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Canon EOS Rebel T3i Overview
by Shawn Barnett, Dave Etchells, Zig Weidelich, and Mike Tomkins
Hands-on Preview Posted: 02/07/2011
Test shots from production sample (with updated crops): 03/30/2011
Just a year after the introduction of the T2i, Canon has announced the EOS Rebel T3i, a new model that will take the top spot from the former flagship, but will not replace it. The Canon T3i has an 18-megapixel sensor and major upgrades including a swiveling LCD, Integrated Speedlite Transmitter, and Creative Filters, all of which are also found in the Canon 60D. Simultaneously, the T1i and XS were replaced with the new 12-megapixel T3, which will take up the low-end spot in the lineup, now consisting of the Rebel T3, T2i, and T3i.
The Canon Rebel T3i ships in early March 2011, priced at US$799.99 body-only, US$899.99 with the 18-55mm IS II kit lens, and US$1,099.99 with the 18-135mm IS kit lens.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i Hands-on Preview
by Shawn Barnett, Dave Etchells, and Mike Tomkins
Just as the Canon 60D was aimed squarely at the Nikon D90 and D7000, the new Canon Rebel T3i has the D5000 and its eventual successor in its sights. We spent some hands-on time with the Canon T3i, which sports a swiveling LCD screen and a slightly heftier build, and both looks and feels a little more serious than past models. Bundled with a new 18-55mm IS II kit lens, or the 18-135mm lens that’s also available with the 60D, the new T3i rather looks and feels like its prosumer sibling, except for the grip spacing. It’ll be ideal for those with small to medium hands, but those will larger hands might be more comfortable with the 60D.
Indeed, the major differences between the T3i and 60D are few. It’s down to frame rate (3.7 vs. 5.3 fps), maximum shutter speed (1/4,000 vs. 1/8,000), maximum ISO (12,800 vs. 25,600 equivalent), viewfinder size (0.87x vs. 0.95x), battery type, and grip size. There are other, more minor differences, but those are the big items. As such, the T3i seems like a pretty good deal.
Compared to the T2i, the T3i adds the swivel screen, the new lens, more reduced-resolution JPEG options, and an Auto Picture Style mode. The Canon T3i also weighs a little more than the T2i, coming in at 20.1 ounces (570g) compared to the T2i’s 16.75 ounces (470g). As mentioned, it’s a few millimeters larger in all dimensions: 133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7, compared to 128.8 x 97.5 x 75.3. Some of those differences will matter, and I think many fans of swivel screens will opt for the T3i, while those who don’t like them can settle happily into a T2i without feeling like they’re missing a lot.
