Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D

The Canon EOS Rebel T3, also sold as the 1100D, is an entry-level DSLR from 2011 built around a 12.2 megapixel APS-C sensor and the Canon EF-S lens mount.

It suits someone learning photography who wants an optical viewfinder and interchangeable lenses rather than a fixed-lens compact. At 495 g and 130 x 100 x 78 mm it fits a small bag, so carrying it around is not a chore.

Owning it means accepting simple specifications, so expectations about speed and modern features should stay modest.

A 12.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor works with the Digic 4 processor. That resolution leaves little room for aggressive cropping, so framing at the moment of capture matters more than fixing things later.

Our optics score of 43 reflects a modest specification, and the camera sits in the bottom 12% of cameras in our database for Optics. Autofocus uses nine points, and the 3 fps maximum burst rate favours static or slow-moving subjects. Portraits, landscapes and still life are comfortable subjects.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so avoiding shake depends on your technique or a stabilised lens. The ISO range runs from 100 to 6400, and the 1/4000s maximum shutter speed can restrict wide apertures in bright light.

The EF-S mount is the strongest reason to choose this camera, because it opens a wide choice of Canon lenses. The body can grow with your interests even as your skills and needs change.

Video recording tops out at Standard HD resolution, and the maximum frame rate is 30 fps. Clips are saved in MOV, MPEG-4 and AV formats. That is enough for casual clips, family moments and simple web uploads.

Our video score of 34 signals a limited set of recording options. Standard HD resolution limits how much detail clips can carry on large screens, and with 30 fps as the ceiling, smooth slow motion is out of reach.

There is no built-in timelapse mode, so interval work means shooting stills and assembling them later. For a buyer whose main interest is stills photography, the video side is a handy extra rather than a headline feature.

A 2.7-inch LCD with 230,000 dots handles menus and image checks adequately, though it is small and its resolution relatively low. It is fixed and not touch-sensitive, so all settings are made with buttons and dials.

Live view is available for composing on the screen, which helps at unusual heights. Without any screen movement, very low or overhead framing still means kneeling down or guessing the composition.

The built-in flash covers dim rooms, and an external flash is supported for more power and control over direction. That combination gives a practical path from snapshots to more considered lighting.

There is no GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so there is no wireless transfer, and there is no weather sealing, so keep it sheltered in rain or dust.

Storage goes to a single card slot, and SD, SDHC and SDXC cards are all supported, so large-capacity cards work fine. With no second slot, there is no overflow or in-camera backup, so carry a spare card for important days.

The LP-E10 battery is rated at 700 shots. The measurement conditions behind that rating are not specified, so heavy live view or flash use may reduce real-world results.

There is no USB charging, so a second LP-E10 kept charged is a sensible purchase for longer outings. Our storage and battery score of 32 reflects the single card slot, the battery rating and the lack of USB charging.