Canon EOS Digital Rebel SL1
As expected, Canon today have released details of the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel SL1, the smallest, lightest, full DSLR available. While the main feature is the smaller size and lighter weight, this isn't a stripped down camera. It appears to have many (most) of the features of the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel T5i. Canon say that although the sensor is 18MP, like the current sensors in almost all the EOS APS-C DSLRs, it's been newly developed. As yet no details on how it differs from earlier sensors, though I assume it has AF sensor pixels embedded in it since it's using a hybrid AF system (phase and contrast detection) in video and Live View modes. The T4i has such a system too, but perhaps it's been refined in the newly developed sensor.
Noticeable differences between the T5i and SL1 are that the Rebel SL1 has a fixed LCD while the Rebel T5i has a tilt and swivel LCD. The Rebel T5i has a maximum fame rate of 5fps vs. the 4fps of the Rebel SL1. The Rebel T5i has a built in stereo microphone, while that on the Rebel SL1 is mono. The two cameras also use different batteries, the Rebel SL1 opting for the LP-E12 also used in the EOS-M. According to the specs, the viewfinder is slightly larger than that found on the old Rebel T4i (0.87x vs 0.85x)
I guess the smaller size and lighter weight move it closer to the mirrorless cameras, an area in which Canon are well behind the competition. It could certainly prove popular with those moving up from a compact digicam who don't want the size and weight of a more traditional DSLR.
- Compact and lightweight
- Newly-developed 18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor
- ISO 100–12800 (expandable to H: 25600) for stills and ISO–6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for videos
- DIGIC 5 Image Processor
- High speed continuous shooting up to 4.0 fps
- EOS Full HD Movie mode with Movie Servo AF for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects
- Video mode manual exposure control
- Multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 30p (29.97) / 25p)
- Built-in monaural microphone, with manual audio level adjustment option
- Video Snapshot with editing for expanded movie shooting options
- Touch Screen Wide 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II (approximately 1,040,000 dots)
- Smudge-resistant LCD coating
- Multi-touch operation with direct access to functions for setting changes and Touch AF
- Optical Viewfinder with approx. 0.87x magnification
- 9-point AF system (including a high-precision dual-cross f/2.8 center point)
- New Hybrid CMOS AF II, combines high-speed phase-detection AF and high-precision contrast AF
- Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
- Creative Filters that can be displayed in real time during Live View shooting.
- New Special Scene Modes including Kids, Food and Candlelight
- Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, including new Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards.
- Compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
The new Canon EOS Digital Rebel SL-1 can be pre-ordered from ADORAMA. It will ship as soon as Canon start supplying cameras to retailers and no charges are made until the camera actually ships to the buyer.
- Canon EOS DIgital Rebel SL-1 - $649.99
- Canon EOS Digital Rebel SL-1 with EF-S 18-55/3.5-5.6IS STM lens - $799.99
Here's what the Canon Press Release says:
The new Canon EOS Digital Rebel SL-1 can be pre-ordered from ADORAMA. It will ship as soon as Canon start supplying cameras to retailers and no charges are made until the camera actually ships to the buyer.
- Canon EOS DIgital Rebel SL-1 - $649.99
- Canon EOS Digital Rebel SL-1 with EF-S 18-55/3.5-5.6IS STM lens - $799.99
Canon U.S.A. Announces World's Smallest And Lightest DSLR Camera
New EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera Fuses Advanced Image Quality and Features into an Ultra-Portable Body
MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Continuing the quest to deliver superb product innovations, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the world's smallest and lightest DSLR* camera: the EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera. It features a newly developed 18.0-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and high-performance DIGIC 5 Image Processor for exceptional image quality and speed. With its combination of lightweight size, ease of use and outstanding image quality, the EOS Rebel SL1 is perfect for users looking for the ideal camera to bring sightseeing on vacation or to capture the everyday.
"The EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera represents a new era in DSLR versatility: ultra-portable, full-featured DSLR cameras," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The EOS Rebel SL1 combines the high speed, high image quality and expanded shooting range of a DSLR camera, with the easy and fun usability of a point-and-shoot camera."
Advanced Image Quality in a Compact Body
As the world's smallest and lightest DSLR, the new camera body is 4.6" (w) x 3.57" (h) x 2.74" (d), and weighs only 14.36 oz.** In comparison, the EOS Rebel SL1 is approximately 25 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the EOS Rebel T4i digital camera.The EOS Rebel SL1 features an 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor that performs exceptionally well in both bright and dimly lit shooting environments with an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to H: 25600) for photos and ISO-6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for video. Canon's DIGIC 5 Image Processor technology allows for exceptional image quality and shooting speed up to four frames per second (fps).
The camera includes a new nine-point center cross-type autofocus (AF) system to help achieve fast, sharp focus. The new AF system also includes a new Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor, which provides a wider focus area when shooting photos or video in Live View mode, and a continuous AF speed that's increased from previous EOS models.
To help capture video with ease, the EOS Rebel SL1 features Canon's Movie Servo AF, which provides continuous AF tracking of moving subjects. When shooting video with one of Canon's new STM lenses, such as the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (available in the standard lens kit), Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens' stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF. The camera is capable of Full HD shooting in a number of recording sizes and frame rates, and enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features. The combination of Canon's new Hybrid CMOS AF system II and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is ideal for shooting video helping to ensure only the sounds of the scene are recorded.
Allowing for clear and easy viewing even in bright environments, the Touch Screen three inch Clear View LCD monitor II provides a rich and expansive display as well as providing intuitive touch panel operation. Two finger touch gestures (multi-touch) can be easily used for zooming or changing images, accessing menu and quick control settings, and activating focus point and shutter release while shooting.
Creativity at your Fingertips
The EOS Rebel SL1 encourages users to explore their creative side with a wide array of features for convenience and simple shooting. The EOS Rebel SL1 is equipped with Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, an advanced function that detects faces, colors, brightness, movement, contrast, distance and other factors and automatically adjusts and selects the exposure method needed. The results are photos with a wide dynamic range, ideal for users without advanced photography knowledge or experience.Users can also access advanced imaging features like the new Effect Shot mode, which automatically creates two different shots, one with a selected creative filter and one without. In addition, Creative Filters and Background Blur Simulation can now be displayed in real time during Live View shooting. Editing photos is also a snap with the Rebel SL1's in-camera editing and cropping functionality. This feature allows users to view and crop the image using the camera's LCD touch screen and save the edited version as a separate file.
For those who would like to take beautiful photos with ease, the EOS Rebel SL1 offers a variety of scene modes to explore. New special scene modes include Kids, Food and Candlelight, giving users advanced presets to help ensure the best possible photos even under difficult shooting conditions.
Pricing and Availability
The new EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $649.99 for the body alone or $799.99 bundled with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens.