When it comes to entry-level DSLR cameras, the Canon Rebel series is a popular choice among photographers. The Canon T5 and T6 are two models in this series that are often compared. While they share many similarities, there are also some important differences between the two that can impact your photography experience.
In this article, we’ll dive into a comparison of the Canon T5 vs T6, discussing their standout features, image quality, processor, video capabilities, and more. Whether you’re a beginner photographer or looking to upgrade your gear, this comparison will help you make an informed decision about which camera is best suited for your needs.
Canon Rebel T5 vs T6: Standout features
When comparing the Canon Rebel T5 vs T6, both cameras offer similar features, but there are a few key differences:

- 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor with DIGIC 4 image processor
- EF-S 18-55mm IS II standard zoom lens expands picture-taking possibilities
- 3-inch LCD TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor for easy viewing and sharing
- EOS 1080p full HD movie mode helps you capture brilliant results

- Video Capture Resolution: Fhd 1080P
- Lens Type: Zoom
- Mounting Type: Bayonet
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- Image Sensor and Processor: The T5 and T6 both feature an 18MP CMOS sensor, but the T6 has a newer DIGIC 4+ image processor compared to the T5’s DIGIC 4 processor. The DIGIC 4+ provides faster processing speeds and improved noise reduction, which means the T6 may produce slightly better image quality in low-light situations.
- Scene Intelligent Auto Mode: Canon T6 offers Scene Intelligent Auto mode, which automatically analyzes the scene and selects the best settings for optimal exposure and image quality. The T5 doesn’t have this feature.
- Connectivity: Eos Rebel T6 has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing for easy transfer of images to a smartphone or tablet, and remote camera control through Canon’s Camera Connect app. The T5 doesn’t have built-in connectivity.
- Price: The Eos Rebel T6 is typically slightly more expensive than the T5, due to the newer processor and added features.
Overall, the Canon Rebel T6 offers some improvements over the Canon T5, including better noise reduction, Scene Intelligent Auto mode, and built-in connectivity. However, both cameras offer similar image quality and shooting capabilities, so the choice between the two may come down to personal preference and budget.
Canon Rebel T5 vs T6: Key differences
Canon’s latest model, the Rebel T6, combines many of the improvements made to the previous two models and adds the ability to shoot Full HD video.
Compared with the T5, the T6 is larger, with a larger viewfinder (3.2-inch vs 2.8-inch) and a larger body (8.7mm vs 8.2mm) in exchange for a smaller battery (1600mAh vs 2000mAh).
The T5’s ISO performance was always a little variable, however, so the new ISO 64 setting is a welcome addition. This should make it easier to maintain the same sensitivity at low light as with ISO 100 or 200. The other addition is the high-speed continuous shooting mode, which will make it possible to shoot 8 frames per second at full resolution.
The new Canon camera also has got a new shooting mode that is aimed towards foodies or users who want to take stunning pictures of their meals. Canon claims that their new camera food mode can actually enhance the brightness and color of the food images.
So if you are a food blogger or simply want to share gorgeous images, then this new camera mode of the Canon Rebel T6 may interest you.
Ergonomics
In terms of ergonomics, the Canon Rebel T5 and T6 are very similar, as both cameras share the same design and layout. However, there are some minor differences between the two cameras.
The T6 is slightly lighter than the T5, weighing in at 485g (including battery and memory card) compared to the T5’s weight of 480g. This may not be a noticeable difference for some, but it can make a difference if you plan to carry the camera around for extended periods of time.
Another difference is the placement of the camera strap lugs. The T5 has its strap lugs in the traditional location, while the T6 has its lugs positioned further forward on the camera body. This may provide a more comfortable grip for some users, but it could also cause the camera to tilt forward if you have a heavy lens attached.
Finally, the T6 has a new “Feature Guide” feature that provides on-screen explanations of camera functions and settings, which can be helpful for beginners who are new to the camera. This feature is not present on the T5.
Camera Features


There are a lot of features that these two Canon cameras can offer to its buyers.
For example, the Eos Rebel T6 has got an ISO range from 100 t0 6400, which is a big boost compared to the T5. And on top of that, the maximum ISO range up to 6400 can be expanded all the way up to 12800 if you switch out the lens.
There is also a new 3 fps continuous shooting mode, which can allow you to snap a photo and quick succession.
Plus, the improved camera Intelligent Auto mode will automatically adjust the exposure and do digital enhancements to the captured photo, based on the lighting of the current scene.
You will also not have to purchase an additional flash for the Canon T6 as it already comes with its own built-in flash. This can provide a respectable amount of lighting for the darker shots that you may end up having to take.
Another feature that is not found in the Rebel T5 is the new White Priority feature. This white balance mode essentially lets you take images that have got a more neutral color tone to them.
This can be especially useful if you are shooting underneath incandescent light bulbs. The overly white glare from incandescent lighting can be dealt with automatically by the T 6 thanks to this new feature.
Processor
The Canon Rebel T5 and T6 both feature a similar 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, but the T6 has a newer image processor, the DIGIC 4+, compared to the T5’s DIGIC 4 processor.
The DIGIC 4+ processor in the T6 provides faster processing speeds and improved noise reduction, which means the T6 may produce slightly better image quality in low-light situations. Additionally, the T6’s DIGIC 4+ processor allows for the camera’s Scene Intelligent Auto mode, which automatically analyzes the scene and selects the best settings for optimal exposure and image quality.
The Rebel T5, on the other hand, doesn’t have this feature, as it uses the older DIGIC 4 processor.
Overall, the T6’s DIGIC 4+ processor provides some improvements over the T5, particularly in terms of image processing speed and low-light performance.
Image Quality
The Canon Rebel T5 and T6 both feature an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, but the T6 has a newer image processor, the DIGIC 4+, compared to the T5’s DIGIC 4 processor. While both cameras produce excellent image quality, the T6 may have slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light situations. This is due to the T6’s improved noise reduction and faster processing speeds, thanks to its newer processor.
Additionally, the T6 has a higher maximum ISO of 12,800, compared to the T5’s maximum ISO of 6,400. This means that the T6 may be better suited for low-light shooting, as it can produce usable images at higher ISO settings without excessive noise. Overall, while both cameras produce high-quality images, the T6’s newer image processor and higher maximum ISO give it a slight edge over the T5 in terms of image quality.
Shooting speed
The shooting speed of a camera is an important factor to consider, especially for those who shoot fast-moving subjects like sports, wildlife, or action photography. The Canon Rebel T5 and T6 have similar shooting speed, but there are some differences between the two.
The Canon Rebel T5 has a continuous shooting speed of up to 3 frames per second (fps), while the T6 has a continuous shooting speed of up to 3 fps as well. This means that both cameras can capture up to 3 frames per second in continuous shooting mode, which is suitable for casual photography and some types of action photography.
However, the T6 has a slightly larger buffer capacity than the T5, which means that it can capture more images in burst mode before the camera slows down. The T6 has a buffer capacity of 6 RAW or 100 JPEG images, while the T5 has a buffer capacity of 6 RAW or 69 JPEG images.
Additionally, the T6 has a new feature called “Food mode,” which automatically adjusts the camera settings to capture images of food in the best possible way. This can be useful for those who enjoy food photography or want to capture images of their culinary creations.
Video recording capabilities
The Canon Rebel T5 and T6 both offer full HD video recording at 1080p resolution. However, the T6 has some improvements over the T5 in terms of video recording capabilities.
The T6 has a new feature called “HDR Movie mode,” which allows the camera to capture more detail in high-contrast scenes by combining multiple exposures into a single video frame. This results in more natural-looking video with better highlight and shadow detail.
In addition, the T6 also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, which allows you to wirelessly transfer your videos to your computer or mobile device for easy sharing and editing. The T5, on the other hand, does not have built-in Wi-Fi or NFC connectivity, but you can purchase a separate Wi-Fi adapter to enable wireless transfer.
Both cameras have a built-in microphone, but the T6 has a more advanced microphone with noise reduction capabilities, which helps to improve the quality of the audio recording.
Battery life
The Canon Rebel T5 and T6 both use the same LP-E10 battery, which is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides power to the camera. However, there are some differences in battery life between the two cameras.
According to Canon, the T5 can take approximately 500 shots on a single battery charge, while the T6 can take approximately 600 shots on a single battery charge. This means that the T6 has a slightly longer battery life than the T5, which can be useful if you are planning to shoot for longer periods of time.
It’s important to note that battery life can vary depending on various factors such as usage, temperature, and shooting conditions. Therefore, your actual battery life may be different from the estimated numbers provided by Canon.
Both cameras also have an automatic power off feature, which helps to conserve battery life by automatically turning off the camera after a period of inactivity.
Wifi connection
The Canon Rebel T6 has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing for easy transfer of images to a smartphone or tablet, and remote camera control through Canon’s Camera Connect app. The T5, on the other hand, does not have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
However, the T5 can be connected to a Wi-Fi network via an optional Wi-Fi adapter, which allows for wireless image transfer and remote control through the Canon EOS Remote app.
While both cameras can be connected to Wi-Fi networks, the T6’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity make it more convenient and user-friendly for wireless image transfer and remote control.
Canon Rebel T5 Pros and Cons
Pros
- It’s fast, compact and has great image quality
- It has some useful features
- Camera has fast burst shooting and WiFi
- The controls are simple and logical
- It’s smaller and more compact than previous generations
- It has a decent kit lens
- Has great battery life
- You get all the advantages of a full-sized SLR, without its bulk and cost
- The built-in flash is a plus
- It’s versatile enough to do many different kinds of photography
Cons
- It’s a bit basic
- There are better SLRs out there if you’re looking for faster or higher-quality photos
- You don’t get a full array of features on this one
- It’s a little underpowered
- It’s a lot more expensive than other cameras at the same price
- This is a step down from previous generations in terms of image quality
Canon Rebel T6 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight
- Weighs Just 1.1 lbs, and 0.8 lbs with lens attached
- Includes image-stabilized lens for improved autofocus and image quality in low light
- Detachable electronic viewfinder with manual settings
- Flexible and advanced features
- Has Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
- A wide array of RAW image formats
Cons
- The screen lacks auto white balance
- Canon’s DSLR image quality is not as impressive as competitor brands
- Image quality is no match for smaller point-and-shoot models
- The raw file size is large
- Canon’s image processing engine lacks aggressive image quality adjustments
Canon T5 vs T6 FAQ
What is the difference between Canon T5 and T6?
Canon T5 (also known as Canon EOS 1200D) and T6 (also known as Canon EOS 1300D) are entry-level DSLR cameras with a few key differences. The T6 offers a slightly higher resolution sensor, built-in Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity, and a newer processor compared to the T5.
Is there a significant difference in image quality between Canon T5 and T6?
The difference in image quality between the T5 and T6 is minimal, as both cameras use a similar APS-C sized sensor. However, the T6’s higher resolution sensor may capture slightly more detail compared to the T5.
Can I use the same lenses on Canon T5 or T6?
Yes, Canon T5 and T6 both use the Canon EF-S lens mount, allowing you to use the same lenses on both cameras. This compatibility provides flexibility in terms of lens selection and future upgrades.
Do Canon T5 or T6 have built-in image stabilization?
Neither the T5 nor the T6 has built-in image stabilization in the camera body. Image stabilization is typically found in certain lenses, so you can achieve stabilization by using lenses equipped with optical stabilization (IS) if desired.
Which camera has better low-light performance, Canon T5 or T6?
In terms of low-light performance, the T5 and T6 are quite similar since they have comparable ISO ranges. Both cameras can handle low-light situations reasonably well, but the performance can be enhanced by using higher-quality lenses with wider apertures.
Can I shoot videos with Canon T5 or T6?
Yes, both Canon T5 and T6 support video recording. They can capture Full HD 1080p videos at various frame rates, providing the option to record high-quality video footage.
Is there a difference in the autofocus system between Canon T5 and T6?
The autofocus system on the T5 and T6 is quite similar, as they both use a 9-point autofocus system. However, the T6 may have a slightly improved autofocus performance due to its newer processor.
Do Canon T5 and Canon T6 have a flip-out screen?
Neither the T5 nor the T6 has a flip-out screen. They both feature a fixed LCD screen that can be used for image playback, menu navigation, and live view shooting.
Which camera offers better connectivity options, Canon T5 or T6?
Canon T6 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing for easier wireless transfer of images to compatible devices and remote camera control. The T5, on the other hand, lacks these wireless connectivity features.
Is there a significant price difference between Canon T5 and T6?
The price difference between the Canon T5 and T6 can vary depending on factors such as availability and location. In general, the T6 is usually priced slightly higher than the T5 due to its newer features and improved connectivity options.
Canon T5 or T6? Verdict
The Canon Rebel T5 and T6 are both solid entry-level DSLR cameras, and their differences are relatively minor. The T6 has a slightly faster processor and better connectivity options, while the T5 has a longer battery life and a slightly lower price point.
When it comes to image quality, both cameras have the same sensor and produce similar results. However, the T6 has a slightly better autofocus system, which may be important for action or sports photography.
Ultimately, the choice between the Canon Rebel T5 and T6 will come down to your specific needs and preferences. If you value faster performance and connectivity, the T6 may be the better option. If battery life and affordability are more important to you, the T5 may be a better choice. Regardless of which camera you choose, both offer excellent image quality and are capable of producing great photographs.
reference: DSLR T6 at Usa.Canon.com Wikipedia