Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon launch 2 entry level DSLR on March 2011, Canon EOS Rebel T3 a basic DSLR camera and the rich featured Canon EOS Rebel T3i. Canon Rebel T3 is replacing Canon EOS Rebel XS as the basic Canon Rebel model. Canon T3offer few improvements compared to the XS, its now has 12.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor, Live View Mode, new 18-55 IS II lens and movie mode to capture 720p videos.
Canon EOS Rebel T3 with 18-55 IS II lens is priced $599, you can check other Rebel Series like Canon EOS Rebel T2i and T3i.
Design
Like other Rebel series, Canon Rebel T3 is designed for people that moving from point and shoot camera to DSLR camera, so it’s compact and lightweight. Rebel T3 body is mainly made from plastic. Compared to the Rebel XS, Canon T3 is slightly bigger in dimensions and operating weight. The button placements are now following other Rebel DSLR camera layout.
Display
Canon EOS Rebel T3 has 2.7 inches TFT LCD Display with 230,000 pixel density and 170° viewing angles. The display is big enough to compose image with Live View or viewing and changing the camera setting. Although it’s bigger compared to the Rebel XS, it’s smaller than the Nikon D3100 that has 3 inches display.
Performance
Canon EOS Rebel T3 is using DIGIC 4 image processor combined with 12.2 Megapixel APS-C Size CMOS sensor. DIGIC 4 captures 14 bit RAW files image and 8 bit on JPEG compressions. Improved while compared with Canon Rebel XS that used DIGIC III image processor.
The continuous shooting speed is rated 3 fps while shooting in JPEGs, it will drops to 2 frame per second while shooting in RAW format, when you shooting in RAW+JPEG it will be dropped to 1.3 fps. Shooting in RAW will give you better image and more creative control in editing the image on your computer.
Canon EOS Rebel T3 sports a 63 zone dual layer iFCL (Intelligent Focus, Color, and Luminance) metering system like on Canon Rebel T2i and T3i, 60D, and 7D but without spot metering. Canon EOS Rebel T3 also offers 9-points auto focus system just like found on its bigger brother Canon Rebel T2i and T3i but with f/5.6 cross-type center point.
Lenses
The lens kit that included with Canon Rebel T3 is EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II. This new lens kit now offers 4 stops image stabilizations. Although Canon offers more than 60 types of lenses (you can use all the Canon lenses), use the kit lens to practice and improves your photography first.
Video
With Canon Rebel T3 you can record HD Movie at 24 or 30 frames per second easily. In movie mode everything is working automatically. There is also in camera editing feature, so you don’t need to edit everything with your computer.
Features
Canon puts numbers of features on this Rebel T3i camera, few features has been described above, these are the other interesting features:
- Basic+ feature that make it easier to create image effect, by adjusting ambience or white balance settings.
- Creative Auto is mainly to adjust exposure, flash, Picture Style, resolution and drive mode.
- Auto+ is basically letting the camera do all the settings, like using point and shoot camera.
- Feature Guide that will explains each camera functions.
Conclusion
Canon Rebel T3 is a good camera at its price point, easy to operate and can produce good image quality. This entry level camera is suitable for photography beginner or as a back up camera if you already have other Canon DSLR.
You can also consider Nikon D3100, which also comes within this price range.
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