TECH TIME REVIEW: Canon Rebel T3 offers an easy jump to high-quality DSLR photography
The Rebel T3 DSLR camera from Canon is a good basic step-up for amateurs looking to move beyond point-and-shoot cameras
Today’s point-and-shoot cameras have made big strides from clunky old models of the past, but at some point a lot of people want more options in their photo-taking.If you’re looking to shoot some higher-quality photos, and that point-and-shoot isn’t doing it for you anymore, that is the time when you will want to introduce yourself to a DSLR – also known as a digital SLR camera. I recently got to spend some time with the Canon EOS Rebel T3, an introductory DSLR aimed at people looking to make this leap, and I’ll let you know whether it’s worth checking out.LooksUnlike point-and-shoot cameras, a DSLR comes with a separate body and lens, which will come in handy later if you want to upgrade your camera. The body comes in at 5.1 inches wide, 3.9 inches high x 3.1 inches deep.Even with the lens, the weight is still very light and it won’t be a burden, whether it’s in your hand or hanging via strap around your neck. Also, the attached lens gives you something to hold, giving you a more comfortable hold position than point-and-shoots, and the lens provides you the opportunity to manually adjust the focus of the picture.Photo qualityThe biggest thing that separates a DSLR from point-and-shoots is that they have a larger sensor. this improvement will lead to a better overall image quality, something you’ll notice more often when shooting in low light.Another benefit of the larger sensor is the ability to reduce noise in photos.The Rebel T3 is Canon’s introductory DSLR model (costing about $600). As you progress in their line of cameras, the sensors will get larger and the photos more high-quality. The more expensive models (which start around $2,000 and are aimed more at professional photographers) feature “full-frame” sensors.for amateurs, a base model like the Rebel T3 will do just fine, though.Processor, megapixelsThe Rebel T3 features a DIGIC 4 Image Processor, which quickly captures and saves your images. The results are vibrant and high-quality photos that come in at 12.2 megapixels. this megapixel level allows for larger prints to be made of your shots.Adjustability, creativityThe key draw of a DSLR is that it offers more modes and more options as far as setting up your shots.Contrast in photos will be more advanced on DSLR photos, and the ability to manually adjust the lens is a huge plus. Also, you can choose between shooting JPG images, which the camera automatically adjusts for you, or RAW images, which allows you to do that work and have more control of the image. One feature I like on DSLR cameras is the ability to focus on one part of a photo, and blur out the rest of the image. this is fun to play around with, as you can choose what to highlight and create more artistic looking photos.There are lots of other options too, including the ability to add more depth-of-field. The list goes on, but suffice it to say that you can be a lot more creative with a DSLR than you can be with a point-and-shoot model.Interchangeable partsAnother bonus of DSLR is that down the road, your camera body can be attached to bigger lenses (Canon offers more than 70 varieties of lenses, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto). Also, you can keep the lens and attach it to different camera bodies. So if you get into photography via an introductory model like the Rebel T3, catch the photo bug and want to progress to bigger, fancier lens or more capable bodies, you’ll already have some of the parts you need. Accessorizing can also be done by adding different flashes. LCD vs. viewfinderThe Rebel T3 offers a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, with a 320×240 resolution. It also includes a viewfinder. Most professionals do look through the viewfinder when shooting, as it offers a better idea of what the final shot will include, but some people might prefer the LCD screen. One feature improved on this model is that the maximum brightness of the LCD monitor is about 30 percent greater than its predecessor. Controls, adjustabilityThere is a lot to learn in terms of controls on the Rebel T3, between the menus on the LCD screen and the physical buttons, but once you figure them all out, there is a lot to play with and you can have a lot of fun with trying new stuff. Aperture, white balance, ISO, focusing, depth of field, shutter speed and more can be adjusted, leaving endless opportunity for experimenting with your photos.you get a booklet and a disc with an instruction manual to help you in the transition to DSLR. It is a lot more involved than your point-and-shoot, so don’t expect to understand everything right out the gate, but that’s part of the attraction of these cameras – there’s always something else you can learn. and the LCD screen will offer you hints about what kind of settings are best in different scenarios.Of course, if you’re not in the mood to tinker, there are auto modes that will do some or all of the thinking for you. There are several preset modes on the Rebel T3, and my favorite mode was Sports mode, which allows for continuous shooting. this allows you to get a whole bunch of shots in a row, then you can go through all the images and pick the good ones and delete those you don’t like. It is great for shooting someone in motion, and takes away the pressure of having to get one single good shot. Instead, you have options. Other modes include Portrait mode, which looks for skin tones, and another mode is designed for nature shots.If you’re looking for a more classic look, black and white shooting is also an option. VideoThe Rebel T3 is capable of filming 720p HD video, and video I shoot did not disappoint. Video can then be played back on your HDTV. Higher-end models can shoot full-HD 1080p video, but will be higher in price.Other featuresThe Rebel T3 also includes a pop-up flash, a self-timer with either 10-second or 2-second delay, and the ability to protect your photos from accidentally being erased. BatteryBattery life was pretty impressive on the Rebel T3. you can take about 300 photos before it needs to be recharged. this will be enough for more amateurs, but if you’re in the mood for a serious photo binge, I would recommend getting a backup battery or too. StorageTo store your photos, you can use SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. I would recommend not going with a low number of Gigabytes on the card, as you’re likely to take a ton of photos with this kind of camera. I used a 16GB card and was never afraid I was going to fill it up, and the cards are pretty affordable these days.PriceThe Canon ESO Rebel T3 will cost $599.99 direct from Canon, though it can be found for closer to $500 if you look at amazon.com or other places online (this is inexpensive compared to what some other companies’ intro DSLRs can cost). a couple hundred bucks more ($799.99) will upgrade you to the T2i, which features full 1080p HD video. and the T3i offers an upgraded LCD screen, and runs ($899.99). THE BOTTOM LINEIf you’re an amateur looking to make the move to the next level in your photography, a DSLR like Canon’s Rebel T3 is a great option. true professionals will likely go with more advanced models, but for the person looking to step up from a point and shoot, the Rebel T3 is a great model to start with. You’ll have to pay more for the camera, but once you see what a DSLR can do, it will be hard to go back to your point-and-shoot and be happy with your options.you might be an aspiring photographer, or you might be someone who just wants to take a lot of creative photos of your family, friends, pets, etc. … either way, an introductory DSLR like Canon’s Rebel T3 is a good way to explore your photographic side in more depth that you could from a basic point-and-shoot.Matt Myftiu can be reached at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com or 248-745-4617. Follow him on Twitter @MattMyftiu or become a fan of the Facebook page “OPTechTime” to see the latest technology news and reviews. Also, check out his Tech Time blog at realtechtime.blogspot.com.On the WebFor more information on the Rebel T3, visit usa.canon.com.
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