Canon 600D (T3i) vs 60D / 1100D / 550D - Specs Comparison Review

The end for the rumors and predictions! - We waited for it. We want it, and now it's here, the Canon EOS 600D (Canon Rebel T3i / Kiss X5). Today, 7 February 2011, Canon has announced the 550D (T2i / Kiss X4) replacement along with the Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T3). You are probably wondering what kind of camera the 600D is, after all, Canon has already revealed the 60D, which some people saw it more like the 550D replacement. I am wondering if the 600D is a worthy upgrade to the 550D, which already got great positive reviews over the web. In this specs review, I want to go over the T3i/600D features and compare the 600D vs 550D vs 1100D and 60D. Let's see what Canon has been planing for us this time!

Overview

The Canon Rebel T3i / 600D / Kiss 5x is Canon's latest entry-level digital SLR camera. This camera began its evolution when the Rebel 300D was announced in August 2003. Back then, it was the first digital SLR camera to cross the $1000 barrier and priced $899. Since then the camera improved a lot and became one of Canon's most popular camera known to date.

Canon EOS Rebel T3i (Image Credit: Canon)

There are great expectations from this new camera. Canon equipped the EOS 600D with a 18-megapixel ASP-C CMOS sensor, 14-bit DIGIC 4 image processor, 1080p Full HD video recording, 3.7 fps shooting burst, 1,040k-dot 3-inch articulating screen and Built-in wireless flash control. Along side the T3i announcement, Canon has released the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II as the KIT lens. This is an update version of the 18-55mm IS MKI model.

Personally I think that Canon really did a good job releasing the 60D, but I am very interested to know what are the real differences between those two cameras. On paper, they look very alike. Let's go through the main specs of the 600D (Rebel T3i) and see what makes this new camera a great successor for the T2i (or not).

Let's continue with a Canon EOS 600D and EOS 1100D product walkthrough made by Canon Europe:

Excited? - Me too!, Let's continue..

600D Camera Body (Exterior)

Some photographers (including me) expected a redesigned camera body. In fact, the Canon 600D looks almost identical to the camera it replaces, the 550D (T2i). When you look at the front, you can see that the camera is a bit larger (133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7 mm) than the 550D (128.8 x 97.3 x 62 mm). So according to the specs, the T3i is 2.3mm wider, 2.2mm wider and 17.7mm larger in depth (probably due to its swiveling LCD). In terms of ergonomics, it would feel the same as the T2i. The 600D is also ~40g heavier than the 550D.

When you look at the backside, you can see that the buttons are arranged almost the same, just a minor placement change due to the swivel-tilt LCD switch on the right side. Talking about the LCD, Canon has equipped the EOS 600D with a Vari angle 3-inch (7.7cm) 3:2 Clear View TFT display with 1040k dot resolution. This is most probably the same LCD screen used on the 60D. The LCD has 170° Horizontal and Vertical viewing angles and has Anti-reflection and anti smudge coating. I am sure that videographers will be happy to see that Canon has decided to use that type of screen on this entry-level DSLR too.

Here is a 600D hands-on review by David Parry from Canon UK:

From personal experience with the 60D, I must say that the LCD is very useful for shooting in awkward shooting angles, both in stills and videos. Its built quality is very good and it has a tacky and sturdy feeling to it when tilting and swiveling it. The LCD image quality is also excellent. I really enjoyed viewing image and videos on the 60D and I am sure that you'll get the same experience with the 600D as well.

TIP: Even though this is a swivel screen and you can collapse and close it with the viewable part towards the camera, I recommend getting a protecting cover for it. I bought an InvisibleShield 3.5" screen protector which perfectly fits this screen. Yes, 3.5-inch, not the 3.0. I didn't want the 3.5-inch, but that what they have at the store. After buying it and putting it on, I've realized that this is the perfect size for it (apparently). I didn't try the 3-inch one, but the 3.5-inch does fits this LCD. Just note that this is not a recommendation, just this is what worked for me. Ask your dealer about a screen protector for the 600D.
The camera body has USB 2.0, Video Out, remote control, mini HDMI and 3.5mm stereo connectors. The 600D works on SD/ SDHC / SDXC memory cards (no dual slot) and support the BG-E8 grip.

Does the 60D battery grip works with the 600D? - According to the specs, No. The 600D supports the BG-E8 grip, while the 60D supports the BG-E9 grip (BTW: excellent grip, very comfortable).

The camera itself weights 570g including battery and memory card. Overall, the 600D looks almost identical as the 550D, but with minor changes in size, weight, button placement and button size.

Canon 550D (T2i) vs. 600D (T3i) vs. 1100D  - Specs Comparison Table

Before I jump right into other related changes, here is a comparison table, which compares the
550D / T2i / Kiss X4 vs the 600D / T3i / Kiss X4 vs. 1100D. I've added the 1100D/T3 to the comparison because I know that some of you will probably decide between the two.

feature	Canon 600D	Canon 550D	Canon 1100D
Sensor	22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS	22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS	22.2 x 14.7mm CMOS
Effective Pixels	18.0 megapixels	18.0 megapixels	12.2 megapixels
Image processor	9 AF points (f/5.6 cross type at center , extra sensitivity at f/2.8)	9 AF points (f/5.6 cross type at center , extra sensitivity at f/2.8)	9 AF points (f/5.6 cross type at centre)
Predictive AF	up to 8m	up to 10m	up to 8m
Metering	63-zone SPC	63-zone SPC	63-zone SPC
ISO Sensitivity range	100-6400 (expandable to 12800/H)	100-6400 (expandable to 12800/H)	100-6400
Shutter speed	30sec- 1/4000sec + bulb	30sec- 1/4000sec + bulb	30sec- 1/4000sec + bulb
Viewfinder	Pentamirror 95% coverage 0.85x magnification	Pentamirror 95% coverage 0.87x magnification	Pentamirror 95% coverage 0.80x magnification
LCD	Vari angle 3-inch Clear View TFT 1040k-dots (articulating) 170° H/V Viewing angle	3-inch Clear View TFT 1040k-dots 160° H/V Viewing angle	2.7-inch 230k-dots 170° H/V Viewing angle
Flash Guide number	13 (Recycle time: 3sec)	13 (Recycle time: 3sec)	9.2 (Recycle time: 2sec)
Continuous shooting	approx. 3.7fps (34 JPEG images, 6 images RAW)	approx. 3.7fps (34 JPEG images, 6 images RAW)	approx. 3fps
Live View Mode Coverage	Approx. 99% (H/V)	Approx. 100% (H/V)	Approx. 100% (H/V)
EXIF Compliant	2.30	2.21	2.30
Maximum HD resolution	1920x1080p / 29.97, 25, 23.976 fps (Max. video length 29m 59sec - Max. file size 4GB)	1920x1080p / 29.97, 25, 23.976 fps (Max. video length 29m 59sec - Max. file size 4GB)	1280x720p / 29.97, 25 fps (Max. video length 17min - Max. file size 4GB)
EOS Scene Detection Technology	Yes	No	No
Scene Intelligent Auto	Yes	No	No
Creative filters	Yes (Fish-eye, Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Toy camera, Miniature effects	No	No
Battery	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E8	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E8	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E10
Dimensions	133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7 mm	128.8 x 97.3 x 62 mm	129.9 x 99.7 x 77.9 mm
Weight (body only)	570g	530g	495g
Availability	March 2011	Already in stores	March 2011

Ad you can see from the comparison table above, the differences between the 600D and the 550D are not overwhelming. The 600D enjoys an articulating screen, Scene detection technology, Creative filters, Basic+ mode and integral guide for beginners. It seems the Canon has made changes like like those found on the Nikon D3100 way (I didn't say Canon copied it), offering more controls for beginners to DSLR photography. The 600D also features a built-in wireless flash control, which is a very welcomed feature. For some people, the articulating screen alone will probably worth the upgrade from the 550D, especially if you love shooting HD videos.

When you compare the 60D vs 600D, the main advantages in favor of the Canon 60D are:

• Faster shutter speed (1/8000)
• More viewfinder coverage (.96%) and higher magnification (0.95x)
• Faster X-Sync speed (1/250sec)
• In-camera RAW editing
• Faster shooting burst rate (5.3fps)
• LCD coverage (100%)
• Electronic level via LCD
• More custom functions
• Better battery life (approx. 1000 shots)

In my next comparison articles, I will compare the Canon 600D vs Nikon D3100, Nikon's latest entry level DSLR camera.

Canon 600D Sample Video

Usually I am waiting for amateur videos, not the ones which were produced by professionals. Even so, here is an HD test movie that demonstrated the video quality - Watch and Enjoy!

I really liked it!! - Haven't you?

Canon is well known for its gorgeous natural color rendering and this sample video is just a proof for that. I don't know if Canon has improved anything from the 550D (T2i), but I really don't care - Amazing video quality hands-down!

Canon 60D Sample Images

Luckily dpreview had the pre-production model of the Canon EOS 600D, so you can get a glimpse on the image quality before tons of sample photos will be published to the web. Check them here.

Note: according to dpreview, these are sample images taken with a pre-production 600D.

First observation: Image quality is Excellent! - very high detailed images, very good color rendering. It seems like the light metering works very well on the 600D. In one image you can see a bit of blown highlights, but I don't want to come to a conclusion from two reasons: I don't have the camera myself and because this was made with a pre-production model. All in all, it looks very promising. We still need to wait until dpreview reviews the Canon 60D.

Final Words

The Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i) looks like a very promising entry-level DSLR camera. It seems that if you don't need the advanced features found on the 60D, you can get a camera that can get you excellent results at a lower price (ERP. $899.99 for the Rebel T3i 18-55mm IS KIT). I had the 60D, so I expect the 600D to deliver the same IQ characteristics as the 60D for a lower price. Canon has also released the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS II lens, which is the same lens as  the older model, but with exterior modifications.

Furthermore, The 600D features the Basic+ technology will allow photographers to make customizations to the basic Auto camera settings according to the lighting conditions. The A+ is an automatic mode that that according to Canon, it rebrands the the previous mode dial. The idea behind that A+ mode is to allow beginners to take perfect shots which are targeted for various shooting footage, while the camera does all the works behind the scene.

Note: along side the 600D launch, Canon has also released two new Speedlite flashes: 320EX and 270EX II, which joins the Canon Speedlite 580EX II and 430EX II flashes. The 320EX is a unique flash, which features a light dedicated for video shooting. So if you are into video photography, check this brand new Speedlite flash out.

According to Canon's website, the 600D scheduled release date is March 2011.

For more information, check out the press release at usa.canon.com and the official Rebel T3i (600D) product page.

If you find other key differences that I've might missed, please comment below. This post will be updated as new information becomes available (Including links to new sample videos, reviews and images).