Nikon D3500 vs. Canon T6: Which Is the Best Entry-Level Camera?

We all start small. Before bringing out the big guns, meet the Nikon D3500 and the Canon EOS Rebel T6: 2 of the top picks for the best entry-level DSLR cameras in the market.

Which of the two cameras is better and which one should you buy?

Find out in our Nikon D3500 vs. Canon T6 review… in 3, 2, 1! Point, shoot!

The Best Cameras for Beginners: Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS Rebel T6

#1 Nikon D3500

A quick Google search of the best cameras for beginners will take you to a long list of impressive DSLRs, and chances are, the Nikon D3500 is at the top of it.

And for MANY good reasons.

A 24-megapixel APS C CMOS Sensor, a full HD 1080/60p video capture, and long battery life are some of the neat specs found in this compact camera body made by Nikon, one of Japan’s best camera manufacturers.

But that isn’t what makes it stand out.

What Makes Nikon D3500 Stand Out

The Nikon D3500 is a perfect DSLR for beginner photographers because of its Guide Mode Feature. This allows the camera to do the following with ease:

• Put your subject in place
• Shoot according to the scene or landscape
• Retouch or soften the background.

This handy feature essentially teaches you ALL the basics of photography through its user-friendly set-up. Learn how to adjust the following settings:

• Aperture Priority
• Picture control
• Exposure
• Adjust focal length

Now that’s something to brag about! Learning should NOT be a scary task with Nikon D3500, the best DSLR camera for beginners.

If you’re a student or a newbie who doesn’t know all the ropes yet, THIS will help you familiarize yourself with all the different camera parts. Trust us!

It’s light and compact enough to carry with you everywhere, an important factor for beginners to consider.

The Nikon D3500 is at the top of its game… Just don’t expect all the bonus high-tech features that professional cameras have!

Nikon D3500, a Taste of Quality DSLR

While the digital single-lens reflex camera is packed with everything that a beginner needs, it’s a pretty basic model in shell, just like any other entry-level camera.

It lacks these important features:

• Customizable buttons
• Time-exposure mode
• Time-lapse video recording
• Touch screen LCD
• Flip-out screen
• A live view from the phone application.

When it comes to image quality, it goes a long way from your iPhone camera standards, with higher pixel density at 24 megapixels with its APS-C sensor, a sweet deal for any digital camera.

However, it won’t be good for shooting any action shots.

With only 11 AF points, the camera’s autofocus is not the most precise. So, if you’re into sports photography, this isn’t the ideal camera to experiment with.

Overall, Nikon D3500 is well-known as a simple, straightforward, and high-performing DSLR, the most affordable model from Nikon’s impressive lines.

Being Japan’s top camera manufacturer, the company NEVER disappoints, and the Nikon D3500 is no exception.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Good for learning because of its Guide Mode feature
• Simplified controls
• Mountable lens
• Full HD 1080/60 p video capture
• Superb Battery Life

Cons

• No flip-out screen
• Smartphone application does not have live view
• Record button is not sensitive
• Autofocus is not very precise
• Does not support USB charging

#2 Canon EOS Rebel T6

If you’re looking for a DSLR camera to one up your smartphone, look no further. The search is over because the Canon T6 is here.

Down the list of best entry-level cameras is Canon’s very own budget model. The Canon T6 was launched way back in 2016 as the sole successor of the Canon EOS 12OOD or the Canon Rebel T5.

FUN FACT: Canon T6 is also known as the Canon EOS 1300D in America and the Canon EOS Kiss X80 in Japan.

And, the best part about it? It comes packed with all the GOOD stuff.

Canon T6, a Fresh Twist in the World of Digital DSLR Cameras

The Canon T6 comes with a lot of bonus features that many beginner cameras do not. What would these be?

Well, for one, Canon EOS Rebel T6 is equipped with an Anti-Aliasing filter. This camera feature is used to blur out repeating patterns in the photo to avoid wavy lines, referred to as moiré.

For photography dummies, it simply means that the filter adds more color to the pixel pitch under bright light. Thanks to its anti-alias filter, you get sharper images.

Expect only great image quality with punchy and bold colors from the Canon T6―the perfect set for landscape photography, portrait photography, and street photography.

What’s more, what we like about Canon T6 is that it has a neat, quick sharing feature. Unlike the Nikon D3500, Canon’s entry-level model is complete with built-in Wi-Fi and NPC.

With Canon T6, it’s easy to transfer jpeg images to your smartphone wirelessly. It also offers support to your RAW images. A huge plus for beginners!

When the Price Is Right

Canon T6 gets extra brownie points for its cool additions. BUT, while it does have all the glitz and glam, the camera is also lacking in many things.

Its autofocus performance is BELOW AVERAGE. If your subject won’t stay still, the results would be a blurred-out or out-of-focus shot.

Although the camera has minimal shutter lag on preset settings, the Canon T6 is, by no means, NOT meant for sports photography.

Another thing, the Canon T6 also has a limited dynamic range and lower native ISO range. In low-light situations, the photos will come out with more noise.

BUT, this does not mean it’s a bad camera.

The performance might be a mixed bag. However, it’s a sweet deal for its price! it will be hard to find any other cheaper DSLR models from Canon, the top camera manufacturer of 2024.

Pros

• Easy Image Transfer (Wi-Fi and NPC)
• Raw Capture Support
• Anti-Alias Filter (AA)
• Minimal shutter lag when focused manually

Cons

• No flip-out screen
• Heavier than Nikon D3500
• Fixed Non-Touch LCD Screen
• Slow Burst Shooting
• No 4k video recording
• Does not support USB Charging

Nikon D3500 vs. Canon T6: A Head to Head Comparison

Now that we know our main contenders let’s look at a detailed comparison of the Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS Rebel T6. Let’s dive right in!

Raw Specs Comparison

Body Comparison (Winner: Nikon D3500)

For any serious photographers, a deciding factor for buying a camera is its design and ergonomics.

The Nikon D3500 and Canon T6 have signature designs that remain faithful to the companies’ classic clean look.

The two cameras feature a contoured grip and immaculate polycarbonate construction in their glossy black bodies.

Although the models do not feature weather-sealing capabilities for extreme weather like other cameras, the Nikon D500 and Canon T6 have a solid build quality.

Not only are they durable, but they’re also light enough to carry with you everywhere.

So, What Is the Difference?

• The Nikon D3500 is 124 x 97 x 70mm in size and weighs 365g.
• The Canon T6 is 129 x 101 x 78mm at 485g.

The size difference between the two is small, but the Nikon D3500 is slightly thinner, slicker, and lighter than the Canon T6.

If you’re looking for a camera that’s lightweight and more compact, then the better choice between the two is Nikon D3500.

Image Sensor Comparison (Winner: Nikon D3500)

The size of a sensor determines how well the camera processes images. A large sensor will naturally have better quality and low-light sensitivity and provide a more dynamic range.

In this which-is-the-better-beginner-camera review, the Nikon D3500 and Canon T6 go head to head against each other in a close fight.

BOTH have a native aspect ratio, or the ratio of the sensor width to sensor height, of 3:2, and they’re also equipped with the same APS-C sensor type.

Though the two cameras have the same native aspect ratio, the sensors slightly differ from each other.

At 23.5 mm x 15.6 mm, Nikon D3500 has a larger sensor area.

The camera is also equipped with a 24.2 megapixels high-resolution sensor, a significant advantage over Canon T6’s 18.0 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor.

Burst Shooting Comparison (Winner: Nikon D3500)

When it comes to continuous shooting, both the Nikon D3500 and the Canon T6 are nowhere near a sports camera. However, Nikon’s beginner DSLR holds out better than its fated rival.

Burst Rate Comparison:

• Nikon D3500: 5.0 fps
• Canon T6: 3.0 fps

D3500 can take up to 24 RAW shots in continuous shooting mode in real-time. Not bad for an entry-level cam!

Another thing, Canon T6 has a slower shutter speed. Thus, giving the Nikon D3500 the slight edge over the T6.

Autofocus Performance Comparison (Winner: Tie)

Nikon D3500 and Canon T6 are at par with each other for their autofocus performance. Despite Nikon having 11 autofocus points versus Canon’s 9 autofocus points, there’s NOT MUCH of a big difference.

Both of the DSLRs easily lose their focus on the subject. Even though they come with an automatic face detection feature, the autofocus is not the most superb and precise.

For this round, it’s an even match.

Image Quality Comparison (Winner: Nikon D3500)

Nikon D3500 and Canon T6 are both great choices for a beginner digital single-lens reflex camera for their impressive image quality.

Canon T6 offers stunning landscape photos at 18 megapixels, and the Nikon D3500 at 24 megapixels.

Both produce similar results. BUT, the 6 MP difference makes the Nikon D3500 the better choice for printing out larger images. The quality is comparable to many other top-tier cameras.

It’s also worth noting that the cameras do not have image stabilization, which may require you to use tripods and other equipment to reduce vibration and shakiness when planning out a shoot.

ISO Range Comparison (Winner: Nikon D3500)

For low-light settings, Nikon D3500 has the upper edge over the Canon T6.

• The Canon T6 features an ISO range of 100-6400, and it can expand to 12,800 in low-light situations.
• The Nikon D3500’s ISO range is 100-25,600.

This provides the beginner DSLR a bit more ability for quality low-light images.

Video Capture Comparison (Winner:: Tie)

The video performance of the Nikon D3500 and Canon T6 is pretty much tied. BOTH cameras have the same video resolution of 1920 x 1080 with a frame rate of 30p.

Unfortunately, the cameras do not have 4K video recording and do not have a port for the microphone for better movie recording.

Battery Life Comparison (Winner: Nikon D3500)

One of the biggest advantages of the Nikon D3500 over Canon T6 is the battery life.

The D3500 can take 1,550 on a single charge of its EN-EL14 A Power Pack, whereas you only get 500 shots per charge of Canon T6’s LP-E10 battery.

Wireless Connectivity Comparison (Winner: Tie)

The two cameras are equipped with features that enable convenient image transfer.

The Canon T6 has ALL the technological advances for the BEST Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.

While the Nikon D3500, although lacking in Wi-Fi connection, does have Bluetooth and the SnapBridge application for automatic image sharing.

A Guide to Entry-Level DSLR Cameras

Navigating your way through the world of cameras is a tricky job, especially for beginners. There are MANY things to consider when choosing your first ever DSLR camera, the entry level-DSLR.

• What are the top camera brands?
• Is this too expensive?
• Do I really need this DSLR feature?
• Should I buy lenses along with it?

We know. EVERYONE’s been there. With all sorts of digital cameras available nowadays, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But that said, it shouldn’t stop you from having ZERO regrets.

After all, your very first DSLR is something that you’ll treasure and look back on years later. Whether you’ll remain an amateur or be a professional, it’s special.

What Is an Entry-Level DSLR?

An entry-level DSLR camera is simply the cheapest camera model manufacturers offer. It comes with a lot LESS:

• Lower-cost materials
• Low-cost lenses
• Less sophisticated autofocus
• Slower shutter speed
• Smaller APS-C sensor size and sensor area
• No dual control wheels
• No larger sensors

And, generally void of the cool gears you see professional photographers use.

BUT just because it’s cheap, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad camera!

Entry-level DSLRs are made for uncertain first-time buyers. And, it’s the perfect way for one to learn the art of photography.

What to Consider When Buying Entry-Level Cameras

To get you into the groove of photography, here are 3 important things that you should look for in an entry-level DSLR:

#1 Size

Getting to know how the camera works is the first task of a newbie. For that, cameras should be light and easy to carry. When testing out products, make sure that it feels right on your hands.

#2 Price Tag

Photography is an expensive hobby. A mid-level DSLR ranges between $900 up to $3,500 for the body alone. The price tag is no laughing matter!

Thankfully, we have entry-level cameras, the cheapest models manufacturers offer. They cost between $350 to $800. both the Canon T6 & Nikon D3500 are bang for the bucks!

#3 Kit Lens

One of the best ways to save money is by purchasing the bundle kit. Although buying the “body” alone is cheaper, it doesn’t offer many choices for lenses to play around and explore with.

Frankly, it feels constrained. Kit lens bundles are available and cheaper in the long run rather than buying them separately.

And when you want to take your photography to the next level, you can check the articles about the best lenses for canon rebel T6, and the one for the best lenses for Nikon D3500, to fit yourself with a suitable lens.

Nikon D3500 vs. Canon T6: And the Best Beginner Camera Is…

The moment that you’ve all been waiting for… Which is the best beginner camera between Nikon D3500 and Canon T6. Drum roll, please! THE NIKON D3500!!

It’s compact, light, and has higher quality image processing. It also comes with a Guide Mode feature for beginners to learn and explore the settings and modes.

Don’t worry, Canon fans. The Canon T6 still gets an award for having brownie points from all the cool additions.

However, the Nikon D3500 is the CLEAR WINNER that gives you maximum value and a holistic shooting experience.

Tough, wasn’t it? They’re both great DSLRs packed with many neat features―some similar, some different.

If you’re still having trouble weighing your options, here are some extra pointers to give you an easier time choosing between the two cameras.

Why Should You Buy the Nikon D3500?

• It’s more compact and lighter than the Canon T6.
• It contains a larger sensor among the 2 cameras.
• A higher extended ISO for low-light shooting.
• Nikon D3500 has longer battery life than Canon T6 at 1,550 shots out of a single battery charge.

Why Should You Buy the Canon T6?

• At 18 MP APS-C CMOS, Canon T6 has smaller pixels than the Nikon D3500 thanks to its high-resolution sensor of 24 megapixels.
• For reducing moire in images, Canon T6 does the job.
• Easy device pairing and file upload with Canon T6.
• There are more mountable lenses compatible with Canon T6 than with the Nikon D3500.