In this article I’ll compare the new Canon 80D versus Rebel T6s / EOS 760D and the affordable full frame 6D. The 80D is a mid-range DSLR, and it’s interesting to see how it compared to the higher entry-level tier Rebel T6s. It’s also fair enough to compare it versus which costs only $200 more than the 80D. I’m pretty sure that many of you are still leaning towards a full frame body. In this comparison article we’ll see whether the EOS 80D can convince you otherwise.
Like in all our articles, we’ll start with a short introduce to the Camera which we compare the other cameras to, in this case, the Canon EOS 80D.
Canon EOS 80D
The 80D like all its xxD cameras in the EOS series is aimed for enthusiast photographers who find the entry-level models somewhat limited for their use. The 80D improves upon the 70D in several ways, including in AF and low-light performance, connectivity and video features in most part.
The 80D comes with a newly developed 24.2-megapixel sensor, bumping up the resolution compared to the 70D (20.2MP). One of the biggest changed is the inclusion of a brand new 45-point all cross-type AF system, that in conjunction with the DIGIC 6 image processor and the new 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor, should provide the camera with a faster and more accurate subjects tracking performance, even under low-light conditions, as the center point is sensitive down to -3EV.
The camera has a new Intelligent viewfinder with approximately 100% coverage that should give you a clear view of the scene. It doesn’t match the size and wide view that you get with a full frame camera, but it’s still very good. Canon also made sure that the 80D continues the tradition of being an excellent hybrid camera like its predecessor, the 70D. The camera utilizes a Hybrid AF system and Canon also added 1080p60 frame-rate, in-camera HDR and Time-lapse recording modes, creative filters and a Movie Servo AF custom settings that allows you to speed up or slow down focusing speeds. You also have a built-in microphone input and a headphone jack for monitoring the audio when recording movies.
With the introduction of the 80D, Canon also realeased the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-6.5 IS USM lens (also serves as the 80D Kit lens). It is equipped with a Nano USM motor that supports smoother and quieter Autofocusing using the lead-screw type STM. The new lens provides four s tops of optical image stabilization. This lens is also compatible with the new Power Zoom Adapter that provides very smooth cinematic transition when changing focal lengths on the subject. This is an excellent lens for those who love shooting videos and want more professional results.
Among the 80D other key features:
- 7 fps continuous shooting
- Ambient priority / white priority white balance
- Native ISO 100 – 16000
- Built-in HDR mode
- Flash sync up to 1/250th sec
- Pentaprism approx. 100% coverage viewfinder
- Anti-Flicker shooting (same as the 7D Mark II)
- 1080p60 fps MP4 (ALL-I or IPB compression modes)
- Set Upper and lower limit for the Auto ISO
- Set the Auto ISO low shutter speed limit
- EOS scene analysis system
- Time-Lapse and HDR movie modes
- Video and image Creative Filters
- Headphone and mic (external mic) inputs
- 3.0-inch Full articulated Touchscreen monitor
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
- Multi-shot noise reduction function
- Aufofocus Microadjustment (AFMA)
- New Intelligent viewfinder with 100% coverage
- 26 custom function
The Canon EOS 80D was designed with innovative technologies to be super responsive and offer versatility for better creative results whether you’re shooting images or movies. It makes it easier to connect your camera with your Android smartphone device and share your beautiful images with friends, family and coworkers.
I’m sure that many of you are asking yourself whether the new Canon EOS 80D is really that better than the Rebel T6s / EOS 760D that costs $350 less. What makes the 80D a better camera and are those features really useful for your particular needs?
80D vs T6s / 760D vs 6D
In this section we’ll take a closer look at the 80D key features and specs, compare and analyze them versus the T6s/760D and also versus Canon’s cheapest full frame, the 6D.
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Conclusion
The Canon EOS 80D doesn’t make it easier for us to decide. It packs some pretty cool features that certainly makes it more attractive than the T6s. For that approximately additional $350 you’ll get better build quality, weather-sealing, new sensor, better AF system, pentaprism viewfinder with almost 100% coverage, 1/8000 sec shutter speed, faster burst, better video features, headphone jack, considerably better battery life, and updated features that makes the new 80D an excellent camera for those who needs that extra performance in their hand to become even more productive.
The Canon Rebel T6s / EOS 760D is still an outstanding camera, and not everyone will take advantage of the 80D added features in practical use. The 80D is an excellent hybrid camera, but whether or not it’s worth $350, you’ll need to answer that question yourself. For that extra price compared to the T6s, you can get a very good lens instead, which by itself can help you become more creative compared to what the camera body itself has to offer.
The 6D is a different tool, not because it outperforms the 80D in terms of performance, because of what a full frame camera provides. In fact, in some areas the 80D outperforms the 6D, especially in the Live View and video section. Have I decided to buy the 6D over the 80D, I would have done it for its larger and brighter viewfinder, being able to shoot with the actual focal length of FF Canon EF) lenses, get better low light performance and due to the size and weight of the camera; because it can help me to better stabilize my big and heavy superzoom lenses. Other than that, the 6D isn’t that exciting, to be honest, and this is the beauty of meeting a fresh new APS-C camera in the form of the 80D. A landscape photographer will certainly love the 6D while sports photographers might lean towards the 80D due to its faster AF and burst performance, as well as the multiplication of the focal length due to the sensor crop factor when using full frame lenses on it.
It’s easy to see where the 80D shines, and it’s indeed an excellent all-around performer. A new updated model that although not anything unprecedented, it’s still an excellent photographic instrument that many photographers will find very useful for many types of photography subjects — Highly Recommended!