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<td><a href="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/canon-1100d.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-955" title="Canon EOS1100d" src="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/canon-1100d.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="260" /></a></td>
<td>The CANON EOS 1100D offers a great value for a photographer on a budget with its set of features on a very good price point.

At US $599.99, you will get a 12 megapixel camera with CMOS sensor, DIGIC4 image processor, 720 HD video recording, great image quality, and a number of other features, many of which will assist you in taking better photos!

The plethora of features makes the 1100D a good walk-around camera for new and casual photographers.</td>
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Let's get to the gist of it in the tabs below.

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[tabhead id="1"]  Overview  [/tabhead] [tabhead id="2"]  Cheers  [/tabhead] [tabhead id="3"]  Jeers  [/tabhead] [tabhead id="4"]  Who is it for?  [/tabhead] [tabhead_last id="5"]  The Verdict  [/tabhead_last]  [tab id="1"]  [list style="orb" color="grey"]
<ul>
<li>12 megapixel CMOS sensor</li>
<li>DIGIC4 processor for better photos</li>
<li>2.7-inch LCD screen with live view function</li>
<li>720p HD video</li>
<li>9 autofocus points</li>
<li>Successor to the EOS 1000D</li>
<li>Also known as Canon Rebel T3 (US) and Canon EOS Kiss X55 (Japan)</li>
<li>Will retail at US $599.99 (with 18-55 IS II lens)</li>
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[/list]  [/tab] [tab id="2"] [list style="orb" color="grey"]
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<li>Feels good in the hands, nice weight</li>
<li>User-friendly features are available for beginners</li>
<li>Competitively priced</li>
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[/list]  [/tab] [tab id="3"]  [list style="orb" color="grey"]
<ul>
<li>No swivel screen limits view angles, especially when filming</li>
<li>Optical viewfinder is not as accurate as it could be</li>
<li>Battery performance is still below average (though improved as compared to 500D/T1i)</li>
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[/list]  [/tab] [tab id="4"]  

 Proud beginner

 Casual photographer

 Point &amp; shoot photo fan

<strong>√ DSLR photo fan</strong>

 Advanced photographer

CANON EOS 1100D is a great pickup for both newbies and enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade from their compact cameras to a handy and feature-rich DSLR, without having to spend too much.[/tab] [tab id="5"]CANON EOS 1100D continues Canon’s winning tradition of producing feature-rich cameras that can give its competitors a run for their money. But it's not just the features that will win the hearts of many, the competitive price is nothing to be sniffed at!
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<strong>Build quality &amp; Design: </strong><strong> Handles well </strong>

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CANON EOS 1100D looks and feels like an upgrade from the EOS 1000D and a step down from the 550D. Making the camera more comfortable in the hands, it features a larger hand grip than that of the 1000D, but it is missing the 550D’s textured coating. The camera is made up of plain and lightweight materials so one should not expect the same strong build quality sported by higher-end SLRs. Overall though, the 1100D feels secure, strong, and sturdy in the hands.

Moreover, it comes as a breath of fresh air that Canon made this camera available in not one but three colors: red, silver, and black.

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<strong>Controls &amp; Ergonomics: Strategically positioned controls</strong>

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Almost all of the buttons of the CANON EOS 1100D are well-placed and labeled, making this camera very straightforward and fluid to use.

Canon is smart to place all the necessary buttons at the right side of the back portion of the camera. With this, the controls are just within reach of the right-hand thumb, and thus all the controls are relatively fast to adjust. The buttons may appear crowded but after testing, there is still enough space to handle them without mistake.

Also, one of the most commendable improvements in this camera is the addition of dedicated buttons, particularly for live view/movie recording.

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<strong>Shooting performance: Smooth but may be disappointing while burst shooting</strong>

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<a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T3/T3A.HTM">Imaging-resource</a> attests to how the CANON EOS 1100D smoothly performs in terms of operation. However, it is slightly disappointing in terms of shooting speed, particularly in burst shooting which is pegged at 3 frames per second.

“Three frames/second in JPEG mode isn't all that bad, but two frames/second in RAW mode or less than one frame/second in RAW+JPEG just isn't enough to keep up with fast-paced action. Its 7-shot buffer capacity for JPEGs is probably workable for a lot of kids sports and the like, but the drop to only 3 shots in RAW or 2 shots in RAW+JPEG won't cut it for any kind of fast action. If you want to shoot sports in RAW mode, you'll want up to one of Canon's more advanced models.”

If you are into landscapes or portraits though, the shooting speed will not be a problem. 

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<strong>Image Quality: Good performer</strong>

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Based on the tests done by <a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T3/T3A.HTM">Imaging-resource</a>, the CANON EOS 1100D is capable of producing nice and useable images shot in low light. I noticed though that the camera had very aggressive noise suppression so some details may be lost in high ISO settings. Overall though, this camera does well in this aspect. Thanks to its DIGIC4 image processing technology which helps capture photos with natural and accurate colors.

Moreover, it is delight that the 1100D is now capable of shooting HD videos – a feature sorely lacking in its older sibling. The 720 HD may be too basic for some, but it is better to have video recording capability than none at all.

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<strong>Special features: Creative Auto mode and Features Guide </strong>

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CANON EOS 1100D is a great camera for novice photographers because of the following features: the Creative Auto (CA) mode, Basic+ options, and the Features Guide.

The CA mode assists the user by illustrating different camera functions such as exposure, flash, and resolution in a simple and easy to understand manner. The Basic+ option lets the user to select their preferred feel or “ambience” and direct the camera which type of lighting to be used for photos captured in scene modes. This affords the user more control over image processing settings. Lastly is the Feature Guide that serves as a ready on screen tutor on the camera’s functions.

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<strong>The Beginners' Lens Ratings</strong>

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This table will help you evaluate the usefulness of a camera according to various photographic situations. These ratings are based on our photographers’ experience, taking into consideration both the features and reviewed performances of the camera:
•	1 flash is a poor performance;
•	5 flashes herald stellar performance.

The notes column features observations from advanced photographers. Feel free to agree/disagree in the comments below.
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;"><strong>Photo Type</strong></td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;"><strong>Camera Rating</strong></td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;"><strong>Notes</strong></td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Action / Children</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3 fps is okay for fast paced shooting, as long as you are not shooting in RAW where the continuous shooting rate will drop noticeably</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Landscape / Architecture</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3.5  flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Can take nice photos at wide angle.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Low light</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">4 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Very usable images can be taken in low light</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Portrait</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">4 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">The large sensor allows for beautiful portraits with out-of-focus (Bokeh) backgrounds. Couple it with a 1.8 prime lens for best results.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Rough conditions</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Its plastic interior is not suitable for rough conditions but will do fine in normal shooting situations.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Safari-like</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Use a telephoto lens to capture objects in the distance.</td>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CATEGORY		:	DSLR</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>TOTAL RATING	:	20.5 / 30</strong></p>
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<strong>The Verdict (Extended version)</strong>

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CANON EOS 1100D continues Canon’s winning tradition of  producing feature-rich cameras that give its competitors a run for their money. This feature-rich, competitively price camera is sure to win the hearts of many! 

It took some time for Canon to replace the 1000D with a new model. But given the quality of the 1100D, it's been worth the long wait.

The 1100D throws in substantial updates to the entry-level DSLR lineup of Canon. Based on the initial previews of various camera review sites, this camera will prove to be a great choice for entry-level DSLR users for its plethora of user-friendly features and good overall performance – all for only US $599.99.

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<strong>Review Digest</strong>

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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong>CAMERA REVIEW WEBSITE</strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong>WHAT THEY HAVE TO  SAY</strong></td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.imaging-resource.com">Imaging-resource.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“We always withhold final judgement on cameras until we've had a  chance to test a production sample, but in the case of the Canon T3, we're  comfortable recommending it from day one: This is a very solid entry-level SLR  that will please a wide range of users.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.letsgodigital.org">LetsGoDigital.org</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“The Canon 1100D builds on the success of it former generations. The result is a powerful DSLR combination with a low price tag.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com">Digitalcamera-hq.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">The Canon Rebel T3 is a bare-bones  entry-level dSLR. At $600, including an 18-55mm IS II kit lens, this is one of  the cheapest points of entry to any dSLR system and any interchangeable-lens  camera system, for that matter.</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.photoradar.com/">Photoradar.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“I was impressed with the Canon EOS 550D, and the Canon 600D seems like a significant step-up - so I can see it will be a very successful model for Canon. The combination of advanced features, easy control and a wealth of creative options, including Canon’s Basic + controls, an articulated screen and a well designed body could mean that Canon has another major hit on its hands.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong12/page9.asp">DPReview.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“The Rebel T3 (EOS  1100D) builds on a successful formula and takes it further, offering a strong  (if not exactly cutting-edge) set of features in a body that suggests it should  be very capable of competing on price.”</td>
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