Which Digital SLR Is Best – Canon 60D VS T3i   by Wayne Rasku

When you consider the Canon T3i or 60D, you may ask if there are adequate feature differences to warrant the production of two digital SLRs in the mid-level camera market, especially when they are produced by the identical company. It is definitely a gutsy move by Canon to release both these cameras. After all, it looks like the same group of beginning and intermediate buyers would be interested in both because they are nearly identical.

But wait, there is yet a 3rd model in the Canon line-up with the same image sensor (18-megapixels). The pro-type Canon 7D also shares this sensor. The plot thickens!

Let’s just say that the 7D is in a whole other family in spite of the image sensor similarity. It is more for semi-pros and pros, as shown by those who buy it. We will shelve that discussion for another article and concentrate on the two cameras in question here.

The Canon Rebel T3i is truly an upgrade of the previous Rebel (the T2i) since it has or improves upon all the hardware and software in that former model. However, there is quite a bit of controversy among pixel peepers about the legitimacy of the Canon 60D being called an “upgrade” because of the fact that it does not improve on all the hardware and software of the 50D.

How did this come about? You must question the boys in suits at Canon Corp. As we compare these two cameras, the question of whether or not one is an upgrade and the other is not does not even matter. In fact, it is a moot point when you regard how quickly buyers are scooping up these two cameras.

So, which camera strikes your fancy?

The image quality will be identical since they have the same 18-megapixel sensor along with a Digic 4 processor. They also sport the same body construction. But there are some differences to point out.

Which of the following feature differences are most crucial for you?

Going back to the build and construction, the T3i is not environmentally sealed but the 60D is.

Shutter speed is not the same in these two cameras. The Canon 60D has a top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec along with a sync speed of 1/250 sec for flash exposure. Conversely, the T3i has a top shutter speed of 1/4000 sec and a sync speed of 1/200 sec. These two shutter speed differences can be significant depending upon the lighting of a particular shot.

With regard to Continuous Shooting Rate, the Canon T3i gives a decent 3.7fps, nevertheless that does not compare to the 5.3fps of the 60D. Another advantage for the larger sibling. This feature alone can be a game breaker for the T3i if you are doing action photography.

Each camera has a 9-point auto focus setup, but they are not equal. In the 60D all 9 points are cross-type auto focus points. In the T3i, just the center point includes the cross-type technology attached to it. Believe it or not, this makes a noticeable difference in the way the auto-focus system works.

A word about Video. The Canon T3i has one feature that the 60D cannot match. It is a digital zoom feature that allows from 3x to 10x zooming while making movies. Using this zoom feature, you can use a normal lens and get super telephoto videos with great quality.

Another difference exists in how many pictures you can take on a single battery charge. Then there is also the size and weight, the 60D being a larger model. Cost is also different. The bottom line – price – is almost always a factor in the final decision to buy.

About the Author

Do you have a strong feeling for one of these cameras in the Canon T3i VS 60D showdown? Would you be interested in a side-by-side-by-side comparison. You can find such a comparison at http://digital-photographic-resources.com/.
Photography Tutorial – FIRST Lesson! What is Aperture ? Basic DSLR Photography Lesson for Beginners