topic Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Brianna_G — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 18:10:48 GMT

I currently have an Olympus SP-610UZ. I am looking to upgrade my camera for nature and wildlife photography. (as well as casual use but I will mainly use it for nature and wildlife) I was going to just purchase the T6I but I saw the SL3 is similar when it comes to the price. The T7I is not an option for me unfortunately because I don't have 200 extra dollars. The SL3 has some better features but the T6I has more AF points so I'm kind of at a loss. I'm fairly new to photography so I appreciate any information anyone can give me.

Thanks!

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

RobertTheFat — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 18:58:02 GMT

@Brianna_G wrote:
I currently have an Olympus SP-610UZ. I am looking to upgrade my camera for nature and wildlife photography. (as well as casual use but I will mainly use it for nature and wildlife) I was going to just purchase the T6I but I saw the SL3 is similar when it comes to the price. The T7I is not an option for me unfortunately because I don't have 200 extra dollars. The SL3 has some better features but the T6I has more AF points so I'm kind of at a loss. I'm fairly new to photography so I appreciate any information anyone can give me.

Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken, the target cohort for the SL seres is users who put a strong emphasis on small size and light weight (e.g., street photographers trying to be inconspicuous). For wildlife photography, I'd think that the extra AF points would be more worthwhile. Having used neither camera, I'd suppose that the T6i would be the better choice.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Brianna_G — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 19:03:03 GMT

That makes sense, thank you!

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

MikeSowsun — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 23:32:54 GMT

What lens do you plan to use with your new DSLR?

Your Olympus SP-610UZ has an equivalent focal length zoom range of 28-616mm. If you want a similar zoom range with a DSLR, you will need a lens capable of approximately 400mm.

If you just use the 55-250mm zoom lens, you will probably be disappointed.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

RobertTheFat — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 23:28:05 GMT

@MikeSowsun wrote:
What lens do you plan to use with your new DSLR?

Your Olympus SP-610UZ has an equivalent focal length zoom range of 28-616mm. If you want a similar zoom range with a DSLR, you will need at least a lens capable of approximately 400mm.

If you just use the 55-250mm zoom lens, you will probably be disappointed.

Mike's point is valid, and you should take it into consideration in selecting a lens for your new camera, whatever you decide. But it isn't relevant to the question you asked. Both the T6i and the SL3 are APS-C cameras, which means that with any given lens, the two cameras will have the same angle of view. So if the 55-250 is too short for your purposes on one of the cameras you're considering, the same will be true on the other.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Tim — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 00:33:40 GMT

Brianna_G,

Whether you're a first time SLR user, an aspiring photo enthusiast, or someone looking to capture those amazing family moments, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 can be the perfect companion. It's the smallest and lightest EOS DSLR camera to date*, and is equipped with 4K recording capability, Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF, and a vari-angle LCD for selfies and fun angles. Its 24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor combines with the powerful DIGIC 8 Processor for amazing performance and results, and the EOS Rebel SL3 even lets you channel your creativity with options like 4K Time-lapse movies and Creative Assist. Wherever you are and wherever you go, the EOS Rebel SL3 camera makes it simple to capture stunning photos and videos to view and share.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

RobertTheFat — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:27:13 GMT

@Tim wrote:
Brianna_G,

Whether you're a first time SLR user, an aspiring photo enthusiast, or someone looking to capture those amazing family moments, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 can be the perfect companion. It's the smallest and lightest EOS DSLR camera to date*, and is equipped with 4K recording capability, Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF, and a vari-angle LCD for selfies and fun angles. Its 24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor combines with the powerful DIGIC 8 Processor for amazing performance and results, and the EOS Rebel SL3 even lets you channel your creativity with options like 4K Time-lapse movies and Creative Assist. Wherever you are and wherever you go, the EOS Rebel SL3 camera makes it simple to capture stunning photos and videos to view and share.

Tim's comment reads like it was cribbed from a Canon TV commercial. But that's all right; I won't quibble over the content.

Smaller and lighter are a good thing (although at the extreme end of that path you can pay a price in durability). But a fact of modern DSLR systems is that the lens can be as heavy, and sometimes as large, as the camera body. Which limits the beneficial effect of a smaller, lighter body.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

kvbarkley — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:24:36 GMT

Tim brings up a good point, the SL3 has dual pixel AF, which can be very handy during video.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

ebiggs1 — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 15:26:12 GMT

Since you handle is Brianna, I assume you are female? And, you also have smaller hands than most males do? This would make the SL series very attractive. You also said you want to shoot wildlife. That means larger telephoto lenses. They tend to balance better with larger camera bodies. How much of the time is wildlife going to be the goal? If it occupies the larger part of your photography hobby, the T6i is probably going to be a better choice.

I would not let a claim of better AF features enter into the equation. I would let the size difference of the two candidates be primary. I do some wildlife shooting and BIF shooting and I mostly use the center AF point only and One shot. Pretty simple.

I occasionally switch to Ai-servo with a few active AF points around the center. That's it.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

shadowsports — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:23:13 GMT

The SL3 is a clear winner for all of these reasons:

1070 vs 460 shots on a single battery charge

Max ISO 2560 vs 1280

+3EV vs +2EV (one stop still matters)

449g vs 555g weight

4k video (30p) vs 2k

Bluetooth vs none

1 yr old vs 5yrs old

I'm a numbers guy. (often)

AF points 9 vs 19 (Winner T6i) - Only drawback, but it doesn't matter

What ebiggs has menioned is very important

I agree the SL3 would be my choice. Why, because you will be able to do more, have more flexiibility in a greater number of situations and all in a smaller and lighter package. They have the same size sensor.

The SL3 will give you greater creative control in your photos and video. Will it focus and "lock on" as quickly maybe not, but in the long run and in a greater number of situations I believe you will appreciate the SL3 over the T6i.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Waddizzle — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 20:18:03 GMT

I do not know what your budget is, or where you have been looking to purchase a camera. If you are looking camera bundles on Amazon, I strongly suggest that you look else where. One of the best places to look is Canon's Online refurbished Store.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-77d-ef-s-18-55-is-stm-kit-refurbished

They have very attractive deals on the 70D, which I am sure have had "the fix" installed.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-70d-18-55mm-is-stm-kit-refurbished-camera

The 70D is going for less than the 77D. It is beginning to look attractive, IMHO. There are a lot of good deals right now.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Waddizzle — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 20:23:27 GMT

The camera body is only one half of the package. You will want at telephoto lens that is at least 300mm long.

Again what is your budget.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

wchettel — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 21:18:39 GMT

Waddizzle, that is a beautiful photo of a Great Egret! Where did you take that photo?

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Brianna_G — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:33:43 GMT

I am steering clear of the bundles on Amazon. If I was going to get the T6I I was going to get it off of Canon's website. If I was going to get the SL3 I was going to
purchase it from Best Buy. Recently I saw on Best Buy's site they have a T7I bundle that comes with two lenses for $750 (and less important things like a bag and SD card). $750 is about $150 over my budget but I believe it's a better value in the end? My budget really can't go any higher than $750 along with the tax I will have to pay. I saw some comments about me most likely being disappointed with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II however I did some research and it does seem like you can get some pretty decent wildlife shots with it. A bonus is I live in Florida and a lot of the wildlife are pretty comfortable with humans so I can get within a comfortable/safe distance for both the animals and myself. I was considering the 70D and 77D but I really can't adjust my budget any further due to being a student and only working part-time.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

Waddizzle — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:48:26 GMT

@wchettel - I took the shot at a lake in the NYC northern suburbs, about 15-20 miles or so form Times Square. There is one egret that has begun feeding there in the late afternoon, just before sunset.

@Brianna_G. - Did you see the prices at the links that I posted. I like the 77D camera kit better than the 70D camera kit, but only because the 77D has lunch newer and better technology.

Lenses. Here is a great starter lens, which is probably just outside of your budget. It is worth it, to save up for it.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-is-ii-usm-refurbished

The best version of the 55-250mm is probably the latest version, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens-refurbished

How well it will perform shooting wildlife will depend upon the size of the wildlife and how close you are. It will give you and angle of view that is roughly equivalent to 100-400mm, which is the range of a very popular professional grade Canon lens.

Stay away from the 75-30mm lense, Stick with the 70-300mm lenses, if you want that range.

Re: Need Recommendations: SL3 or T6I

ebiggs1 — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 16:47:37 GMT

Kido,

If budget is a main most thing buy just the camera and the ef-s 18-55mm lens. Do not buy any bundles or packages. One camera and one lens. This is how you are going to end up. You buy the two lens package and quickly find it doesn't do what you want. Now what? You need to buy another lens, so how does that impact the budget? Buying twice?

I like Ricks' analysis for the SL3 and I like Best Buy as source because you can go in the store and try the camera before you buy or even decide.

A even better idea is just buy the camera I.E. the SL3 body only and choose a lens separately. This will cost more initially but will be less costly in the long run.

And even better lens is either the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens or the super sharp and very fast Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF. Both lenses are on sale at retailers like B&H, Adorama, Roberts and possible Best Buy, too. This combo and either of those tow lenses is a killer combo that you will never need to upgrade.

Later you can decide on a tele for your wildlife shots. I can tell you 250mm isn't enough and you will be disappointed using it for wildlife unless you can be in a cage with them.

Choose wisely and avoid any and all bundles and packages! Avoid Amazon, too.