The EOS Rebel SL2 (known as the EOS 200D outside of North America) is Canon's second-generation ultra-compact digital SLR. It's largely packed with Canon's latest tech, including Dual Pixel AF, a DIGIC 7 processor, Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth, and a new user interface for beginners.
While its small size may lead one to believe that it's an entry-level model, similar to Nikon's D3400, the SL2 actually sits above the bottom-end Rebel T6 (EOS 1300D), which costs $150 less.
The SL2's main competitor is the aforementioned Nikon D3400, which is just a tad larger and heavier. The SL2s' other peers are all mirrorless and include (in our opinion) the Canon EOS M5, Panasonic DMC-GX85 and the Sony a6000 which, after 3+ years on the market, is still competitive.
Key Features
24. 2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Dual Pixel autofocus (for live view and video)
9-point autofocus (through the viewfinder)
DIGIC 7 processor
3" fully articulating touchscreen LCD
5 fps burst shooting (3. 5 fps with continuous AF)
1080/60p video
External mic input
Wi-Fi with NFC and Bluetooth
Available 'Feature Assistant' user interface
Just about everything in that list is Canon's latest and greatest, and the external microphone input is a nice extra. The one feature that's not new is the 9-point autofocus system that you'll use when shooting through the viewfinder – it's identical to what's found the original SL1, which is over four years old. You'll get a much better focusing experience by shooting in live view, which uses Canon's excellent Dual Pixel AF technology.
Compared to. . .
The SL2 (left) is the mini-me to the still-small Rebel T7i.
First, let's take a look at how the SL2/200D compares to the step-up model, the Rebel T7i (EOS 800D). Here's what you get for another $200 (with kit lenses for both models):
45-point AF versus 9-pt AF
7500-segment RGB+IR metering versus 63-segment (from which we'd expect better subject tracking)
6 fps versus 5 fps bursts with S-AF
4. 5 fps versus 3. 5 fps bursts with C-AF
Significantly larger buffer
Color tracking for AF in Single AF as well as Continuous AF
Semi-transparent LCD in viewfinder that can overlay grids, different AF points, an electronic level, and more
Built-in flash can trigger wireless strobes
Does the average point-and-shoot user need any of that? Probably not. If you plan on gaining more experience in the world of digital photography or want a more robust autofocus system, though, the extra $200 might be worth it.
Now, let's take a look at how the specs compare between the the SL2 and the peers mentioned a few paragraphs earlier.
Canon SL2
Nikon D3400
Canon M5
Panasonic GX85
Sony a6000
Resolution
24MP
24MP
24MP
16MP
24MP
Sensor size
APS-C
APS-C
APS-C
Four Thirds
APS-C
Lens mount
EF
F
EF-M
Micro 4/3
E
Image stab.
Lens-based
Lens-based
Lens-based
In-camera
Lens-based
AF system (live view)
Dual Pixel
Contrast-detect
Hybrid
(Dual Pixel)
Contrast-detect
Hybrid
AF system (viewfinder)
9-point
11-point
N/A
N/A
N/A
LCD
3" fully articulating
3" fixed
3. 2" tilting
3" tilting
3" tilting
Touchscreen
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Viewfinder type/mag.
OVF / 0. 54x
OVF / 0. 57x
EVF / N/A
EVF / 0. 7x
EVF / 0. 7x
# control dials
1
1
2
2
2
Video
1080/60p
1080/60p
1080/60p
UHD 4K/30p
1080/60p
Wireless
Wi-Fi + NFC + BT
BT
Wi-Fi + NFC + BT
Wi-Fi + NFC
Wi-Fi + NFC
Battery life
650 (OVF)
260 (LV)
1200 (OVF)
N/A (LV)
295 (LV)
290 (LV)
360 (LV)
Dimensions (mm)
122x93x70
124x98x76
116x89x61
122x71x44
120x67x45
Weight
453 g
445 g
427 g
426 g
344 g
Strictly comparing the SL2 and D3400 you'll see that they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. While there are 'little things' like the type of LCD, viewfinder size and wireless functionality, live view autofocus is the main differentiator. It's simply no contest there with the SL2's AF system blowing away the D3400 in live view and movie mode.
With the exception of the Sony a6000, the SL2 is close in weight, and not far off in size, to the three mirrorless cameras in the group. All three of the mirrorless cameras have an additional control dial, making exposure adjustment quick, and their EVFs are larger than the optical viewfinders on both DSLRs. None of the mirrorless models can compare to the DSLRs in terms of battery life, but only when you're using the latter with their optical viewfinders.
. dpreview.com2017-9-20 17:17
