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Verdict
Image quality from the EOS Rebel T6/ EOS 1300D is good, although as it's roughly on par with the now three-year-old T5 it's nothing particularly revolutionary, while compared to 24MP rivals, it lags behind. But if you're stepping up from a compact camera or mobile phone photography you'll be very pleased with what this camera can do.
The addition of Wi-Fi is welcome, but if you're looking for something that's in any way revolutionary you'll be disappointed.
The viewfinder is bright and clear, but having only a 95 percent field of view can lead to issues when composing images; this limitation isn't unusual for entry-level DSLRs, but it's something you need to think about when you take a shot.
Like the T5 / 1200D before it, the biggest problem with the Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D is that it's a little bit underwhelming. In order to continue to offer a great-value product Canon hasn't added much in the way new technology to this camera, instead relying on an old sensor and an old processor.
It would have been nice to have seen a touchscreen introduced for the EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D, especially given that many of the intended users will be used to smartphones and tablets, and are likely to miss the ability to touch a screen to change settings, set the focus point and so on.
The Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D is a great camera for beginners, offering good image quality in a very reasonably priced and easy-to-use package. It's a solid option for those looking for their first DSLR but who don't want to lay out too much money, and it will introduce you to both Canon's EOS ecosystem and to DSLR photography in general, with the hundreds of lenses and accessories these offer.
- Check out our Canon promo codes for the latest savings and deals.
Competition
Nikon D3500
Our favourite entry-level DSLR right now, the D3500 from Nikon ticks pretty much every box for the new user. Easy to use, good image quality, decent performance and now at a great price.
Read our in-depth Nikon D3500 review
Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D
A little further up the Canon DSLR range is Canon's is the EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D. Packing in a new 24.2MP sensor, it delivers stunning image quality with impressively low noise levels at high ISO sensitivities.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D review
Sony Alpha A5000
A slightly different alternative to the other two is Sony's 20.1MP Alpha A5000 mirrorless camera. Offering great handling and excellent image quality, it's much more compact than the EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D.
Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A5000 review
Phil Hall is an experienced writer and editor having worked on some of the largest photography magazines in the UK, and now edit the photography channel of TechRadar, the UK's biggest tech website and one of the largest in the world. He has also worked on numerous commercial projects, including working with manufacturers like Nikon and Fujifilm on bespoke printed and online camera guides, as well as writing technique blogs and copy for the John Lewis Technology guide.