koratcat wrote:
A friend's daughter has asked me for a recommendation for replacing her 12-year-old Canon Rebel xs, so I'm turning to my favorite resource for things photographic: UHH members.
She takes lots of pictures of her kids, and her price range is $600-$700. She's open to other brands as well as to Canon. Of course, if she stays with Canon, she probably could use her current 18-55 mm lens on the new camera and spend some of her budget on one of their 55-250mm lenses to gain more zoom range.
Any suggestions/recommendations you folks have would be appreciated.
A friend's daughter has asked me for a recommendat... (
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First, a 12 year old 18-55mm is quite possibly due for an update. There have been six or more versions of that lens... some pretty good... some not so much. The two latest versions are supposedly the best. Both of those are "STM" lenses, with faster, smoother, quieter AF. They both also have IS image stabilization. The difference is one is f/3.5 at the shortest focal length, while the newer is f/4. Both of them have non-rotating front barrels during focusing and zooming (a problem with most of the earlier 18-55 models, that made them difficult to use with filters like circular polarizers that are adjusted by turning part of the filter). The newer models also have noticeably better image quality.
It's more expensive, but the Canon EF-S 18-135mm might be a more practical single lens for someone with growing kids. As the kids get into sports, etc., she will likely want more than 55mm. The question then is, how much more. On any of the Canon cameras she's considering, 135mm is a fairly strong telephoto... But, of course, there are more powerful, though it will generally mean carrying two lenses and swapping them out at times. The two best, current EF-S 18-135mm lenses are the "STM" and the "USM". They are identical in image quality, using exactly the same optical formula (which is improved compared to earlier models). The difference between these two is that the more expensive USM model uses an "ultrasonic motor" that makes it faster focusing. Canon claims it's 2X to 4X faster focusing than the STM or "stepper motor" version. If her kids get into sports, she might want a faster focusing lens. That will work best when paired up with a camera that also has a higher performance AF system. Current and most recent Canon APS-C DSLRs AF systems compared: Best, 7D Mark II. 2nd best: 90D and T8i. 3rd best: 80D, 77D, T7i. 4th best: SL3, SL2, T7.
An alternative to the 18-135mm is to pair up the kit lens... 18-55mm... with a telephoto zoom. There are three of those typically offered "in kit" with cameras, at some discount. They are the EF-S 55-250mm IS II or STM and the EF 75-300mm III. The worst of these by far is the 75-300 III. It's Canon cheapest and worst telephoto zoom. It falls short in almost every measure... slow micro motor autofocus, not very close focusing, it lacks image stabilization and it has pretty poor image quality, especially at the 300mm end of its zoom range. Either of the 55-250mm lenses is noticeably better optically, closer focusing and image stabilized. The "STM" version is also faster, smoother, quieter focusing. A 55-250mm will typically cost $50 to $100 more than the 75-300mm, but is well worth the additional expense.
After deciding about lenses, shop for cameras. Some come in kit with both EF-S 18-55mm STM and EF-S 55-250mm STM, which is a great way to buy the lenses at a discount. Some of the more entry level models are only offered in kit with "lesser" lenses... non-STM versions of 18-55 and 55-250mmm or even with the 75-300 III substituted for the longer focal length zoom.
I wouldn't recommend the most entry level T7 model, which not only comes in kit with the cheapest and least capable lenses... it also has a fairly antiquated 9-point AF system (only one higher performance "dual axis, cross type AF point" a the center, much like was in cameras fifteen years ago)... and it lacks some important features that come on all other Canon DSLRs. For example, it doesn't have a self-cleaning sensor! It also doesn't have Flicker Free feature that helps with exposure under certain types of lighting (often found in gyms, offices, arenas). It even uses an early Digic 4 processor. Most of the other models use two to four generation newer.... some of the latest Canon models now even use five to six generation newer!
{Note: There is an even more entry-level model sold outside N. America, called something like a 4000D.... but that's not commonly found in the US. It suffers from the same short-comings.)
The SL2 and one year newer SL3 are very similar models. They are the most compact, lightweight DSLRs anyone makes. The SL3 has a few tweaks versus the SL2, mostly related to video. They are a strong step up from the T7 in almost every way.... except they use the same AF system. However, with much newer Digic processor that makes the SL2/SL3's AF system perform better. These two cameras are offered body only, or in a kit with the 18-55mm STM alone, or in a two-lens kit with both 18-55mm STM and 55-250mm STM. An 18-135mm is not typically offered in kit with these cameras.
The T7i and T8i are another step up. Note the "i" in the model designation. The T8i is the latest, primarily with enhanced video capabilities. These models are a bit larger and heavier than the ultra compact SL-series, plus have a much newer, more advanced, higher performance 45-point AF system. The EOS 77D is very similar to the T7i in most ways. It has some additional controls and a second LCD screen on the top, right shoulder. Regardless of it's model name, in its specification it's still a Rebel series model, like the T8i, T7i and earlier. In fact, the 77D superseded the Rebel T6s model.
80D and 90D are the next step up. These are Canon's more mid-grade DSLR models. They have 100%, true pentaprism viewfinders... versus the slightly cropped (~95%), penta-mirror used in all the lower models. The pentaprism adds some weight and cost, but makes for a bigger, brighter viewfinder. The 90D is the latest and greatest Canon APS-C model... and the highest resolution camera of that format by far, with 32.5MP. Most other APS-C format DSLRs, including 80D, 77D, T7i, have 24MP at best. In fact, the 90D has higher resolution that many
full frame cameras, including all but two Canon. Such high resolution demands top quality lenses. That super high resolution will really show the short-comings of anything less.