• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Nikon D780

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon D780 advantages over Canon T3i

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    5 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Nikon D780
Nikon D7000
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to 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
Nikon D780
Pentax K-5
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Nikon D780
Canon T4i
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon T3i
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Internal flash
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon T3i
Pentax K-1 II
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
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