Canon EOS 750D Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Canon EOS 750D (and 760D) update the Canon EOS 700D from two years earlier, with a new 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, along with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC. The 24 megapixel 750D is the first upgrade to sensor of this camera series since the 18 megapixel 550D was introduced in February 2010.

Canon EOS 750D Features

The Canon EOS 750D (also known as the Canon EOS Rebel T6i) features a new 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, with a 19-point phase-detection AF system, an improvement over the 9-point AF system found in the Canon EOS 700D. Whilst not up there with the 39 focus points found in the Nikon D5500, it is more than the 11 focus points found on the Pentax K-S2.

The 3.0inch vari-angle touchscreen features the same resolution of 1040K dots as the 700D, and the optical viewfinder gives a 95% coverage (0.82x magnification) of what you are photographing, and for a larger view you would need to look at the 70D with 98% coverage (0.95x magnification), or the 7D Mark II with 100% coverage (1x magnification). This is on a par with the Nikon D5500 with 95% coverage and 0.82x magnification, but does not match the impressive optical viewfinder found in the Pentax K-S2, which has 100% coverage and 0.95x magnification. 

There are numerous Auto, Scene, and Creative shooting modes to make it easy for a beginner to take creative and stylish shots, as well as full manual controls for the more advanced photographers. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC makes it easy to connect to smartphones and tablets, and the app, Canon Camera Connect, is available for Android and iOS devices. 

A Canon EOS Companion app explains camera settings, and is split into different areas starting with the basics of photography in the 'Learn' section, followed by the 'Explore' section where you can get to know your camera and settings, then 'Inspire' which is designed to take you further into photography once you've got more familiar with your camera. The app is available for Android and iOS devices.

The Canon EOS 750D records fullHD video (1080p at 25fps) with stereo sound, and there is a microphone socket on the side for those that want to record higher quality audio, and there are settings to let you change the microphone volume.

Key Features

• 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Canon EF-S lens mount
• 3inch tilting vari-angle touch screen, 1040k dot resolution
• Optical viewfinder, 95% coverage
• Wi-Fi, NFC
• FullHD Video recording, stereo sound
• ISO100 to ISO25600 (ISO12800 max in video)
• 19 cross-type AF points (f/2.8 at centre)
• HDR creation
• 5fps continuous shooting
• Canon EOS 750D Companion App

Canon EOS 750D Handling

The Canon EOS 750D feels well built with a solid plastic body, with numerous rubber covers providing a good grip. There is a good grip on the left of the camera, and a recessed grip for your thumb. Slightly lighter than the 700D, however roughly the same size, give or take a few mm.

Additional buttons on the top of the camera give quicker access to settings, and the DISP button lets you switch off the rear display (although this isn't available in live-view mode). The 700D had an eye detection sensor that would automatically switch off the screen when the camera was held up to your eye and this is missing from the 750D. There's also a Wi-Fi logo and light to let you know when Wi-Fi is connected and active. 

The buttons on the back of the camera haven't changed since the 700D.  The video mode is easy to access as it's on the On/Off switch. The memory card compartment is also easy to access, as it's on the side. On the other side is the external mic socket, remote, A/V out / Digital, HDMI, Flash button and depth-of-field preview buttons.

For additional controls, the Canon EOS 760D would be recommended, and the 760D features a top LCD screen, a locking mode dial (on the left), plus a scroll wheel on the back (that can be locked), making it easier to set manual controls such as aperture and shutter speed. 

The are 19 focus points, that are fairly central, and the focus system has an AF working range of -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C & ISO100). In live view the focus point can be set from a much wider area, using the touch-screen if you want. The optical viewfinder gives 95% coverage with 0.82x magnification, with Dioptre correction.

Menus – Canon has a logical and well laid out menu system, allowing you to change additional settings and options, and the large number of buttons on the camera mean you can change settings quickly without entering the menus. The menus are colour coded, with the shooting menus red, playback menus blue, setup amber, and "my menu" is green. The "my menu" allows you to customise the options onto one page, so that you can quickly access your favourite settings. The menu system is easy to use and can be navigated easily and quickly using the touch screen. The menus also feature built-in help, and quicker access to options can be found by using the Q button on the back, and then setting options on the rear screen.

Main Menu	Remote Shooting	Transfer Images

Wi-Fi features - Using Canon Camera Connect you can quickly and easily setup a connection to your smartphone or tablet. Built in NFC can be used with a smartphone or tablet with NFC, and this makes it easy to set up the connection by simply touching the two devices together. Remote shooting lets you set a number of camera settings, and images on camera lets you transfer photos to your device. You can also set the camera's time based on your smartphone or tablet time. 

Battery life - The Canon EOS 750D is introduced with a new battery, the LP-E17, so the camera will not accept the same battery as that found in the 700D (the LP-E8). Battery life is rated at 440 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which is the same as the 700D it replaces, and is better than most mirrorless cameras, but much less than the 820 shots offered by the D5500.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

Focus and shutter response are both very quick, and live view focus is also very quick, which is an impressive improvement over the 700D. The camera will shoot at 5fps when shooting JPEG or raw images, with the number of images possible depending on the speed of card used when shooting JPEG, and 6-8 shots when shooting raw. Continuous shooting is slightly slower at 4.8fps with lens distortion correction switched on. 

Canon EOS 750D Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) Sample Photos

Sample Photos - Colour reproduction is very good, with the camera giving very pleasing colours, and exposure is reliable. Portraits taken with flash have no red-eye and detail is good with the camera using a low ISO setting. The camera produces good results even in low-light and focus is reasonably reliable in poor lighting conditions. 

Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) Lens test images

Lens Performance - The camera can take sharp detailed photos with the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens used for testing. The lens is also fairly resistant to flare. There is some barrel distortion at the wide-angle end of the lens, but minimum pincushion distortion at the telephoto end. This distortion can be corrected in camera, along with peripheral illumination (vignetting), and chromatic aberration. The 17-55mm lens has a closest focus distance of 35cm, so for better macro results a different lens is recommended. Optical image stabilisation is beneficial both for stills and video recording with the camera capable of taking a sharp shot even when using slower shutter speeds in less than ideal lighting. We used the new 50mm f/1.8 STM lens for the portrait shot shown above.

Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - For the lowest noise and best detail possible we would recommend using ISO100 to ISO1600, as images have low levels of noise and good levels of detail. For lower light situations ISO3200 to ISO6400 still provides good results, although noise increases and detail is reduced slightly. At ISO12800 noise levels become stronger and we would recommend avoiding this setting if possible, although results may still be useful if resized and used on the web. ISO25600 is best avoided as noise is at its highest, and detail is low.

Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under tungsten lighting, with the tungsten preset giving a very similar result. AWB performs well under fluorescent lights, with the fluorescent preset giving a very slight magenta colour cast.

Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) Digital filters

Digital Filters - There are a number digital filters and effects available in the Creative Auto shooting mode. In this mode the camera makes it easy to alter settings such as background blur, without you having to know technical terms such as aperture values, and you can also select from a number of effects and filters, as shown above. Auto panoramic shooting is not available. Automatic HDR shooting is available in camera in the Scene mode setting, and this works even when shooting handheld, with good results possible without the image looking unnatural.  

Video - Video quality is good, with the camera recording full HD video at 25p with adjustable microphone levels as well as wind filter / attenuator options plus the option to switch off sound recording altogether. Focus performs quite well even in low light when recording video. ISO12800 is the highest ISO setting available in video mode. 

Value For Money

The Canon EOS 750D is available for £599 body only which makes it quite good value for money, and is up against the following cameras, shown below:

Canon EOS 760D, 24mp, top LCD, 3inch screen, £649 body only
Nikon D5500, 24mp, 5fps, 3.2inch screen, £586 body only
Pentax K-S2, 20mp, 5.4fps, 3inch screen, £549 body only
Sony Alpha A77-II, 24mp, 12fps, 3inch screen, £764 body only

Panasonic Lumix G7, 16mp, 8fps, 4K video, £599 body only
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, 16mp, 10fps, £899 body only
Fujifilm X-T10, 16mp, 8fps, £499 body only
Sony Alpha A6000, 24mp, 11fps, £439 body only

You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Canon EOS 750D Verdict

Canon has finally caught up to the competition by offering an APS-C sensor camera with a 24 megapixel CMOS sensor. If you already have a Canon EOS xxD camera of a lower resolution, and want higher image quality with better detail, then the Canon EOS 750D is worth investing in, especially if you already have Canon lenses. There are additional focus points, with 19 instead of 9 and the live view focusing has been significantly improved. With built in Wi-Fi and NFC the camera can now be remotely controlled and sending images to a compatible smartphone or tablet is very easy. 

The Canon EOS 750D is priced competitively, however, as the 760D is only £50 more and offers better controls as well as a top LCD screen, we can't help from feeling that if you have the additional money to spare then you may be better served by the 760D. If however the price difference becomes greater over time, then the 750D would still be an excellent choice, delivering excellent image quality with great colour and low noise. 

Canon EOS 750D Pros

24 megapixel sensor with low noise
Good noise performance up to ISO3200/6400
3inch vari-angle touch-screen
Impressively quick live view focus (benefits video also)
Wi-Fi and NFC built in 
Excellent image quality
Excellent colour reproduction
Excellent touch screen
Q. button gives quick access to settings

Canon EOS 750D Cons

Lens abberation correction slows continous shooting slightly
Does not feature AF microadjustment
760D isn't much more (+£50) and offers more controls

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

The Canon EOS 750D is capable of producing great photos, and has been updated with a 24mp sensor and built in Wi-Fi making it an excellent entry level DSLR.

Canon EOS 750D (Rebel T6i) Specifications

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