This Affordable DSLR Is the Best Travel Camera for Stepping Up Your Photo Game
When I bought a Canon EOS Rebel T6, my travel photos very quickly went from laughable to publishable.
As a travel editor, taking photos is part of the gig. I’ve shot stories from the high peaks of the Tien Shan in Kyrgyzstan to the shorelines of Alaska’s Inner Passage, typically with a landscape focus but now and then with the need for a precision action shot. I’m a writer first, and a photographer second – meaning that I typically use the photos I take to back-up or emphasize the written content in a story. While this can negate the need to carry with me multiple lenses and an expensive, tech-heavy photo setup, it doesn’t change the ultimate goal of taking quality photos. Over my 15-year career I’ve come to trust the Canon EOS Rebel T6 (called the EOS 1300D outside North America) and later, the T7, as a dependable but easy-to-learn and affordable DSLR camera that packs well and takes a great shot without too much fuss.
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How I landed on the Canon EOS Rebel T series
The Cliff Mountain Fire devasted the landscape around Hell’s Canyon, in Idaho, in 2021. I captured this image just above the confluence of the Salmon and Snake Rivers on a four-day expedition through the area just after the fire. Photo: Tim Wenger
There’s no better motivation to learn a new skill than a casual episode of workplace embarrassment. So it went for me, shortly after becoming a Matador Network editor, when I was sent on an assignment to produce a branded content piece in Aurora, Colorado. I offered to take photos to prevent the need to send a photog out separately, and received the following message from an editor above upon submission: “These photos aren’t of the quality that we can send to a client and expect them to be excited about it.”
Beyond the immediate moment of panic that my firing was imminent and my career was doomed, this kicked in the following action points for me:
- Ask for specific feedback on what would make the photos better
- Research and identify the right camera to buy based on that feedback (I’d borrowed an old DSLR from a photog friend for the assignment)
- Take a DSLR photography class to immediately rectify my photographic inabilities
- Head back to Aurora, about 30 minutes from where I lived at the time, to retrace my steps and take better photos.
And, I had to do all of this before the story’s final deadline, which loomed just two weeks away.
The general feedback I got from the editor was that my photos weren’t crisp enough – they lacked clarity and didn’t “pop” in the story. I’d put my minimal photo knowledge to use on the assignment. I followed the rule of thirds, I swapped lenses based on distance and conditions, and used the auto setting on the camera, which I (falsely) believed would optimize each shot. When it was brought to my attention that the latter two objectives there had failed, I spent some time researching photography forums and posting in Matador’s Creators community to help me identify the right camera to address this. I specified that it needed to cost under $1,000 and be easy to learn, without the need for a bunch of added gear to take on travel shoots.
The resounding answer from within Matador Creators was the Canon EOS Rebel series. Users noted the camera is ideal for beginner photographers looking for their first DSLR, particularly those who want better image quality than what a smartphone or compact camera can provide. Social media aficionados in the community noted its built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, which allow for easy image sharing. I was sold. I bought one for around $500, case included, and brought it that weekend to a DSLR photography course in Denver.
Why the Canon EOS Rebel T series has been my go-to ever since
The first lesson in the course was to always shoot on Manual mode rather than Auto. This stressed me out upon hearing it because it sounds like more work, but after the instructor walked us through the basics of Manual mode, I immediately fell in love with the Canon EOS Rebel. While looking through the viewfinder, the shutter speed, aperture, and F stop settings are displayed and easily adjustable via the dial on the top of the camera. I learned within the hour how to set these based on light, distance, and subject. I couldn’t believe how easy it was with this camera.
The T6 was released in 2016, I bought mine in early 2018. Equipped with an 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4+ image processor, it delivers good image quality (even for those who, like me, tend to be better with words than images) with an ISO range of 100-6400 (expandable to 12800). Although I don’t tend to use it, the 9-point autofocus system includes one cross-type point for improved accuracy. The camera’s 3 fps burst mode and Full HD 1080p video recording make it suitable for shooting stories and short videos that I can use as embeds in my articles, but I have found the camera to struggle with fast-action photography, like capturing a snowboarder right in the moment that she slams a power turn and sends powder flying into the air.
There is a 9-point autofocus, although I rarely use it. The Rebel T6 features a 3.0-inch fixed LCD screen that isn’t a touchscreen but does have an optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% frame coverage. As the MC users noted, one of its standout features is its built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, which I’ve used to share photos to my computer in many a coffee shop or parking lot over the years. The battery life lasts for around 500 shots per charge when using the viewfinder. It is also compatible with Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses, offering a wide range of lens options for users looking to expand their photography capabilities. Mine came with 8-55mm & 75-300mm lenses, which I recommend having for varying travel conditions and settings, although there is a cheaper option of the T7 (and many used options for the T6) on Amazon that are camera-and-small-lens only. Full photography kits can also be purchased, including the camera along with additional lenses, a tripod, and more goodies.
As an entry-level DSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T6 and T7 has its strengths and limitations. It is an affordable and beginner-friendly camera with simple controls that make it easy to learn. There is USB, HDMI, and NFC connectivity. Available aspect rations include 16:9, 1:1, 3:2, and 4:3, and the camera can save as RAW or JPEGs. I tend to use the latter for publication, though a few of my favorite shots from over the years I’ve saved as RAW files in case I motivate myself to order prints at some point.
What else to know about the Canon EOS Rebel T series
Bootpacking to the summit of Chych peak in Kyrgyzstan, 2023. Photo: Tim Wenger
The included case fits the camera, two lenses, battery pack and charger, and a few other gizmos. It has a shoulder sling, and I appreciate that the case fits easily into a carry-on backpack or can squeeze in with just about any other type of luggage (I’ve even packed it in the outerwear compartment of my snowboard travel bag on more than one occasion).
The bottom line is this: If you need a dependable DSLR camera to capture travel moments and the people you meet along the way, but don’t want to drop thousands on a professional’s kit, the Canon EOS Rebel T series is perfect for you. It takes consistently quality shots, is easy to learn, and you’ll never feel over-burdened carrying it around. To close with some personal stoke, my second round of Aurora photography was far more successful than the first, thanks to the new camera. 
Price: $649 camera with full photography kit, $559 camera with two lenses, $479 camera with just 18-55mm lens
