Hi MP - if your total camera/lens budget is below $1000, you can get a more modern camera than a
T3i (and, if you do buy a
T3i, I suggest you
get the camera body only for $499 and stay away from bundles with low-end kit lenses and junk accessories).
In this price range, however, you may want to take a look at the
$599 Panasonic G6 with the 14-42 kit lens.
I advise buying the camera with the kit lens in this case because, as of this post, the camera is on sale for $150 off the $749 list price with the kit lens - so they're essentially taking $100 off the
$699 body and throwing the lens in for free.
With the
T3i, you'll have to buy an LCD viewfinder or an external Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) to see what you're shooting outdoors, because its optical viewfinder goes black when you shoot video. The G6 has a built in EVF, like a camcorder.
Speaking of camcorders - did you ever use autofocus with your Handycam? If you get a
T3i, you will miss it, because it has no video autofocus. The
G6, on the other hand, has fast video autofocus, like your camcorder.
If you want slow motion with the
T3i, you will have to slow your video down in post with Twixtor or similar software, which can introduce jerkiness and artifacts. With the
G6, you can overcrank to 60fps progressive for smooth slow motion.
The
G6 also has built-in wi-fi for wireless file transfers and remote control from your phone or tablet - features that can save you a lot of time - and features that the
T3i lacks.
But none of these features matter unless the camera can deliver high quality images on screen.
Here is the video image quality you can expect from the
G6:
Narrative: "I've Got My Fingers Crossed" by Avner Levona:
http://vimeo.com/78037118
Doc: "Creative Space: Kathy Ponce " by Kevin Mayuga:
http://vimeo.com/73561266
Music video: A. BELKIN - Good Morning Mr. Blues by Romas:
http://vimeo.com/76081090
Wedding: Junwei + Daohua by Jon Wide:
http://vimeo.com/72010967
Sports: Wavetest 2013 / Side On - Onshore Impression by Gleiten.TV:
http://vimeo.com/76875252
Travel: "Riverbanks" by emeric:
http://vimeo.com/72107884
See more at:
http://vimeo.com/groups/dmcg6 "Panasonic G6 on Vimeo"
Since you'll be saving $130 on the camera and starter lens, you can follow ChimpPhobia's advice and get started on saving up for quality lenses
Hope this is helpful and, whatever camera you decide on, good luck with your new film projects!
Bill