Canon EOS Rebel T3i Review

Canon EOS Rebel T3i (or Canon EOS 600D) is the latest new release from Canon digital SLR cameras product line. It is equipped with 18 megapixel Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, DIGIC 4 Image Processor and ISO 100-6400 which is capable for shooting in different condition (from bright to dim light). EOS Rebel DSLR cameras are well-known because they are easy to use and affordable too. The EOS Rebel T3i is suitable for casual photographer who is beginning to learn using entry-level DSLR camera.

The ISO 100-6400 offers the capability to expand until 12800, which makes any shooting situation possible even without flash. As guidance, we use ISO 100-400 for outdoor setting, while ISO 400-1600 used for shooting at evening. If the shooting situation in dark indoors or at night the ISO speed we use is 1600-6400.

The EOS Rebel T3i comes with improved full hd movie mode with three recording sizes options .Full HD is captured at 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30p,24p or 25p frames per second. HD recording is captured at 1280x720 and the last one SD/VGA at 640x480. If we set the picture size at full HD we can shoot 3x to 10x digital zoom using the movie digital zoom.

Another great thing is we can produce a short movie with the video snapshots function. In more explanation, a video snapshot is a short clip with duration of 2,4 or 8 sec and after we create a collection of video snapshots , the video snapshots album can be saved as a single video movie file. No editing work is required and we even can sharing online those compiled video or just watch it on HDTV through the HDMI port. For shooting video purposes, we can set to manual exposure or autoexposure shooting and it allows us to do in-camera editing.

Canon Rebel T3i comes with advanced imaging pictures such as basic, multi-aspect and creative filters function. While in basic zone mode major shooting settings cannot be changed, we can play and manipulate scenes on creative filters mode. With the creative filter function we can have many effects such as toy camera effect, miniature and even the fish eye effect which are popular because of their quirky perspective result. 

With Vari-angle 3,0 inch Clear View LCD monitor, Canon EOS Rebel T3i is capable to shoot pictures from any angles. We just rotate the monitor and we can choose any variety of angles.

Let say if we are in the concert and would like to shoot great pictures above the people crowd, we can rotate and hold the camera at high angle. We can also hold it at low angle when we want to shoot kids or pets images. It will be perfect for shooting self-portraits too if we rotate it fully.

It is Canon tradition to improve its EOS Rebel series features. According to Canon, Eos Rebel T3i is also the first EOS Rebel DSLR camera that provides Integrated Speedlite Transmitter capability.

This is interesting, because this feature is usually available on more advanced series like EOS 7D and EOS 60D. The purpose is to make the camera’s built-in flash function as a triggering device and firing one or more speedlites which are located off the camera. The benefit is we can get some powerful lighting effects on our photo subject.

The easy wireless setting is ideal for beginners who like to use wireless E-TTL for the first time. For those advanced photographers will have no problem with various setting within wireless E-TTL feature.

With this feature, the built-in flash will activate one or more off-camera speedlites which have been used as slave units. Second, all flashes will fire at even power with no complication of any flash ratios. This is suitable for shooting a large group people or quite large object like a car. We also can adjust overall flash exposure even when easy wireless is still active. Another important note about using wireless E-TTL feature is the integrated speedlite function is only working in creative zone exposure mode (P,Tv,Av,M or A-DEP exposure modes).

Canon EOS Rebel T3i offers feature guide that displays simple and short explanation of each function. It shows in each shooting modes during mode dial operations and for quick control screen functions. There’s no more difficult ways for DSLR beginners to try using DSLR cameras, especially the new Canon Rebel T3i.