The Canon Rebel T3, by practically anyone's standard, is a cheap digital SLR. But, even though it doesn't necessitate a second mortgage on the mansion or selling off your first-born, it delivers the goods in terms of image quality.

The Canon Rebel XS, forerunner to the T3 (don't mix this up with the T3i) was extremely popular as an entry-level digital SLR. When buyers started getting the word out about the XS model, it started flying off the shelves in vast numbers. In fact, it is still number one on Amazon's best seller list!

Can You Get Quality If It's Cheap?

Part of the explanation for success was that a new camera owner could get remarkable quality at a low cost, and that without a vast outlay of time to learn about the camera. In this writer's opinion, if you take the exact same inexperienced photographer, somebody who is just getting into digital SLR photography, and place a $600 (Canon T3) camera in their mits, then place a $2700 (Canon 7D) camera in their hands, the images will be equal in quality.

What types of people use Digital SLRs?

The age of digital photography is upon us, and so many more people are getting into in taking and sharing their pictures. There are parents who need to preserve family memories, young adults who observe the creative aspects of photography gripping, zealous sports fans who love taking photos of their best-loved events, celebrity fans who desire to record their concert appearances, nature lovers desiring to find out about the wonders of creation, and just about any other use you can imagine.

They desire the best pictures they can get, thus they are trading their point and shoot cameras for digital SLRs. Usually, they will look for a cheap digital slr to start with. They don't really want to have learning problems with their camera, they just want to be able to get that better quality.

The Canon T3 is maintaining the custom of the XS in that a raw camera user can start using this camera immediately and get the great photographs they hoped for.

How is this camera better in terms of upgrades?

The Rebel T3 has better "stuff" than its older sibling. The basic technology of digital SLRs is better by leaps and bounds. The new 12-megapixel CMOS (vs 10-megapixels) sensor has superior quality, plain and simple. There is also the addition of video, which everyone is now expecting in digital cameras. Canon has also given the software a boost with lots of creative options, giving the photographer many options for picture style.

Price is the determining factor for many buyers.

Digital SLR for less than $600 are now widespread. Cheap digital SLR cameras are produced by every major manufacturer. This cheap camera is all many buyers need. It will keep them happy for years. But if thinking about getting more involved about photography and extra lenses, check out the lens choices for impending possibilities.