Canon EOS Rebel T3 vs Canon EOS Rebel T2i

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Canon EOS Rebel T2i. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS Rebel T3 were released 2011 and Canon EOS Rebel T2i was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel T3 2011
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS Rebel T3 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a 12,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel T2i has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS Rebel T3 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a 47 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel T3. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel T3. Canon EOS Rebel T2i has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS Rebel T3 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel T3 100-6400
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel T3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS Rebel T3 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel T2i can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel T3 3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 3,7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Canon EOS Rebel T2i can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 3% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel T3 and its 495 gr (or 1.09 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel T3 495 gr
1.09 lb
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 510 gr
1.12 lb

Canon EOS Rebel T3 vs Canon EOS Rebel T2i Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel T3 and Canon EOS Rebel T2i, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Name Canon EOS Rebel T3 Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Release Year 2011 2010
Release Date 2011-02-07 2010-02-08
MSRP 499 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 12,2 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
ISO Range 100 - 6400 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Frames per second 3 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 9 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 700 shots N/A
Width 130 mm 129 mm
Height 100 mm 98 mm
Depth 78 mm 62 mm
Weight 495 gram 510 gram