Canon T1i vs Canon T3i

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Canon T1i vs Canon T3i

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APS-C 332.3mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T1i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T1i.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T3i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T3i.

Succeeded by the Canon T2i
Compare T1i vs T2i

Succeeded by the Canon T4i
Compare T3i vs T4i

Compare CANON T2I vs CANON T4I

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Canon T3i

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon T3i advantages over Canon T1i

Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
T3i test data on DxO Mark T1i test data on DxO Mark

793 vs 663 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
18.0 vs 15.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon T1i Full Review

Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.
Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.
Read our Canon T3i Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i

Canon XSi

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Canon T3i

Canon XSi

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$649
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A350

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T3i

Sony DSLR-A350

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i

Pentax K2000

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Canon T3i

Pentax K2000

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T1i

Pentax K-5

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
Bigger JPEG buffer

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T1i

Canon T4i

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
Less shutter lag

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon T4i

Canon T3i

Canon T4i

$549
APS-C

$579
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

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