Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D vs Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D
40
SCORE
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Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D
40
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D and Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D are Canon APS-C DSLRs announced on the same February 2011 day, so neither represents a newer generation. The T3 is the lighter, more compact body at 495 g and 130 x 100 x 78 mm, against 570 g and 133 x 100 x 80 mm for the T3i. Both use the Canon EF-S mount, so lens choices are the same either way. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 7, 2011 | February 7, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 100 x 78 mm | 133 x 100 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 495 g | 570 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 40/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe T3i is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or large prints, with 18 megapixels against 12.2 on the T3. It also shoots slightly faster at 3.7 frames per second versus 3, a small help when capturing fleeting expressions at an event. The core imaging specification is shared: an APS-C CMOS sensor, Digic 4 processing, 9 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second top shutter speed. Native sensitivity spans 100 to 6400 ISO on each, with the T3i adding an expanded setting up to 12800 ISO. Neither body stabilises the sensor, so steady handheld work relies on the lens or a faster shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 18 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4272 x 2848 | 5184 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 14.9 x 22.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3.7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe T3i is the clear choice for video, recording Full HD at up to 30 frames per second where the T3 stops at Standard HD. Its footage holds up better on a large television and leaves more room to crop or correct in editing. Both cameras share the same 30 fps ceiling, so neither offers slow motion for slowing fast action. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280x720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MPEG-4, AV | MOV |
| Features | 34/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesAn articulating screen is the T3i's standout advantage: its 3-inch, 1040000-dot LCD flips out for overhead shots, low ground-level angles and self-framed video, while the T3 has a fixed 2.7-inch, 230000-dot panel. Checking focus in live view is easier on the larger, sharper display. The remaining feature set matches. Each offers live view, a built-in flash and support for an external flash, and neither has a touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 32/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe T3 holds the endurance advantage: its LP-E10 battery is rated for 700 shots against 440 for the T3i's LP-E8. The batteries are different types, so a spare bought for one body does not fit the other. Storage matches, with a single SD / SDHC / SDXC card slot in each and no USB charging on either. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E10 | LP-E8 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
700 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The T3i is the better pick for most photographers. Its 18-megapixel sensor, Full HD video and articulating high-resolution screen serve cropping, large prints, video work and awkward shooting angles. Choose the T3 when light weight and longer battery life matter most, such as all-day travel with the camera constantly in hand and few chances to recharge. Both share the EF-S lens system, so upgrading to the T3i costs nothing in future lens choices.