15 “Graduation Gifts” from the Canon EOS Rebel T3 DSLR Camera

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canon_rebel_t3 image 1. Photographers ready to advance from a compact, or point-and-shoot, camera to their first DSLR will be happy with all the graduation gifts from the Canon EOS Rebel T3. It’s an affordable entry-level DSLR with just enough features and capabilities to guide the beginner to the next level of digital photography performance. Canon T3i offers better features than this camera especially in terms of resolution.

Read real customer reviews of the EOS Rebel T3 DSLR here.

2. Photographers with little experience shooting a DSLR-and-lens combination handheld will immediately appreciate the image stabilization (IS) system built into the 18–55mm IS II zoom lens. Sharp and clear pictures are possible even under low-light conditions or at the extreme focal length of the lens. The IS system also helps the photographer capture action on video with little blurring.

3. The Canon EOS Rebel T3 is comfortable to hold and fits securely in the hand with the rubberized grip. Canon also made the buttons and dials of the exterior controls large and easily accessible, so photographers new to a DSLR will learn their locations and purposes quickly.

4. The shooting mode dial controls most camera functions with its 14 different optional settings. Program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes for creativity; various subject-optimized shooting functions; and full auto and “creative” auto are selected from this single, large dial.

5. Press the Q button on the back plate to switch from the standard default setting to vivid, soft, intense, warm, cool, brighter, darker or monochrome.

6. The Rebel T3’s 12.2-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor produces excellent resolution for entry-level DSLR photographers, as they learn to expand their photography skills and experience.

7. Many compact camera users at this graduation ceremony will be familiar with optical viewfinders at the rear of a camera. The 2.7-inch, 230,000 dot viewfinder on the Rebel T3, however, is a step above average for an introductory DSLR. Not only is it big and sharp, and provides 95% coverage, but also it shares the same 63-zone metering system that can be found on Canon’s semi-pro DSLR, the EOS 7D.

8. Speed is certainly one of the gifts of a first-time DSLR; and the Rebel T3 reaches full power in just more than a second and is ready to shoot in another second. Memory is able to capture a full-resolution JPEG in approximately two seconds, an uncompressed RAW file in three.

9. Beginner photographers with their first DSLR want to shoot pictures without interruption. The rechargeable lithium-ion LP-E10 battery in the Rebel T3 has enough power at full charge to take 700 pictures. This is a major competitive advantage of this Canon camera.

10. The Canon EOS Rebel T3 also gives DSLR newcomers video capabilities that make it easy to improve their moviemaking skills too. The 720p video records at either 30 or 25 frames per second with a maximum clip length of 17 minutes, but that should be more than adequate for most photographers who purchase and use this camera.

11. Operating the movie mode in the Rebel T3 is quite simple and automatic. The mode is selected on the main shooting dial; and the LCD presents a Live View screen, which is shown in a 16:9 aspect ratio for movie recording.

12. Various functions control some aspects of video shooting before the record button is pushed. These include the option to compensate for exposure, and lock it into position; pre-selecting a picture style; and pre-focusing with a half press of the shutter release. Several auto-focus options are also available, including live mode, face detection live mode or quick mode.

13. The Rebel T3 connects to a flat-panel TV, with an option cable, via the camera’s HDMI port.

14. One of the greatest gifts of graduating from a compact to a Canon EOS Rebel T3 is entry into the Canon “club,” putting beginner photographers in an excellent position to graduate in the future to a more advanced Canon DSLR.

15. B&H Photo Video has a special offer on the Canon EOS Rebel T3 through January 7, 2012. Save $50.00 off the regular price of $499.99 for the camera and 18–55mm IS II zoom lens kit. Now only $449.99. Visit

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753766-REG/Canon_5757B002_EOS_Rebel_T3_Digital.html.

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