• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Canon T6i

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment

Canon T6i advantages over Canon SL1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More cross-type AF points
    19 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    19 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 1140 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL1
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All SL1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T6i
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm STM lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm STM lens
All T6i Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).

  • Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Canon SL1 Review

  • Highest resolution Canon APS-C camera yet; Improved dynamic range over T5i; Good high ISO performance for its class; Very fast autofocus; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC; Touchscreen tilt/swivel LCD.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Below average battery life; No Servo AF in Live View; No 60p video frame rate.

  • Read our Canon T6i Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SL1
Nikon D3400
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon SL1 vs Nikon D3400

Canon T6i
Nikon D3400
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T6i vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Sony A58

Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Canon T6i
Sony A58
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T6i vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

Canon T6i
Pentax K-S1
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T6i vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Nikon D5500

Canon SL1
Nikon D5500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SL1 vs Nikon D5500

Canon T6i
Nikon D5500
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T6i vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Canon SL1
Pentax K-3 II
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i
Pentax K-3 II
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T6i vs Pentax K-3 II

Compare Other Cameras?