Canon 500D has a
15.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Canon T6i has a
24.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 6 processor.
Canon T6i's sensor provides 9MP more than Canon 500D's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the 500D and T6i sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon 500D and Canon T6i Cameras
Canon 500D and Canon T6i have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Canon 500D has 59% larger pixel area compared to Canon T6i, it has potential to collect more light on pixel level hence have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Canon 500D and Canon T6i sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that T6i has a better overall score of 71, 8 points higher compared to 500D's score of 63.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon 500D
63
21.7 bits
11.5 Evs
663 ISO
Canon T6i
71
22.7 bits
12.0 Evs
919 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon 500D
or the
Canon T6i ,
including hyperfocal distance.
