Best New Digital Camera for the Money 2011 - 2012

This is where the Canon T3i comes in. Canon cameras have long been among the leaders in the photography world. The latest Canon DSLR models offer a vast array of features and quality that is second to none. The T3i is a relative new comer to the lineup and as the new EOS flagship offers great features for a great price.

Features

First up on the list of features is an 18 MP (megapixel) CMOS (APS-C) sensor with a DIGIC 4 image processor for outstanding image quality and blazing fast speeds. The APS-C size sensor creates a larger field of view, when compared to 35mm format, to capture all of your subject. The DIGIC 4 Image Processor allows for high speed operations and is at the heart of the T3i. With a 3.7 frames per second continuous shooting (6 consecutive RAW or 34 full res JPEG's) and shooting speeds of up to 1/4000 second you can be sure to capture even the fastest subjects with ease.

For shooting in almost any lighting condition, the T3i offers an ISO 100 to 6400 (expandable to 12800) range with improved noise reduction technology. This means that you can shoot indoors or out and in low or bright light and still capture amazing images.

Full HD Video

An added bonus with the latest DSLR cameras is the ability to shoot HD video in addition to capturing still images. The Canon EOS T3i features and improved EOS Full HD movie mode with manual exposure control for capturing full HD (1920 x 1080) movies. Movie will look crisp and clear with frame rates of 30, 24, and 25.0 fps. Video is saved as a quicktime .MOV file with up to 4GB per clip for easy editing and sharing. Movies can also be recorded in HD size (1280 x 720 at 50p/60p fps) and SD/VGA size (640 x 480 at 30p and 25p fps). The Movie Digital Zoom can be used to magnify the center of the image by 3 to 10x while maintaining image quality. The Video Snapshot feature is included as well allowing you to make short video clips (2, 4, or 8 seconds) and then combine them into one video "snapshot" or highlight segment. Video can easily be shared with the built in HDMI port and the Live View feature allows for in-camera editing of video.

The T3i makes it easy to capture images the way you intend with its' Vari-angle 3.0 inch clear view LCD monitor. The monitor, which normally sits on the back of the camera, can be tilted and swiveled, even with an additional battery grip attached, so that you can see exactly what you are going to be shooting. The 1,040,000-dot VGA screen with reflection reduction and a smudge resistant coating means that you can always see clearly. Those above the crowd shots are suddenly within reach.

Easy-to-Use Settings

Another strong point of the Cancon EOS T3i is the Automatic Scene Analysis feature. When the camera is set to Scene Intelligent Auto mode or Picture Style Auto mode, the EOS scene detection system goes to work for you. The EOS Scene Detection System unites Picture Style Auto, Automatic Lighting Optimizer, Automatic White Balance, Autofocus, and Automatic Exposure features. The camera automatically analyzes the image, taking into account faces, colors, brightness, movement, and contrast, and chooses the best enhancing features to give you the perfect image.

The EOS T3i also gives you five in-camera filters for creative imaging. You can choose from Soft Focus, Grainy Black and White, Miniture Effect, Toy Camera Effect, and Fish Eye Effect to produce pictures that look like you spent hours working with them in Photoshop.
Canon has shown it's commitment to its' customers once again by including and in-camera Feature Guide to help those who are just beginning understand the camera features. The Feature Guide displays a simple description or advice for the current camera function right on the LCD monitor. This seemingly simple feature can be a lifesaver or a good review any time you need it.

A Better and Smarter Flash

A flash, when taking a photograph, can be the difference between a great picture and one that is completely ruined. The EOS T3i takes this into account by utilizing a built in flash with an E-TTL II flash metering system to make sure that you get the right amount of light when and where you need it.. The flash system uses the same 35-zone metering sensor used for measuring the ambient light. The T3i is compatible with any Canon EX Speedlte external flash and has a flash sync speed of 1/200 second. The built in Speedlite transmitter gives you wireless control of EX-series Speedlite flashes set as slave units.

Rounding out the robust features of the EOS T3i are the 63-zone dual-layer sensor to compliment the 9-point Auto Focus system, flexible storage with SD/SDHC/SDXC and Eye Fi SD card compatibility, and compatibility with all EF and EF-S lenses.

DSLR's have indeed come a long way in the last few years. They are highly advanced pieces of technology that help us capture life's moments in ways that are meaningful to us. The Canon EOS T3i is a shining example of how technology and innovation combine to produce an amazing piece of equipment that wont break the bank. With the features you get and a price of $699.95 (Body only, Amazon.com) the Canon EOS T3i deserves the title of Best Digital SLR Camera for the Money.

For more of 2011's top rated digital SLR cameras see my picks below. Here you can also find some good entry-level DSLR cameras for beginners.