T3i vs T4i which to get and why?

My son and I are going out camera shopping today. He wants to get his first DSLR. He know's he wants a new Canon, and is interested in either the T3i, or the T4i. I don't know very much about either. He has a 6 month old son, so he will be taking portraits (indoor/outdoor) and eventually (several years down the road) youth sports, as well as the usual family vacation shots. My thought is that because of the price difference (approx. $500) between the T3i and T4i, he would be better off getting the T3i with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS kit Lens and upgrading camera bodies in a few years when his photographic interests are better defined, but in the short term investing the money savings in good glass, The T3i/T4i only comes with the onboard flash, what flash would go good with either camera? Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. -rick

Touch screen, auto focus in video mode, cross type AF points and higher ISO control. Is what the T4i offers over the T3i in terms of features that I know of. Bestbuy will price match BHphoto's T4i for $650 vs 5 something for the t3i. Price are close and the features are more cooler on the T4i. BUT, if he's upgrading later on I would just grab a T3i or T2i (used) instead. As for flash grab a 430ex II. Learn how to play with bounce flash and different position of the flash head.

I think your instincts are spot on to go with the t3i if those are your options. There is enough of a learning curve to photography in general that even older generation Rebels will offer enough to someone who is totally new to the craft. I don't find the argument that if you can afford the latest technology, then go for it to sit very well with me. There are lots of people who purchase their camera years ago and still haven't learned how to take it off of automatic, so it's hard to justify why they paid the price sticker on it in the first place.

Go with a T3i and with the savings get a 430EX original version... not II. If you get a 430EX used, take that savings and also pick up something like Sigma 30/1.4... or if not much left over after buying a bag, memory or maybe tripod, then get a Canon 50/1.8.

I've been borrowing a friends 30D for these past couple weeks until I take the plunge myself. I was very on the fence between the two as well. I spent some good hands on time with the T4i w/ 135mm STM lens in store. After experiencing just how well, and speedily, it was focusing, as well as just going through the motions, I will be making it my first DSLR.

The B&H deal for this kit, with an included 16gb UHS-1 SD card for $865 really does feel like a steal to me, I don't see a $500 desparity between the two models personally, especially if getting the same lens for either. More like $50-$100 depending on the lens chosen.

With the closing of the price gap between the two I'd go with the T4i, and then use it for several years and invest in glass over the upcoming years instead of budgeting to replace it so soon. Either body will go a long way for a learner, but to save $100 or $150 now to spend it all again plus the purchase price of the T3i may not pay off in the end (speaking as one you bought the T1i when the T2i was already well established).

I'm not seeing such great deals at B&H and Adorama, but Costco has a good deal on them. $879 for the T3i w/EF-S18-55, EF-F 55-250 , camera bag and 8gb sdhc card. $899 for same bundle in the T4i. Thanks for the well thought out and articulated opinions. -Rick

If you want to get a camera TODAY, Costco is one of the better prices right now on the T4i.

HOWEVER, please be aware that the T4i kit with the 18-55 and 55-250 was ~$700 from Amazon and Adorama just a couple weeks ago (same kit at Costco right now is $200 more). That price will return but probably after Christmas. This close to Christmas is a bad time to buy almost anything. In all honestly it's kind of bad to make impulse purchases like this because deal prices are so much better than normal prices if you have time to wait for the next sale.

For a first DSLR, I'd get a T3i. For what he is intending to use it for, the T3i will be plenty.

BrickR wrote in post #15390572
For a first DSLR, I'd get a T3i. For what he is intending to use it for, the T3i will be plenty.

For beginners, my rule of thumb is to recommend starting slow and cheap. If and when he is better at photography and ready for an upgrade, he will then be able to more accurately judge where to spend most wisely.

alazgr8 wrote in post #15390084
I'm not seeing such great deals at B&H and Adorama, but Costco has a good deal on them. $879 for the T3i w/EF-S18-55, EF-F 55-250 , camera bag and 8gb sdhc card. $899 for same bundle in the T4i. Thanks for the well thought out and articulated opinions. -Rick

To "SEE" the great deals at B&H or Adorama, you have to add the item to your 'cart' and THEN you see the amazing prices. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&InitialSearch=​yes&sts=ta

Get the T4i. It has a much better auto-focus system: 9 all cross-type AF points vs. one, plus new Hybrid CMOS AF system which really helps when shooting video. Also the T4i is the ONLY DSLR on the market with the Touch Screen Control System. My son just bought a T4i from B&H and I am really impressed with the touch screen and how it improves camera handling and control! Another bonus with the T4i is the faster frame rate during a burst: 5 FPS vs. 3.7 FPS. Doesn't sound like much but it is a MAJOR difference. The T4i comes with the newer Digic 5 processor which supports cool new features like in-camera High Dynamic Range photo capability. The T4i also supports a higher 12,800 native ISO compared to only 6,400 on the T3i.

The T4i is a MUCH better camera!

The lastest camera will usually offer better features with it. Being that it's going to be his/her first camera there's a lot of learning to do before you can even use other features on the camera. Just a Rebel XTi, XSi, T1i and T2i will work just fine. I recommend picking up something used to save money unless he/she is planning to keep for a while.

I wouldn't waste my money on a 18-55 / 55-250 kit package. Those lens aren't horrible in my opinion. If your going to pick up a rebel make sure you get the one with the 18-135mm lens. The image coming out of that lens is much more nicer.

I could go down both paths;;;
General picture taking- in well lit situations- both will be similar.
Indoors- natural light or limited inside light-- the t4i has a slight advantage... Later models tend to have slight improvements in designs and features- compared to its predecessor.. However, one of the biggest improvements in the t4i is its AF system- much bigger than typical changes..

Features: The t3i feature set - never used one-- but the t4i has other avenues that might prove interesting to newbies- like in camera HDR.. Sure- most of the stuff can be tried with software on a computer- but doing it in camera- more likely to be tried..

Several years down the road--- I would not worry about that...

Just because the AF system is notably better on the t4i over the t3i- I'd opt for the t4i- if I could afford it... If not- take the t3i and be happy.. For an external flash- a 430 EX II starting out.. 580 EX II is nice- but expensive..

I would rather put him in limitation, that way he can be creative,
EOS 1100D is good enough, I have 2 of it and it's a good camera for it's purpose,
give him 18-55mm and let him think about getting closer to the subject

Yogi Bear wrote in post #15391022
To "SEE" the great deals at B&H or Adorama, you have to add the item to your 'cart' and THEN you see the amazing prices. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&InitialSearch=​yes&sts=ta

Get the T4i. It has a much better auto-focus system: 9 all cross-type AF points vs. one, plus new Hybrid CMOS AF system which really helps when shooting video. Also the T4i is the ONLY DSLR on the market with the Touch Screen Control System. My son just bought a T4i from B&H and I am really impressed with the touch screen and how it improves camera handling and control! Another bonus with the T4i is the faster frame rate during a burst: 5 FPS vs. 3.7 FPS. Doesn't sound like much but it is a MAJOR difference. The T4i comes with the newer Digic 5 processor which supports cool new features like in-camera High Dynamic Range photo capability. The T4i also supports a higher 12,800 native ISO compared to only 6,400 on the T3i.

The T4i is a MUCH better camera!

wait, T4i is EOS 1100D, right ?
did u mean EOS 650D

Try the Nikon D5100 with kit lens. It'll blow away either of those models (T4i or T3i);

Check this out: http://snapsort.com …-Rebel-T4i-vs-Nikon-D5100

Not only is the D5100 the winner in the matchup, but it's almost half the price of the T4i.


I've been using Canon stuff for four years, then bought a Nikon D7000. Man, it's the bomb.