Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1 Review: Digital Photography Review

Body Elements

	The EOS Rebel SL1 is built around version II of Canon's 18MP 'Hybrid CMOS' sensor, which has pixels dedicated to providing phase detection autofocus in live view and video mode. On the SL1 this focus capability extends to cover 80% of the sensor's imaging area. The sensor is paired with Canon's DIGIC 5 processing engine.
	The Rebel SL1's pop-up flash has a guide number of 9.4m, the same as the Rebel T3/1100D, but less powerful than the unit found on the T5i. Unlike the T5i's unit, this flash cannot wirelessly trigger external Speedlites. You can set flash exposure compensation of +/- 2 EV. Flash sync can be set at up to 1/200 sec. and when attaching an external Speedlite to the camera's hotshoe, flash settings can be adjusted via the rear LCD screen.
	Openings for both a monaural microphone (top) and speaker are located on the far left of the camera's top plate.
	The on/off switch has a third position which enables video record mode. The mode dial has icons evenly spaced around its perimeter and spins 360 degrees without the hard stop found on earlier Rebel-series models. Six scene modes are housed under the SCN icon.
	On the Rebel SL1, Canon's familiar AF point and AF/AE lock buttons are vertically arranged, sitting along the far right edge of the camera body. The buttons also serve as image magnification controls during playback mode.
	The movie record button is placed on the camera's shoulder for easy operation by your thumb. It only initiates recording when the power switch is set to video; in stills mode it's used to enter and exit live view.
	The Q menu and 'Set' functionality share the same button, which is surrounded by a 4-way controller that can be used to navigate onscreen menus and options. The delete button has a concave design that helps prevent accidental operation. To the right of this button you can see the card access lamp which indicates data being written to the SD card.
	The top corner of the camera has a self-timer lamp, that's also used used to reduce the red-eye effect in flash shots.
	The little black rectangle directly below the hot shoe is a proximity sensor that automatically switches off the rear screen when you're using the viewfinder.
	Located along the side of the lens throat is the lens release and below it the depth-of-field preview button.
	An infrared sensor is positioned on the hand grip so that the camera can be triggered remotely using the optional Remote Controller RC-6 unit.
	The camera's inputs are housed behind a rubber flap on the left side of the camera. HDMI and USB ports sit beneath a 3.5mm stereo mic input and a jack for a cabled remote release.
	The battery and SD card go into a compartment on the base of the camera. The Rebel SL1 uses the same 5.94Wh (7.2V 825mAh) LP-E12 battery introduced with the EOS M.
	The tripod socket is placed in-line with the center of the lens. The camera's small size means it's fairly close to the base compartment door, so don't expect to be able to change either card or battery with the camera on a full-size tripod plate.

GearShop

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera, Body Only●	$599.00	Buy on GearShop
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS STM Lens●		Buy on GearShop

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

Show all listings (11) ...

Get more prices from Amazon

Comments

Total comments: 18

This looks like a great camera but I have Canon EOS Rebel T31 and absolutely love it. Alright, call me old fashion or old school but all those attachments associated with digital cameras scare me to death so a neighbor recommended the Canon EOS Rebel T3i as a good choice for a beginner photographer like me. There are so many brands and types of digital cameras in the market today that it is stressful for me to even think about buying one.
I did buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i http://www.squidoo.com/canon-eos-canon-eos-rebel-t3i-camera-review-best-price but not without a lot of stress.

0 upvotes

This camera really is tiny. Compared to Sony's a230, which was the smallest of its time, it is about the same size, but he SL1 can shoot 4fps compared to 2.5, and has a much bigger buffer, and has 18mp instead of 10.2, and has a touhscreen, etc.

I think this is a great camera for the size and pice.

0 upvotes

40mm 2.8 STM is a full frame lens and it become 64mm equivalent if we use it with EOS 100D. So you really cant use for street photography. It is really perplexing to me why Canon is not making any pancake lens for EFS, like M22mm F2 (equvalent to 35mm full frame) they made for EOS M. They can easily modify that lens to be used with 100D. The combined small form factor with any 24, 28 or 35mm equivalen pancake lens EFS will be a big selling boost for 100D and other Canon APC SLRs.

I think Canon should rethink in their lens line up strategy.

1 upvote

Despite what the review says the 40mm 2.8 STM (pancake) lens is an EF lens, not an EF-S lens. (at least when I last looked at mine)

Now as a result of Canon just announcing the 55-250 IS STM lens, Canon will have three EF-S STM lenses. But it did not when this review was written.

0 upvotes

The Multi Shot Noise Reduction is a real killer of a feature.

4 super fast frames merged into one image for a clean (noiseless) low light photo.

This feature is on the Fuji X series (the X10 has it) and now here on the 100D.

1 upvote

The size is quite similar to my sony alpha 55. I was quite deceived when they decided to grow up the 57 and further models. Really don't know why. It's a great positive point in my opinion for this camera...
http://camerasize.com/compare/#448,238

Comment edited 34 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I rented one of these in May to take on a short vacation rather than drag my much heavier camera along. I debated renting one of the mirrorless models, but this had just been announced and seemed like an interesting choice. I used it almost entirely with the 40mm pancake lens. It was terrific. Barely noticed it hanging around my neck. I owned an original Digital Rebel way back when - this kit is noticeably smaller and lighter. The touch screen really helps when you're used to a camera with lots of dedicated buttons.

There's more on my blog about it with a few shots. This was from the point of view of a photographer who shoots Manual or Av, so there's nothing about the picture modes. It's here: http://www.addrummimages.com/2013/05/19/new-orleans-and-the-canon-sl1/

For geeky info about size and weight, I did a follow-up post here: http://www.addrummimages.com/2013/05/25/canon-sl1-followup/

FWIW...
Tony

0 upvotes

Hi Yonsarh, I've been thinking the same! Back to film....But I don't think this will happen. The camera companies have spent so much in digital photgraphy. Even the "super-cameras" like Hasselblad did it. Although you still can buy Hasselblad cameras which use film....So, I don't know. I alwys loved to work in the dark room, developing my own films and print the pics myself. My tool; a Hasselblad EL/M, build in 1973, with a 100 mm Zeiss-lens. Big fun!!!!! We'll wait and see.. :-)

0 upvotes

No, in the future, the sensor price will so cheap that it will cost less than a dollar and camera image sensor will be used on everywhere. So we could expect end of digital photography and people will eventuallly come back to film again.

1 upvote

I wonder how it is that the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 has a DPreview Gold Award (an overall score of 78%), whereas the more sophisticated 60D has only managed a Silver Award in your Review (with an overall score of 79%)??!!

1 upvote

If you haven't noticed 100D is entry level while 60D is mid level. DPreview warns that different categories scores are not directly comperable.

3 upvotes

I have noticed this too with other cameras and it doesn't make sense to me. Why don't you standardize your rating system.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

What is the meaning of the percentile and gold award anyway? I am trying to find the legend on the percentile and award but the explanations is nowhere.

Comment edited 47 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Its funny how this is considered a radical, minaturised design, yet its the same size as the 450D/500D was 4-5 years ago. The internal functions, pentaprism, sensor size have been similar all along.

The biggest change has been the flip screen. Who uses that regularly?

3 upvotes

I just upgraded from an EOS 400D to the 100D. The 100D *is* definitely a smaller camera.

Comment edited 15 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I'm trawling through to find out what AF points this has, apart from the hybrid sensor...

Any takers?

0 upvotes

Same as Rebel T5i, T4i, T3i - 9-points.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_rebel_sl1_18_55mm_is_stm_kit#Specifications

0 upvotes

>>>>>>Autofocusing with a USM or other lens in either mode is still difficult, however, and fraught with cumbersome seeking during video and long autofocus lag for stills <<<< Does that mean a Sigma 18-->200 zoom, for example??

0 upvotes

Total comments: 18

Editorial content

Product database

Community