....The best value for the buck cameras are mostly all gone.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-t5i-18-55mm-is-stm-lens-kit-refurbished
I don't think you need another camera kit lens. Although some of the bundles in Canon's Refurbished Store are priced such that the kit lens is nearly a give away. As a rule, look for just camera bodies....
Refurbished stock comes and goes quickly at the Canon USA online store. I tmight be possible to set up an alert, to be notified if and when a particular item comes in stock... then you'd better move quickly.
But if you don't have the patience for that, there are the instant rebates available a lot of places for brand new items. I think those expire Dec. 31.
I disagree regarding the kit lenses.... often the best deal on Rebel series models is a kit. The new lens might be better than a current one like it... Or, you can simply sell off any excess easily on Craigslist or eBay, to recoup some of your costs.
OP mentions wanting a telephoto, too. Many of the kits include one. If you go that route, get the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens... NOT the EF 75-300mm. The 55-250mm is a much better lens.
.... The kit lenses that end their model numbers with "STM" or "USM" are lenses that are a noticeable jump in image quality, although not much of an improvement in speed. ...
That's simply not true. Lenses without either STM or USM designaation are cheaper and use "micro motor" focus drive... and that's slower, noisier, less consistent and less smooth operating. STM and USM lenses may or may not be any different optically. Lenses with STM are faster focusing, as well as quieter and smoother focusing, ideal for video work in particular, but better overall too. USM lenses are even faster, but not as quiet and smooth... great for sports and other action photography, but not ideal for video work (except for the new "Nano" USM models).
Example: Canon EF-S 18-135mm was originally offered with micro motor. Then it saw both improvements in optics and got better STM focus drive. And most recently it's been upgraded again, to the new "Nano" USM focus drive which Canon states is 2X to 4X faster than STM version (and nodoubt even more improved compared to micro motor, though they don't say exactly). There there is no difference optically, between the STM and USM versions. They have the same block diagram, same number of elements and groups, same close focusing ability... so likely have little or no difference optically.
...If you want the best performance for action, video, and low light, then the 80D is Canon's best consumer camera they have. The 80D has an Auto-Focus system that rivals Canon's professional models, plus it is one of the few Canon DSLR models that can auto-focus while recording video. The other camera bodies that can do it cost thousands...
T6i and T6s both also can auto focus during video. In fact they also both have Dual Pixel Auto Focus (DPAF), same as 80D. That's a lot faster than the old contrast detection AF that was used previously.
Also like the 80D, they have Touch Screen control, which can be used to set AF point in Live View and video. And, I think all three have iTR or "intelligent tracking" AF... where it can recognize and follow a face while a person is moving, maintaining focus on the person.
70D has most of these same features, too...in fact, DPAF and Touch Screen were introduced on it, but just with a slightly lower resolution 20MP sensor (T6i, T6s and 80D are all 24MP models). 7D Mark II also has most of them (though it's 20MP like 70D, and it doesn't have an articulated LCD screen like those other four models).
All Rebel series models including T6i/T6s use a penta-mirror viewfinder, which isn't quite as big and bright as the true pentaprism viewfinder on the 70D, 80D and 7DII models. Those Rebel series also use a somewhat lower specification shutter with 1/4000 top speed, 1/200 flash sync and probably a durability rating of about 75,000 actuations. 70D, 80D and 7DII have 1/8000 top speed, 1/250 flash sync. 70D and 80D are probably rated for 100,000 actuations and 7DII is rated for 200,000.
Another difference, Rebel series use a small battery. 70D, 80D, 7DII use a larger one that gives almost twice as many shots per charge (or more time shooting video).
Yes, 80D's AF system is another step up... Close to what's now offered in the most pro-oriented 5D Mark IV and 1DX Mark II models. It's 45-point AF (and the 7DII's 65-point) is able to focus in lower light, down to -3EV, compared to -1EV or -0.5EV on the 70D and Rebel models' 19-point AF. 70D, 80D and 7DII all also have Micro Focus Adjustment feature, which can be used to fine tune the focus accuracy of specific lenses to individual cameras... Rebel series lack MFA.
80D is a definite step up and a good camera. But coming from T2i the T6i and T6s also would both be significant improvement. I agree that T6 (or T5) is more of a "replacement", might even be a bit of a downgrade from T2i in certain respects, only a very minor upgrade in other ways.
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Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2) some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & EXPOSUREMANAGER
