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Canon T6 vs 7D

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 (called Canon 1300D in some regions) and the Canon EOS 7D are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in March 2016 and September 2009. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 17.9 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon T6
versus
Canon 7D
Canon T6   Canon 7D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor 17.9 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 8 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
500 shots per battery charge800 shots per battery charge
129 x 101 x 78 mm, 485 g 148 x 111 x 74 mm, 860 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T6 and the Canon EOS 7D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon T6 and the Canon 7D. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon T6 vs Canon 7D
Compare T6 versus 7D top
Comparison T6 or 7D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 7D is notably larger (26 percent) than the Canon T6. Moreover, the 7D is substantially heavier (77 percent) than the T6. It is noteworthy in this context that the 7D is splash and dust-proof, while the T6 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the T6 gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E10 battery, while the 7D can take 800 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E6 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T6 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 7D 148 mm 111 mm 74 mm 860 g 800 Y Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon T100 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M10 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 301 g 255 n Oct 2015 499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T6i 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 7D II 149 mm 112 mm 78 mm 910 g 670 Y Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T4i 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
14.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
16.
 
Canon 5D Mark II 152 mm 114 mm 75 mm 850 g 850 Y Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
17.
 
Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The T6 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 74 percent) than the 7D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon T6 and Canon 7D sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 17.9 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the T6 and the 7D have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the T6 is much more recent (by 6 years and 6 months) than the 7D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The Canon EOS 7D offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

T6 versus 7D MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon T6 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
2.
 
Canon 7D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.785466
3.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
4.
 
Canon T100 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
5.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
6.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
7.
 
Canon M10 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.475365
8.
 
Canon T6i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
9.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
10.
 
Canon 7D II APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.411.8108270
11.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
12.
 
Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.692668
13.
 
Canon T4i APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
14.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
15.
 
Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.581366
16.
 
Canon 5D Mark II Full Frame 21.0 5616 37441080/30p23.711.9181579
17.
 
Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.469663
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The T6 and the 7D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the 7D offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the T6 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the 7D has a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon T6, the Canon 7D, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon T6optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 7Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon T100optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon M10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.6/s Y n
8.
 
Canon T6ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 7D IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon T4ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Canon 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n
16.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 3.9/s n n
17.
 
Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the 7D, but is missing on the T6 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The T6 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the 7D uses Compact Flash cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T6 and Canon EOS 7D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon T6Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon 7DYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon T100Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
7.
 
Canon M10-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon T6iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon 7D IIYstereo / monoYYmini3.0---
11.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
13.
 
Canon T4iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
16.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
17.
 
Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0---
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It is notable that the T6 offers wifi support, while the 7D does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 7D (unlike the T6) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the T6 and the 7D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 7D was replaced by the Canon 7D Mark II, while the T6 was followed by the Canon T7. Further information on the features and operation of the T6 and 7D can be found, respectively, in the Canon T6 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 7D Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon T6 and the Canon 7D? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T6:

  • More compact: Is smaller (129x101mm vs 148x111mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 375g or 44 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (74 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 6 years and 6 months of technical progress since the 7D launch.


Advantages of the Canon EOS 7D:

  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.50x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (800 versus 500) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2009).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 7D is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

T6 06:10 7D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T6 and the Canon 7D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the T6 and the 7D in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T64/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 7D5/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 1,699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon T100..o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M10..........4/5 Oct 2015 499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T6i5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 7D II4.5/5+3.5/584/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T4i4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
14.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
16.
 
Canon 5D Mark II4/591/100..79/1004/5.. Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
17.
 
Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon T6 vs Canon 7D

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon T6 Canon 7D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date March 2016 September 2009
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 1,699
    Sensor Specs Canon T6 Canon 7D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 17.9 Megapixels 17.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.31 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 5.39 MP/cm2 5.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4+ DIGIC 4 (Dual)
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 66 66
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22 22.0
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.7 11.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 781 854
    Screen Specs Canon T6 Canon 7D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x 0.63x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon T6 Canon 7D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 8 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations150 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon T6 Canon 7D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon T6 Canon 7D
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Canon LP-E6
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge800 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 129 x 101 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 4.0 x 3.1 in)
    148 x 111 x 74 mm
    (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 485 g (17.1 oz) 860 g (30.3 oz)
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