SL2: A great addition to any Canon kit

Hokie Jack wrote:

The point was the technique is common, not "an awkward workaround".

But all Canon DSLRs except the rebel line have a top panel LCD display.

I don't see how that would be relevant.

((( Edit: What do you think is shown on a top LCD? )))

Camera settings! At least the most commonly changed ones. That's why those cameras don't need an eye sensor. Whats so hard to understand about that?

Very simple: Everything on the top LCD is shown in the viewfinder... no need to use it to change settings.

These cameras don't really need a back panel to display info anyway so no big deal about eye sensor.

"These cameras" have more info and settings available only on the back panel. You really should try one sometime.

Yes not everything is on the top panel, but the most common settings are. I'm very familiar with Canon cameras. I've been using them for about 40 years.

The top panel is irrelevant to this discussion (and pretty-much useless on current bodies, IMO). I never use it on the 7D II, except sometimes to check status when I first turn it on.

The SL2 viewfinder shows nearly everything that would be available on a top LCD.

No argument that some settings can be changed in the OVF, and that doing so is not only expected, but recommended for VF based shooting. However, as noted earlier, the OVF is small and lacks features compared to higher end models, so it isn’t a place that I would expect or recommend for attempting to control the camera. Further, many of the camera’s core functions and features can only be controlled through the rear display and a menu type interface similar to Canon’s mirrorless and point & shoot cameras. That isn’t a bad thing, but it makes for less than ideal usability when combined with no eye sensor, no top info display, smaller VF without modern info overlay, and a body style that lacks dedicated buttons laid out for VF operation. That’s just the reality of this camera.

As covered in my posts and others, there are workarounds, and by no means are these issues a hinderance to capturing gallery quality images. Personally, the SL2’s advantages far outweigh any disadvantages. I would still have purchased the SL2 even at a higher price point. And now that I have the SL2, I expect it to play a significant role in my photography kit. Since I cancelled my 6D2 pre-order, the SL2 might even become the primary body in my kit, which is notable since I’ve used/owned many high-end semi-pro cameras in the past and would be using a 5D4 now if size/weight were not a primary factor in my camera selection.