Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS 6D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS 6D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi were released 2008 and Canon EOS 6D was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008
Canon EOS 6D 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 6D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 6D 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a 12,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 6D has 20,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Canon EOS 6D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648

Canon EOS 6D has a 64 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 6D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Canon EOS 6D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600
Canon EOS 6D 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 6D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 6D can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5
Canon EOS 6D 4,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 6D. Sadly, the Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 6D weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 47% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel XSi and its 524 gr (or 1.16 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb
Canon EOS 6D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Canon EOS 6D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Canon EOS 6D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Name Canon EOS Rebel XSi Canon EOS 6D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Release Year 2008 2012
Release Date 2008-01-24 2012-09-17
MSRP 799 USD 2099 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
Megapixels 12,2 MP 20,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 3 DIGIC 5+
Image
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 97%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Frames per second 3,5 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-in
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
GPS No Yes
Built-in, Image tagging and tracking modes
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 6D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Battery Pack LP-E5
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 600 shots 1090 shots
Width 129 mm 145 mm
Height 98 mm 111 mm
Depth 62 mm 71 mm
Weight 524 gram 770 gram