Both Canon T3 and T3i have their share of strengths and weaknesses. The weaknesses are more like shortcomings or demerits when compared to other models. It must be noted that Canon T3 and T3i are both bestsellers and have been around a while, having received great reviews in their respective price range. But if you were to look for a clear winner then it would have to be the Canon T3i.
Difference Between Canon T3 and T3i
Canon T3 has certain advantages over T3i. Since we have already declared T3i as the winner, let us focus on its shortcomings first. Canon T3 has a startup delay of just 300 ms as compared to 1500 ms of Canon T3i. You don’t need to imagine the ms in real time scenario. Just imagine the Canon T3i taking five times longer than the Canon T3 to turn on.
Canon T3 has a battery that would last for seven hundred shots. The T3i would last for around four hundred forty shots. In other words, the battery lasts a bit short than twice as long when you take shots.
There are many other differences, however subtle, such as the viewfinder of T3 being 0.54x while that of T3i is 0.53x. The dimensions are almost the same even though there is a millimeter and two difference between the two. Canon T3 weighs 459 grams while T3i weighs 570 grams. The former is also slimmer at 7.8 cm against 8 cm of T3i.
Now, Canon T3 is obviously cheaper than Canon T3i. Hence, the latter would also pack in a few more features. Canon T3i can capture videos at 1080p with up to 30 fps against the T3’s ability to capture 720p videos at the same frame rate. The screen resolution is almost five times better in T3i than T3. The screen size is also substantially larger, 7.6 cm against 6.9 cm. The T3 doesn’t have 24 fps capability while the T3i satiates that need.
Canon T3i has a more dynamic range, the true resolution is 17.9 MP against 12.2 MP of T3, the color depth is 22.1 bits against 21.9 bits of T3, there is an external mic jack, the screen has a flip out feature and the shutter lag is just 283 ms against 309 ms of the T3.
Canon T3i has a better ISO range and a self cleaning sensor. Continuous shooting with the T3i is substantially faster at 3.7 fps compared with 3 fps in the T3.
