I looked at the photographs in the forum and there is, I don't believe it, one of my photos.
The poster mentioned that he took the photo said it was hand held without a tripod. I sent him a copy of mine which is exactly like his , clouds, framing everything the same, even the SF skyline is changed now and he stated he took it recently. The link was pulled and that is the end of it. I took that photo about 15 years ago, I had it shown here on the forum about 2 years ago. I don't want to mention his Handle. I hope he is one of a kind.

The Rebel T6 (1300D) is the older, discontinued, 18MP model. The T7 (2000D) is newer and got an upgrade to a 24MP sensor... But that's virtually the only improvement I can see. Canon did very little to improve the T7. Both cameras use a 4-generation-old Digic 4 processor that dates back to around 2008. One of the limitations of this is a relatively slow 3 frames per second continuous shooting rate. Another limitation is a lower usable ISO range. Neither camera has an articulated LCD screen or a Touch screen and both use slower "contrast detection" focusing in Live View/video mode. Neither camera has a self-cleaning sensor (so plan to clean the sensor manually FAR more often). Both cameras use a 9-point AF system that was first introduced with the 20D around 2005. Both cameras are bundled in kit with Canon's cheapest lenses (and are only sold with lenses, as far as I can tell). The EF 75-300mm "III" sold with them is one of Canon's worst lenses... It uses slow/noisy micro motor focus drive, doesn't have image stabilization and has pretty poor image quality, especially toward the 300mm end of the zoom range. The EF-S 18-55mm IS "II" is pretty good optically and it's Image Stabilized, but it also uses slower/noisier micro motor focus drive.

The Rebel T7i (aka EOS 800D) is a MUCH better camera in virtually all respects. Like the T7, it uses the 24MP sensor (a good thing), but that's about where the similarities end. It uses a much newer and more powerful Digic 7 processor (Digic 8 is now in some of the more recently cameras). T7i has a more advanced 45-point AF system (largely inherited from the 80D) in the viewfinder and Canon's Dual Pixel AF (DPAF) in Live View, which is much faster than the contrast detection focusing the T7/T6 use. The T7i has a self-cleaning sensor and an articulated LCD Touch Screen. The more powerful processor and larger buffer allow it to be twice as fast continuous shooting rate (6 frame per sec) and, when bought in kit, is bundled with better and MUCH better lenses. Typically it at least comes with the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM, which uses a "stepper motor" focus drive that's faster/quieter than the "II" version of that lens. In a two lens kit, it usually comes with an EF-S 55-250mm IS STM that's superior to the EF 75-300mm in every possible way: It has faster/quieter STM focus drive, Image Stabilization, and much better images quality throughout the zoom range. See for yourself, test shots at link below... those were shot with 20MP 7D Mark II. A 24MP camera will likely show even greater difference. Higher resolutions are less forgiving of any lens shortcomings. (Don't confuse the 75-300 III or 75-300 III USM with the Canon 70-300mm lenses, all of which are better, although more expensive.)

T7 compared to T7i: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T7-vs-Canon-EOS-Rebel-T7i
EF 75-300mm "III" compared to EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=776&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=1&LensComp=856&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=0
EF 75-300mm "III" compared to EF 70-300mm IS USM "II": https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=776&Camera=963&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=1&LensComp=1077&CameraComp=963&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=0

FYI: There are actually models in between the T6/T7 and T7i that you may want to consider: Canon Rebel SL2 and SL3. The original Rebel SL1 (EOS 100D) was the world's smallest and lightest DSLR, but it's virtually identical to the entry-level T6 in all it's other specifications. Canon substantially improved the model line when they introduced the SL2 (200D) last year. This year they further upgraded the SL3 (250D) with the Digic 8 processor (primary difference is video capabilities). You might still be able to find the SL2 new on sale at clearance prices, although the SL3 is the current model now. Both of these are only a few grams heavier than the original, but because of that cannot claim to be the "lightest". All three of the DSLRs in this series are competitive with the weights of many mirrorless cameras.

About the only thing the SL2 and SL3 share with SL1 is the compact size, light weight and a simple 9-point AF system that's similar to what's used in the T6/T7. The two newer models both have 24MP sensors, Digic 7 and Digic 8 processors, articulated LCD Touch screens, faster continuous shooting rate (5 fps), higher usable ISO range and more. They both have self-cleaning sensors, but unfortunately they don't have DPAF in Live View/video mode.

T7 compared to SL2: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T7-vs-Canon-EOS-Rebel-SL2
T7 compared to SL3: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T7-vs-Canon-EOS-Rebel-SL3

You ask about the EOS M50 mirrorless camera, too. That and the M5 are the two Canon mirrorless, so far, that have an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which compared to DSLR optical viewfinders (OVF) has both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages include that an EVF can give you an exposure preview, it can be helpful when shooting in low light conditions, and it has features to help with manual focused lenses that aren't available on OVFs. On the other hand, an EVF requires power and causes mirrorless camera batteries to drain much faster than DSLRs. You get around 1/3 to 1/4 as many shots-per-battery-charge with the mirrorless. It doesn't help, either, that the mirrorless tend to use small batteries in an effort to keep size and weight to a minimum. Also, accessory "battery grips" that increase capacity are not available for any of the Canon M-series mirrorless (but also are not available for any of the above DSLRs).

In all likelihood Canon will soon be introducing an EOS M5 "Mark II".... They've just announced a new M6 Mark II using the new 32MP sensor and Digic 8 processor, with 4K video capabilities. The M6/M6II model doesn't have a built in viewfinder, like the M5 and M50 do. But, chances are that they'll similarly upgrade an M5 Mark II. As a result, there are some sale prices on M5, which you might want to consider.

In general, mirrorless cameras are more expensive than DSLRs. That's simply because mirrorless are relatively "new", while there's perception now that DSLRs are "old school". Mirrorless have only been around for 6 or 8 years... while DSLRs have around 20 years of history and are closely based upon film SLRs that preceded them by 50 years or so. Even so, currently about twice as many DSLRs are sold, as mirrorless. But mirrorless are steadily increasing in sales every year, at the same time DSLRs are gradually decreasing.

Mirrorless cameras use a different lens design. To date, after five or six years since they introduced the M-series, Canon has only produced eight "EF-M" lenses. Those lenses are ONLY usable on M-series cameras, most are "consumer grade" zooms and all use STM focus drive. M-series cameras CAN use Canon EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter. With nearly 90 of those available, not to mention all the third party lenses made for EF-mount DSLRs, that increases selection of lenses for use on M-series hugely. One problem, though, is that by the time you adapt an EF/EF-S lens for use on an M-series camera you will have largely nullified the size/weight advantage of the mirrorless camera. There are some interesting third party lenses being offered in the EF-M mount, but many of them are manual focus. It IS possible to put together a pretty nice kit of M-series camera and EF-M lenses (both OEM and 3rd party). You just have less overall selection. Some other brands of mirrorless have greater selection of OEM lenses (Fuji, Sony, Oly/Panasonic)... but none of them have anywhere near the selection of DSLR design lenses that Canon and Nikon offer.

So there are pluses and minuses to mirrorless. Only you can say which would be best for you. Personally I'm sticking with DSLRs for a number of reasons. I wouldn't mind having a mirrorless, too... but it won't replace my DSLRs... they simply are a better choice for much of what I shoot. For me, a mirrorless would be more of a "fun", compact camera and lens kit. Next time I have a windfall, I might buy one. But I'm not in a rush.

SL3 compared to M50: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-SL3-vs-Canon-EOS-M50
SL2 compared to M5: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-SL2-vs-Canon-EOS-M5

Finally, you may also want to look the Canon 80D. They have just announce it's replacement, the 90D. As a result we can expect 80D prices to drop considerably.

The 80D is a significant step up from T7i in a number of ways, similar in others. They share the 24MP sensor found in many of the above cameras, but the 80DD i's a more robust camera with higher specification shutter, longer expected life, bigger/brighter viewfinder, slightly faster frame rates and larger buffer. 80D and T7i appear to use the same AF system except the the 80D's can be fine tuned by the user for focus accuracy with specific lenses.

The 80D and T7i are both optionally available in kit with an EF-S 18-135mm IS lens upgrade, which would be a more versatile single-lens choice than the EF-S 18-55mm lenses. This is, of course, a more expensive choice. There's also a difference between the 18-135s typically offered with T7i and 80D. The T7i is usually paired up with the less expensive "STM" version of the 18-135mm. The 80D is usually kitted with the more expensive and higher performance "Nano USM" version of the lens. These two lenses are identical optically and both have Image Stabilization that appears equally capable. But Canon claims the USM lens is 2X to 4X faster focusing than the STM version (the STM is faster/quieter focusing than "micro motor" version of this and other lenses). Another difference is that the USM version is the only lens that can optionally be fitted with a PZ-E1 Power Zoom module, which might be useful for video in particular.

T7i compared to 80D: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T7i-vs-Canon-EOS-80D

Regarding "micro motor", STM, USM and Nano USM lenses. Micro motor is the most basic and can be assumed if the lens isn't labeled "STM" or "USM". Micro motor focusing is fine for a lot of things, but noisier and slower, less usable for action photography. Canon's STM or "stepper motor" lenses are faster, quieter and smoother focusing... they are a better choice for video work. Their USM or "ultrasonic motor" lenses are the fastest and best tracking movement, ideal for action photography, but aren't totally quiet or as smooth operating, so may not be ideal for video. Recently Canon has introduced several lenses (including one of the 18-135s mentioned above) with what they call "Nano USM". This new form of focus drive is quiet and smooth like STM, as well as fast and good at tracking like USM... Best of both worlds and likely to make for the most versatile lenses. In addition to the 18-135mm already mentioned, the new EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM "II" and the EF 70-300mm IS USM "II" are using "Nano USM". I imagine there will be add'l lenses with it.

Besides their performance characteristics, a key difference with the different types of focus drive.... If you want to manual focus a micro motor lens you MUST first turn off the AF at the switch. If you fail to do that and override the AF manually, the focus mechanism will be damaged. The USM and STM lenses, on the other hand, allow for "full time manual override" without any harm to the lens. This is useful when using a "de-focus/re-focus" technique, for example, to check focus accuracy in more critical situations. There also may be situations where you wish to tweak focus slightly, and can safely do so with the USM/STM lenses without first having to turn off AF.

Have fun shopping!

My first camera was a 35mm Minolta. It took very nice pictures. Over the last ten years I have used a point and shoot digital and my cellphone. I need to upgrade for a digital photography class. We will be using photoshop, etc... Any suggestions in regards to above?
The T6 is $450.00 and T7 is $500.00. They both include an additional 75-300mm lens, bag, strap, battery and $100.00 bucks back for a purchase at the store. The T7i is $800.00 with wifi/bluetooth. It does not include the additional items. Mirrorless Canon M50?