While video is probably the main application for the SL1’s improved Hybrid AF, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked when composing and shooting casual snapshots. Particularly when I left it in Face Detect/Tracking mode, the camera was always working to maintain focus, just as it does in video mode. As a result, when I was ready to press the shutter, focus was also just about there as well.
The overall experience was more like I’m used to getting from Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras than from any of my Rebel cameras in Live View mode. I won’t say it was as good, because it’s still not quite as fast as those cameras, but it’s usable enough that I felt more comfortable shooting in live view mode than I normally do - a first for a digital SLR of any make.
In this simple demonstration, the camera is in Face detection + Tracking mode. As the video opens, I've already touched the screen to select a face, indicated by double brackets around the selected area. Note that after I touch the second face, the camera automatically recognizes the face, switching to single brackets. (This video was made on a Canon T3i, shooting the back of the SL1. The hissing or buzzing noise audible in the video is not a problem with the gain, but the fans on my studio strobes, which are clearly not meant for video.)
(Note that the video quality shown below will vary depending on your connection, so download the full video if image quality is of paramount importance to you.)
| Video shot of the back of the SL1 with a second camera. |
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This second video is what the SL1 captured so you can better see the focus change. Notes that the focus changes smoothly.
| 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, 88.3MB MOV file. Click here to download the full clip. |
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In this video, Face detection has found the subject and tracks him as he walks toward the camera.
| Video shot of the back of the SL1 with a second camera. |
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Again, the second video is what the SL1 actually captured. Focus falls off a little as he gets closer, but the camera recovers quickly.
| 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, 60MB MOV file. Click here to download the full clip. |
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As the Canon SL1 pans around on a tripod, you can see little evidence of the camera getting confused or changing focus when using the 18-55mm STM kit lens, even while in Servo AF mode. Also visible in the deck below is some noticeable moiré, which you can also see in the wood deck at the end of the video if you view the full-size version. This is not uncommon, but still worth noting.
| 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, 198.7MB MOV file. Click here to download the full clip. |
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I included this second video to show what happens when you use a non-STM lens like the otherwise excellent 15-85mm USM zoom. The lens frequently seeks to verify focus, making rather dramatic moves, knocking the image out of focus and changing the magnification for noticeable periods of time.
| 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, 230MB MOV file. Click here to download the full clip. |
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This video shot at the beach looks pretty good, but at full resolution, you can see some blocky artifacts in the shadows.
| 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, 30.3MB MOV file. Click here to download the full clip. |
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After the Candlelight mode shots, the marshmallows came out and we did a little roasting. Don't try this at home. The SL1 kept a square around my subject's face while the video was captured, which helped it keep focus locked; only once does it defocus a bit before returning to his face. This was shot handheld, though with my elbows braced on the counter.
| 1920 x 1080, 30 fps, 30.3MB MOV file. Click here to download the full clip. |
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Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 3-inch Touchscreen and Full HD Movie Mode (Body Only) | $599.00 |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 3-inch Touchscreen and Full HD Movie Mode (Body Only) | $599.00 |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens with EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Case + Filter + Tripod Kit | $849.95 |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens | $799.00 |
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens (Import) for Canon EOS 7D, 60D, 70D, Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 6pc Bundle Accessory Kit | $177.77 |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens with EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Case + Flash + Tele/Wide Lenses Kit | $849.95 |
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens (Import) for Canon EOS 7D, 60D, EOS Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 10pc Bundle Deluxe Accessory Kit | $186.00 |
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 1DS, 1DX, 5D Mark II/III, 6D, 7D, 40D, 60D, EOS Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 6pc Bundle Accessory Kit | $429.95 |
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens with EF 75-300mm III Lens + 64GB Card + Battery + Backpack + 2 Lenses + Accessory Kit | $799.95 |
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