Upgrade from XTi to T3/T3i?

I'm sure this has been covered (and if there is a good thread already, feel free to link and tell me what a terrible search-er I am) but I'm looking for advice.

I've been shooting with my XTi for probably 5ish years now. It's got (I believe) about 12k shutter movements through it. I've been looking at upgrading, and am trying to decide between the T3 and T3i (leaning towards the latter). I've had this camera for years, and love it, but am wondering if I'm really missing something with a camera that's newer and "better". I like to think that my photography skills have really improved in the last few years, if for no reason other than learning my way around all of the settings... I've got a pretty good grasp on everything my camera has to offer, and haven't had my Rebel out of manual mode for years now.

One of the features I'd really like is a greater ISO range. I like the screen on the i, but it's not in and of itself worth the extra $$. Video capability isn't really important. I've heard that 18 megapixels vs 12.2 megapixels isn't necessarily a big deal, but I often give large(er) prints of photos I've taken as gifts for birthdays/holidays etc, and feel the higher mp rating would at least give me peace of mind knowing that if the photo DOES end up as a large print, it's not the camera's fault, it's mine (isn't it always?).

Now, my other option is of course, upgrading my lenses. While there *are* (always) more lenses I'd like to add to my stable, lately I've been reluctant to drop $ on a new lens, and put it on my old EOS... I think I'd be more inclined to keep upgrading lenses as I see fit with a newer, "fresher" body to mount them to.

So a few questions...
1. Does the extra 6 megapixels make a *real* difference to a hobby shooter?
2. I've heard 10k shutter movements on a camera is typically at "the high end", although I've not found a good source as to why. Is this true?

Long winded for a few simple questions I suppose, maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into/out of the purchase... either way, I'd love some help deciding.

well i can say my t2i has 18,500 clicks... and still going strong... think my shutter is rated at 100k

t3i... ummm id personally save up.. if you waited 5 years.. save up some more and get something higher up the food chain... t5i? 7d? 70d? 1dm3?

then go for glass... also depends on what you shoot..

I know I dont like going over iso 1600 on my t2i for nights sports... @ f1.8 and 1/500 minimal....

so gotta depend on what your gear is lacking you now.....

I started with the XSi (which I believe shares the same sensor as your XTi) and then upgraded to the 60D which I believe uses same sensor as the T3i, along with the EOS-M and SL1 which I have currently.

I noticed about a 1.5 stop improvement in low-light, and general IQ just seemed better to me with the newer (although I guess some critics would laugh at this) APS-C Canon sensor.

I've said this many times. If I was starting all over again fresh today, I'd pick up a T3i and some good quality glass, cause that's frankly all I need.

The best value for your money is the 60D honestly, it's half the price of the 70D and has much better high ISO performance then you're XTI.
It is a superior camera to the T5i.
You could buy the body for about $550 US.
http://www.amazon.com …45591&sr=8-1&keywords=60D

Or a Canon refurb for $575
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …/eos-60d-body-refurbished
That is about half the price of the 70D

Heya,

I've shot with the Xti and it's a good enough body for most things. I definitely feel the difference using a newer body though. It's not that it's significantly higher quality, but rather, the features. The speed of the continuous shooting is faster, much faster on a newer body. The features of having a good Live View that shows the histogram live before even taking the image is a nice option to have. Higher ISO values and better ISO handling with newer sensors/DIGIC/etc, is very useful. 2 stops of ISO is a big deal in my book, because once you max out aperture and go as low as you can on shutter speed for the moment, all that's left is ISO, so every big counts there for me.

Personally if I were in your shoes, I would not upgrade to yet another prosumer body. I would take the leap into a more pro-oriented body, something that will go for more than 5 years and give you features that will matter. I would get something with better ISO handling, and higher ISO options. I would get something with the MFA feature for sure, which means, you can calibrate your own lens for focus (this is a big deal to me at least). Then simply figure out if you want another crop sensor, or if you want full frame sensor. For me, the only reason to go full frame is basically for the superior ISO handling. Otherwise, I actually like the crop sensor because I like getting the extra reach on my telephoto lenses, and I can get as wide as I want regardless of the sensor.

In your shoes, I'd be looking at:

Refurb 6D - Full Frame
New/Used 70D - Crop

Very best,