The Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR
Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging takes the consumer level dSLR a couple steps closer to the
mid-level Canon 60D with the addition of the rotating rear LCD screen, remote
flash firing, and in-camera processing features. The already highly competent,
older Rebel T2i already shared many important features with the 60D (and even
features of the semi-pro 7D) including the 18 MP sensor, 63-zone exposure
metering system, high ISO performance, HD movie capabilities, and Digic 4 image
processor.
The
T3i is very slightly larger and heavier due to the addition of the rotating
rear LCD monitor. And that is one of the biggest differences between the two
cameras. Do you want and need a vari-angle rear screen or not? The other major
difference is the ability of the T3i to remotely control multiple off-camera
flashes. Like the 60D and 7D, you can use the built-in flash of the T3i to trigger
other Canon Speedlites. Some other minor additions to the T3i include the Scene
Intelligent Auto Mode, which is a feature borrowed from point and shoot
cameras.
When
in Auto mode, the T3i will make a determination of what type of scene you are
shooting - close-up, portrait, landscape, etc. - and automatically configure
the camera settings accordingly. However, if you want to use a powerful and
costly digital SLR as a point and shoot, you should probably save the money and
just buy a nice, high quality point and shoot like the Canon S95. Other
additional but not essential upgrades include the in-camera processing Creative
Filters, and the ability to choose different image size ratios and to rate your
images. (Helpful hint: press the Q Button while in image playback and you can
access features like rating, rotating, and Creative Filters.)
Sensor and Image Quality
All
three cameras share a very similar sensor and 18 megapixels, and so their image
quality will be virtually the same. All are capable of taking professional
quality images.
Exposure Metering
The
three cameras all share the latest 63-zone, dual-layer exposure metering system
and 4 metering modes. That means they will all determine the exposure virtually
identically and enable you to take properly exposed photos in most every
situation, including difficult back-lit scenes. The size of the areas metered
for Partial and Spot metering vary slightly between the cameras, but that isn't
anything critical.
Autofocus
The
T3i shares a similar autofocus system to the 60D, with 9 focus points and three
auto focusing modes. However the 9 AF points of the 60D are more sensitive than
those of the T3i: all are cross-type in the 60D, only the center is cross-type
in the T3i. The 60D autofocus system is much less complex than the
sophisticated AF system of the 7D with its 19 AF point system and its
additional Zone, Spot, and Expansion focus modes. These various modes address
how you want to deal with and group the numerous AF points. Plus the custom
settings of the 7D allow one to customize how the AF system works - how it
tracks subjects, how it deals with objects that come between you and your
initial subject, how quickly it responds to these changes of possible subjects
that are at different distances from you, etc. However, if you are not an avid
sports photographer, a wildlife shooter, or someone who understands, needs, and
will use the elaborate features of the 7D AF system, then this shouldn't sway
you.
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| Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP |
Construction
As
you can probably figure out from the prices, each camera is not built the same.
The T3i has relatively strong construction of a stainless steel frame with
polycarbonate body. The 60D has a stronger and lighter aluminum frame and
polycarbonate body, but not as strong as the 7D's magnesium alloy construction.
The 60D also has some amount of weather sealing - more than the T3i, less than
the 7D. But for most users, including even those using the camera daily or in
travel situations, the construction of any of these cameras is far more than
good enough, strong enough, and durable enough.
Controls
As
with construction, the buttons and controls vary with these cameras. Unlike the
T3i, the 60D and 7D have nearly every control an advanced photographer needs on
the exterior of the camera and they also have the top LCD panel and rear Quick
Control Dial that are not on the T3i. With all the cameras, any controls can
also be easily accessed with the Q Button and Q Menu or in the other menus on
the rear LCD monitor. The top buttons of the 60D set only one setting each, so
this is less complicated than the multiple-setting buttons of the 7D. Canon has
removed the white balance (WB) button on the 60D that the 7D has, but that
isn't a big deal - use the Q Menu. Another change on the 60D is that the
Multi-controller has been moved from the thumb joystick like the 7D and 50D and
placed in the middle of the rear Quick-control dial. This doesn't change how it
functions, and should just be a matter of getting used to the difference. If
you plan on using your camera on Auto or Program most of the time, then the
controls of the T3i are more than sufficient for your needs. If you work in Av,
Tv, or M modes and need quicker and more direct access to your controls and the
additional top LCD screen to view and change your current settings, then you
need to consider the 60D or 7D over the T3i.
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| Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP |
Menus and Custom Functions
These
allow for greater control over customizing how the camera functions. The T3i
has less Menu and Custom Function setting options than the 60D, and the 7D has
yet a few more than the 60D. These settings enable you to customize the
operation, function, and controls to work how you want them to, including
things like exposure increments, peripheral illuminations correction for lenses
(fixes dark corners), tweaking how the autofocus system operates, setting more
precise white balance settings, and customizing which button does what.
Wireless Flash
Like
the 7D and 60D, the T3i incorporates wireless flash triggering. This allows you
to trigger multiple off camera flashes at different output levels. The T2i does
not have this feature.
Articulating LCD Screen
The
big new feature that the 60D and T3i have that the 7D and T2i do not is the
articulating rear LCD screen. This may prove useful for videographers, as well
as for setting up compositions while the camera is on a tripod, for macro use,
or for using it from unusually low or high vantage points. Some users will be
able to avoid buying an expensive angle finder because of this feature. There
is also an electronic level in the 7D and 60D, visible in the viewfinder, rear
LCD, or top LCD.
Viewfinder
The
T3i has a pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage of the actual resulting
image. The 60D has a large, bright pentaprism viewfinder with 96% coverage, not
quite as nice as the nearly 100% view of the 7D pentaprism.
Processor
The
T3i shares the same Digic 4 processor as the 60D. The 7D has dual Digic 4
processors. However, if you don't need to shoot dozens of continuous images,
you probably won't notice any processing speed issues.
Continuous Shooting Speed
The
T3i can shoot 3.7 frames per second. The 7D can shoot a blazing 8 frames per
second, in which the photos barely change from frame to frame. The 60D can
shoot a respectable 5.3 fps which is actually a more useful rate. If you need
the extremely high fps for sports, wildlife, or other action shooting, get the
7D. If not, don't be swayed by this excessive feature.
