phone camera vs T3i

[Raycyrx]

So I own a T3i and have been happy with it... until my latest phone.  Frankly my phone (Galaxy S22) is quite stunning in its results... especially for video.  Now knowing that my phone is essentially many generations of processing newer than my T3i, I have to ask if the latest Rebels have made the same leaps in technology and therefore if it's worth upgrading bodies?

Helpful comments please.

[Tronhard]

That all said, there is certainly nothing to stop you from getting the 8Ti. 😊

Personally, I would suggest you look up the specs and reviews for the different models, if you have not already done so.  DPReview.COM offer a comparison of the models HERE   I have the 80D and 90D and actually prefer the 80D for its lower pixel count.  More pixels crammed onto the same sensor can be noisier, which may be significant for you.  Both the 80D and 90D have a more powerful built-in flash FWTW.

The Canon Refurb store offers several options across this range:
HERE 

[John_SD]

You have a phone that takes great photos and surprisingly good video. Unless you have substantial money to invest in gear, and you consider yourself a real enthusiast or enthusiast-to-be, stick with the phone. 

Flagship-level smartphones with their excellent and rapidly advancing photo capabilities have done to DSLRs what they have done to standalone GPSes -- they have decimated the market, and for good reason. For most people, they produce beautiful and excellent results, and you already have the phone. Enjoy it 

[Raycyrx]

In the interest of not starting completely over with all new body and lenses... will my current lenses mount up to the R7 or r10?

I take your comments on my 100-300 very seriously.

[Raycyrx]

I hear what you're saying.  But as an old 35mm DSLR convert, I get frustrated with a phone's ability to zoom.  I have defaulted to my phone for almost all videos, but for good mid-range to long telephoto, it simply doesn't compete with my DSLR.

Add in specialty shots/exposures, fooling around in the pro-mode on my phone CAN produce some quite good results, but it just doesn't have the flexibility of what my DSLR can do (especially with a long lens).  

Again, I already own a DSLR... my question is, has the processing capability advanced as much as the processing capability of phones, and therefore, is it worth my time/expense to replace my DSLR?

[Tronhard]

All of your lenses can be mounted on the R7 and R10 using Canon's EF-RF adapter.  I have used one for my EF lenses on the R5 and R6 with no issues.

[John_SD]

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@Raycyrx wrote:

Again, I already own a DSLR... my question is, has the processing capability advanced as much as the processing capability of phones, and therefore, is it worth my time/expense to replace my DSLR?

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Processing capability? No, your smartphone's processing capability blows away a DSLR. 

However, I don't advise anyone to replace a DSLR with another DSLR. I would be looking at mirrorless. Best of luck, whatever you decide. 

[rs-eos]

I think it's a bit moot to discuss the processing power of cameras as it really sounds like you have use cases that cannot be handled by your smart phone.  If that's truly the case, then either stick with your current DSLR, or look to replace it (the recommended system being mirrorless).

Anything recent will indeed be faster than your DSLR.  It can potentially also work with faster media.   But, I would focus upon if feature-wise it will be a better fit for your needs and empower you to capture those images where your smart phone falls short.

[ebiggs1]

"So I own a T3i and have been happy with it... until my latest phone.  Frankly my phone (Galaxy S22) is quite stunning in its results... especially for video.  Now knowing that my phone is essentially many generations of processing newer than my T3i, I have to ask if the latest Rebels have made the same leaps in technology and therefore if it's worth upgrading bodies?"

Most of what has been posted is just fluff. Sideline stuff. Judging by your first statement a T8i is going to be a huge upgrade if you are interested in a new Rebel camera. You need to decide if the vastly improved iphone camera is doing the job. For a lot of people these days they are totally happy using the iphone as a camera.

As to choosing between the Rebel T8i or the 80D/90D consider this, you have an old camera now, the T3i, so why buy another old camera, the 80D? Newer tech is always going to be the best buy. And, keeping with that same line of reasoning, why buy any DSLR when it is a dead end all together? The logical replacement is one of the new mirrorless cameras. 

That said, if I were buying today I would buy the 90D along with a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens and not look back. This combo is about as good as any combo on the market today. It will stay that way for some time to come, too.

[John_SD]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

As to choosing between the Rebel T8i or the 80D/90D consider this, you have an old camera now, the T3i, so why buy another old camera, the 80D? Newer tech is always going to be the best buy. And, keeping with that same line of reasoning, why buy any DSLR when it is a dead end all together? The logical replacement is one of the new mirrorless cameras. 

Ernie has it right. There is no point in spending money on dead tech. By dead I don't mean that it doesn't function. I mean that the day of the DSLR is basically over. That is the same conclusion I came to back when I bought my entry-level full frame EOS RP. I accomplished two goals at once -- I took the leap into mirrorless AND full frame. Not a single regret as it was a massive step up from my T6.  I got the camera and kit lens for $999 on sale at that time. I say get a Canon mirrorless rather than a mid-level DSLR and you won't be dealing with buyer's regret in six months. 

[Raycyrx]

Both you and John_SD make good points.  To be honest, I hadn't considered mirrorless before I started this topic, and have since become educated.  But there is a major reason that mirrorless would not be a best solution here and that is cost.  Just doing quick comparisons of T8i to R7 and I'd be looking at double the cost for an R7.  Add on the cost of a lens adapter... and it would seem like I'm starting all over.

I'm certainly intrigued by the statement that a T8i would be a huge improvement over what I currently own.  Add in my age and the amount of shooting left in my life and I'm not sure the starting all over approach can be justified.

Thank you for your comments.