Creative is the keyword for the new Canon Rebel T3i (EOS 600D) DSLR camera.

It seems that Canon has the interests of new digital SLR owners in mind when developing the T3i, since they have added certain features that ought to really be attractive to the inexperienced DSLR camera owner.

There are two extremely good reasons that many people have for buying their original digital SLR camera. First, you get much better image quality when compared to the majority of point and shoot cameras. Secondly, and important is the control of the final image you get when you can switch lenses to suit each change of circumstances.

Having the same hardware, which includes the 18-MP sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor, the T3i appears to be identical to the T2i. Actually you get the identical hardware that is in the one year older T2i. It has the identical 18-megapixel sensor and the exact same DIGIC 4 processor. The one item that "appears" to be dissimilar is the new vari-angle LCD screen - it swivels to different positions identical to the one on the more pricey Canon 60D.

The major differences come in the camera software which has been tremendously enhanced with the addition of some very creative possibilities that are not available on any of the former Rebel releases. One of those new features is the "Green Square." Using the Green Square, which is a selection on the mode dial at the top of the camera, you will allow the camera to make some difficult decisions about exposure, shutter speed, and ISO. Canon actually calls this new setting "Scene Intelligent Auto," which is the same as "Intelligent Auto" on some compact digital models.

Scene Intelligent Auto automatically analyzes the area of composition and decides which camera settings to use. You, the new camera owner, can take some awesome shots right from the start.

As good as that sounds, there is still more. By setting the mode dial on one of the Basic Zone modes, you can access the Basic+ selections in the Quick Control screen in the LCD display. There are two different options to choose from once you access the Basic+ screen. You can choose Ambience settings or the Lighting/Scene Type settings. Again, the camera makes use of the built-in software to make key decisions about the settings for individual images, making you appear to be a real creative pro.

Knowing that this camera has all the same features as the more professional cameras should make the T3i very interesting to those who are considering their beginning digital SLR, especially if the hope of advancing to a more professional camera is the ultimate goal.

The topper is that a novice photographer can feel much more comfortable with the knowledge that he can "ease" into the digital SLR learning curve. Getting the settings right, when in doubt, can be left up to the camera. Then time can be spent leisurely learning when the shots are not critical.

The Canon Rebel T3i gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to digital SLR photography.