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Canon T3 vs XT

The Canon EOS Rebel T3 (called Canon 1100D in some regions) and the Canon EOS Rebel XT (labelled Canon 350D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2011 and February 2005. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The T3 has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the XT provides 8 MP.

As their names suggest, both the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and the Canon EOS Rebel XT 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 T3 and Canon XT. Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon T3
versus
Canon XT
Canon T3   Canon XT
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 8 MP – APS-C sensor
720/30p Video no Video
ISO 100-6,400 ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 1.8" LCD – 115k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
700 shots per battery charge400 shots per battery charge
130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g 127 x 94 x 64 mm, 540 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T3 and the Canon EOS Rebel XT? 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

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon T3 and the Canon XT. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The XT can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the T3 is only available in black.

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

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon XT is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Canon T3. However, the XT is markedly heavier (9 percent) than the T3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T3 nor the XT 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.

Concerning battery life, the T3 gets 700 shots out of its Canon LP-E10 battery, while the XT can take 400 images on a single charge of its Canon NB-2LH power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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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 T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 US$ 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon XT 127 mm 94 mm 64 mm 540 g 400 n Feb 2005 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 US$ 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon Rebel 142 mm 99 mm 72 mm 649 g 400 n Aug 2003 US$ 899ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T3i 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T4i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 US$ 849ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T6 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T6i 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 US$ 749ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 US$ 649ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T100 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
14.
 
Canon XS 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 US$ 449ebay.com
15.
 
Canon XSi 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 US$ 799ebay.com
16.
 
Canon XTi 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 US$ 799ebay.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 naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The T3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 50 percent) than the XT, which puts it into a different market segment. 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. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to 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 XT is 2 percent bigger. 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 T3 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the XT (DIGIC II), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon T3 and Canon XT sensor measures

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Canon T3 offers a higher resolution of 12.2 megapixels, compared with 8 MP of the Canon XT. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 5.15μm versus 6.41μm for the XT). However, it should be noted that the T3 is much more recent (by 5 years and 11 months) than the XT, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon XT are 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm for good quality, 13.8 x 9.2 inches or 35.1 x 23.4 cm for very good quality, and 11.5 x 7.7 inches or 29.3 x 19.5 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel T3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel XT are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (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.

T3 versus XT MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar 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 T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
2.
 
Canon XT APS-C 8.0 3456 2304none21.810.863760
3.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
4.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
5.
 
Canon Rebel APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.010.854455
6.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
7.
 
Canon T3i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
8.
 
Canon T4i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
9.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
10.
 
Canon T6 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
11.
 
Canon T6i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
12.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
13.
 
Canon T100 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
14.
 
Canon XS APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
15.
 
Canon XSi APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
16.
 
Canon XTi APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The T3 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the XT does not. The highest resolution format that the T3 can use is 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The T3 and the XT 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%), but the viewfinder of the T3 has a higher magnification than the one of the XT (0.50x vs 0.49x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon T3, the Canon XT, and comparable 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 T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon XToptical n1.8 / 115 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon Rebeloptical n1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
6.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T3ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
8.
 
Canon T4ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon T6optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon T6ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon T100optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon XSoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Canon XSioptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
16.
 
Canon XTioptical 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.

The T3 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the XT uses Compact Flash 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 T3 and Canon EOS Rebel XT 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 T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon XTY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
4.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon RebelY- / ----1.1---
6.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon T3iYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon T4iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon T6Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon T6iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
12.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
13.
 
Canon T100Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
14.
 
Canon XSY- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Canon XSiY- / ---mini2.0---
16.
 
Canon XTiY- / ----2.0---

Both the T3 and the XT have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The XT was replaced by the Canon Xti, while the T3 was followed by the Canon T5. Further information on the features and operation of the T3 and XT can be found, respectively, in the Canon T3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon XT Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon T3 and the Canon XT? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T3:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (12.2 vs 8MP) with a 24% higher linear resolution.
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC II).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 720/30p movies.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.50x vs 0.49x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.7" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (230k vs 115k dots).
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (700 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (50 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 11 months of technical progress since the XT launch.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS Rebel XT:

  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2005).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the T3 is the clear winner of the match-up (9 : 1 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

T3 09:01 XT

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T3 and the Canon XT 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 comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the T3 or the XT. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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 T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 US$ 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon XT..80/100..+ +o.. Feb 2005 US$ 899ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 US$ 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon Rebel......+ +.... Aug 2003 US$ 899ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T3i3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T4i4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 US$ 849ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T64/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T6i5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 749ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 649ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T100..o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
14.
 
Canon XS..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 US$ 449ebay.com
15.
 
Canon XSi..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 US$ 799ebay.com
16.
 
Canon XTi..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 US$ 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes 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 T3 vs Canon XT

    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 T3 Canon XT
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2011 February 2005
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 899
    Sensor Specs Canon T3 Canon XT
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.0 x 14.7 mm 22.2 x 14.8 mm
    Sensor Area 323.4 mm2 328.56 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.5 mm 26.7 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 8 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 3456 x 2304 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.15 μm 6.41 μm
    Pixel Density 3.76 MP/cm2 2.42 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC II
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 60
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 21.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.0 10.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 755 637
    Screen Specs Canon T3 Canon XT
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x 0.49x
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 1.8inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 115k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon T3 Canon XT
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations50 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon T3 Canon XT
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon T3 Canon XT
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Canon NB-2LH
    Battery Life (CIPA)700 shots per charge400 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 130 x 100 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    127 x 94 x 64 mm
    (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in)
    Camera Weight 495 g (17.5 oz) 540 g (19.0 oz)
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