Buy T3i or Wait for T4i?

[filmrebel]

Yep. This is probably the oldest question, but...here we go. I can afford to wait, but based on rumors and your opinions, what should I do? I'd hate to buy the T3i and be disappointed for not being patient when the T4i comes out, but I don't know how long to wait. What would you do? Does anyone have any idea when it might come out? Thanks for any help!

[Tijn]

If you can afford to wait, then wait. Release time between xxxD's has never been over one and a half years and we're just over a year now. Probably to do with delays caused by tsunamis and stuff.

I don't know what the upgrade will be, but probably some small ISO performance boost and general tweaks. You'll be happy to have waited, probably, so if you can wait, by all means do.

[ScottyP]

Or, wait and see if the T4i is really better in a significant way.  If so, great, buy it. 

If there are no meaningful changes, or if the changes are something you don't really care about, then you could buy T3i on a clearance sale.  Apply savings to a lens.

Seems I saw someone speculating that the improvements would just be tweeks to the video function, which to me at least would not be a big deal.  Of course that may be wrong, wrong, wrong.

[WoodysGamertag]

T4i rumors have been really sparse but I'd wait.

1) There is usually a new one every year and it's been 18 months. It must be coming soon.
2) The T3i (which I have) was a pretty small upgrade from the T2i.  Based on my wild guessing, it's time to do something notable again.

[drmikeinpdx]

Depends on what camera you have now and how well it is meeting your needs.  Do you feel it is holding you back?

Mike

[krjc]

Personally I'm waiting for the T4i, should be soon.

[skoobey]

My friend has it, and it is such a good camera, it has the same screen as the latest 5dmkIII and 1dx, but it's also rotating, and it is useful actually.

Both video and photo quality are great, AF is good.

Apart from metering (which is often off, but never beyond repair if you shoot RAW), there is absolutley nothing wrong with that camera.

At the current price, I'd say go get it.

[crasher7]

Either way you should be fine. I just sold my T2i body for $10 less than I paid for it one year ago. Canon products retains their value. FWIW have you heard about the CLP? It may be a way to get a camera two steps up from what you were thinking …..you would rather have a xxD than a xxxD wouldn't you?

http://www.overclock.net/t/1088761/canon-loyalty-program-faqs-originally-from-potn

[Fandongo]

T4i rumors have been really sparse but I'd wait.

1) There is usually a new one every year and it's been 18 months. It must be coming soon.
2) The T3i (which I have) was a pretty small upgrade from the T2i.  Based on my wild guessing, it's time to do something notable again.

I second this.  Don't buy the T3i.
It really wasn't even deserving of a new number.
Shoulda been the T2iB or the more redundant T2ii.
60d should have been T2iC.

Swivel screen and a bad video zoom.  Subtraction of LCD sensor, a useful button for ML.

If it's video you're after, get the GH2.  If you really want stills, you should be able to find some cheap and dirty t2/t3i's.
Just be sure to not buy Canon accessories.  The Opteka 2000mah batteries can outlast Canon, at $10 vs $45

[sandymandy]

Im havin a hard time trying to wait for the new Rebel to be released. Several times i already found myself at the checkout on Amazon (Rebel body, lens, memory card, etc. ) but always successfully resisted to press the final buy button

But i will just wait. If the new Rebel doesnt bring anything special at least the price for the t3i will drop (t2i body about 100$ cheaper than t3i body). Saving 100$ and getting exactly the same image quality is a good thing.

[DzPhotography]

Wait till the T4i is out, because even then you can still opt to buy a T3i if it isn't that much of an upgrade, and it will drop in price...

[00Q]

You should definitely wait.

The T4i might have some big improvments. The T3i is not woth getting. The T2i offers pretty much the same thing. Same sensor, same AP pts, same image quality, same video quality. Only difference is the screen and the on camera flash triggering.

So..

I recommend getting a second hand T2i or a new T4i if you want a new camera and if it turns out to be a big improvement. If you want to learn about photography, and dont care about video, then get the 450D or the SXi I thikn u call it in the US. Very cheap and has everything you need. Put all your money into good glass.

With glass, there is nothing worth getting between the £100 and the L glass. You either go cheap ( 18-55 kit lens/50 /1. or you go L. Every lens in the middle of the price range you will want to throw away after you become a good photographer.

[whatta]

I do wait for the 650d. 600d after 550d was almost nothing, it is time to do something noticable, especially with the competition and the 25th anniversary (of eos 650 in '87). I would like to see the 70d too to compare though.

[WoodysGamertag]

Only difference is the screen and the on camera flash triggering.

and the ability to adjust the audio gain, which is huge if you use anything other than the crappy internal mic.

[whatta]

Only difference is the screen and the on camera flash triggering.

and the ability to adjust the audio gain, which is huge if you use anything other than the crappy internal mic.

software features as differentiator, like the legendary AFMA 
magic lantern for 550d?