Upgrade from T2i to T6? Would T6 be considered an upgrade from T2i?

[Sha0303]

Hi Everyone.  I am new to this site.  I know a limited amount about photography...My husband bought me a Canon T2i in 2012...since then I have only taken photos and video with the kit lens...I have been wanting to buy a new lens for so long and recently bought the Tamron 16-300 lens.  I went to a local store and talked with the sales guy about what I was looking for.  I told him....(I'm not a photographer but would like to be able to take faster shots of my too very fast moving kids and also have the zoom factor for sports.  In addition, I want to be able to take better photos inside as well as be able to zoom closer for indoor plays, christmas programs.)  He said that the Tamron 16-300 would always take a better photo than the kit lens that I had been using.  

He suggested that I upgrade the body.  At the time I thought he was suggesting the T6i but now think he was talking about the T6 because of the price he quoted.  I didn't buy it because I already spent so much money on the Tamron lens, filter, uv filter...  To my surprise my husband bought me the Canon T6 Camera with the 18-55mm kit lens for Christmas.

My Question:  Is the T6 considered an upgrade from the T2i or would if be more beneficial to pay a little extra for the T6i?   Thank you 

[jrhoffman75]

In my judgement the T6i is a much better camera. There are only minor differences between the T2i and the T6.

If its in the budget I would suggest you consider returning the T6 and get the T6i.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/canon/t2i/vs/canon/t6i/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/canon/t2i/vs/canon/t6/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/canon/t6i/vs/canon/t6/

[Sha0303]

Thank you John!!  That's what I was thinking too..just wanted to get confirmation from someone with your expertise.  I appreciate your response.  🙂

[jrhoffman75]

If its possible to get a cash refund from the store where the T6 was purchased you might want to look into a refurbished T6i at the Canon eStore. Same warranty as new at a savings.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6i-ef-s-18-55mm-is-stm-lens-kit-with-ef-s-55-2...

[amfoto1]

I wouldn't call the T6 much of an upgrade from T2i.

T2i was the top-of-the-line Rebel model in its day... 18MP and with features like an articulated LCD screen.

T6 is one of  the most entry-level Rebel model currently in production.... also 18MP, only a fixed LCD screen, but with WiFi.

A Rebel T6i or T6s would be much more in line as an upgrade. A slighlty older T5i would be, too (and has a simpler auto focus system that would be more familiar to you... but still is upgraded compared to T2i).

Any of these models, you might take a look at the Canon USA online store's refurbished camera offers. They've had a killer deal on T6i recently, if I recall correctly. Stock comes and goes there, so you might have to be patient and wait until what your want comes in stock.

For brand new, USA warranted (not grey market) at B&H PHoto in NY, I see there also is a $200 instant rebate now for T6i with 18-55mm STM lens and $350 instant rebate for T6i with both 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses. There are some discounts on the more expensive T6s, too.

Most often those Rebel series cameras come with kit lenses. Usually it's the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM, and sometimes also the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM. These are good deals too, when bought in kit like this... but you should price things separately to see for yourself.

I would NOT recommend the Tamron 16-300mm you're considering. For one, third party lenses aren't guaranteed to work on future Canon cameras. They may or may not.

Also, that type of lens is very slow and a terrible choice for available light, indoor shooting. For that you either need a much more expensive and high performance zoom such as an EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM or one or two even faster prime lenses such as EF 50/1.8 STM or EF 50/1.4 USM. By "fast" I'm refering to the larger aperture of these lenses. That Tamron lens is f/3.5 at the wide end and only f/6.3 at the telephoto end of its zoom. This means it admits far less light than either the f/2.8, f/1.8 or f/1.4 lenses. For example, f/1.4 admits two stops more or 4X as much light as f/2.8... or over four stops more or 16X as much light as that Tamron at f/6.3! 

In addition, that Tamron lens is an "entry level" model with "piezo" motor driven auto focus. I haven't used it buy imagine that's pretty similar to Canon's micro motor lenses, which are the slowest focusing of all. STM are faster and USM are even faster yet.

And, quite honestly, while a 20X zoom like that 16-300mm might be convenient, I'm not a fan of "do everything" zooms. In my experience, they don't do anything particularly well. Not knocking Tamron (in fact I use two of their more pro-oriented "SP" lenses in my daily shooter kit and have used many others in the past). But this type of lens just doesn't make sense to me. The whole idea of an interchangeable lens DSLR is to be able to adapt the camera for use in different situations. Fitting one with a 20X zoom just sort of seems counter-productive.

You mention shooting video and if you want to be able to autofocus that, Canon's STM (stepper motor) lenses are preferable for that (except for a few recently very released "Nano" USM lenses). STM isn't quite as fast focusing as USM, but it's quieter and smoother operating for video work.

The Rebel T6i and T6s are very similar cameras with a fairly advanced AF system (19-points, all "cross type", similar to what was used in 70D and in turn that camera inherited a somewhat simplified version of the AF in the original 7D). They are 24MP models three or four generations newer than your T2i and with a lot of improvements compared to the older camera. The T6s has some additional displays and controls, unique for a Rebel series model (sort of borrowed from 70D/80D). It also has some video-related enhancements, so might be of interest to you.

A new lens that Canon introduced alongside the 80D also might interest you. The EF-S 18-135mm IS USM uses a new "Nano" form of USM "ultrasonic" focus motore that is faster than STM and optimized for use shooting video. (Canon has since introduced two more Nano USM lenses: 24-105L IS USM II and EF 70-300 IS USM II.)

Something unique to the EF-S 18-135mm USM is that a matching PZ-E1 "power zoom" module is being offered for use with it. This is another thing a videographer might find interesting and helpful. This module only works with this lens, AFAIK.

Hope this helps!

***********

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 

[Waddizzle]

I agree with John.  That item seems to be out of stock.  Here's a bundle that is not ... at least for the moment.  Take note of what is sold out.  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.  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. 

The T5i will only offer marginal improvements over a T5 [or a T6 which adds Wi-Fi, but is otherwise identical to a T5].  All of these bodies are best described as a replacement for your existing camera.  The SL1 is better described as a replacement than an upgrade, too.

I would advise a camera body like T6i, or a T6s, which offer a major jump in resolution and ISO performance. If you want an upgrade, then I would go for one of those. These my stretch your budget, but if you want an upgrade, and not just a replacement camera, then they are good cameras to consider.

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.

If you purchase another lens, go for one that has a low f/stop value, f/2.8 or better.  The lower the number, the better the low light performance can be.

[amfoto1]

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....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....

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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. 

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.... 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. ...

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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.

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...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...

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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.

***********

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 

[RobertTheFat]

amfoto1 wrote:

I wouldn't call the T6 much of an upgrade from T2i.

Nor would I.

T2i was the top-of-the-line Rebel model in its day... 18MP and with features like an articulated LCD screen.

But the T2i doesn't have an articulated screen. (My wife has one, so I just checked.)

[Waddizzle]

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.... 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. ...

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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). 

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Of course, it's true.  Your own argument just proved it.  The STM and USM designated lenses are better than those that are not.

The older non-STM and non-USM lenses have inferior focus drive moters, which are less consistent and less accurate.  Less consistent focusing means more photos that are not as sharp as they could be.

...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...

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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.

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I wasn't not aware of that.  The 7D Mark II has DPAF, but it cannot auto focus when shooting video. 

[Waddizzle]

"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."

I just checked the T6i and the T6s.  Neither one of them has Dual Pixel Auto Focus.  They both have "Hybrid CMOS AF III", the same as my EOS M3.  I believe that means that neither T6i or T6s can dynamically auto focus while shooting video.  The user must initiate focus changes.