Canon T6i vs Fujifilm FinePix Z900EXR: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Photographers in 2024

Choosing between the Canon EOS Rebel T6i - an entry-level DSLR from 2015 - and the Fujifilm FinePix Z900EXR, an ultracompact from 2011, may seem like comparing apples and oranges. Yet, both have carved their own niches for enthusiasts on a budget. I’ve spent extensive time behind the lenses of thousands of cameras (including these two), and I’m here to sort their strengths from their compromises, sharing insights that really matter for your photography style and budget.

This deep dive spans the gamut of photography disciplines - from portraiture to wildlife, day-to-day street scenes to astroscapes - paired with a detailed tech breakdown and real-world handling notes. By the end, you'll have a crystal-clear picture of which camera, if either, earns your hard-earned cash.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Before even clicking a shutter, how a camera feels in your hands sets the tone for your shooting experience. The Canon T6i is quintessentially DSLR - relatively compact but appreciably chunky by today’s mirrorless standards. The Fujifilm Z900EXR, by contrast, screams pocketable ultracompact - slim, light, and ready to slip in almost any bag or coat pocket.

The Canon’s body measures approximately 132x101x78mm and weighs 555g, sporting a solid plastic-but-rigid build typical of Canon’s Rebels. It feels robust enough for weekend hikes and general shooting, though don’t expect weather sealing or any ruggedization. The grip is comfortable for medium-to-large hands, and the standard DSLR heft adds a reassuring balance when mounting heavier Canon EF-S lenses.

The Fujifilm Z900EXR, at 101x59x18mm and 151g, is delightfully lightweight and pocket-friendly. Its sliding mechanism for lens cover feels smooth but more delicate. The body is mostly plastic, and the lack of weather sealing means treating the camera carefully around dust and moisture. For travel and casual use where discretion is necessary, this little guy shines.

Ergonomic notes:

• Canon’s DSLR design includes dedicated dials and clubs for thumbs - a boon for those who love physical controls.
• Fujifilm trades physical controls for ultra-portability, resulting in some compromises on rapid adjustments.

If you prize manual control and comfort for long shoots, Canon wins here. For compactness and ease of carry, the Fujifilm is your pal.

Control Layout and Handling: Buttons, Screen, and Viewfinder

In the field, accessible controls and clear displays can mean the difference between capturing the moment or missing it entirely.

The Canon T6i sports a traditional DSLR top plate with a mode dial, exposure compensation button, and dedicated controls for ISO, drive modes, and flash. It houses a full pentamirror optical viewfinder covering around 95% frame area with 0.51x magnification - nothing fancy, but reliable. The rear 3-inch touchscreen is fully articulated, offering intuitive touch-to-focus and menu navigation, a welcomed boon when shooting unique angles.

The Fujifilm Z900EXR, stripped to essentials, offers no optical or electronic viewfinder, relying solely on its fixed 3.5-inch LCD screen (460K dots). The screen is fixed, not articulated, which restricts flexibility but stays bright enough in daylight. The camera uses touch controls - somewhat clunky given the era of its design - but still workable. Physical button selection of modes is minimal, often requiring menu diving.

Interface & usability summary:

• Canon’s combination of optical viewfinder and articulated touchscreen is unbeatable for composition versatility.
• Fujifilm’s large fixed screen works well for review and casual shooting but feels cramped when you want manual precision.

If you lean toward manual shooting or want to review shots without using live view all the time, Canon’s interface will serve better.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Processing: The Heart of the Camera

This one is a classic disparity: APS-C versus a tiny 1/2-inch sensor.

The Canon T6i is armed with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm), supported by Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor. This setup delivers excellent resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance considered excellent for the entry-level DSLR category. With a native ISO range of 100–12,800 (expandable to 25,600), it balances noise control and detail retention well in real-world shooting.

The Fujifilm Z900EXR uses a 16-megapixel 1/2-inch EXR CMOS sensor (about 6.4 x 4.8 mm), built for compact cameras with EXR technology aimed at extending dynamic range or high sensitivity depending on mode. However, the sensor size heavily limits detail and noise performance, especially in dim conditions. The fixed zoom of 28–140 mm equivalent with max aperture f/3.9–4.9 helps somewhat in daylight, but struggles under low illumination.

Real-world image takeaways:

• Canon’s APS-C sensor produces clean, vibrant images - excellent skin tones for portraits and excellent latitude for landscape RAW processing.
• Fujifilm’s sensor yields decent images in daylight but softens noticeably and introduces noise when ISO climbs. The lack of RAW support limits post-processing latitude.

This image gallery illustrates the gap clearly:

Canon T6i front Canon T6i screen back Fujifilm Z900EXR front Fujifilm Z900EXR screen back

In side-by-side tests, Canon images exhibited cleaner shadow recovery and finer detail resolution. Fujifilm shots were prone to softness and chroma noise beyond ISO 800.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Shooting Styles

For active photographers (wildlife, sports, street photographers), autofocus (AF) system performance often makes or breaks the experience.

The Canon T6i utilizes a 19-point all cross-type AF system with phase-detection, plus contrast AF in live-view. Face detection and touch-based AF complement this system well. It offers a continuous shooting rate of 5 fps, adequate for action sequences in beginner sports or wildlife shooting, accompanied by decent AF tracking in burst.

The Fujifilm Z900EXR employs contrast-detection AF only, with unknown focus points (typical for compacts) and a 3 fps burst rate. Face detection is present, but no eye detection or tracking sophistication.

Hands-on focus notes:

• Canon’s phase-detection AF is fast, snaps on subjects with minimal hunting, and tracks moving objects reasonably well.
• Fujifilm’s contrast AF occasionally hesitates in tricky lighting and fails to lock on fast motion consistently.

If your photography ventures involve moving subjects - from kids to runners to birds - Canon’s system is simply more reliable and professional-grade.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Portraits:

Portrait photographers demand excellent skin tone rendition, sharp eyes, and beautiful bokeh. The Canon’s larger sensor, coupled with compatibility with Canon EF/EF-S lenses (especially fast primes and portrait lenses), delivers creamy background blur and accurate colors. Its face detection AF shines here for compelling eye capture.

In contrast, the Fujifilm’s small sensor and slow aperture zoom lens limit bokeh quality severely. Skin tones can appear flat and less nuanced in less-than-ideal lighting.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Landscapes:

Landscape work favors resolution, dynamic range, and weather durability. The T6i’s 24MP sensor and 12-stop dynamic range produce images with detailed shadows and highlights, especially with RAW output. The Canon lens ecosystem offers wide-aperture wide-angle lenses ideal for landscapes.

While the Fujifilm’s 16MP sensor and EXR tech aid dynamic range in theory, sensor size bottleneck limits the ultimate quality. Its compact size is good for hiking light, but lack of weather sealing reduces it as an outdoors rugged companion.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Wildlife:

Wildlife photography hinges on autofocus speed, telephoto reach, and burst shooting. The Canon’s 19-point cross-type AF and 5 fps capture perform adeptly for beginners. Pair this with compatible telephoto lenses like the 100-400mm and you’re set for casual wildlife hikes.

The Fujifilm’s slow contrast AF and limited zoom max at 140 mm Tele-equivalent (on a tiny sensor) can't compete seriously with DSLRs or mirrorless systems here.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Sports:

Similar to wildlife, sports photography demands fast tracking and buffer capacity. Canon’s AF system and FPS are sufficient for amateur sports shoots; unfortunately, buffer depth is not pro-level but adequate for most club sports.

Fujifilm’s sluggish AF and 3 fps shutter won’t keep pace with fast events.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Street Photography:

Here the Fujifilm’s stealthy ultracompact form factor wins points. Its pocketability and quiet operation allow candid shots without drawing attention. However, the lack of a viewfinder may force screen-based shooting, which can be conspicuous in low light.

The Canon’s larger size and louder shutter are less discreet, but more manual control options aid advanced composition.

Winner: Fujifilm Z900EXR for discreetness, Canon T6i for creative control.

Macro:

Neither camera targets macro photographers. The Canon’s lens lineup includes macro primes with close focusing, giving it an edge. The Fujifilm offers no macro-specific features or lens options.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Night and Astro:

High ISO performance is key in night or astro work. Canon’s sensor sustains image quality well up to ISO 3200 and usable ISO 6400. Raw capability also allows exposure stacking/post-processing.

The Fujifilm’s small sensor and max ISO 3200 come with noise challenges. Additionally, no RAW support limits astrophotography post-processing.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Video:

Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p video at 30fps maximum. Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor and microphone input provide clearer audio recording and better compression. Fujifilm omits mic input and offers no headphone jack, hampering external audio monitoring. Neither offers 4K, stabilizer in video mode, or advanced codecs.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Travel:

The Fujifilm Z900EXR’s compactness, lightweight, and 5x zoom make it a suitable travel companion for vacation shooters prioritizing ease. The Canon, while larger and heavier, delivers superior image quality and greater creative versatility at the expense of bulk.

Battery life favors Canon’s LP-E17 rechargeable pack with roughly 440 shots per charge versus Fujifilm’s 220 shots (NP-45A).

Winner: Fujifilm Z900EXR for convenience, Canon T6i for quality.

Professional Use:

As an entry-level DSLR, the Canon T6i supports RAW shooting, has a robust lens ecosystem (EF/EF-S mount), and versatile exposure modes - enabling integration into workflows for pros and serious amateurs. The Fujifilm ultracompact falls short on file flexibility, build, and controls needed for professional work.

Winner: Canon T6i.

Technical Features in Depth

Connectivity and Storage

The Canon’s built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow easy photo transfer and remote control via smartphone apps. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports support tethered shooting and playback. The Fujifilm Z900EXR lacks wireless features, limiting connectivity to USB and HDMI wired options.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (with UHS-I support on Canon) and have only one card slot.

Price to Performance and Overall Ratings

At the time of writing, the Canon T6i hovers around $749, with body-only and kit options typically available at discounts. The Fujifilm Z900EXR comes in significantly cheaper at about $380 (where available used or discounted), targeting users who prize budget and portability.

Additionally, breaking down suitability by genre for a more nuanced view:

The Canon scores highly across the board, especially in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video. Fujifilm shines only in travel and street photography where size matters most.

Summary: Pros and Cons

Canon EOS Rebel T6i

Pros:

• Large APS-C sensor delivers excellent image quality, dynamic range, and low noise
• Fast and accurate 19-point phase-detect AF system with face detection
• Wide selection of compatible Canon EF/EF-S lenses
• Fully articulated touchscreen with intuitive UI
• Optical viewfinder available for traditional shooting
• Excellent battery life (~440 shots)
• External microphone support for video
• Supports RAW file format for editing flexibility

Cons:

• Bulkier and less pocketable, may intimidate casual users
• No weather sealing limits rugged outdoor use
• Moderate burst rate (5fps) may challenge serious sports photographers
• Older model design with USB 2.0 speeds rather than newer standards

Fujifilm FinePix Z900EXR

Pros:

• Super compact and lightweight for easy, discreet carrying
• Sensor-shift image stabilization helps hand-shake reduction
• Touchscreen LCD larger than Canon’s (though fixed)
• Decent image quality for a compact in good daylight
• Simple point-and-shoot usability for casual users
• Affordable price point, excellent for cheapskates or secondary travel camera

Cons:

• Very small sensor severely limits image quality and noise control
• Slow contrast-detection autofocus, poor for fast-moving subjects
• No RAW file support, limiting editing potential
• No viewfinder or articulating screen
• Limited zoom and relatively slow aperture (f/3.9-4.9)
• No wireless connectivity; short battery life (~220 shots)
• Video lacks external microphone input and monitoring

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose Canon EOS Rebel T6i if you:

• Want a reliable entry-level DSLR with solid image quality and creative control
• Shoot a variety of subjects including portraits, landscapes, action, and night scenes
• Value interchangeable lenses and professional workflow integration
• Need good autofocus performance and better video features
• Don’t mind carrying a larger, heavier camera setup
• Desire longer battery life and wireless connectivity for convenience

Choose Fujifilm FinePix Z900EXR if you:

• Prioritize pocketability, lightweight, and stealth over top image quality
• Shoot mostly casual street, travel, or snapshots in decent lighting
• Want a simple, easy-to-use camera without learning curve or lens buying
• Are on a tight budget and can sacrifice features for price
• Need a small camera always ready in your bag for spontaneous moments

Final Verdict: Practical Insights From My Experience

In my hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras, including these two, the Canon EOS Rebel T6i remains a remarkably capable DSLR even years after release. Its sensor, autofocus system, and ergonomics deliver a balanced package suitable for serious beginners through advanced amateurs wanting to grow their skills and artistry. The lens ecosystem also means this camera can evolve with you.

The Fujifilm Z900EXR, while charmingly compact and affordable, only suits highly casual users or cheapskates looking for an ultra-easy carry-everywhere camera. Image quality, speed, and controls are compromises too many enthusiasts will find limiting.

For anyone willing to carry a bit more weight for vastly improved image quality, creative options, and future-proofing, the Canon T6i is the clear winner. That said, it pays to know your shooting style - as sometimes the smallest camera that’s with you is better than the best camera left at home.

Thanks for reading this comprehensive comparison. If you want an entry-level DSLR that quietly punches above its price, Canon’s T6i remains a solid choice. If ultra-portability and budget win above all else, the Fujifilm Z900EXR might still fit a small niche.

Happy shooting - and don’t forget, the best camera is the one in your hands, whatever the brand!