Canon Rebel T3i / EOS 600D announced and previewed

[Colin500]

I feel like the news-man today, probably because most of you are in the US, and still sleeping ;-)


The 600D was announced too, and it has 18 MP, nope nobody's disappointed...


http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020720canoneos600d.asp

[Colin500]

Aha, "...the EOS 600D sits at the top of Canon

[Colin500]

Anoterh aha, regarding manual focus the 600D is listed as having "Manual Focus: Selected on lens, default in Live View Mode"...

[MrGreenBug]

This is sweet news... and my 1000D has a big brother now... :)

[Sheiky]

Yup, some really interesting news. Now I

[neuroanatomist]

regarding manual focus the 600D is listed as having "Manual Focus: Selected on lens, default in Live View Mode"...


I was wondering where you saw this...I found the statement on Canon UK's specs. The statement implies that AF doesn't work in Live View, or works differently. According to the Canon USA specs, Live View AF is the same as previous cameras - Live AF (contrast detect), Face AF, and Quick AF (phase AF), with only the first two being available when shooting video. Actually, when I look back at the Canon UK specs for the 500D and 550D, they have that same statement, "Manual Focus: Selected on lens, default in Live View Mode," so I guess it's not an aha after all...


On another note, "automatic" is getting even more so...


"The Rebel T3i's automatic mode with new Scene Intelligent Auto technology, re-branding the green mode dial setting with a boxed "A+" design. This new camera setting now takes Picture Style into account as part of the camera's "Auto" setting. By analyzing faces, colors, brightness, movement, and contrast, the camera will dynamically adjust picture-style parameters to match the subject and control vividness. Previously, the automatic setting on a Rebel DSLR adjusted exposure, focus, white balance, and Auto Lighting Optimizer, however on the new Rebel T3i, Picture Style Auto is also taken into account as part of the new Scene Intelligent Auto technology. By incorporating this fifth parameter the camera more intelligently analyzes scenes and adjusts settings based on the subject matter being shot. So when the camera is photographing a face it will reproduce more natural skin tones or blue skies for more vivid landscapes, a flashy red car for more saturated color and evening sunsets for more expressive images."


Now, the camera now only determines the proper exposure, it even knows what you're shooting, and sets the picture style accordingly. Hmmmm...

[HDNitehawk]

Now, the camera now only determines the proper exposure, it even knows what you're shooting, and sets the picture style accordingly. Hmmmm...





Wouldn't that be what they call a "point and shoot"


Shoot, I can't even guess what exposure and picture style I need every time. Maybe I need one of these.

[Baker]

I don

[DavidEccleston]

The price difference between what I could sell my T1i for, and pick up a T3i for, would likely be similar to the price of a ST-E2 speedlite transmitter alone, but I'd get some extras as well:


Some extra resolution
A video mode with manual controls (The T1i is near useless for video since ISO, shutter, and aperture are all automatic.)
1080p at normal frame rates,
Cropped video mode, (good for videos of shy critters I suppose)
A larger burst buffer
Support for SDXC cards
The ability to control the new speedlite's video light function
A new screen
The new metering options
A new warranty


If I were looking for a flash transmitter, getting all this extra stuff, essentially free, would be nice. I'd say it's a reasonable upgrade from a T1i, and a decent upgrade from an XSi.

[Daniel Browning]

I'm glad it has the reticulating LCD, though I was hoping for higher resolution. Now I need to find out if it supports full manual video controls (I doubt it).

[neuroanatomist]

Now I need to find out if it supports full manual video controls (I doubt it).


Canon's specs state, "In addition to a number of different recording size and frame rate modes, the EOS Rebel T3i enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features and even allows for in-camera editing."


DPR also mentions ("http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos600d/page6.asp)"full manual control of shooting parameters" for video.


Not sure if that answers your question, though, as what defines 'full control' can vary...

[Daniel Browning]

Woo hoo! Thanks, Neuro.

[Jarhead5811]

Hmmm...what

[neuroanatomist]

Hmmm...what's the real difference between this and a 60D? Framerate? No top LCD? Is that it?






No, much more than that. Despite the fact that Canon 'took away' some key (IMO) features in the 60D relative to the 50D, the 60D is still a 'typical' xxD-series camera in most respects. That means a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror (brighter VF), better AF system (still 9 points, but all are cross-type on the 60D vs. only the center point on the 600D). The 60D has a full stop faster shutter (1/8000 s vs. 1/4000 s max), and the 60D also has much better battery life (almost 3 times as many shots on a full charge as the 600D).

[Jarhead5811]

Hmmm...the absence of micro focus adjustment kills the 60D for me. I guess I had best hold out for the 7D or, if I can get it past the wife, a 5D Mark II.


(I

[mukul_chou]

T3i samples are now put side by side with others @dpreview


dpreview.com/.../page7.asp ("http://dpreview.com/previews/canoneos600d/page7.asp)