The Canon EOS 1300D (apparently referred to as the Rebel T6 in the US because sure, why not) is an inexpensive, entry-level dSLR camera that seems like a great deal on the surface, but is missing features that enthusiasts might take for granted.
Very much based on the higher tier 700D that was released back in 2013 (which is still on sale, mind you) but with a number of crucial features removed and replaced with Wi-Fi.
dSLR’s in this price range are known for being glorified point-and-shoot cameras, packing a larger sensor for better images. The major benefit of these kits is that you can swap lenses in and out if you’d like but most ground-floor adoptees simply stick with the 50mm lens packed in with the body.
The photos the 1300D takes look about as good as any other dSLR in its class which makes it an easy choice over simply breaking out your smartphone. Compared to other dSLR’s in it’s class, the photo quality matches up pretty closely to the Nikon D3300, but doesn’t come close to the quality produced by the Sony A6000’s in terms of photo or video. Having said that, if you were someone who had designs on shooting a talking-head YouTube show from your home, this would be a great and inexpensive camera that would do just that.
One area where I wasn’t sure if it was my own inexperience for the camera fighting with me was the auto focus. What would appear find in the viewfinder or on the digital screen when I took a photo would often, when I got to look at the raws, be focused on something in the background. I took photos of people standing directly in front of the camera and they were just out of focus in favour of something in the background.
You can forget about anything moving faster than a walk as well. While the 1300D has options for shooting fast-moving subjects, the results are frequently less-than-stellar.
The addition of Wi-Fi and NFC is a welcome one, but it doesn’t feel like its quite enough to justify an entirely new model.
Design-wise, the 1300D is lighter than you think but feels beefy in the hands, which is to be expected of a first-timer dSLR. It appears to hold onto certain things from previous models that annoyed purists — miniscule autofocus points in the viewfinder, incredibly noisy shutter, and switching to video still means going all the way down the dial from photos.
In total, the 1300D is a decent starter dSLR that makes a great argument for spending a little more and getting something more substantial. Perfect for beginners, but it will have more experienced photographers furrowing their brows in short order.
Score: 6.5/10
Highlights: Great for first timers; Lightweight; Wi-Fi is a blessing
Lowlights: Makes a better argument for buying a higher-tier camera than it does for itself
Manufacturer: Canon
Price: AU$599 RRP
Available: Now
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