Canon SL2 Comparison Review
The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 (called Canon 200D in some regions) is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was revealed to the public in June 2017 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 24 megapixel.
Is the Canon SL2 a good camera? The SL2 has a Camera Elo of 2377. This rating puts the SL2 among the top 20 percent of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the SL2 ranks among the top 30 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.
Canon SL2 |
---|
Digital single lens reflex |
Canon EF mount lenses |
24 MP, APS-C Sensor |
1080/60p Video |
ISO 100 - 25 600 (100 - 51 200) |
Optical viewfinder |
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots |
Swivel touchscreen |
5 shutter flaps per second |
650 shots per battery charge |
122 x 93 x 70 mm, 453 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Canon SL2 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon SL2 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SL2 | 122 mm | 93 mm | 70 mm | 453 g | 650 | n | Jun 2017 | EUR 599 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon 77D | 131 mm | 100 mm | 76 mm | 540 g | 600 | n | Feb 2017 | EUR 899 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon M5 | 116 mm | 89 mm | 61 mm | 427 g | 295 | n | Sep 2016 | EUR 1 129 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon M6 | 112 mm | 68 mm | 45 mm | 390 g | 295 | n | Feb 2017 | EUR 799 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon M100 | 108 mm | 67 mm | 35 mm | 302 g | 295 | n | Aug 2017 | EUR 479 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon SL1 | 117 mm | 91 mm | 69 mm | 407 g | 380 | n | Mar 2013 | EUR 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon SL3 | 122 mm | 93 mm | 70 mm | 449 g | 1070 | n | Apr 2019 | EUR 549 | amazon.com | |
8. | Canon T6 | 129 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 485 g | 500 | n | Mar 2016 | EUR 449 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon T6s | 132 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 565 g | 440 | n | Feb 2015 | EUR 749 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon T7 | 129 mm | 101 mm | 78 mm | 475 g | 500 | n | Feb 2018 | EUR 499 | amazon.com | |
11. | Canon T7i | 131 mm | 100 mm | 76 mm | 532 g | 600 | n | Feb 2017 | EUR 849 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon SL2 was launched in the US market at a price of $549. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
The Canon SL2 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon SL2 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SL2 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.4 | 1041 | 79 | |
2. | Canon 77D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.3 | 971 | 78 | |
3. | Canon M5 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.4 | 12.4 | 1262 | 77 | |
4. | Canon M6 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.4 | 12.6 | 1317 | 78 | |
5. | Canon M100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.5 | 12.9 | 1272 | 78 | |
6. | Canon SL1 | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.8 | 11.3 | 843 | 63 | |
7. | Canon SL3 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/25p | 23.9 | 13.4 | 1791 | 82 | |
8. | Canon T6 | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.0 | 11.7 | 781 | 66 | |
9. | Canon T6s | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 22.6 | 12.0 | 915 | 70 | |
10. | Canon T7 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/30p | 23.8 | 13.3 | 1684 | 81 | |
11. | Canon T7i | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.7 | 13.1 | 1586 | 80 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The SL2 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the SL2 can use is 1080/60p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the SL2 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.54x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SL2 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SL2 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
2. | Canon 77D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
3. | Canon M5 | 2360 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 9.0/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon M6 | optional | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 9.0/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon M100 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 6.1/s | Y | n | |
6. | Canon SL1 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.9/s | Y | n | |
7. | Canon SL3 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
8. | Canon T6 | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
9. | Canon T6s | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
10. | Canon T7 | optical | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
11. | Canon T7i | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
The LCD screen on the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.
One convenient feature of the SL2 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SL2 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon 77D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon M5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
4. | Canon M6 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
5. | Canon M100 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
6. | Canon SL1 | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Canon SL3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
8. | Canon T6 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
9. | Canon T6s | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
10. | Canon T7 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
11. | Canon T7i | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y |
It is notable that the SL2 has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Further information on the features and operation of the SL2 can be found in the free online Canon SL2 Manual or on the Canon support site.
Expert reviews
While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SL2. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Canon SL2 | 4/5 | + + | 4/5 | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2017 | EUR 599 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon 77D | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2017 | EUR 899 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon M5 | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2016 | EUR 1 129 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon M6 | .. | .. | .. | 80/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2017 | EUR 799 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon M100 | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | Aug 2017 | EUR 479 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon SL1 | 4/5 | + | .. | 78/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2013 | EUR 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon SL3 | 4/5 | o | 4.5/5 | 79/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2019 | EUR 549 | amazon.com | |
8. | Canon T6 | 4/5 | o | 4/5 | 73/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2016 | EUR 449 | ebay.com | |
9. | Canon T6s | 5/5 | + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2015 | EUR 749 | ebay.com | |
10. | Canon T7 | .. | o | 3.5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2018 | EUR 499 | amazon.com | |
11. | Canon T7i | 4.5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2017 | EUR 849 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Canon SL2 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the SL2.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Canon SL2?
The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Canon SL2 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Canon equipped the SL2 with the DIGIC 7 image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon SL2?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600.
Does the Canon SL2 have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the SL2 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS Rebel SL2?
Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the SL2. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the SL2 over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Canon SL2?
Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your SL2 has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon SL2 shutter count page.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Canon SL2?
No, the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Does the Canon SL2 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon SL2 for flash photography?
The SL2's flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.
Does the Canon SL2 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the Canon SL2 use?
The camera gets its power from the Canon LP-E17 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Is there a vertical grip available for the Canon SL2?
Canon does not offer an optional battery grip, but third party suppliers do (see here on ebay).
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
Camera Model | Canon SL2 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | |
Launch Date | June 2017 | |
Launch Price | USD 549 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | |
Sensor Area | 332 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 26.8 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 24 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 6 000 x 4 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 3.72 μm | |
Pixel Density | 7.22 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 25 600 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 100 - 51 200 ISO | |
Image Processor | DIGIC 7 | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 79 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 23.6 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 13.4 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1041 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.54x | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 5 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Near-Field Communication | NFC built-in | |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Canon LP-E17 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
122 x 93 x 70 mm (4.8 x 3.7 x 2.8 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 453 g (16.0 oz) |
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