Canon T6i vs Nikon D3500

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Canon T6i vs Nikon D3500

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

Go in depth with our full Canon T6i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T6i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T6i.
Compare Canon T6i image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T6i conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon T7i
Compare T6i vs T7i
Compare Canon T7i vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Canon T6i advantages over Nikon D3500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
19 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More AF points
19 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon T6i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.57x vs 0.51x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read T6i User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon T6i

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm STM lens
Kit with 18-55mm STM lens

All T6i Deals

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Buy the Nikon D3500

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon T6i

Nikon D3400

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T6i vs Nikon D3400

Nikon D3500

Nikon D3400

$709
APS-C

Longer video battery life
Longer stills battery life

$497
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D5500

Canon T6i

Nikon D5500

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon T6i vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3500

Nikon D5500

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T6i vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D3500

Pentax K-3 II

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Canon T7i

Canon T6i

Canon T7i

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$700
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon T6i vs Canon T7i

Nikon D3500

Canon T7i

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon T6i

Canon SL2

$699
APS-C

More cross-type AF points
More AF points

$549
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon T6i vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

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