In this article, I’ll compare the Canon EOS Rebel 1300D / T6 vs 1200D / T5, T6i / 750D and Nikon D3300 (most popular DSLR camera on amazon.com as of the time of writing, so I added it to this comparison as well).
All of these cameras are entry-level compact DSLR cameras. Before we start learning more about the new T6 and compare it against the other cameras, let’s first take a look at the current prices for each one.
- T6i / 750D (+ 18-55mm): ~$750
- T6 / 1300D (+ 18-55mm): ~$550
- Nikon D3300 (+ 18-55mm): ~$450
- T5 / 1200D (+ 18-55mm): ~$400
* rounded up prices via amazon.com as of 3/24/2016. Visit amazon.com for updates prices.
As you can see from the above price comparison table, the T6i/750 is an upper entry-level model and costs around $350 more than the T5 and $200 more than the new Canon Rebel T6. The T6 is around $150 more expensive than its predecessor, the T5. Keep in mind that all these prices are for the 18-55mm kit because as of the time of writing, the T6 / 1300D is only offered as a kit and not body only, so I compared it against other kits.
Canon Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D
OK, now it’s time to learn more about the new T6 and see if there is anything to get excited about. The Canon T6 is aimed at beginners, but it also a good fit for enthusiasts on a very tight budget, photographers who prefer spending most of the budget on an extra lens or a better lens than the kit offering. It also a good choice for travelers either want to travel relatively light and prefer a small DSLR body, they are on a tight budget, they prefer to leave their more expensive pro DSLR at home or they are on a tight budget and this is the best they can buy at that moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPnuPfcVbh8
The Canon EOS 1300D / T6 replaces the T5, but boasts relatively minor differences, including faster processor, higher resolution display, ‘White priority’ White Balance mode, food scene mode, as well as WiFi and NFC wireless connectivity. The T6 uses the same 18-megapixel image sensor, AF system, video capabilities and all the other features of the T5. No that that wireless connectivity is a nice addition because it makes it easier to transfer your images and videos to your smartphone. It’s very useful for travelers who might opt for capturing photos with their smartphone, but now that it’s easy to shoot with a DSLR and share images, they might prefer to shoot with a DSLR for its better image quality, low-light performance, lens selection and the ability to create photos with very shallow depth of field effect.
On the outside, the T6/1300D looks almost identical to the T5/1200D, with some cosmetic change and it looks less rounded and it’s now more streamlines with the other cameras in the lineup.
In my opinion, one of the most important addition is the Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. NFC makes it easier for people to bind their smartphone or tablet device with the camera. It also makes it easier to bind the T with the Connection Station C5100 device if you have it at home.
The T6 can also capture very high-quality photos in low light and has a native ISO 100-6400 range, which can also be expanded up to ISO 12800 when shooting in very limited light conditions. Just attack a fast prime lens on it (e.g. 50mm f/1.4), and you’ll able to shoot in almost any light conditions.
So although there isn’t anything overwhelmy excited to talk about when we compare it to the T5, on its own, the T6 is a great little camera. It can take gorgeous pictures in low-light, it is relatively small and lightweight (check out camerasize.com and compare it versus other DSLR cameras), it has wireless connectivity,3-inch 920K high-resolution display, good ergonomics and buttons that offers quick access to change camera settings, built-in pop-up flash, 3fps burst, 1080p30/24fps video recording and optical viewfinder. As I mentioned, it’s a beginner’s camera, if you need more, you’ll need to check out Canon’s more expensive entry-level models or pick up a mid-range DSLR.
T6 1300D vs T5 1200D vs T6i 750D vs D3300
As I mentioned before, the Canon EOS 1300D/Revel T6 can appeal to a very large audience, but it’s mainly aimed for beginners and enthusiasts on a very tight budget. People who pick this camera are those who appreciate the advantages of a DSLR camera in general, prefer a DSLR over mirrorless for its better battery life (you can shoot only via the viewfinder, which saved battery) and those who prefer Canon’s lens selection.
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Conclusion
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the Canon Rebel T6 / EOSD 1300D adds only little compared to its predecessor the T5 / 1200D. You get a newer processor, a new ‘white priority’ WB mode that helps produce more neutral color in tungesten lighting, there is the new food scene mode, higher resolution display, Wi-Fi / NFC and a slight cosmetic change to the camera shell. Is it worth an extra $150, I’m not sure.
Having Wireless connectivity is very useful nowadays, but you can always transfer your images after you come back home. If it’s a camera for traveling, it might be more important, because you’ll want to share some images the moment you take them, rather after you get back to the hotel.
I think that this announcement is better for the T5, because the price will probably get lower in the upcoming weeks after the T6 is released. The Canon Rebel T6i / EOS 750D is more advanced. It has better build quality, broader native ISO range, faster processor, much more advanced AF system, slightly larger Viewfinder, faster burst, articulating touch-screen display, mic input to improve video’s audio quality. It’s better for those who demand better AF performance for both still and videos and also plan to shoot many videos with it – it’s an excellent Hybrid camera.
The Nikon D3300 is one of my favorites entry-level DSLRs. It’s behind the T6i in terms of AF performance, but it’s AF system has a slightly broader sensitivity range. It offers 1080p 60fps, which the other camera lack and has a great battery life. It does lack built-in wireless connectivity, there is no mic input, it has a smaller buffer than the T6i, it lacks an articulating touch-screen display as the T6i and it features less advanced light metering sensor.
That being said, it costs around $300 less than the T6o/750D. I know many people who would prefer to put that extra money in an extra lens and be fully satisfied with what the D3300 has to offer. If you don’t need a strong video features nor a super fast subject-tracking performance, the D3300 is an excellent alternative. This is one reason why the D3300 is so popular. It’s an excellent camera for beginners and even enthusiasts on tight budget. When I bought the D3300 I purcahsed it with the 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses, and I had a blast with it. Image quality is superb, and if you plan to shoot in low-light, get a fast prime, but image quality is amazing nevertheless.
Price wise, the D3300 still holds its place strong. It cost around $100 less than T6, but in some areas it’s even better than the T6. It has larger viewfinder, faster burst, mic input, better battery life, more AF points, broader ISO range and higher sensor resolution. Like Canon, The D3300 does lack wireless connectivity, which might make it less attractive for those who need this feature.
So the T6 does have something to offer and it does fills up the gap in Canon’s lineup, while enjoying updated features that makes it more attractive to potential customers, that until now might opted to go with the D3300 instead of the T5.
So which one do you prefer? – Share your opinion in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.