Canon T3i vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

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Canon T3i vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T3i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T3i.

APS-C 369.0mm²
14.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Sigma SD1 Merrill Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD1 Merrill.

Succeeded by the Canon T4i
Compare T3i vs T4i
Compare Canon T4i vs Sigma SD1 Merrill

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$600 vs $2299 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 4.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1040k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 14.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Canon T3i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.00 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
Wider angle kit lens
26 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
4.1 fps vs 3.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read T3i User Reviews

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Kit with 18-200mm lens

Kit with 18-200mm lens
Body Only
Kit with 17-50mm lens

All SD1 Merrill Deals

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.
Read our Canon T3i Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sigma SD1 Merrill.
Read our Sigma SD1 Merrill Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D300S

Canon T3i

Nikon D300S

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoots 1080p video

$1697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Nikon D300S

$8492
APS-C

More pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

$1697
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i

Nikon D7000

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D7000

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Nikon D7000

$8492
APS-C

Doesn't require an AA filter

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D7000

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

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Pentax K-5

$8492
APS-C

Doesn't require an AA filter

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i

Canon T4i

$549
APS-C

$690
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Canon T4i

$8492
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$690
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Canon T4i

Compared to Nikon D500

Canon T3i

Nikon D500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Internal flash

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill

Nikon D500

$8492
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D500

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