• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Nikon Z6

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    623g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 47 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Canon SL1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    25.3 vs 21.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,299 vs 843 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.3 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).

  • Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.

  • Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.

  • Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon Z6
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A58

Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Sony A58
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Pentax K-S1
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony A7 III

Canon SL1
Sony A7 III
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Sony A7 III
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon EOS R

Canon SL1
Canon EOS R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z6
Canon EOS R
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
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