Canon T3i vs. 60D

NorBro

Major Contributor
I know this question has been asked before and I read some posts and watched some comparison videos...but are there any final thoughts out there about which is better for shooting videos?

They seem to be EXACTLY the same...
 
I'm on the fence right now and I'm going crazy..I used to shoot a lot, but I'm mostly editing in my career now..I had so many different cameras and now I'm to the point where I just want a DSLR...I don't know if the 5D/7D is worth it for the amount of shooting I'd be doing...so my next two choices are these two, but then I don't know if I can get that certain look out of the T3i or the 60D that the 5D has. ahhhhhh
 
Canon will say that the best extra $100 you can spend with them for a better product across all that they sell is the decision to go with the 60D over the T3i.
 
The 60D has better ergonomics and many features that make it better at stills (faster AF, etc).

But build quality and ergonomics aside, the 60D doesn't really offer anything for video that the t3i can't do, especially if you run Magic Lantern on the t3i. If you are on a tight budget, the extra cash you save can go towards a lens, which is honestly where it will make much more of a difference.

However, if you plan to record sound directly into the camera, the t3i has some known issues with noisy preamps (due to a new chip that is currently unique to this camera). The 60D + magic lantern allows much more accurate and less noisy audio control, complete with monitoring via headphones. But, for the ultimate in penny-pinching and most bang-for-you-buck, I still recommend the predecessor to the t3i, the t2i. You can pick them up dirt cheap now, has the same sized sensor as the t3i and 60D (and 7D), and the same audio chip as the 60D as well. Only thing you'd miss is the crop mode and the flip out screen.

But all this is covered already right here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...APS-C-Camera-models-(7D-vs-T2i-vs-60D-vs-T3i)
 
The T3i has the 3x crop/zoom that really works well with higher quality glass. For what I'm doing that was the sole reason for jumping into the dslr HD video game. It just brings a whole new relm to true HD images for wildlife work.

The 5Dmk2 still has that certain image / quality / look that is not quite acheived with either the T3i or the 60D. Full frame and the way Canon processes that full frame is pretty incredible. The APS-C cams are close, but lack that buttery smooth big look you get with a 5D.

I don't know why they sell the 60D to be honest. It's only redeming feature is the ergonomics. Even those are debatable after you've used the T3i for a few days IMHO. With Magic Lantern all those advantages go out the window instantly.

Cheers,
Pete
 
The T3i has the 3x crop/zoom that really works well with higher quality glass. For what I'm doing that was the sole reason for jumping into the dslr HD video game. It just brings a whole new relm to true HD images for wildlife work.

The 5Dmk2 still has that certain image / quality / look that is not quite acheived with either the T3i or the 60D. Full frame and the way Canon processes that full frame is pretty incredible. The APS-C cams are close, but lack that buttery smooth big look you get with a 5D.

I don't know why they sell the 60D to be honest. It's only redeming feature is the ergonomics. Even those are debatable after you've used the T3i for a few days IMHO. With Magic Lantern all those advantages go out the window instantly.

Cheers,
Pete

60D was the first that brought the Swivel Screen & Manual Audio. Hand Holding a t2i and 60d is a world of difference. The 60d also introduced the lock button on the top wheel which is something None of the cameras had either. The ONLY advantage the t3i has is the Zoom/Crop feature, but I would still trade that for a more professional quality build 60d camera.

Personally though the 5d has an image that to me looks the best, something about that Full Frame that looks amazing just like you said.
 
I went with the T3i solely for the 3x telecrop feature when the GH2 was impossible to find, I already have the 7D.
 
For me the 60D's best feature over the t3i/t2i is the top LCD. I couldn't live without it, just don't like fumbling within the menu.
 
I don't know why they sell the 60D to be honest.

Hmmm, perhaps what you meant was you don't know why they sell the 60D so close in rice to the t3i. The only reason they get compared so much is because the 60D is so cheap, so people think they are basically the same and that they can save $100 on useless features. In reality, that extra $100 get's you better handling, a much sturdier feeling body and buttons, bigger & longer lasting battery, more comfortable body, top LCD, rear control wheel, kelvin WB, and for stills, a bigger brighter viewfinder and faster fps.

I was quite happy with my 550D until I got my 60D. Now the 550D feels like a toy and I am seriously considering selling it and putting the cash towards a 2nd 60D.
 
As I ve stated in many threads about that comparison I prefer shooting with the 600D (I own both) and the reason is the ONE and ONLY feature that this camera has over the 60D...3x crop!
But that is just me and the style/type of work I do.
Being able to take a close up shot with just a couple of clicks in the menu, without having to move closer or change lenses, worth a lot more than 100$ to me...so If I had to choose I d take it over the 60D even if it was the more expensive!
 
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I'll have to admit the T2i is much flimsier than the T3i and 60D. The 60D and T3i are indestinguishable in their stiffness and build. The T3i is just smaller and almost 1/2 lb lighter. The controls and build of the T3i are much improved over the T2i. Same locations, but how they function and their feel is completely different and improved significantly. Once you add Magic Lantern it nearly matches the 60D feature for feature in controls. For video they are identical. My bias is for smaller and lighter as I use mine up in the mountains most often and the T3i suits that much better than the larger cams in the lineup.

Either way you'll get a great cam. Just seems crazy that Canon has such a goofy line up. The 7D is dead in the water to my way of thinking. T3i and 60D are so close it seems foolish. Canon could just simplify their lineup with a sharper ASP-C / digic 5 combo, 1080HD monitoring, 1080-60p, swivel screen and the 3x and we'd all be buyers :)

Cheers,
Pete
 
I know this question has been asked before and I read some posts and watched some comparison videos...but are there any final thoughts out there about which is better for shooting videos?
2.jpg


They seem to be EXACTLY the same...

get the 60d
 
Right now, the 60D body is $350.00 more than the T3i. $999 vs $649 at bhphoto and jandr. Not sure where everyone is getting that it's just a $100 difference. Perhaps it's due to the floods / lack of stock??
 
i recently got a T3i after making this comparison and trying both cams. Honestly the build quality feels pretty much the same, the only difference is that the 60 is about half and inch wider and taller and a bit heavier, but the actual construction quality feels the same

For the price difference i would choose the T3i again, install Magic Lantern and you have pretty much all the features you need and use those 100-300$ saved for glass or any other accessory.

This is my opinion from a video point of view, for stills it may have a slight advantage but again, not worth the price difference imo.
 
After really thinking about it, I'm going to go with the T3i.

Now.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the two different kit lenses they offer?

18-55 vs. 18-135?

Thanks so much.
 
Either kit lens will serve you well at first but you'll soon grow out of them so it's no big deal either way. Might as well go for the 18-135 for the extra telephoto.
 
The 18-135, aside from having a bigger range, also has better built quaity and a much better focus ring.
 
The longer lens will probably be more useful in the long run. You'll find the 18-55 has a slow and non-constant aperture, which is why you'll eventually want to replace it. But the IS comes in handy past 50mm.
 
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