The Canon EOS Rebel T3 is a mixed bag. In cameras, you really do get what you pay for. The T3 doesn't deliver what it should, even for the low price.

Responsive; good quality 12.2-megapixel DSLR; 720p HD Videos at 30 fps; 3fps burst mode

No front AF Assist lamp (uses built-in flash; Images not super sharp; Awkward control placement

The EOS Rebel T3, or 1100D, is Canon's latest entry-level DSLR. Announced in February 2011, it comes no less than two and a half years after its predecessor, the EOS Rebel XS / 1000D; indeed it's such a long time in the digital camera industry, especially for Canon, that many wondered if the company...

Good image quality that's similar to modern 14 Mpixel rivals; Quick and easy access to many settings; Live View and HD video recording (albeit at 720p only); Supplied with decent RAW and remote control software

Plasticky body with no rubber surfaces - feels cheap, Continuous shooting buffer small; Slows down for RAW, Relatively small 2.7in screen, Weaker popup flash than many rivals

The Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T3) builds upon the previous EOS 1000D (XS) release. But just how good is the 1100D (T3)? Can it be crowned the king of entry-level DSLRs? The What Digital Camera Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T3) review…

Fast AF for entry-level model; good image quality

Build quality (plastic finish); slow live view focusing

Marking a new entry point to the Rebel line, the Canon T3 offers good image quality, a friendly design, and excellent battery life. Although its burst-shooting capabilities don't match the best-in-class, and has a few omissions such as dust removal and spot metering, these are fairly easy to...

Good ergonomics; varied button-shapes make it easy to operate by feel, Solid build for a plastic-bodied camera, Generally good image quality for its class, Reasonably wide sensitivity range for an entry-level model, Excellent detail from RAW files, Accurate color, Creative Auto mode replaces photo

Control dial is very stiff; and not ideally angled for comfort; Flash button is easy to miss; since it lacks a screen-printed label; New viewfinder has slightly less magnification; much narrower diopter adjustment range; Very warm auto white balance when shooting indoors; Burst speeds lower than

But Grunin at CNET calls the T3's features "uninspiring," and recommends stepping up to Canon's next level. For example, the EOS Rebel T2i (*Est. $650 with kit lens) offers spot metering, a tool that helps the camera correctly photograph high-contrast scenes like the moon on a dark night.

Impressive image quality; Compact and lightweight; Easy for beginners to use; Exposure bracketing

"Claustrophobic" optical viewfinder; Shoots only 720p HD video

The EOS 1100D is Canon's budget model and it shows in the comparatively simple specification and cheapish look and feel of the camera body. However, the camera gets all the important stuff, such as metering and focus, right most of the time, and the targeted user group should be perfectly happy with...

Decent resolution and detail at base ISO; Consistently reliable metering and good AF accuracy; Useful highlight tone priority mode; Intuitive user interface; Beginner-friendly 'Basic+' control Screens; On-screen Q-Menu offers good access to shooting settings; Good battery life; Comprehensive...

Plastic body has a cheap feel to it; no rubberized grips; Very simple video mode (no manual controls; only one resolution setting; no external mic; Very slow contrast detect AF in live view and movie mode; Comparatively small viewfinder; Combined battery/card compartment can make tripod use a little...

The 1100D can also shoot at a handy 3fps useful for capturing everyone looking and smiling in a big group of family members or for capturing a fast moment without the possibility of potentially missing the shot.

The Canon EOS 1100D is well worth a look for users wanting to step up to the digital SLR market. It's affordable, offers a good range of features and is easily capable of shooting amazing photographs.

Spiritual successor to the Rebel XS line, minus many features of other Canon DSLRs

Good color accuracy for the price; Excellent noise performance

Not a huge array of manual controls; Upgrade from the kit lens ASAP

Canon has long catered well for the entry-level digital SLR market. Canon's EOS 300D was the first digital SLR available for under £1000 and as technology has advanced, its cameras aimed at this market have been made cheaper and more compact, whilst still sporting a decent array of features.