davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Consider the canon T6s it is a $100 more but has a settings window on top for easy checking settings and a wheel on da back for lightning fast adjustments

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

If you have ever dreamed of 4K video with the option to extract 8 megapixels frames for da perfect photo then think Panasonic! Your price range would get you a Panasonic G85 they finally removed the low pass filter for better image quality. Tons of lens options

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

My choice would be the Nikon D7200 if weight is a concern Sony s6000 with both kit lenses

Nikon D7200 24.2 MP Dual Zoom Lens Kit with 3.2" LCD, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010JVEZPU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8vygAb6NMX9FR

https://www.adorama.com/isoa6000k3a.html

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Welcome to the forum Explorer. It's great to see you getting back into photography, and your selection of the Canon T6i, as it is a most excellent camera. All I have used is Canon since my retirement in 2006 from being an over the road trucker for 45 years, and my daughters thought I needed a hobby giving me a Canon XSi, however each brand you listed is good as well. My first suggestion is go to a camera store and handle each one and see which feels best in your hands, as well as getting explanations of the menu system used in each camera. Some are more user friendly than others. Being a Canon shooter and having progressed and upgraded through several generations and advancements in technology, I have found the Canon menu system quite user friendly and conducive throughout my upgrades. I don't know about the other brands.

If you could stretch your budget just a bit, this would be my recommendation;

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1264813-REG/canon_eos_80d_dslr_camera.html

This is Canon's latest offering in the semi-pro category, and is a dream to use with excellent features that would last you many years. I would also suggest two publications that will get you on your way using your new camera with satisfying results.

Brian Peterson's Understanding exposure;
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Fourth-Photographs-Camera/dp/1607748509/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511621289&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=brian+peterson+exposure

David Busch's Canon 80D;
http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Canon-Digital-Photography/dp/1681981580/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511621487&sr=1-1&keywords=david+busch+canon+80d

Regardless of which brand of camera you decide on I think the Exposure book is a must, as well as a 3rd party book on the camera of your choice, (I have David Busch's books on all of my cameras and I think they are excellent and he writes books for all the major manufacturers) because most manuals included with your camera are terrible.

Next you will need software on your computer to process your images and many are good and free. I just downloaded Topaz Studio and IMO it's excellent, and free.
http://web.topazlabs.com/downloads

Again welcome to the forum and let us know what you decide in your purchase and post some pictures.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

It is wroth taking the time, energy and effort to go to a store and handle each camera you might want to find one that fits YOU.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The camera to buy is a very personal choice. It is very difficult today to buy a camera or a lens that will not perform well. The same technologies are available to all camera and lens manufacturers. Make up your mind about which one you want to buy, go to a nearby store, try it, see if it has the features you want and need while doing your homework, make sure you feel comfortably using it. You have dSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras to choose from.
Lenses in general are of very good quality. I have never used one doing my part that the lens did not give me back what I expected from it.
Refurb or used are very good alternatives to save money. Here in the forum many users post gear for sale. B&H, Adorama and KEH sell used gear and refurb. Cameta to me has been excellent and they offer a one year warranty on refurbs.
Your choice.

Wolfwillow

Welcome to the forum. The T6i kit is perfect for your budget. I bought a T2i 5 years ago and it has served me well. Far from a pro-rig, but a great entry to DSLR.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There are 2 major makers of DSLRs that offer a huge selection of lenses, Canon and Nikon. It is important to chose between them carefully at the start, since you quickly accumulate brand specific accessories (lenses, strobe) making it harder to change. The best way is to go to a store that has both on display. Hold them. Which feels better? Look at the menus. Which is easier to understand? Preferences are a personal decision. Renting is a way to make sure.

First, to stretch your dollars I recommend reconditioned. Purchase from a reliable company (the manufacturer, one of the ABCs (Adorama, B&H, Cameta) or KEH). Beware of stores that don't make it obvious that offer gray market items. If the price of a new camera is too good to be true, it isn't. For Canon https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras?cm_mmc=GA-_-CameraGroup-_-140911Brand%20Paid%20Search-_-canon%20refurbished%20cameras&Ap=EOS%20Cameras&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_ebegeLZ1wIVSY1-Ch1ReAWSEAAYASAAEgJahPD_BwE#

I can speak about Canon, so I would recommend the entry level DSLR T7i or T6i (the T7 is a stripped down model) and (though it costs more than the 18-55mm) either of the 2 later versions of the 18-135 mm zoom or the 18-200mm. These are general purpose "walk around" lenses. A higher body is the 80D which I own and recommend.

explorer114

This is great, thanks.

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

After looking on the Canon website you posted, this is one heck of a deal the OP should take a look at!

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-80d-ef-s-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-usm-kit-refurbished

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Canon T6i is a really good camera to start with... lots of "room for advancement", but also offers a lot of built-in automation and support while you learn. It should serve you pretty darned well for many years.

The T6i kit with EF-S 18-55mm "STM" and EF-S 55-250mm "STM" lenses is a good deal at $750. Or Canon USA is offering refurbished with EF-S 18-135mm "STM" lens for $650 (other kits are out of stock right now). Note: Canon makes three types of lens focus drive mechanisms. The cheapest and most basic is "micro motor" (lenses aren't labelled STM or USM). The STM lenses are step-up models... newer, faster and quieter focusing. STM also is generally considered the best for video. USM lenses are even faster and generally are the best choice for very fast action photography, but most are not as quiet or smooth running as STM so most USM lenses are not as ideal for video work. However, several newer Canon lenses are using what they call "Nano USM", that's both fast like USM and quiet/smooth like STM, so is great for both purposes. So far only EF-S 18-135mm IS USM, EF 24-105L "II" IS USM and EF 70-300mm "II" IS USM lenses use this new type of AF drive.

AVOID any kits with cheaper lenses... such as the non-STM models of both 18-55mm and 55-250mm. Also steer clear of the EF 75-300mm "III" lens (which is a micro motor lens that doesn't have image stabilization or particularly great image quality). The EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens is MUCH better in all respects and only a little more expensive.

I see the newer T7i is on sale, too.... $1000 in kit with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens, $800 with the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens, or $950 in kit with the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses.

I'll leave it to you to compare the T6i and the two-year-newer T7i in more detail, but basically both use a similar 24MP sensor and share many specifications and functions. Some key differences:

- T7i can shoot continuously a little faster... 6 frames per second versus 5 fps in the T6i.
- T7i has one stop higher settable ISO at 25600... versus 12800 in T6i (both are expandable one additional stop).
- T7i has faster Dual Pixel Auto Focus in Live View mode... T6i's hybrid contrast detection focus in LV mode isn't as fast, but is better than earlier contrast detect systems.
- T7i has a 45-point AF system when using the viewfinder (similar to 80D's)... T6i has 19-point (similar to 70D's, which in turn was slightly dumbed down from original 7D's).
- Both cameras have all "cross type" AF points, which are higher performance than single axis points used in some cameras. Both cameras have active matrix, transmissive LCD focus screens, which reconfigure themselves depending upon the focus area and mode being used. T7i has four AF area patterns: All Points, Single Point, Zone and Large Zone. T6i has three: All Points, Single Point and Zone.
- T7i's AF is able to focus in light levels as low as -3EV (moonlight) and has up to 27 "f/8 capable" points. T6i is able to focus as low as -1EV light level and is "f/5.6 limited". This essentially means that T7i has a bit more versatility with lens & teleconverter combinations. For example, an EF 300mm f/4 lens can be used with 1.4X teleconverter on both cameras... but on T7i that same lens also could be used with a 2X teleconverter, a combination that wouldn't be able to autofocus on T6i.
- T7i has slightly enhanced wireless connectivity. And T7i has somewhat improved power efficiency to get more shots per charge using the same LP-E17 battery.

$650 to $750 spent on camera and lens(es) would leave you some money toward other things. What you choose depends upon what you want to photograph. For example, if you like to shoot landscapes, cityscapes and seascapes, you might want a wider lens... and Canon offers the EF-S 10-18mm IS STM for a little under $300. Or, perhaps you like shooting macro and would want a lens like the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM or Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 FX, either of which sell for around $400. Or, perhaps you'd like to shoot portraits and/or want a large aperture/low light capable lens such as the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (approx. $125 and $330, respectively). You also might want a flash or two for portraiture, and various models of those are available for around $100 and up. (In multi-flash setups, the little $100 Canon 90EX can optically control other off-camera flashes. Otherwise the much more expensive 600EX-RT or 600EX-RT II or 430EX-RT III is needed to control other off-camera "RT" flashes via radio channels.)

Canon USA website is currently offering a "Portrait and Travel" two-lens kit that includes both EF-S 10-18mm IS STM and EF 50mm STM lenses for $350! As you can see from above, that's a good deal.

Also set aside some of your budget for other necessities. For example, you will need memory cards and may want a spare battery. The above Canon lenses don't include matching lens hoods, either, which I'd consider essential (if Canon OEM hoods are too pricey, there are cheaper third party "clones" such as Vello brand, that might do just as good a job).

Or, if landscape photography is your thing (as well as for some other things), you might want a good quality Circular Polarizing filter in the correct size(s) for your wide angle and/or standard lenses (less necessary for telephotos like the 55-250mm). C-Pol are the most useful filter for digital photography. Most other filters that were important when shooting film simply are no longer needed and can be duplicated pretty easily in post-processing software. C-Pol are one of the few excepetions. The EF-S 10-18mmm uses 67mm diameter filters and I think the EF-S 18-55mm uses 58mm diameter. I use and recommend high quality, multi-coated B+W MRC or Kaesemann MRC C-Pols (best quality for the price... about $65 to $75 for 67mm size or $45 to $60 for 58mm).

I DO NOT consider "protection filters" a necessity and would not recommend spending any money on them when the budget is especially tight, as yours is. Lenses are much tougher than most people realize and a thin piece of glass doesn't offer anywhere near as good physical protection as the lens cap that's provided or an optional lens hood. I have "protection" filters for most of my lenses, but they are so rarely needed that they spend about 99.5% of the time stored separately in my camera bag. I use C-Pol filters far, FAR more often.

Finally, Canon provides several software programs with their cameras, which you might find adequate. But you also may find them unable to do some things you'd like and want something better... in which case I'd recommend Adobe Elements as a reasonably priced, easy to use and versatile program to start out with. It's on sale for $60 right now. (Note: Elements "Premiere" is a separate program for video, that's often bundled with Elements for a bit higher price.)

I'm sure you can find similarly capable Nikon cameras, if you prefer (D5600 is most comparable to Canon T7i... and probably D5500/D5400/D5300 compares with T6i). Nikon's is also an excellent system. I have a number of vintage film Nikon's and manual focus lenses, but don't have hands-on experience with recent models and lenses, so can't make recommendations or comparisons. Pentax, Sony and Olympus all make some great stuff, too... though their systems simply aren't as broad-reaching and comprehensive as Canon or Nikon. It can be tough to decide comparing on paper. Sometimes it helps to go to a store that carries the cameras and compare in person. You can probably learn to use any of them well in time... but might find one or another just feels more comfortable and intuitive to use. Be sure to play around with them for a while, exploring menus and various functions as best you can in the store. It also may help you decide if you compare things you might want to add in the future.... beyond the "basics" to get started. For example, if you eventually want to add macro capabilities, what's offered in each system? Or, maybe you want to go shoot wildlife and should explore and compare the various relatively powerful telephotos offered in or for each system. Third party manufacturers make many lenses and other accessories for use with Canon and Nikon... somewhat less for Sony and quite a bit less for Pentax and Olympus right now. But they might offer all you'd ever want, in any system. So compare carefully and think in terms of buying into a system, rather than just buying a camera in kit with a couple basic lenses.

halraiser

One thing to consider: Lens technology is relatively (note the term "relatively") mature. Still some improvement underway there, but digital cameras are new enough that they are still advancing rather quickly. I'd decide which brand you think you will prefer, then be certain to get good lenses for that brand. If you are going to skimp on price, skimp on the camera and maybe think about upgrading the camera later if you decide to get more heavily involved. Be sure any lens you buy will be able to work with that brand's future developments.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

That is a VERY good deal! But at $950 it pretty much wipes out the OP's entire budget, not leaving much for other necessities (lens hood, C-Pol filter, memory cards, spare battery, software, etc.)

halraiser

Lots of options for learning, some in person, some on line, some via DVD etc. I like two courses taught by National Geographic photographers available from a company called "The Great Courses." Interesting and very informative. You can find them at https://www.thegreatcourses.com/search/?q=photography then just search for photography.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

1. Camerabag.
2. Extra battery so you can charge one while using the other.
3. If you plan to shoot video, a tripod.
4. Two memory cards and a memory card reader so you can swap them out between the computer and the camera.
5. Starter DSLR with a couple of zoom lenses, one going down to 18mm on the wide angle side, and the other going up to 300mm on the telephoto side like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-70-300mm-4-5-6-3G/dp/B01KITZRBE/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_421_bs_lp_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CPSQP273E79AS7S56PGK
6. Post processing software like Photoshop.

If you have money left over you can buy a used Nikon manual film macro lens for shooting tiny things like coins or stamps, and/or a used Nikon 50mm f1.4 prime autofocus AFS (with a focus motor) lens for shooting in low light and with a shallow depth of field/bokeh, from a top rated ebay seller.