However, Canon and the other manufacturers don't expect their customers to buy their latest models (although that would be one of their evil desires :-P), because if they did, a lot of people will be broke in many countries and that will ruin the world's economy. Instead, it's much better to think that they are targeting the new users which would broaden the demographics of dSLR users. So, are Canon's newest cannons a worthy upgrade? Or is it just more of the same stuff re-hashed from the previous year?
Let's first look at the T3i. This is effectively going to be the successor of the popular Canon T2i that went before it. At it's core, the T3i is basically a T2i in a slightly new body, a name that's been numerically increased, and with a few new features to make it worthy of the word "successor." The main upgrade is the 1-million dot tilt-and-swivel LCD screen making it a pleasure for shooting videos (in HD of course). There are also some addition to the software like fisheye and toy-camera filters that can be applied in-camera to the pictures.
The next Rebel is the T3. This is a "watered-down" version of the T3i. However, the T3 is better compared with a Canon Rebel released a little over 2 years ago, the Canon Rebel XS. The T3 then is a "successor" of the XS model featuring a higher resolution sensor at 12 megapixels, an expanded ISO range (now from 100 to 6400), an increased number of AF points (there's now 9 of them), a slightly larger LCD screen (although it's not swivelly or tilty like in the T3i and it still is only a 230,000 dot display), and hallelujah HD video recording up to 720p.
So is the T3 and T3i worth the purchase? If you're new to the world of DSLR photography, yes absolutely. Either model will be a great way to kickstart your journey in photography be it as a hobby or as a prospective profession. If you already own a Rebel, why are you even reading this? Shouldn't you be honing your photography skills or at least setting your eye on a camera like the 60D or the 5D MkII?
** Canon T3i image: from gadgetell.com
** Canon T3 image: from gadgetell.com