Nikon D3300 vs Canon T6I

Introduction

This is not my first time reviewing these two cameras, however, it’s my first time comparing them. Considering the fact that they both come at similar price ranges, you can already tell that the share similar specifications as well, which means that it’s going to be tough to try to compare them, nonetheless, we’ll try to point out even their slightest differences and details.

As you may know, DSLRs have been a popular option for photography and videography enthusiasts for years now, and due to their quality and performance, they have managed to keep their spot still as a top-option to this day.

It’s not the build quality that makes them special, well, it is for the most part, but it’s their unique feature set which enables the camera to deliver stunning image quality along with fast performance.

Even though the Nikon D3300 and the Canon T6I are not the DSLRs you would purchase if you were looking for a premium model, nonetheless, they still make it as entry-level budget option for those who are just starting out, or they want to change out to DSLR for the first time, these are the cameras you would purchase to try out how a DSLR feels, and how it can perform.

Okay, now, let’s get straight into the topic and see what are these entry-level DSLRs truly capable of.

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Head To Head Comparison

Nikon D3300

You may have heard of it, or you may have heard about this camera’s successor the D3400, and I made a comparison between them in one of our reviews, but I chose to include the D3300 in this article because I simply think that the Nikon D3300 delivers more value for the money, while their specs both are very similar, in fact, mostly the same, so there’s no reason to include a more expensive camera if they are mainly the same. As it is fun for people to express themselves through photography, it is also a daily job for some, nonetheless, if you’re one of those people who want a camera for their job, then this model is maybe not the best option for you.

Okay, let’s start first with the design before we start talking about the performance.

The Nikon D3300 has a light and small construction which makes it preferable for travelers, while its ultra-compact design allows the camera to fit easily and sit comfortably in your hands, but that’s not all, since all the controls and buttons are also decently placed in a convenient spot in order to be reached easily and for efficient operation.

Now, we also mentioned that this camera has a relatively affordable price, and the guideline to this is that you won’t have an LCD screen as you’d have on a premium DSLR. Don’t be fooled, the LCD is great, but it’s just that I’m not used to working with a camera that doesn’t have touchscreen capabilities. As disappointing as it can be, it’s still okay, for an entry-level DSLR.

This is not the only thing I didn’t like about the Nikon D3300 since it also has a 95% field of view, that’s also an area which disappoints not only me but many other photographers out there, therefore, I think that the manufacturer could have done a better job here.

Enough said about the design, let’s get to the performance now and see what else can this camera do.

You can’t really say anything bad about the sensor though, due to the fact that this camera has a 24.2-megapixel sensor that is able to deliver dazzling image quality with sharp details, vibrant colors and softly blurred backgrounds. But that’s not all, you can also record videos at 1080p Full HD video, and since it runs the EXPEED 4 image processor, you can also shoot continuously at up to 5 frames per second, but for those who’ve been using more premium cameras before, these specifications may not seem that much groundbreaking, however, for those just starting out, these are more than enough.

The autofocus system is also great since it has an 11-point AF system, which means that you can lock onto subjects as soon as they enter the frame, and the focus will track until you take your shot.

One of my favorite features is the Active D-Lighting, it’ simply very useful and it’s the one feature that got my attention the most, due to the fact that it can preserve details and tones in whichever condition the photo was taken, in dark or bright situations, therefore, you won’t have to worry about shadows because they will not be a problem.

When it comes to connecting, this camera has Wi-Fi capabilities when you use the WU-1a Wireless adapter, it will enable the camera to be connected with iOS devices or other smart devices. Although, you should know that before doing this, you should have the Wireless Mobility Utility installed on the smart device before you can use it with the camera.

All and all, I really like the Nikon D3300 as it checks all the boxes for an entry-level DSLR, however, I wouldn’t recommend this camera to those people who just want a second camera to go with, or to those who’ve tried or had other premium cameras before.

Nikon D3300 Sample Images:

 

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Canon T6I

Now, as for our second DSLR camera, we have the Canon T6i. It is also more oriented towards novice users and beginners, but for many years, this was the industry-leading entry-level DSLR, it is still good, but of course, there are now more models available which can be more suitable to you. Nonetheless, we’re going to review this camera and explain even the slightest details, so, let’s start first with the design, shall we.

In terms of the design, similar to the Nikon D3300, the Canon T6i comes in a lightweight construction that features a weight of 20 ounces, while it also has a decent grip which makes the camera comfortable to hold. The camera can also be operated using only one hand, but that’s not the only area that makes the design good, since the textured body adds extra comfort as well, while I personally like it more because it gives a great overall appearance to the design.

Moving down to the LCD screen, I was first surprised that Canon has implemented a flip-out design to the LCD, which is really useful for shooting from different angles. You’ll also love it because it has touch capabilities, you can use it for scrolling through images, or put two fingers down for zooming purposes, while you can also toggle through the menu and operate on the camera more easily. In addition, you can also activate the focus point and shutter with just one touch of a finger.

Now, let’s get more into the specifics and see how can this camera truly perform.

To start off, we’ll point out all the good things about the sensor first, while it is similar to the Nikon D3300, this camera features a 24.2MP CMOS(APS-C) sensor which shows exceptional details and colors, while when you combine it with the advanced AF, it will result in a speedy and precise focus. An ISO range of 100-12,800 will also add extra points to the performance.

The autofocus system is something to really be amazed off, while if you compare it with the Nikon D3300, this camera definitely outperforms not only that but most other competitors out there, at this price range and some of the above. The T6i has a 19-Point AF system with improved tracking technology, while the Single Point AF feature allows for more optimization, for example, you can choose any of the 19-focus points to precise and accurate focus, while in Zone AF, the focus locks on the area of the composition when one of the 5 zones is selected.

One of the most appealing features of this camera, which I like a lot is the fun creative filters. Basically, you get a number of different filters which you can see before shooting, and then choose the one you think looks better, and include them in both still photographs and movie mode. Just to point them out, these Effects include Art Bold, Water Painting, Fisheye effect, soft focus, toy camera, grainy black, and white plus miniature, while you can use them in both still photographs and movie mode.

In terms of connections, this camera has a built-in Wi-Fi as well as NFC, which means that you can connect to a smart device or tablet to share photos, or transfer images easier than ever.

Simply put, the Canon T6i definitely outperforms the Nikon D3300 in many aspects, which is also why we suggest this camera to everyone who is just starting out, and to people who just want a second camera to go with.

Canon T6I Sample Images:

 

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Nikon D3300 vs Canon T6I Feature Comparison

	Nikon D3300	Canon T61
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Megapixels	24.0	24.2
ISO Range	100-12800 (25600 with expansion)	100-12800
Flip-Out Screen	No	Yes
AF Points	11 AF points	19 all cross-type AF
Viewfinder	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	No	Yes
Video Recording	Yes	Yes
Sensor Size	CMOS	APS-C

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Conclusion

As we reached the end of this article, by now, you should have enough arguments to support your decision. Both these cameras are great for what they do and for what they are categorized for, nonetheless, for this article, the Canon T6i deserves your attention more.

I would recommend the Nikon D3300 if you want a budget entry-level DSLR camera, it’s great for still photography, and stop-motion, plus it is highly portable, however, if you want a more premium camera to go with, even though it’s classified as an entry-level DSLR, the Canon T6i comes with way much more features than the Nikon D3300, it’s great for video recording, for still photography, for portrait photography, and also for sports.

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