Canon T6i vs Sony A58: Which Entry-Level DSLR Deserves Your Attention?

Choosing a first serious camera - or simply your next enthusiast-level model - can feel bewildering with so many options and specs flying around. Among entry-level DSLRs, two contenders keep popping up: Canon’s EOS Rebel T6i (also known as EOS 750D or Kiss X8i) and Sony’s SLT-A58. Both hail from reputable brands, target keen hobbyists, and offer respectable feature sets at approachable prices. But how do they stack up in the real world? After putting both through rigorous testing - covering everything from portrait shots in natural light to fast-action wildlife tracking - I’m here to deliver a thorough, experience-backed comparison to help you decide.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Weight, and Handling

Before digging into specs or images, hands-on feel is crucial. After all, an entry-level DSLR needs to be comfortable enough to keep you shooting all day without turning into a chore.

The Canon T6i is slightly larger and heavier than the Sony A58, which you can see clearly in this size comparison:

Weighing in at 555 grams with dimensions of 132x101x78 mm, the T6i feels solid without being bulky. The grip is nicely sculpted, especially for smaller hands, and the rubberized texture inspires confidence. Meanwhile, the Sony A58 is more compact at 492 grams and 129x95x78 mm, making it lighter in hand and easier to carry around for travel or street photography days.

What surprised me was how Sony’s lighter body doesn’t feel plasticky; it holds up well despite the smaller footprint. However, the Canon’s form factor translates to better ergonomic balance, particularly with larger lenses. If you prioritize handling comfort for extended shoots - like portrait sessions or landscapes - Canon slightly edges ahead here.

Control Layout and Usability: Intuitive or a Learning Curve?

User interface and control placement often differentiate a pleasurable shooting experience from a frustrating one. A well-designed control layout lets you keep your eyes on the scene, not fumbling for buttons.

Check out the top view of both cameras:

The Canon T6i adopts a familiar DSLR style: dedicated mode dial on the left with clear icons, a top info LCD, and well-positioned control dials that fall naturally under your fingers. The touchscreen capability on the articulated 3-inch display also allows quick focus point selection (great for live view shooting, which is increasingly important).

Sony’s A58 has a smaller, tilting 2.7-inch screen without touch control, which I found limiting for framing or menu navigation. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) - a hallmark of Sony's SLT design - offers 100% coverage and 1.0x magnification (slightly better than Canon’s optical pentamirror). The A58’s 15 AF points are fewer and mostly clustered around the center, compared to Canon’s 19 cross-type points spread wider.

For beginners or those valuing rapid on-the-fly adjustments, the Canon interface feels friendlier. Though the EVF brightness and information overlay on Sony’s display deliver advantages in certain lighting, the lack of touchscreen and fewer AF points can slow workflow.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor and Image Quality

At the end of the day, image quality is decisive, and the sensor is core to that. How do these two stack up on paper, and what do my test shots reveal?

Here’s a visual of their sensor sizes and resolutions:

Canon T6i packs a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm), with a DIGIC 6 processor boosting noise handling and color fidelity. Sony A58’s sensor is slightly larger (23.2 x 15.4 mm) but lower resolution at 20.1MP, with an older processor - but compensates with sensor-based stabilization.

Quantitatively, DxOMark scores rate Canon’s color depth at 22.7 bits versus Sony’s slightly higher 23.3 bits, indicating better tonal gradation for Sony. Dynamic range favors Sony at 12.5 EV compared to Canon’s 12 EV. Lower light sensitivity goes to Canon with a low-light ISO score of 919 vs Sony’s 753, indicating Canon might perform better in very dim conditions.

In practical terms, Canon’s higher pixel count means more detail for cropping or large prints - great for landscapes or macro shots. Sony’s slightly larger sensor area and superior color depth translate into richer hues and better highlight preservation (especially in JPEGs straight from the camera).

Here’s a gallery of side-by-side samples showing color reproduction, noise at ISO 3200, and detail resolution:

Canon T6i front Canon T6i screen back Sony A58 front Sony A58 screen back

You can see Canon’s images have a bit more overall sharpness and finer detail in complex textures like foliage and fabric. Sony’s files show smoother gradations and deeper blacks, especially handling highlight roll-off better in harsh sunlight.

Autofocus: The Battle Behind the Viewfinder

Autofocus capability is often overlooked by new buyers, but let me tell you - it’s a make or break feature in many genres, especially wildlife and sports photography. How do these two fare?

Canon’s T6i sports 19 AF points, all cross-type, which grants it impressive flexibility and accuracy across the frame. It uses phase-detection AF in both viewfinder and live view modes, and integrates eye detection, which I found especially useful in portrait sessions.

Sony’s A58 has 15 AF points but only 3 cross-type sensors, meaning fewer points can reliably track fine contrast. Still, its Hybrid AF system combines phase-detection and contrast-detection. The real kicker? Sony does faster continuous shooting at 8fps with AF tracking enabled vs Canon’s more modest 5fps rate.

So for fast-action shooters - to capture sports, birds in flight, or children at play - Sony’s burst rate combined with reliable AF tracking is a notable advantage. Canon, on the other hand, offers better AF coverage with more points useful in varied compositions and excels in eye focusing for portraits.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Can They Brave the Outdoors?

Both are entry-level DSLRs, so don’t expect full ruggedness or weather sealing. Neither is weather or dust-proof, which is understandable given their market positioning and price points.

But build quality matters for durability. The Canon has a more robust-feeling polycarbonate shell with metal reinforcements internally - enough for moderately rough handling. Sony’s A58 is lighter with a mostly plastic body, which while solid, feels less rugged under muscle than the Canon.

If you shoot frequently outdoors, exposed to wind, dust, or light rain, Canon slightly edges ahead for longevity. But honestly, neither camera should be your first choice if you need professional-grade sealing.

Display and User Interface: Articulated Touchscreen vs Tilting LCD

The Canon T6i’s 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen is a huge plus - great for vlogging, awkward angles, or selfie-style shooting. It’s bright and responsive, which speeds up menu navigation and focus point selection.

Sony’s 2.7-inch LCD tilts, but lacks touchscreen capability. That’s fine for straightforward shooting but less flexible for video or live view stills.

Here’s an image showing their rear screens side by side:

For beginners, vloggers, or hybrid shooters who want convenience in live view, Canon’s advantage here is meaningful. Sony’s EVF compensates somewhat for outdoor composition, given the LCD’s smaller size and lower resolution.

Video Capabilities: Which Shoots Better Footage?

Both cameras record Full HD video at 1080p, but differ in codecs, frame rates, and audio options.

Canon T6i offers 1080p at 30, 25, and 24 fps, plus slow-motion 720p at 60fps. It records with MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, and has a dedicated microphone input. No headphone jack for monitoring, though.

Sony A58 shoots 1080p but limited only to 60i (interlaced) or 24p, not true 60fps progressive, using AVCHD or MP4. It too has a mic input but lacks headphone out.

Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology allows smooth continuous autofocus during video, a clear advantage when tracking subjects. Sony’s contrast-based AF during video can hunt a bit more, leading to less fluid focus shifts.

Image stabilization during video? Sony’s sensor-shift stabilization helps maintain steadier handheld footage, whereas Canon depends on lens IS.

If video matters critically, Canon feels the better package - in usability, video AF quality, and codec versatility.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Sony A58 delivers an impressive 690 shots per charge, far exceeding Canon T6i’s 440 shots. In real world, that translates to a full day of shooting outdoors without a battery swap for Sony, versus needing extra Canon batteries or charging sooner.

Sony supports Memory Stick Pro Duo cards in addition to SD cards, which could be a plus if you already own Sony memory cards. Canon sticks to the ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I cards, standard in the industry.

Long battery life plus flexible storage options make Sony a reliable companion when traveling or on extended shoots where charging opportunities are scarce.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Canon’s EF and EF-S mount have a massive native lens selection - over 320 lenses - including superb budget primes, professional-grade optics, and third-party options. This extensive ecosystem is unrivaled at this price range.

Sony’s A58 uses the older Alpha mount (Minolta A mount), with about 140 compatible lenses. Many are legacy lenses stretching back years, so you can find good options, but the selection is narrower and aging compared to Canon’s EF lineup.

If you intend to evolve your system with varied focal lengths or specialized glass - macro, tilt-shift, ultra-wide, or top-tier portrait lenses - Canon wins hands down.

Evaluating Their Strengths and Weaknesses: Summary of Scores

Here’s a quick visual rating comparing their overall and genre-specific performance:

Canon notably excels in portrait and landscape photography owing to resolution, color science, and touchscreen usability. Sony shines in sports and action photos due to burst speed and battery life. Wildlife photography remains competitive for both, but Canon’s superior AF points offer more precise tracking. Macro and night photography yield close performances, though Canon’s higher ISO advantage might pull it slightly ahead.

Now that we’ve dissected specs and performance, here’s how I’d recommend each camera depending on your needs:

For Portrait and Landscape Enthusiasts

Choose the Canon T6i if skin tone rendition, bokeh control, and high-resolution landscapes are your priority. The articulated touchscreen accelerates focusing on eyes or shooting at tricky angles, and its extensive lens selection opens creative doors. Just note battery life is shorter - best carry a spare.

For Action, Sports, and Wildlife Shooters on a Budget

The Sony A58’s faster burst rates and superior battery life give you a competitive edge catching fleeting moments. Its EVF coverage and sensor stabilization also help steady telephoto and fast-moving subjects. If you value portability too, Sony’s lighter body is a plus.

For Video and Hybrid Shooters

Canon’s smoother Dual Pixel AF and flexible video settings tip the scales in its favor. The mic input and touchscreen-focused UI simplify recording and focusing on the move.

For Travel and Street Photography

Sony’s compact size, weight advantage, and fantastic battery stamina make it ideal for long days exploring cities or nature.

If Lens Variety and Future Proofing Matter

Canon’s extensive lens ecosystem offers unmatched creative and upgrade potential. If you foresee advancing your system, Canon is the wise choice.

Final Thoughts: Two Solid Entry-Level Options with Different Strengths

Both the Canon EOS Rebel T6i and Sony SLT-A58 remain strong contenders in their price range despite being released a few years ago. My testing confirms that each camera plays to different strengths shaped by sensor technology, AF design, ergonomics, and lens availability.

To help you visualize all these factors relative to your personal photography pursuits, here’s a helpful side-by-side chart of examples and scores once more:

Canon T6i front Canon T6i screen back Sony A58 front Sony A58 screen back

Embrace the camera that embraces your style - whether that’s Canon’s versatile, image-quality-driven T6i or Sony’s speedy, endurance-focused A58. Both are capable photographers in their own right, and with either in hand, you’re well equipped to chase your next stunning image.

If you’re curious about further hands-on examples or deeper video tests, drop a note - I’m always happy to share more insights from extensive real-world experience.

Happy shooting!