Paddy's Grama wrote:
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a good basic camera with a viewfinder.
Up until a year ago, my Sony Cyber-shot with no viewfinder took good basic photos for me. My interest was photos of my grandchildren.
But this past year I have spent a lot of time traveling in an RV. Most of my shots during that time were done outdoors, And needless to say, most shots were a disaster.
I would like a good basic camera with viewfinder for around $500. I am in my late 70’s and no expert.
I have seen the Canon Rebel T6 advertised at Costco for @ $500.
I have also seen mentioned the Canon T6i at B&H. I am not sure what the difference is. Maybe I should be looking at something else entirely.
But any suggestions or direction would be appreciated. Thank you.
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a ... (
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Canon T6 (no "i") is a very entry-level model and the $500 kit at Costco includes two of the cheapest Canon lenses with it EF-S 18-55mm IS and EF 75-300 III.
The T6 camera is okay.... Of the two, it's actually the newer model and still in production, though it uses an older design 18MP image sensor, ISO range is 100-6400 (expandable to 12800), top continuous shooting rate is 3 frames per second and it's smaller buffer will make the camera need to pause after about 15 JPEGs, has pretty simple and basic 9-point AF (one cross type point at the center), has a fixed rear LCD screen and uses rather slow "contrast detection" autofocus in Live View.
Canon T6i is a step up model... lots of additional features... It uses a newer design 24MP image sensor, offers ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600), has a continuous shooting rate of almost 5 frames per second, has a much larger buffer that allows virtually unlimited JPEGs, uses a more sophisticated 19-point AF (all cross type), has an articulated, higher resolution rear LCD screen with Touch Screen control and using a faster hybrid type of autofocus in Live View. The T6i is still widely available new, but has been superseded by a newer T7i model. Because of this, the T6i is now discount priced at $600 with a better EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens... or for $750 in two-lens kit with same 18-55mm as well as the much better EF-S 55-250mm IS STM.
Also note that the lenses with the T6i are "STM" models... those have faster, quieter autofocus than the cheaper "micro motor" lenses being offered in kit with the T6. But in all ways the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM (with T6i) is a much better lens than the EF 75-300mm "III" offered in kit with the T6. The 55-250mm is not only faster and quieter focusing, it also has image stabilization, which the 75-300 lacks... and it's closer focusing.... and it has superior image quality. If you can possible do so... I recommend avoiding the EF 75-300mm III (Canon's cheapest telephoto zoom)... and spend a little more to get the much better EF-S 55-250mm IS STM instead.
The T6i also is sometimes offered in kit with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM.... More expensive, but an upgrade from the 18-55mm.
A camera "in kit" with lens is usually the best deal. But either camera also can be bought "body only", allowing you to choose your own lens(es). Buying that way usually ends up costing a lot more, though.
With your limited budget, to make those $ go farther... you might be interested to know that Canon USA offers discount priced "factory refurbished" cameras, lenses and accessories, sold directly from their website. Stock comes and goes pretty rapidly there, but can be a good deal since aside from a lower price and plain boxes, there's usually very little difference between new and refurbished. They even have the same warranty. But you may need to be patient and watch for what you want to come in stock.... and need to move quickly to buy when it finally does, since things sometimes sell out very rapidly there.
Unfortunately right now they're out of stock of both refurbished Canon T6i with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens ($450) and the T6i with both 18-55mm IS STM and 55-250mm IS STM ($510). Currently the only refurbished T6i being offered is in kit with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens, which is a good lens but even refurbished makes for a more expensive kit ($650). All the pricing there on out of stock items reflects what was offered last time they were available, but might change in the future.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras#facet:-8103697983328210198101108328454105&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&pageSize:&Both the T6 and T6i offer highly automated shooting modes. The difference is that the T6i offers a bit more "user creative control" too, if they wish to use it. But both can be used in similar, highly auto "point n shoot" type modes.
If you really only want a single lens, you might also look at some of the non-interchangable lens cameras. Your $500 budget would go pretty far with some of those.
For example, Canon offers a number of different Powershot G-series use larger sensors than many cameras of that type, which makes for nearly as good image quality as DSLRs and higher usable ISOs.
Canon G7 X Mark II is available new for about $680 or refurbished for $550, has a 20MP 1" sensor and lens equivalent to 24 to 100mm full frame (or for better comparison, 15 to 62mm on the T6 or T6i). It's able to shoot as fast as 8 frames per second and has an ISO range of 125 to 6400 (expandable to 12800 and 25600). It's limitations are that it's shutter speed range is 1 second to 1/2000 (T6 and T6i have 30 second to 1/4000 speeds). And it doesn't have a viewfinder (need to use the rear LCD screen to compose images, which can be more difficult in some lighting conditions).
Canon G1 X Mark II is available refurbished for $450 or new for $675, uses a lower resolution 12MP but larger size 1.5" sensor and a slightly wider zoom range 24 to 120mm equiv. (15 to 75mm equiv. on T6/T6i). With ISO range from 100 to 12800, it has shutter speeds of 1 second to 1/4000 (as slow as 15 or 60 seconds possible in select modes). It also lacks a viewfinder, relies upon the rear LCD screen for composition. The newer Mark III version of this models uses the same sensor as T6i and has other upgrades, but sells for around $1500.
Canon G3 X sells new with an optional electronic viewfinder for $900 right now. The camera only can bought refurbished for $600, but ends up costing the by the time the $300 electronic viewfinder is added. This model has 20MP 1" sensor and a much wider range zoom lens (24-600mm FF equiv.... or equiv. to 15 to 375mm on T6/T6i). It's ISO range is 125-12800 (ext. to 25600) and it can shoot up to about 6 frames per second, with shutter speeds 1 second to 1/2000 (as slow as 15 or 30 seconds in select modes).
Canon G5 X has a built-in electronic viewfinder and sells new for $700 ($300 off), or can be found refurbished for $500. Other than the added, built in viewfinder, it's very much like the G7 X Mark II (above).
Since you want simplicity and a single lens, these might be much better options than the DSLR kits you've been considering.