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Canon EOS Rebel T6i

Today we’re going to talk about the best starter setup for those of you thinking of jumping into photography manhandling the game with the Canon EOS rebel T6i. Well, well, look at you.

What kind of camera is the T6i classified as?

The Canon T6i is a cropped sensor (APS-C) entry-level Digital SLR camera. With the exception to North America, the T6i is referred to the Canon EOS 750D. Originally released in spring of 2015, it was part of Canon’s ramp-up to increase autofocus performance in entry-level APS-C sized cameras to sway beginning photographers to continue advancing within the Rebel lineup. Nearing a dozen improvements over the previous generation, the camera became a strong contender on the market shortly thereafter.

What’s the difference between the Canon T6 and T6i?

To simplify this as much as possible, below are the most significant differences:

  • T6i weighs slightly more (roughly 60 grams)
  • The T6i has 24.2 megapixels compared to the 18 megapixels found in the T6, which increases its low light performance.
  • The T6i comes with an improved LCD, now also a touchscreen, making navigating the complex menu easier.

Besides the above, however, the differences are very much marginal and won’t significantly affect the final results or be deal-breakers in any way.

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What are some of the goods, bads, and uglies with the T6i?

Even with the advances made over predecessors, the Canon T6i still has the accompanying pros and cons. Let’s discuss the ones that are most applicable to the beginning photographer so you have a better idea of what the camera is capable of and how it can suit your specific needs.

Pros:

The Canon T6i has the ability to mount both Canon EF and EF-S lenses, “EF-S” referring to lenses specifically designed for APS-C cameras, a massive advantage. This improves the camera’s flexibility and gives beginning users the ability to utilize the full spectrum of lenses available in the Canon ecosystem.

The camera is small and compact with only 760 grams in weight, making it fairly light in comparison to Full Frame counterparts.

Has a variable angle primary LCD display, making this camera ideal for self-portraits, blogging, vlogging or when shooting low to the ground and a better angle of view is needed.

It has NFC capabilities,  allowing it to connect directly to a mobile device by simply tapping the device to the bottom of the camera. Once connected, it performs remote functionally through the app via Camera to Connect app.

The Camera to Connect app allows for photos to be transferred directly to the paired phone, a nice plus when the need for larger photo viewing is needed or the desire to upload immediately presents itself.

The physical button layout actually makes sense, and, overall, is very functional. The primary LCD is also a touchscreen, making it easy to change settings and it performs exceptionally well in direct sunlight. An especially helpful feature when focusing, simply tapping anywhere on the screen selects a focus point. The LCD also supports pinch to zoom.

It has the ability to do subject tracking, a necessity for those primarily looking to use this camera for its video functionality.

it has a Microphone In, allowing external microphone usage through a simple AUX cable.

Lastly, the EF-S, specifically designed for APS-C, are significantly cheaper than their Full Frame (EF) counterparts (typically as much as 30% cheaper in fact). Granted, since this camera has the ability to use both APS-C and Full Frame lenses, cost savings through lens selection is only applicable when you purchase EF-S lenses.

Cons:

The T6i only has 19 autofocus points, which is fairly limited in comparison to similarly priced cameras (for example, the Sony a6000).

The main grip is very small and isn’t as ergonomic as previous generations.

It does not have an Aperture dial switch for easy changes to Aperture. Instead, changes to Aperture are made solely through the LCD, which becomes tedious and slows down workflow over time.

The Camera to Connect app only works for manual exposure changes in photos only. It does not have the ability to control video functionality.

Uses a Mini USB port connection to connect to computers for file transfer as opposed to the more common Micro USB connection which is more typically found on most smartphones. An inconvenience if, or when you lose the included Mini USB cable.

Since the T6i is a cropped sensor camera, the sensor size will directly affect the look (not sharpness) of the photo in regards to the Depth of Field achievable at the widest Apertures. Cropped sensor cameras have reduced Depth of Field at their widest apertures when compared to Full Frame, when all variables are equal (lighting, subject matter, distance, lens and camera settings).

If shallow Depth of FIeld is important to you, then crop sensor cameras will not be the ideal fit unless you’re willing to slightly compromise. If you want the shallowest Depth of FIeld possible, then Full Frame is best. However, If you’re on a budget and can’t afford a Full-Frame at the moment, then the slight compromise on Depth of Field will be sufficient enough for your needs so you can at least get started, then upgrade later.

APS cameras also alter focal length when shot with Full-Frame lenses. So know, if you have Full Frame lenses already and are looking to move over to the T6i, your focal lengths will be multiplied by its 1.6X crop factor. For example, take a 50 mm f/1.8 lens, when multiplied by the crop factor turns that same 50 mm lens turns into an 80 mm lens equivalent. This magnification occurs with all APS cameras. But, could be converted into an advantage if you shoot wildlife or sports since you can buy cheaper lenses and use that magnification to get an equivalent larger focal length for less money.

Is the Canon EOS Rebel T6i a good starting camera?

Yes. It’s a fantastic entry-level camera for the beginning photographer that’s not too overly tech-savvy. In 2019, this camera is incredibly affordable and is still competitive even in today’s marketplace of APS-C cameras.  It offers enough technical ability and software advantages to meet the needs of the starting photographer Coupled with the ability to use Canon’s full range of lenses, it offers more than enough variation to meet your specific shooting needs.

Granted, it does fall victim a slight lack of Depth of Field, a problem faced by all APS-C sensor cameras. Even so, it’s a fantastic starting camera to hit the ground running with.

Best bundles for Canon T6i

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Is the T6i a good camera for you?

Yes. Especially for those of you who are on a budget and need something without breaking the bank. Of course, with this camera, you will not get industry-leading image quality nor the shallowest Depth of Field possible. Nonetheless, it’s definitely a contender to take a deeper look at to see if it makes sense to pick up to start learning the fundamentals of our craft on.