While the new 5D is a little lacking in the video department due to its very high megapixel count and the fact that it's aimed at stills photographers, the new Rebel cameras don't really have a reason to be as underwhleming as they are on the video side. Aside from new sensors and built-in WiFi, the T6i and T6s don't really add all that much from previous Canon budget models, and are limited to 30fps at 1080p and 60fps at 720p. These models are more for still photographers than people shooting video, as the video specs are nearly unchanged since the T2i, the first Rebel capable of shooting video.

Here's a quick rundown of both cameras:


Here's the intro video for the T6s:

Canon T6s Top

Canon T6s Back LCD Out

Specs for the Canon T6s:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3.0" 1.04M-dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • MP4: 1920 x 1080p / 29.97 fps / 25 fps / 23.98 fps
  • MP4: 1280 x 720p / 59.94 fps / 50 fps
  • MP4: 640 x 480p / 29.97 fps / 25 fps
  • Clip Length 29 min 59 sec
  • ISO 100 - 12800, Expandable to 25600
  • 19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • 5 fps Shooting & Extended ISO to 25600
  • Hybrid CMOS AF III & EOS Scene Analysis
  • Top LCD Panel & Quick Control Dial
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • CS100 Connect Station Support
  • Built-in Mic
  • Mic, Mini-HDMI, USB 2.0 Ports
  • Availability: April 2015
  • Price: $850 Body Only, $1,200 with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

These are some video samples from the T6i, which should look basically the same as the T6s:

Here's the intro video for the T6i:

Canon T6i Front No Lens Price Specs Release Date

Specs for the T6i:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3.0" 1.04M-dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • MP4: 1920 x 1080p / 29.97 fps / 25 fps / 23.98 fps
  • MP4: 1280 x 720p / 59.94 fps / 50 fps
  • MP4: 640 x 480p / 29.97 fps / 25 fps
  • Clip Length 29 min 59 sec
  • ISO 100 - 12800, Expandable to 25600
  • 19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • 5 fps Shooting & Extended ISO to 25600
  • Hybrid CMOS AF III & EOS Scene Analysis
  • Creative Filters
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • CS100 Connect Station Support
  • Built-in Mic
  • Mic, Mini-HDMI, USB 2.0 Ports
  • Availability: April 2015
  • Price: $750 Body Only, $900 with 18-55mm Lens, $1,100 with 18-135mm Lens

Canon T6i Back LCD Out

Canon T6i Top

Here's a look at Canon's Connect Station CS100, which can store photos and connect wireless with these new Rebel cameras:

Unfortunately it doesn't seem like there are any samples of the HDR movie mode available as of yet (though I will update if I find any). It looks like the HDR movie mode is limited to 720p, as it takes two exposures at 60fps (or 50fps):

Full HD Movie mode supports Movie Servo for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects during recording. Manual exposure control and a built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment provide high-quality control over your shooting, and multiple frame rates and resolutions provide quality-level and stylistic shooting options. Stills can be recorded during video shooting simply by pressing the camera's shutter button. Also, a built-in HDR movie mode will record alternating exposures at 60 fps and combine them to generate a 30 fps movie.

This would certainly limit its usefulness for actual productions (though at least both exposures are combined right in the camera). We'll see if this camera is worth the extra money from the T6i, but for the most part both cameras feature almost exactly the same specs. 

If this is your first DSLR camera for video, Canon's budget models have nice colors but are out-specced by other companies (though they do have a wide range of lenses). Considering Samsung just dropped a 4K camera for $800, it's strange that Canon couldn't have come up with more for these lower-end cams. Someone is clearly going to buy them, but I would only look at these for their stills capabilities.

Canon T6s

Canon T6i