Canon Rebel T6: My wife is thinking about venturing from the bridge camera she has (Canon Power Shot SX40HS) to the Canon Rebel T6 (an entry level DSLR). I have been a Nikon and now a...

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

My wife is thinking about venturing from the bridge camera she has (Canon Power Shot SX40HS) to the Canon Rebel T6 (an entry level DSLR). I have been a Nikon and now a Sony user, so I do not have much familiarity with these cameras. Her camera now has a great zoom feature that would have to be replaced with another lens (the bundle we are looking at cannot match the reach of the one she uses now). Any thoughts on whether this would be a good move on her part?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I would opt for the T6s or T6i if possible.
(I have a T1i and am pleased with it.)

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

It's always a good move to go from a bridge camera to a DSLR, you might not have the powerful zoom but the picture quality from a DSLR is head and shoulders above the bridge camera. Good luck.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Mike, I lived in a Nikon & Canon household for a number of years. A household blended after the camera decisions have been made in separate households. Why introduce that dynamic where it doesn't yet exist? If she wants a camera with interchangeable lenses, pick a Sony.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

CHG CANNON's recommendation makes good sense to me for if the two of you have the same camera mount the investment in lenses and accessories can be shared. It's also nice to have someone that you can share shooting ideas and camera settings with as well.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Some terrific suggestions and observations have been posted, but it might be worthwhile to know why she is considering the move? Is she unhappy with her current image quality? How much will she miss the long zoom?

One benefit to staying with Canon is if the sx40 is similar to the sx50 in shape, then it's likely to be close to the T6 or T6i. I went the other way for a second camera: T3i first and then an sx50 as supplement, for the zoom. I appreciated that they felt similar in my hands.

Also, if the sx40 is still in good working condition, no reason to not take both on outings. But again, depends on what your wife likes to shoot and whether she hikes long distances to get there

I would be happy to answer what I can via pm speaking "directly" to your wife.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

Longshadow wrote:

I would opt for the T6s or T6i if possible.

I agree with Longshadow. The T6i is a much better camera than the T6, though the names seem very close. The T6s would also be a good choice with added features, but would cost a bit more. If budget is a concern, consider a factory refurbished T6i or T6s from Canon, which carries a full 1 year warranty. I also agree with Linda, that because she is using the SX40, the Canon body and controls may feel more familiar than going with Nikon, or another brand. As Linda stated, I would also encourage her to keep the SX40 for the long zoom when needed.

rcarol

Ched49 wrote:

It's always a good move to go from a bridge camera to a DSLR, you might not have the powerful zoom but the picture quality from a DSLR is head and shoulders above the bridge camera. Good luck.

I think that "always" is a bit strong of a statement. In many respects, the Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 and FZ-2500 can rival the performance of a DSLR while retaining the flexibility and convenience of a bridge camera. The image quality is amazing.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

rcarol wrote:

I think that "always" is a bit strong of a statement. In many respects, the Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 and FZ-2500 can rival the performance of a DSLR while retaining the flexibility and convenience of a bridge camera. The image quality is amazing.

Granted...the picture quality of a Panasonic FZ series bridge camera is arguably as good if not better than a entry level DSLR also they can cost as much if not more than a entry level DSLR. I should have been more specific in my reply. But I think you would have to agree, most entry level DSLR's are better performing than the Canon SX and Nikon P series bridge cameras.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

UTMike wrote:

Her camera now has a great zoom feature that would have to be replaced with another lens (the bundle we are looking at cannot match the reach of the one she uses now).

There is no single lens available for a crop frame camera that covers the range of the SX40HS. The SX40HS has a lens that can magnify as much as a 525mm lens on a Canon crop frame camera. While there are fixed 500mm lenses for ~$100, good ones cost thousands.

rcarol

Ched49 wrote:

Granted...the picture quality of a Panasonic FZ series bridge camera is arguably as good if not better than a entry level DSLR also they can cost as much if not more than a entry level DSLR. I should have been more specific in my reply. But I think you would have to agree, most entry level DSLR's are better performing than the Canon SX and Nikon P series bridge cameras.

I do agree.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

UTMike wrote:

My wife is thinking about venturing from the bridge camera she has (Canon Power Shot SX40HS) to the Canon Rebel T6 (an entry level DSLR). I have been a Nikon and now a Sony user, so I do not have much familiarity with these cameras. Her camera now has a great zoom feature that would have to be replaced with another lens (the bundle we are looking at cannot match the reach of the one she uses now). Any thoughts on whether this would be a good move on her part?

You have had some good suggestions so far. The Canon Rebel family usually include the Tx models and Txi models. There is a big difference between the two. The Txi models typically use Canon's latest technology whereas the Tx models are not only a much lower spec, but also use older technology, typically around 3 or more years older. The T6 is roughly a less well featured T4i, which was introduced in 2012. In some ways the T6 would be a technology downgrade from her SX40HS.

Although I'm a Canon user I tend to agree with CHG_CANON about considering Sony. First she can try yours to see how she likes it, and having someone to share experience and equipment with can be very useful.

Good luck

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful discussion and attention. My wife has reviewed this and I think she is reluctant to desert her Canon. Right now, through exploring the internet, the Canon 7i has caught her attention. Oh well, it is only money.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

UTMike wrote:

...
... Oh well, it is only money.

The camera should last a long time!
(My T1i is eight years old.)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

UTMike wrote:

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful discussion and attention. My wife has reviewed this and I think she is reluctant to desert her Canon. Right now, through exploring the internet, the Canon 7i has caught her attention. Oh well, it is only money.

You clearly married well! The 7i would be an excellent choice. I'm a long time Canon user and started my Canon DSLR activity with a T3i which has served me well. I added an 80D last August which was a huge upgrade, as would the T7i have been. If she would consider a refurb this is a good value package: https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t7i-ef-s-18-135-is-stm-kit-refurbished

My 80D was a Canon refurb, was spotless, and comes with the same 1 year warranty as new. I have the EF-S 18-135 STM lens and it does a good job and although I carry other lenses with me the 18-135 is the default attached to the camera. I did have one small problem with my refurb 80D which was erratic behavior which confused me for a while until I diagnosed that it was a faulty battery that Canon supplied. I had also bought some off brand batteries and every thing worked fine with those. I called Canon, they listened and immediately shipped me a brand new battery. No problems since.

Good luck