t afford the biggest and best at first, you can build your kit as time goes on. And if you discover at a later time that macro photography is the way you want to go, again, the macro lens is all you need.

You may wonder if getting a lens that is more expensive than the camera is a good investment. The answer is, yes. This is a decision you will have to make as your skills develop. But experts agree that the lens is as important as the camera.

And the most important of all is the one who is holding all this fabulous equipment. You will have to develop your knowledge and skill to reach your goal of taking better pictures. If you don’t study and practice, you may as well just keep taking pictures with your old point and shoot model or your cell phone.