Canon T6 vs Nikon P900

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 (called Canon 1300D in some regions) and the Nikon Coolpix P900 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in March 2016 and March 2015. The T6 is a DSLR, while the P900 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (T6) and a 1/2.3-inch (P900) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 15.9 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

	VS
Canon T6		Nikon P900
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses		24-2000mm f/2.8-6.5
17.9 MP, APS-C Sensor		15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/30p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12800 (100-25600)		ISO 100-6400 (100-12800)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (921k dots)
3.0" LCD, 920k dots		3.0" LCD, 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second		7 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge		360 shots per battery charge
129 x 101 x 78 mm, 485 g		140 x 103 x 137 mm, 899 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T6 and the Nikon Coolpix P900? 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.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon T6 and the Nikon P900. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon P900 is notably larger (11 percent) than the Canon T6. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T6 nor the P900 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the P900 has a lens built in, whereas the T6 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the T6 and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the T6 gets 500 shots out of its LP-E10 battery, while the P900 can take 360 images on a single charge of its EN-EL23 power pack. The power pack in the P900 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

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, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon T6»	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	17.1 oz	500	n	Mar 2016	449		Canon T6
	Nikon P900«	5.5 in	4.1 in	5.4 in	31.7 oz	360	n	Mar 2015	599		Nikon P900
	Canon T7« »	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	16.8 oz	500	n	Feb 2018	449		Canon T7
	Canon T100« »	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.0 in	15.4 oz	500	n	Feb 2018	399		Canon T100
	Canon T5« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	16.9 oz	500	n	Feb 2014	449		Canon T5
	Canon SL1« »	4.6 in	3.6 in	2.7 in	14.4 oz	380	n	Mar 2013	549		Canon SL1
	Canon T5i« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.5 oz	440	n	Mar 2013	649		Canon T5i
	Canon T4i« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.3 oz	440	n	Jun 2012	849		Canon T4i
	Canon T3« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	17.5 oz	700	n	Feb 2011	449		Canon T3
	Canon T3i« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.1 oz	440	n	Feb 2011	599		Canon T3i
	Canon T2i« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.7 oz	440	n	Feb 2010	699		Canon T2i
	Canon XS« »	5.0 in	3.9 in	2.6 in	17.7 oz	500	n	Jun 2008	449		Canon XS
	Nikon P950« »	5.5 in	4.3 in	5.9 in	35.5 oz	290	n	Jan 2020	799		Nikon P950
	Nikon P1000« »	5.7 in	4.7 in	7.1 in	49.9 oz	250	n	Jul 2018	999		Nikon P1000
	Nikon B700« »	4.9 in	3.3 in	4.2 in	19.9 oz	350	n	Feb 2016	499		Nikon B700
	Nikon B500« »	4.5 in	3.1 in	3.7 in	19.1 oz	600	n	Jan 2016	299		Nikon B500
	Nikon L840« »	4.4 in	3.1 in	3.8 in	19.0 oz	590	n	Feb 2015	299		Nikon L840
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon T6 features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon P900 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the P900 is 92 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 5.6. The sensor in the T6 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the P900 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 17.9MP, the T6 offers a higher resolution than the P900 (15.9MP), but the T6 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 1.33μm for the P900) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the T6 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) than the P900, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the P900 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T6 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T6 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inch or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inch or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inch or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon P900 are 23 x 17.3 inch or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inch or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inch or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Coolpix P900 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the P900 provides a faster frame rate than the T6. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the P900 has an electronic viewfinder (921k dots), while the T6 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon T6 and Nikon P900 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

The Nikon P900 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the T6 and the P900 write their files to SDXC cards.

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 Nikon Coolpix P900 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the T6 has a hotshoe, while the P900 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the P900 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the T6 and the P900 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The P900 was replaced by the Nikon P950, while the T6 was followed by the Canon T7. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon T6 and the Nikon P900? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T6:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 15.9MP) with a 8% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 360) on a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year after the P900).

Arguments in favor of the Nikon Coolpix P900:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the T6 requires a separate lens.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in March 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (11 points each). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T6 and the Nikon P900 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings 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 remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the T6 or the P900. 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 where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon T6	o	73/100	4/5	3.5/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449		Canon T6
	Nikon P900	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2015	599		Nikon P900
	Canon T7	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449		Canon T7
	Canon T100	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399		Canon T100
	Canon T5	+	..	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449		Canon T5
	Canon SL1	+	78/100	4/5	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	549		Canon SL1
	Canon T5i	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649		Canon T5i
	Canon T4i	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849		Canon T4i
	Canon T3	80/100	69/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449		Canon T3
	Canon T3i	o	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	599		Canon T3i
	Canon T2i	+ +	77/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	699		Canon T2i
	Canon XS	82/100	+ +	3.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	449		Canon XS
	Nikon P950	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	Jan 2020	799		Nikon P950
	Nikon P1000	+	73/100	3.5/5	4.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2018	999		Nikon P1000
	Nikon B700	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Feb 2016	499		Nikon B700
	Nikon B500	+	..	4/5	..	3.5/5	Jan 2016	299		Nikon B500
	Nikon L840	+ +	..	3.5/5	..	4/5	Feb 2015	299		Nikon L840
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

Specifications: Canon T6 vs Nikon P900

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.

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