Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Review

18 Megapixels18 MegapixelsSingle Lens ReflexSingle Lens ReflexHigh ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.High ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.Continuous DriveContinuous DriveFull 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.Full 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.Spot MeteringSpot MeteringDepth-Of-Field Preview: Improve perception of DOF before shooting.Depth-Of-Field Preview: Improve perception of DOF before shooting.Accepts Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC), SDHC and SD memory.Accepts Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC), SDHC and SD memory.Neocamera detailed reviewNeocamera detailed reviewDiscontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.Discontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Performance - How well does it take pictures?

Ultimately, it is the image quality that makes a camera worth buying. For a digital SLR, image quality greatly depends on the lens used. While color, noise, contrast and exposure are properties of the camera, distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberrations are properties of the lens. Sharpness depends on the weakest link. So, the camera cannot capture more details than the lens lets through. Conversely, a lens can transmit even more details than the sensor can capture.

Image Quality

With 18 megapixels on a 1.6X-crop sensor, the SL1 has rather small pixels for a DSLR, yet they remain larger than those of most mirrorless cameras. Of course, being state-of-the-art helps it extract an impressive amount of subject details while maintaining image-noise low.

The Canon Rebel SL1 shows good image-quality. Image noise is unnoticeable until ISO 1600 where it is barely visible at 100% view. ISO 3200 starts showing a mix of luminance and color noise with only a minor reduction in maximum print-size. Noise-reduction can clean this up at the expense of detail, which gains nothing in terms of print-quality. Better turn it off in-camera.

Noise really kicks in at ISO 6400 but its effect on details is moderate. Still, this DSLR can easily produce a mid-size print, say 12" x 9" at this sensitivity. What is impressive is that dynamic-range and contrast remain excellent even at ISO 6400. At ISO 12800, noise increases again yet not as much as between 3200 and 6400. This time, small details get destroyed though and dynamic-range takes a dip.

The expanded ISO 25600 setting is obviously noisy. Amazingly, it still produces usable small prints and retains relatively good contrast and color. Details in deep shadows are obliterated but remain recognizable in relatively bright areas. All-in-all, an worthy performance for such a small DSLR.

Canon Rebel SL1

The SL1 has a 63-zone Evaluative metering system which uses information from most of the frame. Resulting exposure is average and is tuned to produce relatively bright images. It therefore requires a little more negative exposure-compensation than, say, a 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
but is immensely better than the 7D
Canon EOS 7D
. Still, the SL1 rarely misses by more than 1 EV either way.

The maximum dynamic-range of the SL1 is somewhat lower than other modern APS-C DSLR, falling 2½ stops behind the class-leading Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 IIs
. It does have a gentler fall-off though and reduces the gap down to 1 EV at its maximum standard ISO of 12800. Not a poor performance but certainly a weak point of the SL1.

There is a Highlight Tone-Priority option designed to preserve highlight details which makes a difference and reduces the amount of over-exposure. This prevents the use of ISO 200 but is worth it in most situations.

Canon Rebel SL1

Image Parameters

There are six Picture Styles on the SL1. Each one is customizable in terms of Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation and Color Tone. There are 8 Sharpness levels and 9 for other image parameters. While the defaults are overly punchy, tuning Contrast and Saturation down one in Standard style, makes images look more natural. Colors are never perfect but quite reasonable.

Automatic white-balance is average. Under natural light, scenes come out looking neutral. The SL1 handles a variety of conditions but tends to leave a noticeable yellow cast under artificial light. This effect is pronounced when light is low. Preset white-balance settings can improve things but do not always manage without some fine-tuning.

Image sharpness is slightly soft at the default setting of 3. Pushing it to 4 improves things slightly. One more step introduces dramatic sharpening artifacts though. Remember that a good lens makes a huge difference. The kit lens is not one of those and must be stopped down 2 stops or more to produce acceptable images.

Canon Rebel SL1

Performance

As an entry-level DSLR, the performance level of the SL1 is understandably limited. After all, this is one of the three main differentiating factor between it and higher-end models. Still, this is a DSLR and it remains faster than most fixed-lens cameras.

Both autofocus systems of the SL1 are highly accurate. They also cover a wide section of the camera's field-of-view. While this is welcome when manually selecting the focus-point, it is often problematic with automatic AF-point selection where it often focuses on an unimportant foreground object. This is why advanced DSLRs offer selection by point-groups.

The Canon Rebel SL1 is generally quite responsive. The dial and buttons get an instant response, even when in Live-View. The autofocus system is relatively fast for its class but this depends on the lens used and lighting conditions. In good light, ¼s usually suffices to lock focus. It can take up to ¾s in low-light which is on par with expectations. The Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STMCanon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STM
supplied as kit lens is quite fast and very quiet.

Canon Rebel SL1

The 4 FPS continuous drive is slow by modern standard. It may not catch action at its height but is very usable for candid shots and the like. The performance of the SL1 is characterized by the following numbers:

  • Power On or Off: Just over 1s without sensor-cleaning, 3s with. Slower than average.
  • Time-To-First-Shot: 1½s. Average.
  • Autofocus: Between ¼ and ¾ seconds. Average.
  • Shutter-lag: Instant with short black-out. Good.
  • Video: Instant to start and stop. Excellent.
  • Instant Review: 1½s. Slow.
  • Enter Playback: ½s. Good.
  • Exit Playback: Instant. Excellent.

Being small, the SL1 uses a small battery. It delivers 380 shots battery-life according to the CIPA standard. This is below average for a DSLR yet sufficient to last for a typical day of shooting.

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Conclusion

Canon SL1

The Canon Rebel SL1 succeeds at packing a complete entry-level feature-set without sacrificing image-quality into the smallest DSLR body to date. It does so while maintaining the same level of controls and ergonomics as its peers. Canon really managed to produce a design which reduces the advantage of mirrorless cameras.

This DSLR produces quality images. Image-noise is well controlled with ISO 100 to 1600 completely usable for large prints. ISO 3200 and 6400 make nice mid-sized prints while higher settings stay usable for small ones. The dynamic-range is somewhat below average which makes for more contrasty photographs at the expense of some clipping, mostly of highlights.

Colors, white-balance and sharpness are not perfect but generally good. At optimal settings, the Canon SL1 can produce nice images with a natural look and reasonable sharpness. Of course, a sufficiently good lens is required for the latter. The SL1 is quite responsive and acceptably fast too.

Overall, this DSLR provides a well-rounded modern performance in a more compact than ever body. The SL1 particularly excels at video in terms of both quality and speed. This, of course, is appealing to a target audience assumed to be upgrading from a compact camera.

Excellent
Buy from these sellers: Buy From Amazon.com

By Neocamera on 2014-06-27

Please Support Neocamera

All information on Neocamera is provided free of charge yet running this website is a huge endeavor. Purchases made via affiliate links found throughout the site help keep it running and up-to-date. There is no additional cost to you, so please consider buying via these links to our affilates:

  • Amazon Banner
  • Adorama Banner
  • Essential Photo Banner
  • Best Buy Banner

If you found any information on this site valuable and did not purchase via our affiliate links, please considering donating via PayPal:

Any amount will be greatly appreaciated. Thank you for your support!

Canon Rebel SL1 Highlights

Canon EOS Rebel SL1
SLR digital camera

Sensor-Size: 22 x 15mm

Canon APS-C Sensor

Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI

18 Megapixels DSLRISO 100-12800
Canon EF Mount
1.6X FLM
Shutter 1/4000-30s
95% Coverage
Medium Viewfinder
Full manual controls, including Manual Focus
Automatic Eye-Start sensorCustom white-balance with 2 axis fine-tuning
Built-in Dust ReductionSpot-Metering
4 FPS Drive, 1140 ImagesHot-Shoe
1920x1080 @ 30 FPS Video RecordingStereo audio input
3" LCD 1 MegapixelsLithium-Ion Battery
Secure Digital Extended Capacity
Buy from these sellers: Buy From Amazon.com

Camera Bag

Clear

Your camera bag is empty. To add a camera or lens click on the star next to its name.

Your camera bag is empty.

Add cameras or lenses by clicking on the star next to their name.

Updates

    2023.11.20

  • 2023.11.20

    Best Digital Cameras of 2023 Update Poster

    Best Digital Cameras of 2023

    Find out which are the Best Digital Cameras of 2023. All the new Mirrorless Digital Cameras from entry-level to high-end professional.

  • 2023.07.10

  • 2023.07.10

    Fujifilm X-H2 Review Update Poster

    Fujifilm X-H2 Review

    40 Megapixels APS-C Hybrid Mirrorless Digital Camera with 7-stop IBIS. Fastest shutter ever and 8K video capture. Large builtin EVF with 0.8X magnification and 5.8 MP, plus an Eye-Start Sensor. Packed with features and large number of controls in a weatherproof and freezeproof body.

  • 2023.05.07

  • 2023.05.07

    Sony FE 20-70mm F/4G Review Update Poster

    Sony FE 20-70mm F/4G Review

    Review of the unique Sony FE 20-70mm F/4G lens. The optical zoom of this lens spans ultra-wide-angle and medium focal-length coverage, making it one of the most versatile Full-Frame lenses on the market.

  • 2023.01.15

  • 2023.01.15

    Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Review Update Poster

    Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 Review

    Review of the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 tablet, a medium sized drawing surface with dual dials and customizable buttons. Connects via USB-C or Bluetooth 5.0 with Windows, Linux and Android support.

  • 2022.12.08

  • 2022.12.08

    How to Pack for a Photo Trip Update Poster

    How to Pack for a Photo Trip

    Find out how to pack for a travel photography trip, carry your gear safely while meeting airline regulations.

  • 2022.11.13

  • 2022.11.13

    Best Digital Cameras of 2022 Update Poster

    Best Digital Cameras of 2022

    The best digital cameras of 2022. A short list of the most outstanding models in their respective categories. Choose one for yourself or as a gift.

  • 2022.09.21

  • 2022.09.21

    Pentax DA* 60-250mm F/4 SDM Review Update Poster

    Pentax DA* 60-250mm F/4 SDM Review

    Review of the Pentax DA* 60-250mm F/4 SDM, the constant-aperture telephoto zoom with the highest zoom-ratio on the market.

  • 2022.09.20

  • 2022.09.20

    Pentax DA* 50-135mm F/2.8 SDM Review Update Poster

    Pentax DA* 50-135mm F/2.8 SDM Review

    Review of the Pentax DA* 50-135mm F/2.8 SDM, the lightest professional telephoto zoom native to the K-mount.

  • 2022.09.10

  • 2022.09.10

    Pentax DA* 11-18mm F/2.8 DC AW Review Update Poster

    Pentax DA* 11-18mm F/2.8 DC AW Review

    Review of the Pentax DA* 11-18mm F/2.8 DC AW, the widest professional ultra-wide zoom native to the K-mount.

  • 2021.11.24

  • 2021.11.24

    50 Gifts Under $50 For Photographers in 2021 Update Poster

    50 Gifts Under $50 For Photographers in 2021

    50 Gifts photographers will love. All for under $50 USD. 2021 Edition.

  • 2021.11.17

  • 2021.11.17

    Best Digital Cameras for 2021 Update Poster

    Best Digital Cameras for 2021

    Neocamera shows which are the very best Digital Cameras for 2021 in every category: Mirrorless, DSLR, Premium Compact, Ultra-Zoom and Rugged.

  • 2021.09.04

  • 2021.09.04

    Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 PLM AW Review Update Poster

    Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 PLM AW Review

    Exclusive review of the Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 PLM AW professional lens of Pentax K-Mount APS-C DSLR cameras.