Are the majority of DSLRs too large for your hands? Is it true that the majority of mirrorless cameras are too small? Perhaps the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 is the ideal camera for you. A fully-articulated touch-screen LCD and a higher ISO than the previous model make this 24-megapixel DSLR the smallest and lightest of Canon’s DSLRs. It also features a quicker focusing speed than the previous model.
At $700 (with the EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 kit lens), the SL2 is also on the more affordable end of the company’s product line-up. A point-and-shoot camera or an older DSLR with more up-to-date capabilities will appeal to those looking to upgrade, and the SL2’s Feature Assistant and built-in instructions will be helpful to those who are just getting started with photography.
Design
This ultra-compact, available in black or white, the camera measures just 4 inches by 3 inches and weighs one pound, including the battery and SD card. To put that into perspective, the Canon T6, the company’s entry-level DSLR, measures 5.11 by 4.31 by 3.1 inches and weighs 17.1 ounces. In contrast, the Canon EOS M5, the company’s latest mirrorless camera, weighs 4.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches and weighs 1 pound.
While the SL2’s small size and weight are advantageous, the camera’s overall feel is undeniably plastic, save from its solid-feeling grip.
Even though Canon rearranged several control buttons’ placement, the SL2 is a significantly scaled-down version of previous, higher-end DSLR cameras. The ISO, Exposure Compensation, Playback, Menu, and Live View buttons were eliminated for simplicity, and only the most crucial specialized controls were retained. Instead, a single command dial is at the top of the grip.
Image Quality
The lens I used was the Canon EF-S18-55mm F/4-5.6 IS STM, which has a 35mm-equivalent focal range of around 29-88mm. Most of the test photographs were taken using the Standard Picture Style and the Shutter- or Aperture-priority exposure modes, respectively.
The image quality was pretty decent compared to other cameras in this price range. All of the colors are richly saturated and appear to be natural in appearance.
Canon’s Auto white balance maintains the warm hues produced by, for example, tungsten light. Therefore, the Auto WB on the SL2 may be changed to either Ambience priority or White priority, much like it can be on other recent Canon cameras. Under tungsten lighting, the former produces warmer photos (similar to sepia-toned). The latter compensates for the light and balances the colors to generate more realistic whites by balancing the colors.
Video
Full HD (1920 x 1080) video at 60/30/24 frames per second is available, as are 1280 x 720 and 640 x 480 video at 60/30 frames per second. In addition, movies are recorded in MP4, a simple format to see and modify.
Although manual exposure adjustment is accessible during recording (by setting the camera to M on the mode dial), altering parameters through the command dial will result in an audible clicking noise.
Enter the Setup menu and turn off the Beep sound. Then use the touch screen to adjust the settings in complete silence (such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and more). If you’re starting, leave the camera on Auto and trust it to take care of everything.
Canon Rebel SL2 Specifications
| Body type | Compact SLR |
|---|---|
| Body material | Composite |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 26 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC 7 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (Canon 14-bit CR2) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View. |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 9 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| 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 | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.87× (0.54× 35mm Equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
| Scene modes | PortraitGroup photoLandscapeSportsKidsClose-upFoodCandlelightNight portraitHandheld night sceneHDR backlight control |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash Range | 9.80 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speed continuous silent single silent continuously-timerContinuous shooting after self-timer |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 12 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1280 x 720 @ 60p / 26 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1280 x 720 @ 30p / 4 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 453 g (1.00 lb / 15.98 oz) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 93 x 70 mm (4.8 x 3.66 x 2.76″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes (videos only) |
| GPS | None |
Final Verdict
With a good blend of beginner and expert functions, the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 performs excellently for a camera in this price range and this class. A cheaper alternative, the Canon EOS Rebel T6 ($450 with an 18-55mm lens), is available; however, it misses several of the SL2’s appealing features, such as the fully articulated touch-screen LCD.
Canon Rebel SL2 Price
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 FAQs
How old is Canon Rebel SL2?
2017 saw the introduction of the Canon Rebel SL2 camera.
Is the Canon SL2 still a good camera?
Yes, the Canon SL2 is still a good camera for beginning photographers looking for a DSLR camera that is both portable and flexible, has high-quality images, and has a variety of sophisticated features.
Is Canon Rebel SL2 good for video?
With its Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system, 1080p/60 frames per second video recording, and microphone input, the Canon SL2 is, in fact, a capable camera for videography.
Does Canon SL2 have autofocus?
The Canon SL2 has dual-pixel autofocus technology, enabling quick and precise targeting for still images and videos.
Is the Canon SL2 good for night photography?
The Canon SL2 can take photos at night thanks to its wide ISO range (100-25600) and built-in image stabilization feature, both of which help minimize the effects of camera movement.
Does Canon SL2 have Wi-Fi?
The Canon SL2 has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, allowing for wireless picture transmission and remote management.
Is the SL2 full-frame?
The Canon SL2 is not a full-frame camera, despite popular belief. Instead, it utilizes an APS-C camera with a crop factor that is 1.6 times larger than usual.
Is the Canon Rebel SL2 waterproof?
Because the Canon Rebel SL2 is not weather-sealed or weatherproof, you are not advised to use it in extreme weather without taking the necessary precautions to safeguard yourself.
How do I take good pictures with my Canon Rebel SL2?
Acquiring fundamental photography skills such as exposure, composition, and lighting is essential to capture excellent pictures with the Canon Rebel SL2. These skills can be found online. However, you can play around with the camera’s settings and options to achieve your desired impact to see what works best.
Is the Canon SL2 good in low light?
With an ISO range of 100-25600 and built-in image stabilization, the Canon SL2 is an excellent choice for working in low-light environments thanks to its ability to reduce blur caused by camera motion.
How long does a Canon Rebel SL2 battery last?
The battery life of the Canon Rebel SL2 can last for up to 650 photos on a single charge.
How do I use my Canon Rebel SL2 as a webcam?
After downloading and installing the EOS Webcam Utility software from the Canon website, you must connect the camera to your computer using a USB connection to use the Canon Rebel SL2 as a webcam.
Does the Canon SL2 have a headphone jack?
Unfortunately, the Canon Rebel SL2 does not have a headphones port.