After your camera model, Canon came out with the 7D (with the 18MP sensor) and used the same sensor in the T2i, T3i, T4i, T5i, and 60D cameras. It wasn't until the T6i that they put a new sensor in the camera (with some gains over the performance of the long-running 18MP that they used for years).
But when they released the T7i and 77D they replaced the sensor yet again and this time the camera got some VERY significant gains. The T7i & 77D are a huge upgrade over any previous Rebel series camera (most other models were very small gains over the prievious year's model.)
This is why I'd agree that you should look at either the T7i or 77D. The two camera have the same sensor but mostly different body features.
If you look at the "top" of each camera, the T7i has dials and controls much like your current camera (it's changed a tiny bit and there are a few extra buttons but it's mostly going to look very similar to what you have now). But if you look at the top of the 77D... the mode dial is moved to the other side of the viewfinder and in it's place there is now an LCD display screen (not video - just simple LCD) which has all the current exposure info, etc. all displayed.
Also, another significant change is on the back of the camera. On your camera you have a simple up/down/left/right button (which also access different functions). This is the same (or very similar) on the T7i. But on the 77D the buttons have a knurled rotation ring (wheel) around them and you can rotate it. If you like to shoot with manual exposure, the front wheel (next to the shutter button) changes the shutter speed and the rear-dial (which you can easily access with your thumb) changes the aperture (f-stop). This makes it much faster to control than your current camera.
The extra display and dial are features of the mid-grade and pro-grade cameras. I think the difference for the "body only" price is about $50. The camera performance, resolution, ISO, focus system, etc. etc. are all identical (they have the same sensor.)
One noteable MISSING feature... Canon does not make a battery grip for either the T7i or the 77D ... nor can you use a grip from a previous model camera.
If you want a battery grip, you should probably look at a Canon 80D.
Other than that, all cameras can use the same lenses that you've been using on your Canon XT.
If you are using the same entry-level lenses that might have been included with your XT (such as the 18-55mm zoom) then you would want to be aware that the new versions of those lenses are significantly improved. The new versions have at "STM" suffix on the name (e.g. Canon EOS EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6mm IS STM) (I bolded the "STM"). This means the lens has Canon's new "stepper motor" focusing system (very quiet and smooth) but Canon also updated the optics. The new lenses are a bit sharper. The EF 50mm f/1.8 lens was updated with an "STM" version which also updated the number and shape of the aperture blades so now the out-of-focus blur (background blur) is much smoother & creamier than the old generation.
You wont be able to use the battery pack (battery grip) that mounted on the bottom of your XT (battery grips are always camera model-specific and never carry over to any new model).
You should find that your remote (wired) shutter release fits and works just fine (it probably has a jack that looks like a mini headphone jack). However all of these cameras now support WiFi and you can actually use a smartphone (there's a free app) to remotely control the camera.
All the new cameras have video capability (it wouldn't matter which model you get) although of note... these new cameras now have Canon's Dual-Pixel CMOS AF (a feature previously only found on mid-grade and high-end models). The Dual-Pixel CMOS AF allows the camera to use a phase-detect-like focus system (light passes through a beam-splitter (pism) to split it into two phases. If the light re-converges in-phase then the camera is focused at that particular position... if not, then the lens is not focused and the direction and distance of focus can instantly be determined by comparing the two phases.
Ok, so that sounds technical (and it is) but what it means to YOU is that the camera can do continuous auto-focus during live-video and it can follow your subject as they move closer or farther ... the camera tracks focus very accurately and you wont see the camera "hunt" for focus.
You'll get better audio quality if you attach an external microphone (specifically you should check out the Rode VideoMic Pro which is a "powered" external mic with enough gain to avoid that "hiss" sound you often hear on other mics). It's designed to mount in the hot-shoe socket on top of the camera.
The "STM" lenses (the new lenses) have focus motors which are no so quiet that it's extremely difficult to hear them when recording video (you probably wont hear anything but if you try really really hard ... you might just barely make out the sound of the focus motor.)
Tim Campbell
5D III, 5D IV, 60Da
