Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Explore 23 sample photos taken by the Canon Rebel T3i and 4 sample photos taken by the Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Has a flip-out screen

Yes vs No

Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies

Cheaper

$499.00 vs $699.99

The best price we've seen is $201 cheaper (around 30% less)

Learn more about
the Canon T3i

Much less startup delay

400 ms vs 1500 ms

3.7x less delay when turning on

Much smaller

129x98x62 mm vs 133x99x79 mm

Around 30% smaller

Much thinner

2.4" vs 3.1"

More than 20% thinner

Less shutter lag

252 ms vs 283 ms

More than 10% less delay when taking photos

Slightly better image quality

66.0 vs 65.0

Almost the same

Slightly larger viewfinder

0.54x vs 0.53x

Almost the same

Lighter

530 g vs 570 g

Around 10% lighter

Learn more about
the Canon T2i

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon Rebel T3i 58

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56 Canon Rebel T2i

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Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths

	Many lenses available
	197 lenses

	Have external mic jacks
	Record higher quality audio with a microphone

Common Weaknesses

	Slow max shutter speed
	1/4000 of a second

	No video autofocus
	Manual focus only

	Poor boost ISO
	12,800 ISO

	Neither has in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

	Below average viewfinder coverage
	95%

	Slow continuous shooting
	3.7 fps

	Few cross-type focus points
	1

	No built-in GPS
	Missing geo-tagging

	Few shots per battery charge
	440 shots

	Few focus points
	9

	Capture low resolution images
	17.9 MP

	Poor maximum light sensitivity
	6,400 ISO

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

	Neither is weather sealed
	Need to shelter it from weather

	Poor dynamic range
	11.5 EV

	No touchscreens
	More buttons

Below average viewfinder size

T3i:	0.53x
T2i:	0.54x

Low image quality

T3i:	65.0
T2i:	66.0

	Poor color depth
	22.1 bits

Above average noise at high ISO

T3i:	793 ISO
T2i:	784 ISO

	Both shoot high resolution HD movies
	1080p @ 30fps

Image quality data for the Canon T3i provided by DxOMark
Image quality data for the Canon T2i provided by DxOMark

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T5i

Entry-level DSLR

$599 - $699 body only

$620 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Has a touch screen

Shoots faster continuously

Is thicker

Is much larger

Compare the Rebel T5i vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the Rebel T5i vs the Rebel T2i

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Entry-level DSLR

$399 - $400 with 18-55mm lens

Can focus continuously while recording movies

Focuses automatically while shootting video

Is thicker

Lacks a self cleaning sensor

Compare the EOS Rebel T5 vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the EOS Rebel T5 vs the Rebel T2i

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$302 - $557 body only

$379 - $447 with 18-55mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Is thicker

Is slightly larger

Compare the D3200 vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the D3200 vs the Rebel T2i

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $719 body only

$899 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens

Slightly larger viewfinder

Shoots faster continuously

Is slightly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$334 body only

$847 with 18-55mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Is thicker

Is significantly larger

Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T2i

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 body only

$499 - $647 with 18-55mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Has much better image quality

Is thicker

Is significantly larger

Compare the D5200 vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the D5200 vs the Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel SL1

Entry-level DSLR

$399 - $549 body only

$499 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Has a touch screen

Has in-camera HDR

Is thicker

Has slightly less color depth

Compare the Rebel SL1 vs the Rebel T3i

Compare the Rebel SL1 vs the Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T3i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon Rebel T3i.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS Rebel T2i.

Rebel T3i

Canon

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Rebel T2i

Canon

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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 T3i vs Canon Rebel T2i

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T3i

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

galleries

differences

Advantages of the Canon T3i

Advantages of the Canon T2i

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T5i

Canon EOS Rebel T5

Nikon D3200

Canon EOS 60D

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5200

Canon Rebel SL1

Canon Rebel T3i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 25 comments