EOS 700D vs D5600: Which Lens Reigns Supreme? Canon EF-S 18-135mm vs Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm

Choosing the perfect DSLR camera can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost in the technical jargon and features. Two popular choices for aspiring photographers are the Canon EOS 700D with the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens and the Nikon D5600 with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens.
This blog post will delve deep into the features, performance, and overall value of these two camera and lens combinations, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your photographic needs and budget.

Camera Body Comparison: Canon EOS 700D vs Nikon D5600

Both the Canon EOS 700D and the Nikon D5600 are entry-level DSLRs renowned for their user-friendliness and image quality. Here’s a breakdown of their key features:
Canon EOS 700D:

• Sensor: 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Autofocus: 9-point autofocus system
• Continuous Shooting: 4 frames per second
• Video Recording: 1080p at 30fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and NFC
• LCD: 3-inch swivel touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots

Nikon D5600:

• Sensor: 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Autofocus: 39-point autofocus system
• Continuous Shooting: 5 frames per second
• Video Recording: 1080p at 60fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• LCD: 3.2-inch tilting LCD with 1.04 million dots

Key Differences:

• Resolution: The Nikon D5600 boasts a higher resolution sensor with 24.2 megapixels, providing more detail and flexibility for cropping.
• Autofocus: The Nikon D5600 has a more advanced 39-point autofocus system, offering faster and more accurate focusing.
• Continuous Shooting: The Nikon D5600 can shoot at 5 frames per second, compared to the Canon EOS 700D’s 4 frames per second.
• Video Recording: The Nikon D5600 offers 1080p video recording at 60fps, providing smoother motion and better slow-motion capabilities.
• Connectivity: The Nikon D5600 features Bluetooth connectivity, making it easier to pair with smartphones for image transfer.

Verdict: The Nikon D5600 edges out the Canon EOS 700D in terms of resolution, autofocus, continuous shooting, video recording, and connectivity. However, the Canon EOS 700D remains a solid option with its user-friendly touchscreen interface and excellent image quality.

Lens Comparison: Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM vs Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

Both lenses are versatile kit lenses designed for everyday photography, offering a wide zoom range that covers various subjects. Here’s a comparison of their key features:
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM:

• Focal Length: 18-135mm
• Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
• Image Stabilization: Yes
• Autofocus: STM (Stepping Motor)
• Weight: 480 grams

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR:

• Focal Length: 18-55mm
• Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
• Image Stabilization: Yes
• Autofocus: SWM (Silent Wave Motor)
• Weight: 205 grams

Key Differences:

• Focal Length: The Canon EF-S 18-135mm offers a longer reach with its 135mm telephoto capability, allowing you to capture distant subjects more effectively.
• Weight: The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm is significantly lighter than the Canon EF-S 18-135mm, making it more comfortable to carry for extended periods.
• Autofocus: Both lenses utilize quiet autofocus motors, but the Canon EF-S 18-135mm’s STM motor provides smoother and quieter autofocus for video recording.

Verdict: The Canon EF-S 18-135mm offers a longer zoom range and smoother autofocus, making it ideal for versatility and video recording. The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm is a lighter and more compact option, making it a good choice for travel and everyday photography.

Image Quality: Canon EOS 700D vs Nikon D5600

Both cameras are capable of producing high-quality images, but there are subtle differences in their image characteristics.
Canon EOS 700D:

• Color: Canon EOS 700D tends to produce warm and vibrant colors with a slightly saturated look.
• Detail: The 18-megapixel sensor delivers good detail and sharpness, especially in good lighting conditions.
• Dynamic Range: The dynamic range is decent, allowing for some recovery from highlights and shadows.
• Noise: Noise levels are well-controlled at lower ISO sensitivities, but noise becomes more noticeable at higher ISO settings.

Nikon D5600:

• Color: The Nikon D5600 produces more natural and realistic colors with a slightly cooler tone.
• Detail: The 24.2-megapixel sensor captures more detail and sharpness, particularly in high-resolution prints.
• Dynamic Range: The dynamic range is slightly better than the Canon EOS 700D, allowing for more latitude in post-processing.
• Noise: Noise levels are generally lower than the Canon EOS 700D, even at higher ISO settings.

Verdict: The Nikon D5600 offers a slight edge in terms of detail, dynamic range, and noise performance, particularly at higher ISO settings. However, the Canon EOS 700D still produces excellent image quality with its warm and vibrant colors.

Performance: Canon EOS 700D vs Nikon D5600

Performance is a crucial factor when choosing a DSLR camera. Here’s a comparison of the Canon EOS 700D and the Nikon D5600 in terms of speed, responsiveness, and overall performance:
Canon EOS 700D:

• Startup Time: The Canon EOS 700D has a relatively quick startup time, taking about 1.5 seconds to power on.
• Autofocus Speed: The 9-point autofocus system is generally fast and accurate, especially in good lighting conditions.
• Continuous Shooting: The 4 frames per second continuous shooting rate is suitable for capturing action shots, but it’s not as fast as the Nikon D5600.
• Buffer Depth: The buffer depth is decent, allowing for a reasonable number of shots before the camera slows down.

Nikon D5600:

• Startup Time: The Nikon D5600 has a faster startup time than the Canon EOS 700D, taking about 1 second to power on.
• Autofocus Speed: The 39-point autofocus system is significantly faster and more accurate than the Canon EOS 700D, especially in low-light conditions.
• Continuous Shooting: The 5 frames per second continuous shooting rate is faster than the Canon EOS 700D, allowing for better capture of fast-moving subjects.
• Buffer Depth: The buffer depth is larger than the Canon EOS 700D, enabling more shots before the camera slows down.

Verdict: The Nikon D5600 outperforms the Canon EOS 700D in terms of startup time, autofocus speed, continuous shooting rate, and buffer depth. However, the Canon EOS 700D is still a capable camera with a good overall performance.

Features: Canon EOS 700D vs Nikon D5600

Both cameras offer a range of features to enhance your photography experience. Here’s a comparison of their notable features:
Canon EOS 700D:

• Touchscreen Interface: The Canon EOS 700D features a 3-inch swivel touchscreen LCD, making it easy to navigate menus, select focus points, and adjust settings.
• Creative Filters: The camera includes a variety of creative filters to enhance your images, such as miniature, neutral, and vivid effects.
• HDR Mode: The HDR mode combines multiple exposures to create images with a wider dynamic range.
• Scene Modes: The Canon EOS 700D offers a range of scene modes to simplify shooting in specific situations, such as portrait, landscape, and sports.

Nikon D5600:

• SnapBridge: The Nikon D5600 features SnapBridge, a Bluetooth connectivity feature that allows for automatic image transfer to your smartphone.
• Time-Lapse Movie: The camera allows you to create time-lapse videos by capturing a series of images at intervals.
• Focus Shift: The Focus Shift feature allows you to create images with a shallow depth of field by shifting the focus point during a continuous shooting sequence.
• Picture Control: The Nikon D5600 offers Picture Control settings to adjust image parameters like sharpness, contrast, and saturation.

Verdict: Both cameras offer a solid set of features, with the Canon EOS 700D’s touchscreen interface and the Nikon D5600’s SnapBridge connectivity standing out as key advantages.

Which DSLR Is Right for You?

Choosing between the Canon EOS 700D and the Nikon D5600 depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Canon EOS 700D:

• Best for: Beginners who value a user-friendly touchscreen interface, warm and vibrant colors, and a longer zoom lens.
• Pros: User-friendly touchscreen interface, excellent image quality with warm colors, versatile 18-135mm lens, smoother video autofocus.
• Cons: Lower resolution, slower continuous shooting, less advanced autofocus system, heavier lens.

Nikon D5600:

• Best for: Photographers who prioritize higher resolution, faster performance, better connectivity, and a lighter lens.
• Pros: Higher resolution, faster continuous shooting, more advanced autofocus system, Bluetooth connectivity, lighter lens.
• Cons: Cooler color tones, less versatile lens, no touchscreen interface.

Ultimately, the best DSLR for you is the one that best meets your specific requirements and budget. Consider your photography goals, preferred image style, and the features that are most important to you.

Final Thoughts: A Photographic Journey Begins

Whether you choose the Canon EOS 700D or the Nikon D5600, both cameras provide a solid foundation for your photographic journey. They offer excellent image quality, user-friendly features, and a wealth of creative possibilities. Embrace the adventure, experiment with different settings, and let your photographic vision take flight.

Frequently Discussed Topics

Q: Which camera is better for beginners?
A: Both the Canon EOS 700D and the Nikon D5600 are great for beginners. The Canon EOS 700D’s touchscreen interface might be more intuitive for some, while the Nikon D5600’s SnapBridge feature makes it easier to share images on the go.
Q: Which camera is better for video recording?
A: The Canon EOS 700D offers smoother autofocus for video recording thanks to its STM motor in the lens. However, the Nikon D5600 has a higher frame rate for smoother motion and better slow-motion capabilities.
Q: Which camera is better for low-light photography?
A: The Nikon D5600 generally performs better in low-light conditions due to its higher resolution sensor and more advanced autofocus system.
Q: Which camera is better for wildlife photography?
A: The Canon EOS 700D’s 18-135mm lens provides a longer reach for capturing distant wildlife subjects. However, both cameras can be used for wildlife photography with the right lens choice.
Q: Which camera is more affordable?
A: The Canon EOS 700D is generally more affordable than the Nikon D5600, especially when considering the included lens. However, prices can vary depending on retailer and availability.