What is the Canon T5i good for?

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Camera Overview

The Rebel lineup from Canon has been the favorite YouTube camera for quite some time, and they’re often the first DSLR regular people choose to start recording professional video. The new T5i comes with some improvements to replace the older Rebel models. Here’s why the Canon EOS Rebel T5i is good for YouTube videos.

Why Using the T5i Makes YouTube Vlogging Easier

If there’s something we can say about this camera, is that it makes it easier to record vlogs from home. Besides achieving the cinematic and high-quality images only DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras are capable of, these are additional features the T5i brings to the table:

Video Snapshots Mode means less work and faster editing. If I were Canon, I would call this mode “YouTube video mode”. Here’s why:

Its autofocus is above average. This is really important if you take into account how cheap the T5i is. It’s not usual to find a DSLR with a usable autofocus system within this price range. It might not be as good as the Canon 70D’s autofocus, but it’s responsive and reliable. You will find it useful when vlogging because you won’t depend on having to use manual focus every time.

This camera comes with the Canon STM system. This means that it can use silent autofocus lenses. When you buy a lens for this camera, try to get a STM for vlogging. This way you won’t hear the camera focusing in the middle of your videos.

Flip screen and touchscreen make things faster. It would take a lot of time to go from one menu to another if it weren’t for the touchscreen. Also, the flip screen allows you to check if you’re being recorded and focused while vlogging.

Reasons Why the Canon EOS Rebel T5i is a Great Choice for DSLR Beginners

First, let’s see what other features are also great for beginners.

It has easy-access controls. You can go from photography to video from any mode or menu. Also, its touchscreen makes it fast to navigate.

It’s the best low-cost video DSLR. Its autofocus, combined with nice low light performance and great colors is great for its price. Thanks to these, the T5i is the best video DSLR in its price range. It even outperforms more expensive DSLRs when recording. This is all thanks to Canon making their Rebel cameras better for video than photography. It comes with a flip screen and external microphone port, which are great for vlogging.

Creative Auto is the perfect introduction to DSLR for beginners. Most Canon cameras have a mode called Creative Auto. If you don’t know concepts like aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, this mode will help you achieve the result you want. It will be easier for you to achieve the effects you want (e.g. blurry or sharp background) without messing with lens aperture settings directly. It is a great way to transition from being a compact camera user to a DSLR user.

It is a good idea for beginners interested in video to get a T5i as their first camera; it’s easy to use and has a low price. If you want to start learning how to use a DSLR for video, the Canon T5i is simply the best choice. The fact that some filmmaking schools give their students Canon EOS Rebel cameras for their assignments proves this point.

Any Downside?

Yes, like with any other camera.

The most important thing you might not like is its maximum 1080p30 recording. Most video cameras can record 60fps video, even compacts. However, this DSLR can only record 60fps if you use 720p quality. Still, this isn’t a big deal.

FPS rates is a matter of taste. For example, the traditional rate for cinema is 24 fps. We’re used to watch cinema at this rate. If you use less than 60fps video, it’s usually because you want to achieve certain artistic result.

Don’t worry too much; your videos won’t look weird or bad because of this.

It’s just a shame that you’re not given the option to record 1080p60 video if you want it, like most modern DSLR cameras. With the t5i you will only be able to record 1080p at frame rates of 30, 25 or 24.

Its low-light performance is not the best. In fact, the D5300 does better in low light. This is something to bear in mind if you want to record during night. However, as long as you use it during the day it won’t be bad. This is something you can prevent by buying a luminous lens like an f/1.4 or f/1.8 fixed 50 mm, and by making your studio as bright as possible (which is as easy as opening your windows).

Low battery duration. It’s almost certain that you will need to buy an additional battery for vlogging. Its battery duration is 440 shots. The DSLR average is 891 shots with the LCD off.

It lacks WiFi. The only way to use WiFi is using an Eye-Fi Connected SD card. Having to buy one to use wireless transferring is an additional cost. Also, just having to stick to an eyefi card is not ideal.

What Lens to Buy With the Canon T5i for Vlogging?

The best lenses for vlogging are the ones that perform better in low light. The best answer for this is a fixed 50mm between f/1.8 or f/1.4.

A 50mm lens won’t make your face look unnatural. This is because it’s out of the range of perspective distortion.

On the other hand, the f/1.8 and f/1.4 are really wide aperture lenses. These perform best in low light because they catch more light. They also give more detail and a really nice blurry background effect.

These lenses are the best for vlogging when at home. However, you might want a wide-angle lens if you want to take the camera out. The starter lens kit serves this purpose,  but you can search for a faster aperture wide angle if you want better quality.

If you’re not sure what all this means, make sure to check my Glossary & Resources page.

You can check the fixed 50mm lenses available for Canon here.

There’s a new version of this camera (the T6i). You can check it here.

Is Canon T5i still good?

How old is the Canon Rebel T5i?

How do I take professional pictures with my Canon Rebel T5?

Does the T5i shoot 60fps?