Canon EOS 1300D Review

The Canon EOS 1300D is an update to the Canon EOS 1200D and adds built-in Wi-Fi and NFC as well as a number of new scene modes and effects while maintaining a low entry level price of £299 with kit lens, or £329 with kit lens with IS.

Canon EOS 1300D Features

The Canon EOS 1300D (known as the Canon EOS Rebel T6 in the US) uses the same 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor as the Canon EOS 1200D but has been upgraded to include a number of new features, with the most noticeable being the built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity which makes the camera much more appealing for entry level and younger shooters. 

The screen is improved with a higher resolution 3inch screen, with 920K dots, which is improved over the 460K dots on the 1200D. Continuous shooting speed remains the same at 3fps and the ISO range is the same at ISO100 to ISO12800 (extended). The camera records FullHD video and features 9 AF points. 

Updates over the Canon EOS 1200D:

• Wi-Fi and NFC built-in
• 3inch 920K dot screen
• DIGIC 4+ processor
• Food scene mode
• Grainy black and white effect

The Canon EOS 1300D has access to all of Canon's EF and EF-S lenses, and when combined with one of the prime lenses, it becomes a quite compact Digital SLR and for those that want the smallest possible Digital SLR system, then there are a number of pancake and compact prime lenses available, such as the 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens, 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens, and 50mm f/1.8 STM prime lens.

If you're wondering how the Canon EOS 1300D compares to the previous entry level Digital SLRs from Canon, then we've compared the main differences between the previous versions below: 

* If still available.

The Canon EOS 1300D is available body only, or with the 18-55 kit lens, or 18-55mm IS kit lens and we'd recommend the 18-55mm IS kit lens for those likely to want to shoot in lower light conditions, or for those that want to record hand-held video, as the Image Stabilisation (IS) will help under these shooting conditions. 

The camera has full manual controls, as well as scene intelligent auto mode and a number of creative effects, including a grainy black and white effect, as well as a new food scene mode. Wi-Fi and NFC are built in, which will make it quick and easy to connect to compatible smartphones. You can connection to Android smartphones using NFC if they support it and this makes it very easy to connect and transfer photos, as well as remotely control the camera.  

Key Features

• 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Canon EF lens mount
• DIGIC 4+ image processor
• 3inch screen, 920k dot resolution
• 0.80x magnification, optical viewfinder
• Wi-Fi and NFC built-in
• FullHD 1080p video recording
• ISO100-ISO6400, expands to ISO12800
• 3fps continuous shooting
• 9 AF points

Canon EOS 1300D Handling

Unlike the 1100D, the Canon EOS 1300D doesn't feel like a budget Digital SLR. It features a solid plastic body and ample rubber grip surrounding the grip and rear thumb grip of the camera. This means it feels similar in value to an older EOS camera like the EOS 600D, although without the side access to the memory card slot. The memory card slot can be found under the camera, in the battery compartment. 

The layout of controls on the camera will be familiar to anyone who's used an entry to mid-level Digital SLR from Canon, such as the 1200D or 750D cameras. The buttons are clearly labelled and a good size, with easy access to a number of useful settings, including ISO, AF, WB and Drive mode on the 4-way controller. With good controls and rubber grip, the 1300D feels good in your hand, with a relatively compact camera body. 

There are 9 focus points and these are quite central, which means you'll need to master focusing and re-composing if you want your subject off-centre. The optical viewfinder is clear and shows the focus points so that you know where the camera has focused. 

Menus – The menus on the 1300D are well designed and easy to use with each main section colour coded and the screen is clear and easy to read. There's a Q button to give quick access to controls on the rear screen so that you don't have to go into the menus. 

Using Canon's Camera Connect app, which is available for Android and iOS devices, you can view and transfer images on the camera, shoot remotely as well as change camera settings. Setting up the connection is particularly easy if you have an Android smartphone with built-in NFC. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 500 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which is reasonably good for a Canon Digital SLR, although other Digital SLRs sometimes offer longer battery life, with the Nikon D3300 and Sony Alpha A58 both offering up to 700 shots.