Canon EOS Rebel T3I DSLR Camera Body {18MP}

Canon's proven entry-level DSLR with a flip-out screen and Full HD video.

The T3i arrived in 2011 as the Rebel line's first fully articulating LCD, a 3-inch vari-angle screen at 1,040,000 dots, and that screen alone changed how beginner-to-intermediate photographers approached composition. Low-angle shots of kids, overhead crowd frames, or live-view video work all become practical instead of awkward. Paired with a 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4 processor, the camera resolves enough detail for large prints and handles ISO 100-6400 with a built-in pop-up flash as backup.

For video, the T3i shoots Full HD 1920x1080 at selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p, or 30p, with a sensor-crop Movie Digital Zoom that delivers 3x to 10x magnification without downsampling the Full HD signal. That's a legitimate tool for stage recitals or wildlife clips where you've run out of focal length. Burst shooting runs at 3.7 fps with a 9-point AF system doing the focusing work. The EF mount means access to decades of Canon glass, from fast primes to long telephoto zooms, and adapts to Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Fuji X, and L-mount systems with third-party adapters. At this point in its life, the T3i is a well-sorted, well-understood camera, exactly what makes it a confident buy.

Who It's For

Parents documenting family events get a lot of mileage from the vari-angle screen and Video Snapshot mode, which automatically assembles two-, four-, or eight-second clips into a single album file. Film students working with a tight budget will appreciate the 24p Full HD output and the shallow depth-of-field characteristics of the APS-C sensor. New photographers learning manual exposure will find the on-camera Feature Guide and scene-based ambience controls reduce the learning curve without hiding the underlying settings. Canon shooters with an existing EF or EF-S glass collection can drop the T3i in as a dedicated backup or second body without changing any of their lenses.

Key Features

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 processor
• Vari-angle 3-inch LCD screen with 1,040,000 dots
• Full HD 1920x1080 video at 24p, 25p, or 30p
• Movie Digital Zoom 3x to 10x magnification without quality loss
• 9-point autofocus system with live-view contrast AF
• 3.7 fps burst shooting, ISO 100-6400
• Canon EF mount with integrated Speedlite transmitter

FAQ

What makes the T3i's flip-out screen worth buying over a fixed LCD?

The vari-angle 3-inch screen at 1,040,000 dots lets you compose from angles a fixed screen can't reach - low-angle shots of kids, overhead crowd frames, stage performances. For video work, it's practical instead of awkward.

Can I use the Movie Digital Zoom without losing video quality?

Yes. It crops directly from the sensor at Full HD resolution rather than interpolating, so you get 3x to 10x magnification while preserving sharpness. It's useful when your lens doesn't reach far enough - wildlife or stage recitals especially.

What video frame rates does it shoot?

Full HD at 1920x1080 in 24p, 25p, or 30p. You also get HD and standard definition options at the same frame rates.

How many autofocus points does the T3i have?

Nine AF points in the viewfinder, plus live-view contrast-based AF for composing on the flip-out screen.

Is the EF mount worth the investment if I'm just starting?

Absolutely. You get access to decades of Canon glass, primes to telephoto zooms, and even third-party adapters let you use Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L-mount lenses.

Can I apply filters in-camera without altering the original file?

Yes. The T3i applies Creative Filters (Soft Focus, Grainy Black and White, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect) to create a separate JPEG copy while keeping the original file intact.

What's the burst rate and buffer capacity?

3.7 frames per second, up to 34 consecutive JPEGs or 11 RAW files at full resolution.