- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Nikon D3100
- Nikon D3200
- Fujifilm X-S1
- Canon PowerShot G15
- Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Ranked Top 5 in Newest DSLRs
Rated 69% by by DPReview (Apr, 2011)We've used it with the 70-200 F4 L and you'd feel a little more comfortable with some more weight at the camera end but that said, we would only expect a very small proportion of EOS 1100D users to use the camera with larger and/or heavier lenses.
Rated 77% by by DPReview (Apr, 2010)The EOS 550D's 3:2 screen perfectly matches its stills (and gets closer to the 16:9 used for movies), and with over a million dots and anti-reflective design that minimizes glare, it's a joy to behold too.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Canon Rebel T3 compared to the Canon Rebel T2i
MP12.2
APS-C
Rated 100% by by roberto-somocurcio (Dec, 2012)take photos quickly, good quality, excellent design, weight, and overall use is very simple.
17.9 MP
APS-C
Rated 77% by by DPReview (Apr, 2010)Both cameras are capable of excellent resolution, but the EOS 550D just edges ahead thanks to its greater pixel count.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 17.9 MP   | 20 MP |
Rebel T3 by cordykencas (Nov, 2011)this is aobut 12,000 compared to 18,000 megapixals which is not a big differance expecially if you compare the much more expensive price for the higher megapixel.
Rebel T2i by hx1 (Dec, 2010)I learned my lesson and am now very leery of "big" megapixel cameras... More megapixel is not better!
sensor size
Rebel T3 by DPReview (Apr, 2011)With an APS-C sensor the 1100D can't produce the very shallow depth-of-field footage that a full-frame camera, such as the 5D Mark II, offers but still gives you much more control in this respect than most movie cameras on the market.
Rebel T2i by DPReview (Apr, 2010)The EOS 550D uses an APS-C size sensor and therefore you can't quite create the same DOF effects as on the full-frame EOS 5D Mark II but you still get a much shallower, more cinematic depth of field than with any digital compact camera.
viewfinder size
Rebel T3 by DPReview (Apr, 2011)The Pentax K-r is only slightly more expensive and comes, like the 1100D, with a 720p video mode but puts a higher screen resolution, faster continuous shooting, a larger viewfinder and a more customizable user interface on top.
Rebel T2i by Dart (Jan, 2011)I also like the 'Live' setting (using the screen, which is a nice size, instead of the viewfinder) though under normal shooting I still like the viewfinder.
body size
130 x 100 x 78 mm
129 x 98 x 62 mm
Rebel T3 by MEJazz (May, 2012)If you pair it with a light-weight prime lens like 50mm 1.8 or 35mm 2.0 (i would highly recommend both) - the whole package becomes a light-weight amazing photos machine.
Rebel T2i by Kenneth-R.-Depree (Aug, 2010)I expected to stay with that camera because it took excellent photos, allowed me to shoot videos for YouTube, permitted continuous shooting, and grouped for HDR processing-without having the expense of a SLR and lenses or the weight that comes with them.
focus points
| 0 | 9 | 9 |
Rebel T3 by TrustedReviews (Jul, 2011)AF points can be selected manually, or you can leave the camera to select its own focus points automatically.
Performance Real world tests of Canon Rebel T3 vs Canon Rebel T2i
DxOMark image quality
Rebel T3 by luis86 (Jul, 2012)But if your looking to buy it for wildlife shooting or kids, is better to buy the kit that comes with the 55-250 mm zoons len, it has image stabilization system and works better when the object is quite far away from you or moving, if you buy this kit with the 75-300mm lens will have to program the continuous shooting to avoiding camera shake and blurry pictures.
Rebel T2i by Charles-Perschon--Desert-Photography (Mar, 2010)IMAGE QUALITY: Image quality is amazing.
DxOMark low light performance
Rebel T3 by litchick (Jul, 2012)Although we have not tried shooting at night or a sporting event yet, overall, I have to say I love this camera and can't think of a better investment for my family.
Rebel T2i by VMI-1982 (Apr, 2012)This new unit was less expensive that that XTi it replace, has a higher resolution, uses my existing lenses and flash and seems to work even better than the one it replaces (I've notice a faster focusing and better performance under low light).
continuous shooting
Rebel T3 by S.-Vogt (May, 2011)With the exception of burst shooting, this camera's performance is excellent.
Rebel T2i by Trapshooter--UncleGuido (Jul, 2010)I was very happy with the quickness of the continuous shooting.
battery life
700 photos
440 photos
Rebel T3 by manguard (Sep, 2011)The battery life is ridiculous- I used it all afternoon shooting continuous high shutter speed in Av for about 600 shots and 7 minutes of HD video and its still showing that I haven't dented the remaining battery life.
Rebel T2i by Will-S. (Jun, 2010)Picture clarity is great, battery life is good, weight is comfortable, lens is good for a beginner (though I have upgraded and purchased a Canon 70-300mm), and the buttons/menus are easy to navigate once you figure everything out.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the T2i
| Significantly more photos per charge | 700 | vs | 440 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 260 more shots; Longer battery life | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Feb, 2011 | vs | Feb, 2010 |
| Announced date a year later | |||
| Lighter | 459 g | vs | 530 g |
| More than 10% lighter | |||
Advantages compared to the T3
| Much higher definition video | HD video | vs | HD video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great video; great for displaying on a large flat panel TV | |||
| Much higher resolution screen | 1,040 k dots | vs | 230 k dots |
| More than 4.5x higher resolution screen | |||
| Can autofocus while shooting video | vs | Manual | |
| Most cameras can autofocus while shooting video; Great for home movies | |||
| Much larger screen | 3" | vs | 2.7" |
| More than 10% larger screen | |||
| Has an external mic jack | 3.5mm | vs | None |
| Most cameras have an external mic jack | |||
| Significantly higher resolution | 17.9 MP | vs | 12.2 MP |
| Around 50% higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints | |||
| Self cleaning sensor | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; Prevents dust showing up in your photos | |||
| Better overall image quality | 66.0 | vs | 62.0 |
| Around 10% better image quality | |||
| Shoots video in 24p | Yes | vs | No |
| Somewhat common; For that film look | |||
| Higher light sensitivity | 12,800 ISO | vs | 6,400 ISO |
| 2x higher light sensitivity; Avoid blur in low light situations | |||
| Better dynamic range | 11.5 ev | vs | 11.0 ev |
| Almost the same | |||
| Faster rapid fire | 3.7 fps | vs | 3 fps |
| More than 20% faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| More highly reviewed by consumers | 83.48% | vs | 80.57% |
| Almost the same | |||
| Significantly thinner | 62 mm | vs | 78 mm |
| More than 20% thinner | |||
| Significantly smaller | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | vs | 130 x 100 x 78 mm |
| More than 20% smaller | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Canon Rebel T3 | Canon Rebel T2i | ||
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|---|---|---|---|
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 | Rated by 954 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by sharrie (Aug, 2012) Rated 100% by by manguard (Sep, 2011) Rated 100% by by Mandi (Aug, 2012) | Rated by 832 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by satisfied-customer (Aug, 2011) Rated 100% by by GofH (Dec, 2010) Rated 100% by by Enkay (May, 2011) | |
sensor
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by umeweall--PackratI was looking at purchasing the T2i, as it could do 18 megapixels.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by steadysqueeze (Nov, 2011)ISO 6400 is really helpful when compared with models like the XS which Canon stop showing in their website; the XS was Canon's entry level before the T3 but it only had ISO 1600 (useless).
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by umeweall--PackratThe T2i would have given me THREE TIMES the megapixels.
lens
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by NataliyaCanon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens I am not sure if you get these with the cheaper version of the camera.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Mar, 2011)The Canon EOS 1100D is priced at £419.99 / €499.99 body only, £459.00 / €549.00 with the non-stabilised EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III lens, £499.99 / €599.99 / $599 with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens, and £459.00 / €549.00 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III lens.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 80% by by 2ParrotMom (Jan, 2012)I got the Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens back in September.
resolution
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by Samir (Jul, 2011)The image quality for the t3 is proven to be better than the t3i since the extra megapixels arent crammed into the image sensor.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 80% by by S.-Vogt (May, 2011)The lower end kit lenses have an easier time resolving detail on the T3's 12 megapixel sensor vs. the 18 megapixel sensor on the.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 80% by by S.-Vogt (May, 2011)T2i/T3i. So, do not let a salesperson or anybody else say that the image quality on this camera is inferior solely on the basis that it has a lower megapixel count than its linemates.
screen
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Mar, 2011)There are some notable downsides - the low-resolution LCD screen, lack of an integrated cleaning system, too smooth hand-grip, no spot metering mode, no manual video settings, and the puzzling omission of Scene Intelligent Auto mode - but the EOS 1100D / T3 ultimately delivers great image quality with the minimum of fuss at a very competitive price.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Mar, 2011)The EOS 1100D has a rather small (2.7 inch) and low-resolution (230k dot) fixed LCD screen, one of the main ways that it achieves its budget price-point.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by R.-Parrish (Mar, 2012)I looked hard at the T3i, mostly because of that moveable LCD display, but the price was right on the T3.
video
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by umeweall--PackratAs for the 1080p video, versus the 720p on the T3, that also is fine, as I really do not intend on using the camera for shooting video.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by Matthew-E.-Coenen--Books-are-Nicer-Than-People.-Usually. (Jul, 2011)As an aside, I've shot some video with the T3, and the quality is fine for stuff like YouTube or personal blogs.
Canon Rebel T3 | Rated 100% by by DancedEZ--If-u-ain-t-got-JESUS-thn-u-ain-t-got-NOTHING (Oct, 2012)I'm really Enjoying this T3 Canon it's AMAZING>>The video Quality is Superb!! I could not ask for anything more.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D3100 3-way tie: OK phase-detection focus points |
 | 2 | Nikon D3200 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark |
 | 3 | Fujifilm X-S1 Many more contrast-detection focus points |
 | 4 | Canon PowerShot G15 Fastest lens |
 | 6 | Nikon D3000 Largest sensor |
 | 7 | Canon Kiss X5 2-way tie: Highest resolution screen |
Popular Questions
April 22, 2012
OK struggling with a decision on which Canon EOS to buy.
Novice with SLR, looking to buy a Canon as hoping to share lenses with my daughter who has a Canon. looking at 1100D 550D and 600D. Don't really want to spend too much but think I might regret I...
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Answers Canon Rebel T3
Mario-Arturo-Castanon 
Intermediate I
Hi Shelley, I hope I'm not too late with my suggestions. The T3 will be agood investment to start, but if you will be after birds, I strongly suggest you invest in a good lens, the best lens your... View Mario-Arturo-Castanon's recommendation
- 0 comments
- September 11, 2012
- Reply to: Birding photos, nature photos ( butterflies, plantlife) vacation landscape photo
Philip-Davis 
Expert III
I think the real advantage of upgrading from the Xt to the T3 is that your maximum ISO would increase from 1600 to 6400... and you'd still have enough money left over to buy the EF 50mm f/1.8... View Philip-Davis's recommendation
- 0 comments
- April 19, 2012
- Reply to: I need help buying a camera.
Canon Rebel T2i
Karlo-Vestil 
Beginner I
Must have a 18-135mm lens and higher true resolution camera. Canon Rebel t2i is fun. Cheaper than most DSLR in its class and has a lot of lenses. You may also want to try a 70-300mm lens. You to... View Karlo-Vestil's recommendation
- 0 comments
- August 29, 2012
- Reply to: Birding photos, nature photos ( butterflies, plantlife) vacation landscape photo
