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Canon T100 vs T3

The Canon EOS Rebel T100 (called Canon 4000D in some regions) and the Canon EOS Rebel T3 (labelled Canon 1100D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2018 and February 2011. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The T100 has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the T3 provides 12.2 MP.

As their names suggest, both the Canon EOS Rebel T100 and the Canon EOS Rebel T3 belong to Canon's Rebel line of DSLR cameras. This range of APS-C cameras, which started out with the Canon EOS Digital Rebel in 2003, has been a big commercial success and the backbone of Canon's dominance in the digital camera market. The popularity of the Rebel cameras is the result of them inheriting much of the sensor and shooting technology from earlier released professional DSLRs, while being sold at a much more budget-friendly price point. The strong brand reputation of Canon and the comprehensive EOS system of compatible lenses and accessories further contributes to the appeal of the Rebel cams, including the Canon T100 and Canon T3. Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon T100
versus
Canon T3
Canon T100   Canon T3
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 12.2 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 720/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-6,400
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 2.7" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge700 shots per battery charge
129 x 102 x 77 mm, 436 g 130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T100 and the Canon EOS Rebel T3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon T100 and the Canon T3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon T100 vs Canon T3
Compare T100 versus T3 top
Comparison T100 or T3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon T3 is somewhat smaller (1 percent) than the Canon T100. However, the T3 is markedly heavier (14 percent) than the T100. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T100 nor the T3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T100 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 US$ 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SL1 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 US$ 549ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T1i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 US$ 799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T5i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 US$ 649ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T6 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 US$ 449 amazon.com
12.
 
Canon XS 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 US$ 449ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The T100 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 11 percent) than the T3, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the T3 is 3 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of chip-set technology, the T100 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4+) than the T3 (DIGIC 4), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon T100 and Canon T3 sensor measures

With 17.9MP, the T100 offers a higher resolution than the T3 (12.2MP), but the T100 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 5.15μm for the T3). However, the T100 is a much more recent model (by 7 years) than the T3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T100 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T100 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon T3 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel T100 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel T3 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

T100 versus T3 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon T100 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
2.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
3.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
4.
 
Canon SL1 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
5.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
6.
 
Canon T1i APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
7.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
8.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
9.
 
Canon T5i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
10.
 
Canon T6 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
11.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
12.
 
Canon XS APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the T100 provides a higher video resolution than the T3. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the T3 is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The T100 and the T3 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), as well as the same magnification (0.50x). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon T100 and Canon T3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon T100optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SL1optical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
5.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon T1ioptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
8.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T5ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon T6optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon XSoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the T100 and the T3 write their files to SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T100 and Canon EOS Rebel T3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon T100Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon SL1Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon T1iYmono / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon T5iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon T6Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
12.
 
Canon XSY- / ----2.0---

It is notable that the T100 offers wifi support, while the T3 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The T100 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the T3 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the T3 was succeeded by the Canon T5. Further information on the features and operation of the T100 and T3 can be found, respectively, in the Canon T100 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T3 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon T100 and the Canon T3? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS Rebel T100:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 12.2MP) with a 21% higher linear resolution.
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4+ vs DIGIC 4).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 720/30p).
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 59g or 12 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (11 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years of technical progress since the T3 launch.


Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T3:

  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (700 versus 500) out of a single battery charge.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2011).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T100 is the clear winner of the match-up (8 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

T100 08:02 T3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T100 and the Canon T3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the T100 or the T3. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T100..o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 US$ 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SL14/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 US$ 549ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T1i..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 US$ 799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T5i......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 US$ 649ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T64/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 449 amazon.com
12.
 
Canon XS..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 US$ 449ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon T100 vs Canon T3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon T100 Canon T3
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2018 February 2011
    Launch Price USD 399 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Canon T100 Canon T3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.0 x 14.7 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 323.4 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.5 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 12.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 5.15 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 3.76 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO no Enhancement
    Image Processor DIGIC 4+ DIGIC 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 63 62
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 21.9
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.4 11.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 695 755
    Screen Specs Canon T100 Canon T3
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x 0.50x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 2.7inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon T100 Canon T3
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon T100 Canon T3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon T100 Canon T3
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Canon LP-E10
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge700 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 129 x 102 x 77 mm
    (5.1 x 4.0 x 3.0 in)
    130 x 100 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 436 g (15.4 oz) 495 g (17.5 oz)
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