My thoughts on the T6S versus the 80D

I've been using the T6S for almost a year now. It was a replacement for my aging 20D, which had no WiFi and used a CF card. I preferred using an SD card for better compatibility, especially with my iMac's SD card reader. I wanted a lighter body and a newer processor, so the T6S (760D) seemed like a good choice. It was an excellent choice, and I have been very happy with that Rebel.

A few things were not quite up to par for what I was doing. I found the viewfinder adequate, but not particularly bright or large. AF was very good, but often missed focus on birds in flight shots ... a tough test for any camera. Dynamic range was okay, but really needed RAW and some processing to make it acceptable. Low light focusing was iffy, and focus was tough in low light situations. At a photography class I recently attended, the professional photographer who taught the course told me I might benefit from the 80D. I've been watching eBay and the Canon refurb Store for a deal, and Canon recently offered the 80D with the 18-55mm STM lens package for only $779.95, which is the best price fhey've ever had for this setup, and even cheaper than what the used 80D's are going for on eBay. With a one year factory warranty’, I found this deal irresistible and am now the owner of a refurbished 80D. As expected, both the camera and lens came through looking brand new and function perfectly.

So, now that I've had some time with the 80D, is it really that much better than the T6S? Well, yes and no. If you upgrade expecting some magical improvement in image quality, you will be disappointed. Both cameras use the same sensor, so that's just not going to happen. IQ at anything up to ISO 800 is essentially the same. At or above 800, the 80D exhibits significantly less noise, although you can still see some with pixel peeping. Dynamic range may be better, but I have not yet seen any dramatic difference. The reviews all say it is, so I'll reserve judgement on that.

Menus are similar, as they are on many Canon cameras. There was a very short and easy learning curve adapting to the new camera. So, if there is no dramatic improvement in the IQ, (ISO performance noted) why would anyone even consider upgrading to the 80D. There are a few reasons that make this a logical choice. First, the viewfinder is much better. It is larger, sharper, and brighter. It is, in short, a pleasure to use. The AF ON button is a back focus button and makes holding focus on a fixed subject much more comfortable than holding down the shutter halfway until you're ready for your full press. AF is quick, faster than the T6S, and accurate. It also seems to find focus in lower light than the T6S. Burst is fast at 7fps, and goes on forever in JPEG and more than adequate in RAW. It feels much faster than my T6S, although the specs do not support that. The last thing I really appreciate is the battery. Physically larger than the Rebel battery, it is rated for over 950 shots, rather than the anemic 350 for the T6S. It really lasts!

So, even without any IQ improvement, I find the 80D is more suited to my needs than the T6S was. The improved high ISO performance is a bonus, but the features of the 80D really do make for a viable upgrade over the Rebel series. The newer T7i and T77 make the Rebel much more competitive, but even the latest series has the smaller battery and viewfinder.

The Rebels with the newer DIGIC 6 and 7 processors have really good IQ. If you need more features and flexibility, an upgrade might make sense. Otherwise, what you have is probably just fine. No camera will make you a better photographer ... your eye and your brain are still the critical factors.

There may, in fact, be a visible improvement in the IQ compared to older model cameras, but I have nothing to compare either of my cameras to, so I didn’t comment on that.

Regardless, I think the feature set alone of a camera like the 80D makes it easier to produce good shots with less effort and greater control.