Thinking about an upgrade

I currently own a 450D (Rebel XSi) which I've had for around 8 years. It's been a fine camera for my needs (vacation photos), and I've added things like a Speedlite and some additional lenses. The main thing I wish the camera did was shoot videos, which I think the successors of this camera all do.

For the past two weeks I used this camera on a safari in Africa, and early in the trip I had some problems with it powering off and not turning on. I traced the problem to the battery grip, and ordered a new one, but I brought my grip into the office this morning and tried it in a colleague's T1i and it worked fine, so I think the problem is with my camera body.

After some Googling, I came across a Rebel T6 on Amazon for around $310 (body only, with a battery, charger, strap, cable, etc.  It's the "International version", whatever that means.

Over my XSi, the T6 would have the following improvements.

ISO: 12,800 vs 1600
Video capability
Higher MP: 18 vs 12.1

Everything else seems about the same. I'm pretty sure I'd be able to use my existing lenses and speedlite, so all I'd need are new batteries.

So the question is, is the T6 a worthwhile upgrade over my XSi for $310, or should I be looking at something else?

It's a discontinued model and not the USA version.  The T6 was the low end of that series, with the T6i and T6s offering more features.

Your best bet would be to browse the Canon refurbished store and find something that suits you.  The prices are very good and all merchandise has a one year factory warranty.

Well I didn't even know there was a Canon refurbished store. Thanks for that info.

Many of us here love doing business with the refurb store.  Typically like new merchandise at very affordable prices ... and with that one year factory warranty it's hard to find a better deal anywhere.

As a note ... when an item is sold as an “international “ product it is what is generally referred to as grey market.  It was not made for the US market, may or may not have the US model designation and/or software, and carries no US factory warranty.  Some have had good look with grey market goods, others have been less lucky.  Personally, I stay away from them.

Thanks for that explanation.

I'd recommend either the T7i, or the SL2, as they use the latest 24 MP sensor with DPAF (dual pixel auto focus). Canon's DPAF is the best auto focus for video on the market right now. They also have articulating touch screens (great for pulling focus), and an input for an external microphone. The T7i has a better viewfinder, with more focus points (the SL2 still uses the old 9-point system that is in your XSi), and you can get an optional battery grip for it (the SL2 doesn't have an available grip).

I also recommend replacing your lenses if you intend to shoot videos. Get the newer STM lenses, as they are designed for video. They have stepping focusing motors, which are virtually silent. The older lenses are noisy when focusing, and the microphone will pick up this sound.

I think the SL2 is out for me, because I have enormous hands and I actually added the battery grip to my XSi to make the camera bigger and easier for me to hold. I think the point of the SL2 is that it's a smaller form factor, which isn't what I'm looking for.

I've been drooling over the T7i for a while now, but I'd have to wait anyway (the safari and a new heat pump for the house to pay for) so I'll keep an eye out for holiday sales. Hopefully my XSi will last until the next good holiday sale.

Not crazy about getting new lenses but I guess I could sell my old ones and pick up a few bucks toward the new camera.

I used, and still use my 1100D for vacations. It's nice and small, simple and light and I like the IQ.

I picked up and 80D and 18-135 stm lens for the video. DPAF is awesome and would 100% agree.to get an stm lens with whatever body you decide on.

Digirame wrote:

There's a lot of excellent replies here. Only get the Canon T6 (1300D) if you want an entry level DSLR camera that does not have in-camera dust sensor protection. I would not do it for any price.

Didn't realize about the dust protection, and I'd want that too. The T6 is out.

Also consider a newer STM lens with your upgrade. Both the camera and the lenses together make for the better performance. If you are on a real tight budget I think a used Canon T2i (550D) or Canon T3i (600D) camera (that is excellent with low shutter clicks) would be better than a new Canon T6 (1300D) camera.

I can get a used T4i for $350 and a used T3i for around $280, but none of the sites that sell used tell you shutter count. I'm not even sure how to find out how many clicks my XSi has.

The deals are out there.  I just sold my (backup) T4i with 22K clicks on it for $250.  I sold it because my S-I-L sold me his pristine 60D with 16K clicks for $250 also.  I still have a T2i that I keep for 'hazardous duty' and because it was my first new SLR that I ever bought - And actually, it's still a great camera, too.

If photography means anything to you and you can afford an African safari, I recommend you replace your Xsi immediately.  Any of the 24 mp Rebels will do just fine.  Also be aware you are probably on borrowed time with the Xsi.  The shutter life on those older Rebels was not great.  Mine died at about 50K actuations which was probably considerably higher than the average shutter life.

You can’t get a battery grip for the T6. I have a T6 battery life isn’t great about 350. If you like holding on to your gear for awhile get at least a T7i. You can buy a grip get a vari-angle screen better processing

I started with the T6 1300D, it was/is Ok for family portraits etc.But for wildlife and nature it was/is a challenge to get the results I wanted even with decent glass. On the plus side for me I was brand new to dslr when I got it so dealing with the challenge for good shots taught me a lot along with the support of  many of the fine folks on these forums.

I upgraded to the 80d from the refurb store, and couldn't be happier with the camera I received and the better capabilities of it.

I did borrow a T6I before upgrading and it was night and day between it and the T6, that helped me decide to upgrade.

I've seen several folks say one of the benefits of the T7i is the ability to use a grip. Unless there is a 3rd party unit, be aware that there is NO grip available from Canon for the T7i (and by extension, the 77D). There was a grip for the predecessor models (T6i, T6s), but it is NOT forward- or backward-compatible.