Photography Life

PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels

  • Reviews
  • Learn
  • About Us
  • Forum
  • Search
Home → Cameras and Lenses

Canon T6 vs T6i

By Spencer Cox 1 Comment
Last Updated On October 8, 2020

Two of the most popular cameras today are the Canon Rebel T6 and T6i (also known as 1300D and 750D). But which one is better for you? The comparison below covers everything you need to know about the T6 and T6i. Although these aren’t particularly new cameras – announced in March 2016 and February 2015 respectively – Canon often puts the T6 and T6i on sale for great prices, while their newer cameras are discounted less frequently.

Canon Rebel T6
Canon Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D
Canon Rebel T6i
Canon Rebel T6i / EOS 750D

Table of Contents

  • Canon T6 and T6i Specifications Comparison
  • Price Differences
  • Which One Should You Get?
  • Other Cameras to Consider
  • Conclusion

Canon T6 and T6i Specifications Comparison

Between the two cameras, although the T6 is actually newer, the T6i has better specifications in almost every way. It is the higher-end camera of the two – and if both were the same price, it’s easy to say that the T6i is the better camera.

Here is the specifications comparison of the Canon T6 versus the Canon T6i, including every important feature:

Canon Rebel T6 / EOS 1300DCanon Rebel T6i / EOS 750D
Announcement DateMarch 2016February 2015
Megapixels1824
Autofocus Points919
Continuous Shooting3 fps5 fps
TouchscreenNoYes
LCD Tilt-Flip CapabilityNoYes
Max Video Specs1920 × 1080p, 30 fps1920 × 1080p, 60 fps
Battery Life500 photos440 photos
Weight (with battery and card)485 g555 g
Dimensions (W×H×D)129.0 × 101.3 × 77.6mm131.9 × 100.9 × 77.8mm
Price (early 2019, with 18-55mm kit lens)$400$600

Price Differences

As you can see, the Canon T6i beats the Canon T6 in almost every way, aside from minor differences in things like weight and battery life. The biggest win for the Canon T6 is its price – just $400 with an 18-55mm kit lens (as of January 2019, when this article was published). The T6i, by comparison, is $200 more expensive at $600.

Before reading further, keep in mind that the recommendations in the rest of the article are based on those two prices – $400 for the T6 and $600 for the T6i. But Canon sometimes discounts one or the other, or both, so check T6 price and check T6i price here.

A $200 price difference, to me, is about right, and I think it splits the correct choice pretty evenly depending on your needs, with a slight edge to the T6i in terms of value (even though it is more expensive). So, if the price difference is less than $200 because the T6i is on sale, that’s the one I would get. Or if you find a good deal on the T6 that puts the price difference greater than $200, give the T6 a long look instead.

Which One Should You Get?

The main takeaway from the specifications comparison above is that the Canon T6i is ahead of the T6 in most areas, but not necessarily ones that may matter to you.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the T6i is that it has a tilt-flip touchscreen rather than a fixed LCD on the back of the camera. Combined with 60 FPS video rather than 30 FPS, the T6i is a definite improvement for filming video of any kind. But not everyone needs those features.

Sports photographers or performance photographers will appreciate the 19-point autofocus system and 5 FPS shooting of the T6i, compared to the 9-point system and 3 FPS shooting of the T6. And landscape photographers who want as much detail as possible will find the 24 megapixel sensor to be a subtle, yet noticeable improvement over 18 megapixels on the T6.

But for other types of photography, these benefits don’t really matter. Portrait photographers would have better luck taking the $200 they’ve saved and buying an off-camera flash kit instead, or putting the money toward a 50mm f/1.8 lens. The same is true of travel photographers buying a camera for vacations; you might not find much value in the T6i’s extra features in that case.

Image quality of the two cameras is very similar, practically the same. The 24 megapixel versus 18 megapixel sensor seems like a big deal, but the difference in maximum print size is actually quite small – and it only appears if your technique is perfect, usually meaning that you used a tripod and the camera’s base ISO. So don’t base your decision on image quality unless you can’t live without an extra 15% print width.

Are the T6i’s benefits worth an extra $200? That depends on a few things, including your budget, and I don’t have any way of knowing your exact situation. But in general, the answer is yes for sports or theater photographers, yes for video shooters, probably so for landscape photographers, and probably not for portrait or travel photographers. Put the money to a good lighting kit, tripod, or lens, and you’ll see more benefits in your final image.

Other Cameras to Consider

As good as the Canon T6 and T6i are, there are many other cameras at this price range which are also worth considering if you’re starting out in photography. Take a look at our detailed comparison of today’s entry-level DSLRs. One takeaway is that the Nikon D3500 sells for the same or similar price to the Canon T6, but has generally better features overall, so you should give it some thought if your heart isn’t set on a Canon. And both the Nikon D5600 and Canon SL2 are worth looking at if you’re looking for cameras in line with the T6i’s price.

Here is an extensive chart comparing all of Canon’s current entry-level DSLR cameras, including both the T6 and T6i:

T6 / 1300DT7 / 2000D / 1500DT6i / 750DT7i / 800DSL2 / 200D
Announcement DateMarch 2016February 2018February 2015February 2017June 2017
Megapixels1824242424
Autofocus Points9919459
Continuous Shooting3 fps3 fps5 fps6 fps5 fps
LCD Tilt-Flip CapabilityNoNoYesYesYes
Dual Pixel AFNoNoNoYesYes
Battery Life500 photos500 photos440 photos600 photos650 photos
Weight (with battery and card)485 g475 g555 g532 g453 g
Price (early 2019, with 18-55mm kit lens)$400$500$600$750$600

Also keep in mind that the T6 and T6i cameras have several mirrorless competitors as well. The main ones around this price point are the Sony A5100 and A6000, Fuji X-A5, and Canon’s own M50. Personally, I believe DSLRs at this price are often better value if you don’t mind their large size, but you may find a good deal on one of these mirrorless options that makes it the better purchase.

Sample photos taken with these cameras or other competitors of the T6 and T6i:

Abstract Detail Photo of Water
NIKON D3400 + 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 @ 300mm, ISO 360, 1/1000, f/6.3
Sand Dune Landscape Photo
NIKON D5600 + 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 18mm, ISO 100, 1/200, f/8.0
Black and White Landscape Photo with Canon SL2
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 + EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM @ 18mm, ISO 500, 1/30, f/6.3
Red Leaf and Green Background Sample Picture
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 + EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM @ 38mm, ISO 400, 1/250, f/5.0
Canon Rebel T7i Sample Photo of Architecture
Canon EOS Rebel T7i + EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM @ 31mm, ISO 100, 1/100, f/5.0

Conclusion

Hopefully this article gives you a good idea whether the Canon Rebel T6 or T6i is a better choice for your needs. If there’s a feature on the T6i you can’t live without – maybe the tilt-flip screen or the 60 FPS video, for example – you already know your choice.

If you’re still unsure, wait until one of these cameras goes on sale and you find a good deal. Or, if your budget allows it, just buy the T6i. It’s the more advanced camera between the two, and the worst case scenario is that you don’t end up using its more advanced features.

At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong either way. Both the T6 and T6i are highly capable cameras which can help you capture amazing images – and the same can be said about essentially all their competitors at this price point.

Related Articles

  • Canon 5DS and 5DS R Image Samples
    Canon 5DS and 5DS R Image Samples
  • Canon 1D X Mark II Sample Images
    Canon 1D X Mark II Sample Images
  • Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark II
    Canon 5D Mark III vs 5D Mark II
  • Canon Entry Level DSLR Review-5
    Comparing Entry-Level Canon DSLR Cameras
  • Nikon 50mm f/1.4 with Novoflex Canon Adapter
    Use Nikon Lenses on Canon DSLRs
  • Canon 90D
    Canon 80D vs 90D
Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Canon, Canon DSLR, Canon T6, Canon T6i

About Spencer Cox

I'm Spencer Cox, a macro and landscape photographer based in Denver. My photos have been displayed in galleries worldwide, including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and exhibitions in London, Malta, Siena, and Beijing. These days I'm active on Instagram and YouTube.

guest

guest

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Annnd Action Photo Booth
Annnd Action Photo Booth
October 9, 2022 10:34 am

Hi Spencer! Great article. That mono landscape is pretty cool- what/where is it? I appreciate you laying out these version of the Canon Eos as you did. It’s two years from your article and almost 10 from the T6 release…our shutter on the T6i has just gone rouge and I’m debating fix or replace. It’s a great camera, so I’m a little bummed, but will have to figure it out. :) Thanks again.

0
Reply

Learn

  • Beginner Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Portraiture
  • Post-Processing
  • Advanced Tutorials

Reviews

  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews
  • Best Cameras and Lenses

Photography Tutorials

Photography Basics
Landscape Photography
Wildlife Photography
Macro Photography
Composition & Creativity
Black & White Photography
Night Sky Photography
Portrait Photography
Street Photography
Photography Videos

Unique Gift Ideas

Best Gifts for Photographers

Subscribe via Email

If you like our content, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates using the link below:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Beginner Photography
  • Lens Database
  • Lens Index
  • Photo Spots
  • Search
  • Forum

Reviews

  • Reviews Archive
  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews

More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Workshops
  • Support Us
  • Submit Content

Copyright © 2023 · Photography Life

You are going to send email to

Move Comment