Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Rebel T2i

Canon

Report a correction

Rebel T3i

Canon

Report a correction

Showing 25 comments

Farid

(10:22 PM, June 06, 2012)

Hey mari.
I just bought myself one a T3i. I personally love the swivel screen because I've been working on short films and it is really helpful for directing and compositing. If you don't plan on making short films or compositing nit-picky shots, the swivel screen wouldnt make much difference.
Hope this helps

Lexie1

(3:56 PM, May 06, 2012)

T2i is a great camera and pretty much same as T3i except for the flip just as others have said. I saved by getting T2i and bought more glass and accessories. Light is all about the lense. Standard kit lenses are not great for low light, so buy the camera frame only and get 2.8 or better f stop for the biggest aperture possible. I prefer the canon 24-70mm f/2.8. I also own the 100mm 1:1 macro f/2.8 and 50 mm f/1.4 that produces great bokeh. These lenses are great for portraits, landscapes, macro, and sports and perform well in low light. (read up on exposure so you'll know how to adjust manual settings for all lighting needs). If needed, get the canon speedlight external flash. I currently have the 430 and like it, but may invest in the 580 for added functionality. Note:Tamron also has a 28-75mm f/2.8 which is very comparable to 24-70 canon at less than half the price and also works on Full Frame body.

Lexie1

(3:44 PM, May 06, 2012)

I found these a while back and yes, they were great...I learned alot of new settings and tricks just by watching these and taking notes.

Wolfmanwoj

(0:01 PM, February 19, 2012)

One of the biggest things they forgot on here is that the T3i can record audio manually, something that is big for beginner videographers who do not have the money for an h4n zoom.

Also helps if you shoot on the road and don't have a second person to do audio.

Joel J

(3:50 PM, February 02, 2012)

I recently got the Canon t2i (aka 550D) and I'm in love with it. I didn't need the swivel screen and since I'm starting, I'd rather have the extra money towards lenses than a remote shutter. Check out these videos on how to use your new Canon. They're the best tutorial videos I've ever seen.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0n7ZoqOmg8
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7LKag4e0lU&feature=related
Part 3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xc_rykxhEE&feature=related

George

(2:25 PM, January 13, 2012)

I know the T3i has wireless flash. Does the T2i support it as well? If so, must you buy anything else besides the Speedlite external flash?

pelermon

(2:00 PM, December 05, 2011)

You have it backwards Lance - The T2i is Thinner and Lighter, -- The T2i has it all over the T3i except the fold out screen - Which may be an issue with time ( My Samsung phone eventually wore a micro wire with the movement of the flipout screen.) NOW YOU HAVE A LARGE PROBLEM

Mccoys1

(5:58 PM, November 30, 2011)

My 8 year old Rebel EOS XT 350D died while being used last night. I am looking at T2i or T3i. Since I never use the lens that come with the camera but use higher zoom lens, I am wondering how up graded zoom lens work with the video on these cameras. Does anyone know?

Scrmhawk

(8:09 PM, November 28, 2011)

neither camera is great for low light. Much over iso 800 has highly degraded quality. The high megapixels actually create more noise in the lower light for the sensor. You will need faster lenses then the stock ones that come with it.

TJ Nedd

(3:21 PM, November 27, 2011)

What do you recomend? T3i or T2i (For filming.)

Snapsort

(1:26 PM, November 25, 2011)

The T3i and T2i are almost the same camera inside, the T2i is only slightly better in image quality and low light performance. The T3i also have a built in flash controller that will allow you control multiple off camera flashes at the same time. Usually you have to buy a $100 external device to do that.
I would go with the T2i and use the extra money to buy a lens.

Snapsort

(1:20 PM, November 25, 2011)

It is a great camera, and the flip out screen is an asset, but as you can see above that is really the only big difference.

Can't Decide

(4:51 AM, November 25, 2011)

hey snapsort, i know the major difference is the flip out screen but i feel like the T2i has more advantages that outweigh the T3i (just barely). But do you think that differences like those in image quality and speed make the T2i a better camera even without a flip out scree? I am really torn between the two. Money isn't really the issue but does the T3i have disadvantages that make more of a difference?

Chewbacca720

(5:20 AM, October 12, 2011)

that's why its "common weaknesses"

Snapsort

(1:48 PM, October 05, 2011)

Hi Sacha, we got this from Imaging Resource, I think the T3i gets a slower startup time because it cleans the sensor on startup, which can be disabled.

Sacha Sayan

(4:14 AM, October 05, 2011)

Hey Snapsort, when does your information come from? Every other source I can find on these two cameras indicates that internally, the hardware is nearly the same, so I'm surprised to see such a difference on something like startup time (400ms vs 1500ms).

I'm not saying that your data is flawed, just curious where the information comes from.

H Bouzon

(1:40 PM, September 25, 2011)

Let's not forget remote flash firing if anyone here cares for it. If you ever plan on buying an external flash, seriously consider the t3i.

H Bouzon

(1:35 PM, September 25, 2011)

$100 dollars more also buys you remote flash firing, a feature found only on the 60D and other pro models. The T3i also has a neat feature in video mode which allows you to apply a 3x digital zoom without video image degregation thanks to the abundant number of pixels on the sensor. This is a great feature for extreme closeup videos, nothing compared to a point and shoot's digital zoom. Along with the flip screen, these features are definitely worth the extra 100 bucks.

Snapsort

(9:48 PM, September 18, 2011)

Hi Steve, both cameras have same resolution, 17.9MP, see our comparison of the specs.

Stevep397

(7:50 PM, September 18, 2011)

The T2i is 18 megapixel compared to 12.5 for the T3i. You can create higher quality pictures and enlargements with the T2i.

Nicolebielat5

(3:51 PM, September 17, 2011)

Hello- I am researching the Canon T2 & T3 as well and this information is very helpful. I have a 35mm Nikon N65 and recently I have dusted it off & have been trying to play around with the non-auto settings... both manual and the different programs but... it has been 17 years since I have had a photography class. Since I can't remember what setting I used inbetween taking the photo and developing.... you can imagine. Do you know of a good beginning photography book you could recommend? The manual is just not enough. I'm afraid that my DSLR days are farther out than I would like them to be! Film and developing gets pricey :-)

Also- I bought a canvis print from a photographer and I asked him what he used. He said that he used to use Nikon but b/c of his commercial clients he had to move to Canon... he seemed like he persoanlly prefered Nikon... do you happen to know the difference between the two?
Thanks! Nicole B

Smazour

(6:40 PM, September 11, 2011)

I am looking into purchasing a camera to take action shots of sports in low light gyms. Any preference between the T2i or T3i?

Sandy

(6:30 PM, September 11, 2011)

I have two children in athletics and am looking for a camera that can take pictures in low light gyms. I have researched both the T3i and T2i. Does anyone feel one is better than the other for indoor pics?

Pete Paris

(10:06 PM, September 06, 2011)

Alex, if you haven't bought the T2i yet, check out Sam's Club they have a special financing offer on all electronics for 18 months no interest. They have the T3i for $849. Just so you know I don't make any money off the following link but I am considering purchasing this camera via the financing option So it will cost me about $60 a month and if I happen to sell one of my photos I will pay it off sooner than planned. I hope this helps you.

*$849.00 after $50 Instant Savings* Canon T3i 18.0MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm IS Lens

Shadz

(7:07 PM, August 14, 2011)

Here t3i is almost 200-300dolars cheaper.Should i get t3i ?

Canon Rebel T2i vs Canon Rebel T3i

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T3i

galleries

competitors

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Canon EOS Rebel T6

Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3i Competitors

Canon Rebel T5i

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Canon EOS Rebel T6

discussion

Showing 25 comments

	Video autofocus
	Slightly longer battery life
	Much lower resolution screen

	Slightly longer battery life
	Lighter
	Significantly lower resolution screen

	Longer battery life
	Slightly less startup delay
	Lower resolution movies

	Slightly longer battery life
	Smaller
	Significantly lower resolution screen

	Has in-camera HDR
	Video autofocus
	Worse color depth