Nikon D5300 versus Canon T6i

The Nikon D5300 and the Canon EOS Rebel T6i (labelled Canon 750D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in October 2013 and February 2015. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixel.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D5300 and the Canon T6i is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the D5300 – represents the basis for the calculations across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon T6i is notably larger (9 percent) than the Nikon D5300. Moreover, the T6i is markedly heavier (16 percent) than the D5300. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the D5300 nor the T6i are weather-sealed.

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. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D5300) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (T6i).

Concerning battery life, the D5300 gets 600 shots out of its EN-EL14a battery, while the T6i can take 440 images on a single charge of its LP-E17 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, 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 comparisons there.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The T6i was somewhat cheaper (by 6 percent) than the D5300 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. 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.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the T6i is 10 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.5 (D5300) and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Even though the D5300 has a larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 24 megapixel. This implies that the D5300 has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 3.72μm for the T6i), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. It should, however, be noted that the T6i is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 3 months) than the D5300, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D5300 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the D5300 provides substantially higher image quality than the T6i, with an overall score that is 12 points higher. This advantage is based on 1.3 bits higher color depth, 1.9 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. 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. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D5300 and the T6i 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D5300, the Canon T6i, and comparable cameras. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

Both the D5300 and the T6i have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D5300 was replaced by the Nikon D5500, while the T6i was followed by the Canon T7i.

Summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D5300 better than the Canon T6i or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D5300:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.3 bits more color depth).
• More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.9 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.5 stops ISO advantage).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 75g or 14 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (600 versus 440) on a single battery charge.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in October 2013).

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS Rebel T6i:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 3 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D5300 is the clear winner of the match-up (9 : 3 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.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the D5300 and the T6i 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. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites. You can find the full text of the reviews, respectively, at cameralabs.com, dpreview.com, ephotozine.com, imaging-resource.com, and photographyblog.com.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other comparisons

If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, kindly get in touch, and I will try to add information on that model to the database.