“Entry-level” cameras are pretty significant for manufacturers, even though their prices are relatively modest. This is the camera with which the customer begins their adventure with a brand, and many customers who begin this trip with a particular brand will remain loyal to that brand for a very long time.
As a result, you can purchase a camera with many features for a pretty low price. The Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D is the company’s most recent entry-level offering. It is now being sold at a price ideal for novice photographers, students, or anybody who has never used a DSLR. It is considerably less expensive than the majority of standard compact cameras.
However, compared to its predecessor, the EOS Rebel T5 / EOS 1200D, the Rebel T6 does not represent a significant advancement. The Rebel T5 / EOS 1200D, in turn, did not represent a substantial improvement over its predecessor, the EOS Rebel T4 / 1100D. It would appear that Canon has again played it reasonably safe with the spec list, which helps keep the camera inexpensive for those crucial first-time buyers.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Features
The sensor has the same number of megapixels as the one found in the EOS Rebel T5 and the EOS 1200D, which is 18 million. Still, the processor has been given a minor boost to the DIGIC 4+ (the Rebel T5 has a regular DIGIC 4). On the other hand, when one considers that Canon’s most recent processor is the DIGIC 7, the 4+ appears to be a very outdated piece of technology.
Because the EF-S lens mount used by the EOS Rebel T6 and EOS 1300D is compatible with all of the lenses in Canon’s EF line, consumers have access to a vast selection of options priced to accommodate a variety of budgets.
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 and EOS 1300D share some of the same additional features as its predecessor, the Canon EOS Rebel T5. It utilizes the same basic 9-point autofocusing technology but adds one cross-type (higher-sensitivity) point to the array’s center. In addition, there is an optical viewfinder with a coverage of 95%; At the same time, this may not sound like you are missing much; when evaluating the photographs later, you may notice that undesirable items have crept into the edges of the frame.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Build Quality
The EOS Rebel T6 and the EOS 1300D have a design almost identical to the one seen on the previous model, the T5. It has a textured coating on the chunky front grip and the rear thumb rest, which helps to create an impression of quality higher than that of a typical entry-level camera. As a result, the camera has the feel of a Canon Rebel T6i or EOS 750D, both in the middle range of the brand’s offerings.
Although the grip is well curved to suit your middle finger when your index finger rests on the shutter release, people with more extensive hands may find it a little less comfortable to handle than those with smaller hands.
If this is your first camera, the back button structure is straightforward to comprehend and master. However, anyone who has previously used a Canon DSLR will find the button layout instantly recognizable, making it just as simple to operate as a second camera.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Autofocus
When there is sufficient light, autofocus rates are often relatively fast, although they experience some degree of slowdown in low-light circumstances. Although the EOS Rebel T6 and EOS 1300D were tested with Canon’s EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, we did not have any issues with the autofocus throughout our testing; nevertheless, the performance of other lenses may vary.
By selecting the AI Servo AF mode, you will be able to follow subjects that are in motion. The Canon EOS Rebel T6 was able to keep up with somewhat slow-moving things, such as a person walking across a scene, relatively smoothly, but it suffered a little bit when it came to keeping up with speedier subjects.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Performance
The Canon iFCL metering technology is utilized by both the Rebel T6 and the EOS 1300D, just as it was by the T5. In general, this does an excellent job of producing accurate exposures; however, because priority is given to the active autofocus point, if whatever you’re focusing on is exceptionally bright or dark, this can skew the overall exposure reading. I needed to dial in a little exposure compensation on several occasions to get the desired results.
The auto white balance function of the Canon Rebel T6 performs admirably in a wide variety of lighting environments. The results are not bad, but if you want the highest level of accuracy, it may be good to switch to a more appropriate setting, such as fluorescent. Artificial lighting makes the tones appear a bit warmer than is correct.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Image Quality
The Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D utilizes the same sensor as the T5 but is equipped with the DIGIC 4+ processor rather than the DIGIC 4. This results in a minor improvement in image quality. Therefore, according to our tests, it should not be surprising that the Rebel T6 performs quite similarly to the T5.
The image quality is rather impressive, and those who are just starting with digital single-lens reflex photography should be blown away by the capabilities of the Canon EOS Rebel T6 / 1300D.
JPEG images display a good level of warmth and saturation directly from the camera, which is consistent with what we have become accustomed to seeing from cameras across Canon’s range. Picture Styles are an excellent way to tweak the tones depending on the subject; for instance, you may find that portraits will benefit from the more subdued tones of that preset. JPEG images can be exported in various formats, including TIFF, PSD, and CR2.
Raw images are a little more subdued than JPEGs, with a bit less contrast, giving you plenty of scopes to process files according to your preferences. You can use either Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software, which is bundled with the Rebel T6, or a third-party application, such as Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom. JPEGs are the more familiar format for digital photography. JPEGs are in a lossy format, which is compressed and stored in a manner that allows them.
Regarding detail resolution, Canon’s 18 million pixel sensor has proven to be a capable performer, both in the T5 and elsewhere. The overall impression of detail in JPEG images is excellent from ISO100 up to ISO3,200, with the quality only slightly decreasing when you get to ISO6,400.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Specs
| Body type | Compact SLR |
|---|---|
| Max resolution | 5184 x 3456 |
| Other resolutions | 3456 x 2304, 2592 x 1728, 1920 x 1080, 720 x 480 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 18 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 19 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Digic 4+ |
| ISO | Auto, ISO 100-6400, expandable to 12800 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 12800 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 9 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 920,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject / scene modes | Yes |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash range | 9.20 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye |
| Continuous drive | 3.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (wired or wireless) |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion LP-E10 rechargeable battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 485 g (1.07 lb / 17.11 oz) |
| Dimensions | 129 x 101 x 78 mm (5.08 x 3.98 x 3.07″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS Rebel T6 Verdict
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D is a reliable but uninspired entry-level DSLR camera that forgoes eye-catching features in favor of reliable image quality at an affordable price. Although it is a fantastic option for novices, entry-level DSLRs are available with higher specifications if you are ready to pay a little bit more money.
