Annotation: We've used European (EOS 100D) and North American (Rebel SL1) versions of this camera. Near of the product photos are of the 100D version, only we'll refer to the photographic camera primarily as the Rebel SL throughout this review. In that location are no functional differences.

Catechism has long hinted that another path to competing with mirrorless entries from Nikon, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic lay in the miniaturization of its familiar SLR pattern. With the declaration of the EOS 100D / Rebel SL1, Canon has laid its cards on the table. Billed as 'the globe's smallest, lightest APS-C DSLR', the Insubordinate SL1 unabashedly merges the Rebel-series' DSLR operational hallmarks with an impressively minor torso.

Thanks to a downsizing of internal components that has resulted in a smaller shutter mechanism, thinner sensor module and smaller-footprint circuit lath, the Rebel SL1 is significantly smaller and lighter than the co-announced Insubordinate T5i, while offering the same 18MP resolution, DIGIC 5 processor and, presumably image quality. The Rebel SL1 is, in fact, comfortably the smallest DSLR we've yet seen, and not and so far off 'SLR-mode' mirrorless models such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5.

Every bit attention-grabbing every bit the Rebel SL1's small footprint undoubtedly is, what's as impressive is that Canon has been able to retain near of the controls and features typically found on a Rebel-serial camera. A front punch and dedicated ISO, exposure compensation and AF/AE lock buttons are amidst the controls that volition be familiar to any Canon DSLR user. Its touchscreen is identical in resolution to that on the Rebel T4i and T5i, simply is fixed, rather than articulated.

The Rebel SL1 introduces version two of Canon's Hybrid CMOS AF organisation, originally seen in the Rebel T4i. While Canon is making no claims nearly focus speed improvements of its hybrid phase/contrast detect system, the new version covers a significantly greater portion of the alive view area (lxxx% of the area). This should make it a significantly more useful option than the version found on the EOS M and T4i.

Catechism Insubordinate SL1 / EOS 100D key specifications

  • Pocket-size form factor DSLR weighing 400g/14oz.
  • 18MP APS-C sensor with 14-chip DIGIC v processor
  • 'Hybrid CMOS AF 2' organization with 80% frame coverage
  • Continuous autofocus in movie style with field of study tracking
  • ISO 100-12800 (expandable to ISO 25600)
  • iv fps continuous shooting
  • 1080/30p video recording, monaural microphone (stereo input jack)
  • iii-inch fixed capacitive touch-screen (aforementioned every bit EOS One thousand)
  • nine betoken AF (central sensor is cross-type)
  • 'Creative Filters' image-processing controls, previewed alive on-screen

Compared to the Canon EOS Rebel 700D / T5i

This front view shows that the EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 is substantially smaller than the co-appear EOS 700D / Rebel T5i - itself not exactly a giant.
However, the Rebel SL1 retains the bulk of the external controls constitute on the larger camera. Although both cameras feature the same rear touchscreen, the Rebel SL1'southward screen is fixed, not articulated.
The top-plate controls are essentially the same also, but the Rebel SL1 simply has space for a mono microphone on the tiptop left shoulder. The offset shutter button may expect odd, but works well.

The Rebel SL1 achieves its notable size reduction without sacrificing much in the way of external command compared to the Rebel T5i. On the SL1 the button at the center of the iv-way controller does double-duty as both the Q card and Set push, and the surrounding buttons accept lost their dedicated functions. The SL1 has a lower chapters wink, with a guide number of 9m (versus 13mm on the 650D) and houses a mono versus stereo microphone, though it does retain a stereo mic input. And while the handgrip is not as deep as the one on its larger sibling, the SL1 however provides a distinctly DSLR handling experience.

Canon EF-S eighteen-55mm f/three.5-5.6 IS STM lens

Introduced alongside the EOS Rebel SL1 was the EF-Southward 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. This is the standard kit zoom for the SL1 and brings the total number of EF-S STM lenses to three, with a 40mm pancake and 18-135mm (both shown below) also on offer. Canon'due south STM lenses are designed to take total advantage of the Hybrid AF system found in the Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1. They offering serenity autofocus, helpful when shooting video, and full time manual focus. The 18-55mm lens has a close focusing altitude of 0.25m and a circular seven-bladed discontinuity. An internal focusing motor ways the lens does not extend while turning the focus band.

The Rebel SL1's Hybrid AF 2 system is designed to work optimally with Canon's three-lens STM lineup which consists of an 18-55mm, 18-135mm and fixed 40mm pancake lens.
Compared to the previous EF-S eighteen-55mm f/three.5-5.6 IS II lens, the STM version is slightly longer to adjust the internal focus organization, and has a 'proper' manual focus ring at the front end of the barrel that drive the focus group electronically. Every bit with the older design information technology's physically shortest in the middle of its zoom range, and extends on zooming either to 18mm or 55mm (click here for a comparison at 55mm).

The STM focus motor is extremely repose and, when using the optical viewfinder, impressively fast, offering a noticeable improvement over its predecessor. Just switch the camera to live view and, only like the eighteen-135mm f/3.5-v.six IS STM, information technology slows down significantly. This is unfortunate - Catechism'south live view AF system still distinctly lags behind the competition.

The filter thread on the STM lens remains 58mm. The inner-focus blueprint means information technology doesn't rotate on autofocus, and allows the use of an optional EW-63C petal-blazon lens hood (rather than the relatively ineffective bowl-type hood of its predecessor). As we'd look at this level, the lens mount is plastic. This is an EF-S lens, and then but fits on Canon'south APS-C cameras.

Preview video