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What you need to know about Canon’s EOS Rebel SL3 (250D)

10 Apr

Introduction

The Canon EOS SL2 (also known as the 200D and Kiss X9) is one of the company’s most best-selling DSLRs. And it’s not surprising, as the SL2 was a low-priced, competent camera that you could slip into a purse or small bag.

The new SL3 (250D, Kiss X10) isn’t a dramatic departure from the SL2: it’s still small. inexpensive and mostly up-to-date in terms of features. It borrows many features from Canon’s EOS M50 mirrorless camera, including the DIGIC 8 processor and rather disappointing 4K video capabilities. But more on that later.

The Rebel SL3 will be available at the end of April for $ 599 body-only or $ 749 bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm F4-5.6mm IS STM lens. We’re featuring the white version in this article, because we think it looks snazzy.

Just a bit lighter

The SL3 is the same size and nearly the same weight as the SL2 (above right). Canon managed to shave 4 grams off of the weight (though only 2g off of the black one), so you won’t have to buy a new camera bag.

As you can see, changes to the design are very subtle. There’s a bit of an indent under the Canon logo on the SL3, and the often-irritating redeye reduction lamp (which also serves as a visual countdown for the self-timer) has been removed. Unlike its predecessor, the SL3 can’t use its flash as an AF-assist lamp, though it can use the infrared target if you buy an external flash.

The SL3 uses the same 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and elderly 9-point autofocus system as the SL2 (when shooting through the viewfinder). In live view, the SL3 also has Dual Pixel AF, covering 88% of the frame horizontally and 100% vertically. The SL3 is Canon’s first DSLR to feature Eye AF in live view, as well.

Up top

There are a couple of cosmetic and feature differences between the SL3 and its predecessor on its top plate. The main differences are the removal of the Wi-Fi button and a reduction in the number of items on the mode dial.

Like the EOS M50, the SL3 has a Scene Intelligent Auto mode that will pick a scene mode for you, and provide easy-to-understand visual guides to adjusting things like aperture (‘background blur’), exposure compensation (‘brightness’) and white balance (‘color tone’). A feature guide offers brief description of each and every menu item when it’s selected.

Rear view

No need to show the SL3 and SL2 side-by-side here, as they look exactly the same.

The SL3 has a fully articulating touchscreen display with 1.04 million dots and a well-designed UI. The optical viewfinder is, as you’d expect, quite small, with an unremarkable magnification of 0.54x (in 35mm terms). You can see about 95% of the scene when looking through it, which isn’t ideal for precise composition.

For those wondering, that’s not a dial around the Q/Set button – it’s just a 4-way directional pad. The SL3 has one control dial and it’s on the top.

Selfies, of course

Sure, the SL3’s fully articulating LCD is great for video and waist-level/overhead shooting, but let’s face it: on the SL3, it’s mostly for selfies. If you need further evidence, look no further than the new ‘Smooth Skin’ setting, which gives you five levels of skin smoothness to choose from.

On the port side…

First, isn’t that silver kit lens a nice match for the white SL3? It’s worth pointing out that this is the F4-5.6 version of the 18-55mm lens, not the F3.5-5.6, so you’re losing about 1/3-stop of light compared to Canon’s older, larger kit zoom.

Under the gray plastic cover are sockets for a 3.5mm external mic – a nice touch on a cheaper camera – and the RC-6 wired remote. The SL3 is also compatible with the BR-E1 wireless Bluetooth remote.

And on your right…

On the opposite side of the SL3 are the other two ports, for HDMI and USB 2.0. As far as we know, the camera cannot be charged over USB, but we’ll double-check that as soon as we can.

The gray patch at the bottom is a rubber cover. It conceals a channel through which you feed the cable for the optional DR-E18 DC coupler which, when attached to the required AC adapter, will set you back $ 150. (Much cheaper third-party options exist if you want to operate the camera using wall power.)

Speaking of batteries, Canon pulled off some tricks to increase the CIPA-rated battery life from 650 shots on the SL2 to 1070 on the SL3. Live view battery life is in the middling 300 shot-per-charge range.

4K, with a catch

The good news is that the EOS Rebel SL3 can capture 4K video at 23.98p (or 25p in PAL regions) with a maximum bit rate of 120Mbps.

The bad news is that, like the EOS M50 with which it shares so much, the SL3 has an enormous 2.64x crop, relative to full frame, so the wide end of your 18-55mm is equivalent to 47mm in full-frame terms. So much for wide-angle shooting! In addition, Dual Pixel AF is not available in movie mode, leaving you with regular contrast detection.

Both of these limitations are a shame, given that the small body and fully articulating LCD on the SL3 should make a nice camera for vlogging.

That’s all for our brief tour of the EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D / Kiss X10. We should be getting our hands on one soon, so look for sample photos and impressions in the not-too-distant future.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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The Canon EOS RP is smaller than an EOS Rebel T7i and will cost $1300

16 Feb

The Canon EOS RP becomes that company’s second full-frame mirrorless camera, aimed at photographers stepping up from APS-C. Like the EOS R, it uses Canon’s new RF mount and is compatible with Canon’s large selection of EF and EF-S lenses via three optional adapters.

It uses a 26MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor, along with a Dual Pixel AF system. This gives 4779 selectable AF points spread across an 88% horizontal / 100% vertical area of the frame. Canon is emphasizing the RP’s compact size – its 12.7 x 9.7 x 6.1 cm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4″) dimensions make it even smaller than a EOS Rebel T7i / 800D.

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The EOS RP shoots 4K/24p and 1080/60p video and offers up to 5 fps burst shooting (4 fps with Servo AF in shooting speed priority mode). A 3″ touchscreen with 1.04M dots is fully articulated, and the camera also provides a built-in 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder.

Like the EOS R it lacks in-body stabilization and will rely on on lens IS. Canon’s beginner-friendly Visual Guide mode is included, as are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The Canon EOS RP will go on sale in March for $ 1300 body-only, $ 1999 with the EF lens adapter and EF 24-105mm IS STM lens, or $ 2400 with the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM.

FULL FRAME FOR THE MASSES! CANON INTRODUCES ITS SECOND FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERA – THE EOS RP

New Super-Compact and Ultra-Lightweight EOS RP is Ideal for Users Looking to Graduate to Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera at an Affordable Price

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 13, 2019 – Responding to the demand from amateur and advanced amateur photographers for an entry-level, full-frame mirrorless camera, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the second camera in the EOS R lineup, the EOS RP. The EOS RP is designed for photographers looking to step up from Canon’s APS-C cameras: the EOS Rebel, EOS M and the EOS 80D, into the world of full-frame mirrorless photography. Weighing in at just 17.29 ounces, the EOS RP camera is lighter than a 500ml bottle of water and smaller than Canon’s popular APS-C DSLR camera, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i, coming in at approximately 5.0in (w) x 3.77in (h) x 2.36in (d). With optics at its core, the EOS RP takes full advantage of the complete line up of RF lenses and is compatible with the existing collection of Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses with the use of one of three optional RF EOS-R Mount Adapters .

“As Canon continues to evolve its full-frame mirrorless cameras, our goal is that one day the EOS R line becomes as widely popular as our celebrated lineup of EOS DSLR cameras,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “As a company, we believe that in order for us to accomplish that goal, Canon needs to develop full-frame mirrorless cameras for every skill level of photographers and that starts with amateurs and advanced amateurs. This makes the EOS RP the perfect addition to the existing lineup.”

The new Canon EOS RP full-frame mirrorless camera features a 26.2 megapixel CMOS sensor that is powered by the company’s DIGIC 8 image processor, providing users with high-image quality, outstanding operation and functionality. The new Canon EOS RP features Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus (AF) with 4,779 manually selectable AF points and a wide AF coverage area of 88 percent horizontal and 100 percent vertical. With f/1.2 lenses, the camera astonishingly boasts AF sensitivity in low light in as little as Exposure Value (EV) -5. When using the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens with the EOS RP, the camera can focus in as little as 0.05 seconds with Dual Pixel CMOS AF . When using eye detection AF, the camera can automatically detect faces and focus on the eye of the subject. This feature is supported when the camera is set in either servo AF mode during continuous shooting and movie servo AF, as well as one-shot AF.

Like the EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera that was announced in September 2018, the EOS RP is built around the same 54mm mount diameter and short-back focus. This allows for the use of one of three optional mount adapters for full compatibility with all existing EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses. Through the use of the optional Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter or Control Ring Mount Adapter, these lenses, in fact, gain functionality.

For photographers looking to further expand their abilities and capture a wide variety of both still and video images, the EOS RP features Visual Guide mode. First introduced with the EOS Rebel T7i and EOS 77D, this mode allows users to see on screen how switching modes on the mode dial or tweaking settings can alter the image they are about to capture. This mode helps to guide photographers to capture more compelling images, such as ones with a shallow depth-of-field or being able to give moving subjects a frozen or flowing look. For those looking to expand their imaginative options, the camera also features Creative Assist mode that allows photographers to use new and unique visual effects and adjustments when shooting, such as brightness, contrast, saturation, color tone, monochrome and background blur. In addition, the design, ergonomics, layout and ease-of-use of the camera are very similar to that of other Canon cameras consumers might already be familiar with.

Additional noteworthy features of the EOS RP camera include:

Built-in 0.39 inch, 2.36 million dot Electronic Viewfinder with Touch-and-Drag AF
Vari-Angle LCD touchscreen
4K UHD 24P/Full HD 60p video recording with 4K time-lapse shooting and the ability to extract still images from 4K video recordings
ISO range of 100-25,600 that is expandable up to ISO of 102,400
Built-in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® technology
Mobile RAW workflow supported paired with Digital Photo Professional Express App

Availability and Pricing
The Canon EOS RP full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available in March 2019 for an estimated retail price of $ 1299.00 for the body only. It will also be sold as a body-and-lens kit with the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens for $ 2399.00*

To learn more about the EOS R system, including in-depth educational tutorials, please visit usa.canon.com

Canon EOS RP specifications

Price
MSRP	$ 1299 (body), $ 1999 (w/EF adapter and EF 24-105mm STM IS lens), $ 2299 (w/RF 24-105mm F4L IS lens)
Body type
Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Composite
Sensor
Max resolution	6240 x 4160
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	26 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	27 megapixels
Sensor size	Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Digic 8
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 100-40000 (expands to 50-102400)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	50
Boosted ISO (maximum)	102400
White balance presets	6
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, normal
File format	JPEG Raw (14-bit Canon CR3) C-Raw (Canon original)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	4779
Lens mount	Canon RF
Focal length multiplier	1×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.7×
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	Program Shutter priority Aperture priority Manual
Built-in flash	No
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash X sync speed	1/180 sec
Drive modes	Single Continuous (H/L) Self-timer
Continuous drive	5.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot Partial
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Videography features
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Modes	3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging	Yes
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	Yes
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote control	Yes (via cable or smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	250
Weight (inc. batteries)	485 g (1.07 lb / 17.11 oz)
Dimensions	133 x 85 x 70 mm (5.24 x 3.35 x 2.76″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon EOS Rebel T7 sample gallery

29 Jun

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The Canon T7/2000D is about as affordable as DSLRs come – the 24MP camera goes for €470 with a kit lens in Europe and $ 500 in the US (from Canon directly only at the moment). We’ve been out shooting it with both the 18-55mm F4-5.6 IS STM and the compact 24mm F2.8 STM for good measure – take a look.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D Review

19 Sep

The EOS Rebel SL2 (known as the EOS 200D outside of North America) is Canon’s second-generation ultra-compact digital SLR. It’s largely packed with Canon’s latest tech, including Dual Pixel AF, a DIGIC 7 processor, Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth, and a new user interface for beginners.

While its small size may lead one to believe that it’s an entry-level model, similar to Nikon’s D3400, the SL2 actually sits above the bottom-end Rebel T6 (EOS 1300D), which costs $ 150 less.

The SL2’s main competitor is the aforementioned Nikon D3400, which is just a tad larger and heavier. The SL2s’ other peers are all mirrorless and include (in our opinion) the Canon EOS M5, Panasonic DMC-GX85 and the Sony a6000 which, after 3+ years on the market, is still competitive.

Key Features

24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Dual Pixel autofocus (for live view and video)
9-point autofocus (through the viewfinder)
DIGIC 7 processor
3″ fully articulating touchscreen LCD
5 fps burst shooting (3.5 fps with continuous AF)
1080/60p video
External mic input
Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth
Available ‘Feature Assistant’ user interface

Just about everything in that list is Canon’s latest and greatest, and the external microphone input is a nice extra. The one feature that’s not new is the 9-point autofocus system that you’ll use when shooting through the viewfinder – it’s identical to what’s found the original SL1, which is over four years old. You’ll get a much better focusing experience by shooting in live view, which uses Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel AF technology.

Compared to…

The SL2 (left) is the mini-me to the still-small Rebel T7i.

First, let’s take a look at how the SL2/200D compares to the step-up model, the Rebel T7i (EOS 800D). Here’s what you get for another $ 200 (with kit lenses for both models):

45-point AF versus 9-pt AF
7500-segment RGB+IR metering versus 63-segment (from which we’d expect better subject tracking)
6 fps versus 5 fps bursts with S-AF
4.5 fps versus 3.5 fps bursts with C-AF
Significantly larger buffer
Color tracking for AF in Single AF as well as Continuous AF
Semi-transparent LCD in viewfinder that can overlay grids, different AF points, an electronic level, and more
Built-in flash can trigger wireless strobes

Does the average point-and-shoot user need any of that? Probably not. If you plan on gaining more experience in the world of digital photography or want a more robust autofocus system, though, the extra $ 200 might be worth it.

Now, let’s take a look at how the specs compare between the the SL2 and the peers mentioned a few paragraphs earlier.

	Canon SL2	Nikon D3400	Canon M5	Panasonic GX85	Sony a6000
Resolution	24MP	24MP	24MP	16MP	24MP
Sensor size	APS-C	APS-C	APS-C	Four Thirds	APS-C
Lens mount	EF	F	EF-M	Micro 4/3	E
Image stab.	Lens-based	Lens-based	Lens-based	In-camera	Lens-based
AF system (live view)	Dual Pixel	Contrast-detect	Hybrid (Dual Pixel)	Contrast-detect	Hybrid
AF system (viewfinder)	9-point	11-point	N/A	N/A	N/A
LCD	3″ fully articulating	3″ fixed	3.2″ tilting	3″ tilting	3″ tilting
Touchscreen	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Viewfinder type/mag.	OVF / 0.54x	OVF / 0.57x	EVF / N/A	EVF / 0.7x	EVF / 0.7x
# control dials	1	1	2	2	2
Video	1080/60p	1080/60p	1080/60p	UHD 4K/30p	1080/60p
Wireless	Wi-Fi + NFC + BT	BT	Wi-Fi + NFC + BT	Wi-Fi + NFC	Wi-Fi + NFC
Battery life	650 (OVF) 260 (LV)	1200 (OVF) N/A (LV)	295 (LV)	290 (LV)	360 (LV)
Dimensions (mm)	122x93x70	124x98x76	116x89x61	122x71x44	120x67x45
Weight	453 g	445 g	427 g	426 g	344 g

Strictly comparing the SL2 and D3400 you’ll see that they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. While there are ‘little things’ like the type of LCD, viewfinder size and wireless functionality, live view autofocus is the main differentiator. It’s simply no contest there with the SL2’s AF system blowing away the D3400 in live view and movie mode.

With the exception of the Sony a6000, the SL2 is close in weight, and not far off in size, to the three mirrorless cameras in the group. All three of the mirrorless cameras have an additional control dial, making exposure adjustment quick, and their EVFs are larger than the optical viewfinders on both DSLRs. None of the mirrorless models can compare to the DSLRs in terms of battery life, but only when you’re using the latter with their optical viewfinders.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon EOS Rebel SL2 sample gallery

11 Aug

Photo by Barney Britton

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2’s diminutive size makes it very easy to carry around, despite some impressive tech under its skin. With the same sensor and processor as the more expensive Rebel T7i and EOS 77D, we’ve had high hopes that this small camera would put out big image quality for its price point, and we weren’t disappointed. From the zoo to the islands and even to a very dim pinball joint, take a look through our gallery to see what the EOS Rebel SL2 can do with a variety of both prime and zoom lenses.

See our Canon EOS Rebel SL2 sample gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D Shooting Experience

10 Aug

The EOS Rebel SL2 (known as the EOS 200D outside of North America) is Canon’s second-generation ultra-compact digital SLR. The SL2 is largely packed with Canon’s latest tech, including Dual Pixel AF, a DIGIC 7 processor, Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth, and a new user interface for beginners.

While its small size may lead one to believe that it’s an entry-level model, similar to Nikon’s D3400, the SL2 actually sits above the bottom-end Rebel T6 (EOS 1300D), which costs $ 150 less.

Key Features

24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Dual Pixel autofocus (for live view and video)
9-point autofocus (through the viewfinder)
DIGIC 7 processor
3″ fully articulating touchscreen LCD
5 fps burst shooting
1080/60p video
External mic input
Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth
Available ‘Feature Assistant’ user interface

Compared to…

Now let’s take a look at how the specs compare between the the SL2 and the peers mentioned a few paragraphs earlier.

	Canon SL2	Nikon D3400	Canon M5	Panasonic GX85	Sony a6000
Resolution	24MP	24MP	24MP	16MP	24MP
Sensor size	APS-C	APS-C	APS-C	Four Thirds	APS-C
Lens mount	EF	F	EF-M	Micro 4/3	E
Image stab.	Lens-based	Lens-based	Lens-based	In-camera	Lens-based
AF system (live view)	Dual Pixel	Contrast-detect	Hybrid (Dual Pixel)	Contrast-detect	Hybrid
AF system (viewfinder)	9-point	11-point	N/A	N/A	N/A
LCD	3″ fully articulating	3″ fixed	3.2″ tilting	3″ tilting	3″ tilting
Touchscreen	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Viewfinder type/mag.	OVF / 0.54x	OVF / 0.57x	EVF / N/A	EVF / 0.7x	EVF / 0.7x
# control dials	1	1	2	2	2
Video	1080/60p	1080/60p	1080/60p	UHD 4K/30p	1080/60p
Wireless¹	Wi-Fi + NFC + BT	BT	Wi-Fi + NFC + BT	Wi-Fi + NFC	Wi-Fi + NFC
Battery life²	650 (OVF) 260 (LV)	1200 (OVF) N/A (LV)	295 (LV)	290 (LV)	360 (LV)
Dimensions (mm)	122x93x70	124x98x76	116x89x61	122x71x44	120x67x45
Weight	453 g	445 g	427 g	426 g	344 g

Strictly comparing the SL2 and D3400 you’ll see that they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. While there are ‘little things’ like the type of LCD, viewfinder size and wireless functionality, live view autofocus is the main differentiator. It’s simply no contest there, with the SL2’s AF system blowing away the D3400 in live view and movie mode.

With the exception of the Sony a6000, the SL2 is close in weight, and not far of in size, to the three mirrorless cameras in the group. All three of the mirrorless cameras have an additional control dial, making exposure adjustment quick, and their EVFs are larger than the optical viewfinders on both dSLRs. None of the mirrorless models can compare to the DSLRs in terms of battery life, but only when you’re using the latter with their optical viewfinder.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Entry-level DSLRs compared: Canon EOS Rebel SL2 vs. Nikon D3400

07 Aug

Entry-level DSLRs compared: Canon EOS Rebel SL2 vs. Nikon D3400

The entry-level DSLR segment is traditionally highly competitive, and dominated by two big names: Canon and Nikon. With Canon’s new Rebel EOS SL2 just hitting dealers’ shelves, we’ve compared it against one of its main competitors – the Nikon D3400.

Keep an eye out for our full review of the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 coming soon, and read our previously-published review of the Nikon D3400 here.

Sensor

Twenty four megapixels is becoming a pretty standard resolution for entry-level and midrange DSLRs, but despite the identical pixel count, the sensors in the Nikon D3400 and Canon EOS Rebel SL2 are quite different. Most significantly, the Canon’s sensor is slightly smaller. This means that it introduces a slightly more aggressive crop factor of 1.6X, compared to 1.5X from the D3400.

Crop Factor

Should you care about this? That depends. We expect image quality from both cameras to be broadly similar for most shooting, but the increased crop factor may be relevant to you, especially if you enjoy shooting with long lenses.

You should be aware that (for example) the new Tamron 18-400mm will offer slightly greater telephoto reach on the SL2 (29-640mm equiv.) than it will on the D3400 (where it will cover an equivalent zoom range of 18-600mm). Likewise, a typical 50-200mm telezoom will reach slightly further on an EOS Rebel SL2 (~320mm) than it will on the D3400 (where it caps out at an equivalent focal length of 300mm). Honestly though, the difference between a 1.5X crop and a 1.6X crop is so minimal at normal focal lengths that shouldn’t be a reason to choose one system over another.

Autofocus (viewfinder)

Entry-level DSLRs are not typically characterized by advanced autofocus systems, and the Nikon D3400 and Canon EOS Rebel SL2 are pretty typical of cameras in this class. Remarkable, the D3400’s 11-point AF system has been around for more than ten years, and the SL2’s 9-point AF system (illustrated above) isn’t much newer. Neither AF system is particularly remarkable, but both are perfectly reliable in normal everyday use.

Where the Nikon scores over the Canon is in AF-C mode, with 3D AF Tracking turned on. Although nowhere near as versatile as the 153-point system in Nikon’s high-end D5 and D500, 3D AF Tracking does work in the D3400, and offers a good solution for casual sports and wildlife photography.

Autofocus (live view / video)

In live view and movie mode, the AF tables are turned. Here, the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 offers a far superior autofocus system, thanks to Canon’s unique Dual Pixel AF, which provides on-sensor phase-detection, covering 80% of the image area (indicated above). As such, the SL2 actually boasts better AF performance in live view mode than it does when used as a conventional DSLR.

General performance

The Nikon D3400 and Canon EOS Rebel SL2 give similar performance overall, when measured by standard features like maximum continuous shooting rate (which is the same, at 5fps for both cameras) and ISO sensitivity span (again, the same, at ISO 100-25,600). Both are capable of capturing great-looking images in most shooting situations, and doing so quickly and without fuss. Both cameras offer an option for quiet/silent shooting, too – which is nice.

The Nikon D3400 does have a couple of tricks up its sleeve though – for one thing, it offers a more generous Raw buffer in continuous shooting, and is capable of capturing 10 Raw files at 5 fps as opposed to 6, from the Canon SL2, before slowing to allow the buffer to clear. The D3400’s 11-point AF system is superior to the 9-point system in the SL2 too, especially when it comes to tracking moving subjects.

Rear screen

The Canon Rebel EOS SL2 has a far better rear screen than the Nikon D3400, in multiple respects. For one thing it’s articulated, rather than being fixed. This is especially helpful for movie shooting and live view work. It’s higher resolution than the D3400’s LCD too, offering 1.04 million-dots compared to 920k.

Touch-sensitivity

The difference between 920,000 and 1.04 million dots is modest, but more significant is the addition of touch-sensitivity in the Canon SL2, which can be extremely useful when it comes to setting AF point position in live view and movie modes. And thanks to Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus system, when you set AF by touch on the SL2, you can expect fast, accurate and smooth focus.

Movie mode

As far as video is concerned, these cameras offer a near-identical specification, but very different user experiences. Both the D3400 and Rebel SL2 feature a now-standard (for entry-level DSLRs at any rate) 1080/60p maximum resolution setting, and both can shoot perfectly good looking video. At this level we wouldn’t expect any video-centric extras like zebra highlight warnings or focus peaking, but it’s nice to see that Canon provides a mic socket on the SL2 (pictured above) for users that want to upgrade from the camera’s built-in microphone.

The big differences between the D3400 and SL2’s video modes become obvious when you start shooting. The D3400’s fixed, non touch-sensitive rear LCD and contrast-detection autofocus system provide a pretty clunky experience. You can shoot video on the D3400, and footage looks fine, but it’s not much fun.

The SL2 on the other hand offers a fully articulating, touch-sensitive rear display and Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel autofocus system. This is a no-brainer: if you’re interested in shooting video as well as stills, get the SL2.

Connectivity

Both of these cameras offer built-in connectivity options, but they work in very different ways. Nikon has tried to make things easy with its low-energy Bluetooth ‘Snapbridge’ connectivity suite (see screen-grabs above) but in practice, we have had issues getting it to work reliably, especially when paired with iOS smart devices. And even when it does work, sending files to a smartphone over Bluetooth is a very slow, frustrating experience. If you want Wi-Fi, you’ll have to upgrade to a model higher up in Nikon’s DSLR lineup.

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2, on the other hand, includes built-in WiFi with NFC, plus Bluetooth, and the option to add a GPS receiver. The overall implementation of these features is much more sensible and versatile. It’s also pretty hassle-free.

User interface / handling

As entry-level DSLRs, the D3400 and Rebel SL2 are designed to be as small and light as possible, while remaining easy to use for beginner photographers. Both Canon and Nikon have long experience of designing cameras for this audience, and it shows. The D3400 and SL2 are mature, well-designed products that serve their intended buyers well, offering a range of fully automatic shooting modes, along with manual exposure control for more advanced or aspiring photographers.

In addition, both cameras offer a simplified, more illustrative UI compared to their higher-end stablemates, including the option of a specifically beginner-focused interface, geared towards educating novice DSLR photographers about the best choice of settings for certain subjects, and the effects of different exposure parameters on the final image.

For our money, the D3400’s ‘GUIDE’ mode, which takes the form of a simplified on-screen tutorial, makes it a better DSLR for the absolute beginner.

User interface / handling

Both cameras are very small and light, but impressively, the SL2 offers a fully-articulating, touch-sensitive LCD screen while still feeling very slim. The D3400 is a few grams lighter, but not enough that you’d notice when the two cameras are held side by side.

Battery life

The D3400 offers substantially greater battery life than the Canon EOS Rebel SL2, at a quoted 1,200 shots compared to 650 under CIPA conditions, which includes 50% flash use. Canon quotes a battery life of ~800 when flash is not used at all. We generally expect CIPA estimates to be on the low side, so the SL2’s battery life will probably be better than these figures might suggest in normal use, but it’s clear that the D3400 offers a lot more endurance on a single charge.

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Hands-on with Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

29 Jun

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

Canon’s latest DSLR is one of its smallest ever. The new EOS Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D outside of North America) DSLR on the market. The SL1 was a likable, if rather limited camera in its day, and we’re pleased to see that Canon hasn’t abandoned the idea of an ultra-portable entry-level Rebel.

We had the chance recently to handle the SL2, and get a feel for what’s changed, and what remains the same.

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

One thing that hasn’t changed significantly is the SL2’s size, compared to its predecessor. Although the new camera is in fact slightly bigger, the difference is very subtle (122.4 x 92.6 x 69.8mm compared to 117 x 91 x 69mm, if you were curious). The SL2 is bundled with the same slower 18-55mm F4-5.6 kit zoom that was introduced alongside the Rebel T7i.

A more welcome change compared to the SL1 is the SL2’s sensor. We’re told that the 24MP APS-C sensor in the new camera is essentially the same as the one used in the EOS 77D. Capable of shooting from ISO 100-25,600 there’s no reason not to expect excellent low and medium ISO image quality from the SL2.

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

My hands are pretty average-sized. As you can see, the SL2 really is pretty tiny. This view shows off the minimal top-mounted controls, which include the standard Canon EOS exposure mode dial, and front control dial, just behind the shutter release. This dial has been redesigned, from the plastic ‘cog’ we’ve been used to for years, to a high-end PowerShot-style knurled metal finish. Also new is the combined movie mode / on / off toggle switch, just to the right of the exposure mode dial.

On the far left of the SL2’s top plate is a dedicated Wi-Fi button, which indicates Canon’s intended user base of smartphone and compact camera upgraders.

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

As we’d expect, the rear of the SL2 is dominated by a large, 3″ touch-sensitive LCD. Despite its entry-level positioning, Canon hasn’t skimped on specifications – this appears to be the same 1040k-dot display offered on the full-frame EOS 6D Mark II. Note the indent at the upper right, so you can get your finger in there to grab the screen.

The SL2’s viewfinder is unremarkable (it’s the typical lower cost pentamirror design, with 95% frame coverage) and its conventional autofocus system is pretty basic (9-points, covering the central portion of the frame). But impressively, in live view and movie modes the SL2 offers the same excellent Dual Pixel AF system as the EOS 80D. That means fast and accurate AF for still and moving subjects, with none of the ‘hunting’ typical of more basic contrast-detection live view AF systems.

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

This alone is a huge selling point over the original SL1, and made even mode useful by the fact that the Rebel SL2’s rear screen can be fully articulated for live view and movie shooting. Arguments will continue over whether a tilting screen or flip-out type is superior, but the flip-out design is certainly better when shooting vertically.

Like its close-relation the Rebel T7i, the SL2 features a simplified screen interface in PASM modes, intended to educate beginners about the effect of using certain exposure variables.

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

Another view of the top of the camera, highlighting again the small, compact body of the Rebel SL2. Despite its low-end positioning, the general fit and finish of control points is of a high standard.

The SL2 is predominantly made from polycarbonate, and Canon makes no claims about environmental sealing, but there’s no creak or give in the body seams.

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

Despite its entry-level positioning, the SL2 is an impressively fast camera. Claimed startup time is a respectable 0.2 sec (which is the same as the EOS 6D Mark II), and the SL2 features a maximum continuous shooting rate of 5 fps. It’s reasonably customizable, too. Although it (obviously) can’t hold a candle to Canon’s professional DSLRs, 11 custom functions do allow for a decent amount of fine-tuning of the camera’s operation.

A small built-in flash pops up when required in fully automatic shooting, and can be activated manually in PASM modes. You can expect 650 shots per charge from the LP-E17 with 50% flash use, increasing to more than 800 with no flash (CIPA).

Hands-on with Canon’s EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

A nice deep handgrip makes the SL2 easy and comfortable to hold and use, despite its small size.

What do you make of the new Rebel SL2? Let us know in the comments.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D Sample Gallery

07 Apr

We’ve posted an assortment of photos from Canon’s EOS Rebel T7i / 800D, which is the midrange camera in Canon’s lower-end DSLR lineup. The T7i features a 24MP APS-C sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, fully articulating LCD and snappy DIGIC 7 processor.

It’s Spring here in Seattle, so expect plenty of flower photos!

View our Canon EOS T7i Sample Gallery

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Buyer’s Guide: Canon EOS Rebel T7i (800D) vs EOS 77D vs EOS 80D

23 Feb

In February, Canon announced the EOS Rebel T7i (800D) and EOS 77D, adding two new choices to the company’s already confusing lineup. In this article we’ll break down what separates the T7i, 77D and the existing EOS 80D – and which is the best one for your needs.

Spec comparison

	Rebel T7i/800D	EOS 77D	EOS 80D
MSRP (body only)	$ 749	$ 899	$ 1199
Sensor	24.2MP APS-C CMOS
Processor	Digic 7		Digic 6
ISO range	ISO 100-25600 (expands to 51200)		ISO 100-12800 (expands to 25600)
AF system	Dual Pixel + 45-pt all-cross-type
Shutter speed	30 – 1/4000 sec		30 – 1/8000 sec
X-sync	1/200 sec		1/250 sec
LCD size/type	3″ fully-articulating (1.04M-dot)
Viewfinder mag/coverage	0.82x / 95%		0.95x / 100% (‘Intelligent’)
Control dials	One	Two
Max Continuous	6 fps		7 fps
Video	1920 x 1080 @ 60p/30p/24p
Mic jack	No	Yes
Headphone jack	No		Yes
Bluetooth	Yes		No
Battery life (CIPA)	600 shots		960 shots
Battery grip	No		Optional
Weather-sealing	No		Yes
Dimensions	131 x 100 x 76mm	131 x 100 x 76mm	139 x 105 x 79mm
Weight (CIPA)	532 g	540 g	730 g

In most respects, the 80D is the better of the three cameras, which is what you’d expect given its price premium. Let’s break it down into various areas for a closer look.

Body & Design

What really sets these three models apart are style and build quality. The EOS Rebel T7i is very much a Rebel. It’s compact, plastic and has a single control dial and small-ish optical viewfinder. The T7i, along with the other two cameras in this comparison, has a 3″ fully articulating touchscreen LCD.


The Rebel T7i’s top-plate controls are all located on the right side.	The EOS 77D adds an LCD info display in the place of the mode dial, which moves to the left.

The optical viewfinder, LCD and most of the controls are the same on the T7i as they are on the 77D.	The 77D adds a second control dial around the directional controller (with a lock switch) as well as an AF-On button for fans of back-button focus.

As you’d expect, the 80D is bigger and better in terms of build quality. The body is weather-sealed and the shutter is rated to 100,000 cycles (Canon doesn’t say how long the Rebel and 77D will last, but it’s probably safe to say ‘not as long’.) Its pentaprism ‘Intelligent Viewfinder’ has 100% coverage and the ability to overlay all kind of information on top of the scene, such as focus point layout, composition grids and an electronic level. The grip is larger and, unlike the other two models, a battery grip is an optional extra. The 80D also offers a headphone jack, in addition to the mic jack found on the other two models.


The controls on the 77D are quite similar to those on the 80D.	The 80D has a larger viewfinder and no labels on its directional controller. It lacks the Wi-Fi button found on the 77D.

Again, the 77D closely resembles its big brother.	The 80D has additional buttons, though, for AF, drive and metering.

The Guts

The Rebel T7i, EOS 77D and EOS 80D share the same 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor. However, the Rebel and 77D have Canon’s latest Digic 7 processor, compared to the Digic 6 on the 80D. Canon claims that the Digic 7 provides a full-stop improvement in JPEG high ISO noise levels compared to Digic 6, though comparing the Digic 7-powered EOS M5 against the 80D seems to contradict that. In addition, the native ISO range tops out at 25600 on Digic 7 vs 12800 on Digic 6. All three cameras can further expand their maximum ISO by a full stop.

Canon says that the Digic 7 also improves subject-tracking performance, and when we reviewed the EOS M5 mirrorless camera, we found it to be a step above the EOS 80D. It’s probably a safe assumption that the Rebel T7i and EOS 77D will perform as well as the M5 when live view shooting.

Digics aside, all three cameras use the same Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which we’ve found to be effective for both stills and video. They also share a 45-point, all-cross-type phase-detect system for shooting through the viewfinder as well as a 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor that uses ‘Color Tracking’ to detect skin color and assist in focusing.


When shooting through the viewfinder on all three cameras you’ll get 45 all-cross-type points, with the center-point being dual-cross-type.	Dual Pixel AF has phase-detect pixels built into the CMOS sensor, which allows for fast AF in live view and video. The phase-detect area covers 80% of the frame, as illustrated above.

Features

This is the area in which the three cameras start to diverge, though not dramatically. Let’s start at the bottom with the Rebel T7i/800D.

The T7i offers Full HD video capture at 60p, 30p and 24p, as well as the PAL equivalents at bit rates of up to 60Mbps. You get manual exposure control and Auto ISO while capturing video, though it’s not clear if the T7i will let you adjust exposure compensation in those situations (signs point to ‘yes’). Manual audio level controls are available, plus a wind filter.

You get to take advantage of Dual Pixel AF’s solid subject tracking performance and easy rack-focusing courtesy of the touchscreen display. There’s also a time-lapse movie mode and an HDR movie mode (shudder). Something that the Digic 7 allows for is 5-axis digital image stabilization, which is a feature the 80D’s Digic 6 does not support.

In terms of continuous shooting, the T7i can take up to 27 Raw, 23 Raw+JPEG or an unlimited number of JPEGs at 6 fps, assuming that you’re using a high-speed UHS-I card. Battery life sits at 600 shots per charge (CIPA standard).

And then there’s Wi-Fi, which is Canon’s most advanced system yet. You get the usual Wi-Fi connectivity using the Canon Connect app, as well as NFC for quick pairing with Android phones. What’s new is Bluetooth support, which not only makes pairing easy, but also maintains a constant connection so you can quickly turn your phone into a remote. When using the app with Bluetooth there’s a shutter release button for shooting, plus a four-way controller for playback. If you want full-on remote control with live view, the app will automatically switch over to Wi-Fi.

Canon’s new BR-E1 Bluetooth remote is compatible with the Rebel T7i/800D and the EOS 77D. Notice the W/T buttons, which can be used with the available PZ-E1 power zoom adapter (that only works with the EF-S 18-135mm PZ at this time).

Something new the T7i/800D brings to the table is Feature Assistant, which is very similar to the Guide feature on the Nikon D3000-series. When you rotate the mode dial, the LCD displays visual representations of what each mode does. Once you’ve selected a mode, you’ll get a slider that illustrates the effect of aperture or shutter speed adjustment. It’s pretty well-done for those who learn toward the beginner end of the spectrum. This feature is also available on the EOS 77D, though it’s hidden by default.

So what features do you gain by stepping up to the EOS 77D, aside from the physical ones? Not a whole lot. You gain interval and bulb timers and a few more custom controls (due to the extra physical buttons). Everything else, including burst rate and battery life, is identical.

Moving up to the 80D mostly provides better performance and even more custom controls. Performance-wise, the max shutter speed rises to 1/8000 sec, the x-sync speed to 1/250 sec, and the burst rate to 7 fps. Battery life is rated at 960 shots per charge, and that’s without the optional grip.

Feature-wise you gain a lot more control over autofocus settings, and an AF micro-adjustment tool is also available. What are you missing out on by having a slightly older camera? Really it’s just Bluetooth and the 5-axis digital IS in movie mode (we can’t imagine your average 80D buyer using the Feature Assistant very often).

So which is best for you?

The difficult decision isn’t so much between the 77D and the 80D – the differences are pretty clear-cut. If you need something with much superior build quality, faster burst rates and more controls over autofocus, then it’s your choice. While the 80D’s live view subject tracking abilities may fall below that of the 77D (and T7i), image quality should be similar, despite Canon’s claims to the contrary.

The Rebel T7i / EOS 800D showing off its new UI.

The choice between the Rebel T7i/800D vs the 77D is where it’s a bit more challenging. Obviously, budget will be one thing any buyer will consider. If you’re pinching pennies then you’re probably going to choose the Rebel. If you’re willing to spend about $ 150 more, then we think that the EOS 77D is the better choice. It’s not any larger, the extra control dial saves a lot of hassle and the LCD info display is a nice touch. And, if you’re enthusiastic about video, having a mic jack will come in very handy.

If you’re trying to make this exact decision right now, or just want to propose alternatives, then head down to the comment section below. Let us know if we missed anything in this comparison, too!

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