Is the Canon T6 Still Worth It in 2025? A Realistic Review

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 (or 1300D) was once the king of entry-level DSLRs. It was the camera that introduced millions of people to the world of interchangeable lenses and manual controls. But with years of new technology and the rise of mirrorless cameras, a critical question remains: is a used Canon T6 still a good buy in 2025?

The short answer is: Yes, for the right person and at the right price.

If you’re a complete beginner looking to learn the fundamentals of photography on a very tight budget, the T6 can be a fantastic starting point. Let’s break down the pros and cons in today’s market.

Why the Canon T6 is Still a Great Beginner Camera

1. The Price is Unbeatable: This is the T6’s biggest advantage. You can often find a complete used kit—with the camera body, a kit lens, a battery, and a charger—for under $200-$250. At that price, it offers incredible value and a low-risk entry into “real” photography.

2. Excellent Image Quality (in Good Light): The 18-megapixel sensor in the T6 is still very capable. In good lighting conditions, it can produce sharp, vibrant, and beautiful images that are worlds better than what you can get from a smartphone. You can easily make large prints and have plenty of resolution for social media.

3. It Teaches You the Fundamentals: The T6 has all the manual controls (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, full Manual mode) that you need to learn the exposure triangle. Its simple button layout is less intimidating than a high-end camera, making it a great educational tool. What you learn on a T6 will directly translate to any future camera you own.

4. Access to a Massive Lens Ecosystem: The T6 uses Canon’s EF/EF-S lens mount, which has one of the largest and most affordable lens selections on the planet. You can buy fantastic, budget-friendly lenses like the Canon 50mm f/1.8 (“Nifty Fifty”) that will completely transform your photography.

Where the Canon T6 Shows Its Age

1. Poor Low-Light Performance: This is its biggest weakness. The sensor struggles in dimly lit situations. You’ll notice significant “noise” or graininess in your photos when you have to raise the ISO.

2. Slow Autofocus and Burst Mode: The T6’s 9-point autofocus system is basic and can struggle with fast-moving subjects. With a burst rate of only 3 frames per second, it is not a good choice for sports or wildlife photography.

3. Basic Video Capabilities: It can shoot 1080p video, but it lacks the advanced video features common today, like 4K resolution, slow-motion options, and continuous autofocus during video recording.

4. The Screen is Not a Touch Screen: The rear LCD screen is fixed (it doesn’t flip out) and is not touch-sensitive. All settings must be changed using physical buttons, which can feel dated.

The Verdict

You shouldn’t buy a Canon T6 expecting it to compete with a new mirrorless camera. That’s not its purpose.

You SHOULD buy a Canon T6 if:

• You are a complete beginner on a very tight budget.
• You want to learn the core principles of photography with a real camera.
• You primarily shoot in good lighting (daylight, portraits, travel).

You should SKIP the Canon T6 if:

• You need to shoot sports or fast-moving subjects.
• You frequently shoot in low-light environments (indoors, concerts, night).
• Video is a primary focus for you.

For the price of a fancy dinner, a used Canon T6 gives you a capable camera and access to an incredible range of lenses. It’s a fantastic, low-cost ticket into the wonderful world of creative photography.