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Latest Canon EOS Rebel SL1 – world’s smallest DSLR

Posted: 23 Mar 2013 08:57 AM PDT

DSLRs offer fantastic image quality and photography experience, but the bulkiness and weight of DSLRs have always been a downer which have made more compact mirrorless cameras more appealing to those who don’t want to compromise. The latest offering from Canon DSLR however comes with no compromise, its technology packed and Canon also claims it to be the world’s smallest. Also known as the EOS 100D in some countries, the Rebel SL1 measures 116.8 x 90.7 x 69.4mm, and weighs only 407g, the SL1 is 25% smaller and 28% lighter than the T4i and 650D.

Despite its compact size, the Rebel SL1 packs a newly-developed 18 Megapixel CMOS APS-C image sensor with an ISO range of 100-12800 for high performance in both bright and dim light environments. It also sports DIGIC 5 image processor for speed and high image quality. The processor makes 4fps high-speed shooting possible. The compact DSLR eatures a new nine-point center cross type AF system for fast and sharp focus, and the system includes a new Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor to provide a wider AF area when shooting in Live View.

And as you would expect, the ultraportable SL1 includes Scene Intelligent Auto Mode but there are new Special Scene modes including Kids, Food and Candle to ensure the best possible photos under a variety of difficult shooting conditions. Effect Shot mode can automatically create two shots, one with selected creative filter and one without. You can even preview Creative Filters and Background Blur Simulation in real-time during Live View shooting. There are in-camera editing and cropping functions too.

The Canon Rebel SL1 supports full HD video recording and its Movie Servo AF allows autofocus tracking of moving subjects while recording video, that’s a feature that not even more expensive DSLRs with video recording can do. As you will be able to see in the video below, the three inch Clear View LCD display boasts multi-touch capability and an optical viefinder with 0.87x magnification. The Rebel SL1 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, including UHS-I cards are supported for storage.

Summary of key features:

Small form factor DSLR weighing 400g/14oz.
18MP APS-C sensor with 14-bit DIGIC 5 processor
‘Hybrid CMOS AF II’ system with 80% frame coverage
Continuous autofocus in movie mode with subject tracking
ISO 100-12800 (expandable to ISO 25600)
4 fps continuous shooting
1080p30 video recording, monaural microphone (stereo input jack)
3-inch fixed capacitive touch-screen (same as EOS M)
9 point AF (central sensor is cross-type)
‘Creative Filters’ image-processing controls, previewed live on-screen

Here are two images thanks to Dpreview comparing the Rebel SL1 to the T4i / 700D:

From next month, the Canon Rebel SL1 will be available in the US for $799.99 with a EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens or $699.99 for the body itself. We’ll keep everyone updated once UK pricing is announced.