Nikon & Canon & software question: I have used a Canon P&S A720 for 5 yrs. Got a deal on a Nikon D3000 and love it. The attached was taken with D3000 and 55-200 lens. Now I have an...

DianeL Loc: Charlotte, NC

I have used a Canon P&S A720 for 5 yrs. Got a deal on a Nikon D3000 and love it. The attached was taken with D3000 and 55-200 lens. Now I have an opportunity to purchase a Rebel T3i with 18-55 and 300 zoom. (Hardly used)
The question: Is the T3i outdated and can't compare w/the T5i?

2nd question: I have "ZoombrowserEX" from the P&S A720. The T3i is not compatible with this and requires I update to Ver 6.7. If I upload will all of my pics be lost or move into the new software?

Beasley smiling

(Download)

Nice happy walk with neighbor

(Download)

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The t3i is not outdated and competes well with the t5i. The t5i has basically the same sensor, body and almost the same feature set. The t5i does have advanced video features and additional in camera post processing, a touch screen and a few other nice to have features. Its a more advanced version of the t3i and may have somewhat better low light performance. Its likely that for 99% of the photos you take you may notice no difference at all. If you're not planning on using video a lot, the advanced video features would be wasted on you. The link below is to a site which compares the features of both cameras.

http://thedigitalcamera.net/canon-rebel-t3i-vs-t5i-comparison-whats-the-difference/

ZoombrowserEX can be safety updated. Your photos are not stored in the program, they are stored in a separate location on your hard drive . The program is merely a viewer and your photos which will stay where you put them.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I have the T3i and love it. There are folks posting super shots on UHH with the T2i, and many other "older" cameras that do great too :)

Re the software: photos do not reside in any editing program; they are on your computer's hard drive and are viewed/edited through zoombrowser and other post-processing programs.

You might want to back up your files, or at least your favorites, before doing the upgrade, just as a precaution against any computer malfunction.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Linda From Maine wrote:

I have the T3i and love it. There are folks posting super shots on UHH with the T2i, and many other "older" cameras that do great too :)

Re the software: photos do not reside in any editing program; they are on your computer's hard drive and are viewed/edited through zoombrowser and other post-processing programs.

You might want to back up your files, or at least your favorites, before doing the upgrade, just as a precaution against any computer malfunction.

Linda, I updated my post above while you were submitting yours. Our comments on ZoombrowserEX look almost like a clone of each other. I promise, I didn't plagiarize. :)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

DianeL wrote:

I have used a Canon P&S A720 for 5 yrs. Got a... (show quote)

Confirming others' responses. I have an A710 and a T3i. Software updates will not be a problem, go download the latest, your images will be safe. T5i/T4i have some video advantages and a few other little things, but T3i remains excellent value which is why it can still be purchased new (from Canon), although it now shows up as discontinued on Amazon. A very good camera for the price.

Unless you want to go crazy and buy a 7D Mk II, or do lots of video, the T3i would be an excellent purchase. Then focus on building up your stock of lenses. It may help for you to choose between Nikon and Canon at some point, 'cos the camera body will be a small part of your investment and you probably don't want two separate and incompatible sets of lenses and so on.

At least the expensive tripod you will probably end up buying will work with both Canon and Nikon!

:-D

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

You may want to bite the bullet and start working in Lightroom, it will support both cameras and is the gold standard. You can usually find it for around $125 or less or you can get it and Photoshop for $9.99 a month from Adobe. If you have mainstream software like this, it will be easier to get help, both at UHH and from Adobe as well as there are a million tutorials on the web. If you're on a budget, get Picasa from Google for free, it'll do basic edits and you can email and upload photos from it as well. Good luck.

DianeL Loc: Charlotte, NC

mwsilvers: Thanks for the info. I am going to purchase the T3i.
You guys can tell I am new with DSLR but have been hooked on photography for 15 yrs. I have watched many videos and am learning more everyday. Thanks to all for you responses.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

DianeL wrote:

mwsilvers: Thanks for the info. I am going to purchase the T3i.
You guys can tell I am new with DSLR but have been hooked on photography for 15 yrs. I have watched many videos and am learning more everyday. Thanks to all for you responses.

Good luck, you are getting a good camera. There are many goodies that you can wrap around it going forwards and many on this forum that give excellent advice. Sometimes even related to the questions that get asked!

There is much complexity to learn in this digital world, but the old truths still hold validity, they just sometimes manifest themselves in different ways.

And the pictures are the things that tell the stories...

Enjoy

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

DianeL wrote:

mwsilvers: Thanks for the info. I am going to purchase the T3i.
You guys can tell I am new with DSLR but have been hooked on photography for 15 yrs. I have watched many videos and am learning more everyday. Thanks to all for you responses.

It's a nice little camera. Enjoy it. Try to learn how to use it so you can get off full auto mode as soon as possible. It is really only then that a DSLR comes into its own.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

T3i very similar to T4i and T5i, not outdated in features, depending on your operating system and software updating you may encounter Canon Image Browser instead of Zoom browser, my Win 8 travel computer ended up with Image Browser instead of Zoom Browser, new "improved" software, still works though, Bob.

Jim Bob

You ain't never lied. That T2i is a mother. Outstanding for the price.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Jim Bob wrote:

You ain't never lied. That T2i is a mother. Outstanding for the price.

Did you mean t3i? in any case, even if it was a typo, you're correct. I also have a t2i and the results are virtually identical to all the Rebels that came after it. After all, why not? The t2i through the t5i all use the same 18mp sensor. They all use the same batteries and accessories. They all have the same size body and, except for the t2i, even have the same feel in hand. The t2i body is a bit less sculpted than the Rebel t3i to t5i. They all give excellent results at their price point.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

mwsilvers wrote:

Did you mean t3i? in any case, even if it was a typo, you're correct. I also have a t2i and the results are virtually identical to all the Rebels that came after it. After all, why not? The t2i through the t5i all use the same 18mp sensor. They all use the same batteries and accessories. They all have the same size body and, except for the t2i, even have the same feel in hand. The t2i body is a bit less sculpted than the Rebel t3i to t5i. They all give excellent results at their price point.

An accurate assessment in my opinion.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Peterff wrote:

An accurate assessment in my opinion.

If one just uses the basic features, shoots in any of the semi auto or manual modes, doesn't plan on doing any in camera post processing, is not planning extensive use of video, and doesn't care about a touch screen, the t2i and the t5i will work almost identically and give identical results except perhaps in some low light situations. I would never recommend upgrading from a Rebel to a Rebel, at least among the last 4 offerings. They are too similar in most respects. You would really have to want the specific new features of the t5i to make it worthwhile.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I think that is what I said you said, and agreed to.

Am I being redundant here?