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Canon T3i vs Panasonic L10

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i (called Canon 600D in some regions) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2011 and August 2007. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (T3i) and a Four Thirds (L10) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon T3i
versus
Panasonic L10
Canon T3i   Panasonic L10
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Four Thirds lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 10 MP – Four Thirds sensor
1080/30p Video no Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 2.5" LCD – 207k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.7 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
440 shots per battery charge450 shots per battery charge
133 x 100 x 80 mm, 570 g 135 x 96 x 78 mm, 556 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon T3i and the Panasonic L10 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon T3i vs Panasonic L10
Compare T3i versus L10 top
Comparison T3i or L10 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic L10 is somewhat smaller (3 percent) than the Canon T3i. Moreover, the L10 is slightly lighter (2 percent) than the T3i. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T3i nor the L10 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (T3i) and the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (L10).

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T3i 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M 109 mm 66 mm 32 mm 298 g 230 n Jul 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SL1 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon T1i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 US$ 799ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T2i 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 US$ 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T4i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 US$ 849ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T5i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 580 g 440 n Mar 2013 US$ 649ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T6 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 US$ 649ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-410 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Mar 2007 US$ 699ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 US$ 599ebay.com
15.
 
Olympus E-520 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 535 g 750 n May 2008 US$ 699ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G10 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 388 g 380 n Mar 2010 US$ 499ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic L1 146 mm 87 mm 64 mm 606 g 750 n Feb 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon T3i features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic L10 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the L10 is 32 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 2.0. The sensor in the T3i has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the L10 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Canon T3i and Panasonic L10 sensor measures

With 17.9MP, the T3i offers a higher resolution than the L10 (10MP), but the T3i has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 4.74μm for the L10). However, the T3i is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 5 months) than the L10, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T3i implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T3i for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic L10 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

T3i versus L10 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the T3i has a notably higher overall DXO score than the L10 (overall score 10 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.8 bits higher color depth, 0.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.9 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon T3i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
2.
 
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.310.842955
3.
 
Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.282765
4.
 
Canon SL1 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
5.
 
Canon T1i APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
6.
 
Canon T2i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
7.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
8.
 
Canon T4i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
9.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
10.
 
Canon T5i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.268161
11.
 
Canon T6 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
12.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
13.
 
Olympus E-410 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.110.049451
14.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
15.
 
Olympus E-520 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.410.454855
16.
 
Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.141152
17.
 
Panasonic L1 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.48052
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The T3i indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the L10 does not. The highest resolution format that the T3i can use is 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The T3i and the L10 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the T3i has a higher magnification than the one of the L10 (0.53x vs 0.46x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon T3i and Panasonic L10 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon T3ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
2.
 
Panasonic L10optical n2.5 / 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon Mnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.3/s n n
4.
 
Canon SL1optical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
5.
 
Canon T1ioptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
6.
 
Canon T2ioptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon T4ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon T5ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon T6optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Olympus E-410optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
15.
 
Olympus E-520optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y Y
16.
 
Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
17.
 
Panasonic L1optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The T3i writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the L10 uses SDHC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon T3iYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic L10Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon MYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon SL1Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon T1iYmono / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon T2iYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon T4iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon T5iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon T6Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
12.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
13.
 
Olympus E-410Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Olympus E-520Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0---
17.
 
Panasonic L1Y- / ----2.0---

Both the T3i and the L10 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The T3i was replaced by the Canon T4i, while the L10 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the T3i and L10 can be found, respectively, in the Canon T3i Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic L10 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Canon T3i better than the Panasonic L10 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 10MP) with a 37% higher linear resolution.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (10 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (0.7 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.9 stops ISO advantage).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/30p movies.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.53x vs 0.46x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 207k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.7 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 5 months of technical progress since the L10 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10:

  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2007).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T3i is the clear winner of the match-up (10 : 1 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

T3i 10:01 L10

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T3i and the Panasonic L10 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the T3i and the L10 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T3i3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic L10..85/100..+3.5/54/5 Aug 2007 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M3/5+....4/54/5 Jul 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SL14/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon T1i..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 US$ 799ebay.com
6.
 
Canon T2i..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 US$ 699ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 US$ 449ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T4i4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 US$ 849ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T5i......76/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2013 US$ 649ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T64/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 649ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-410..86/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2007 US$ 699ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 US$ 599ebay.com
15.
 
Olympus E-520..87/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 May 2008 US$ 699ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic G103/5....70/1004/54/5 Mar 2010 US$ 499ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic L1..85/100..+..3.5/5 Feb 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon T3i vs Panasonic L10

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon T3i Panasonic L10
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date February 2011 August 2007
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Canon T3i Panasonic L10
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 3648 x 2736 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 4.74 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 4.44 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO no Enhancement
    Image Processor DIGIC 4 Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 65 55
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1 21.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.5 10.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 793 429
    Screen Specs Canon T3i Panasonic L10
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x 0.46x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 207k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Swivel screen
    Shooting Specs Canon T3i Panasonic L10
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3.7 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon T3i Panasonic L10
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon T3i Panasonic L10
    Battery Type Canon LP-E8 Panasonic DMW-BLA13
    Battery Life (CIPA)440 shots per charge450 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 133 x 100 x 80 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    135 x 96 x 78 mm
    (5.3 x 3.8 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 570 g (20.1 oz) 556 g (19.6 oz)
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