Canon SL1 Packs Big DSLR Features in a Really Small Frame

Updated: March 27, 2013

Signs of the new frontier of camera technologies are coming to light. With the recent release of Canon’s lightweight full-frame, the 6D, the signs have risen for the approach to small, lightweight, great performing cameras. Canon has announced yet another warrior to its lightweight fleet and it’s the Canon Rebel SL1/100D. The SL1 is now Canons smallest, most lightweight DSLR weighing in at only 400g. It’s 25% smaller and 28% lighter than the Rebel T4i/650D.

Actually, the SL1 pretty much IS a 650D. It has the same 18-megapixel APS-C sensor, both come with 9 autofocus points (1 cross-type), both have a touchscreen, both record 1080p video and both are expandable to ISO 25600. With differences in a new, smaller drive system, thinner sensor module, and a denser component layout which reduces the main board size. The SL1 also uses a smaller battery pack, a DIGIC 5 processor and is also compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses.

Personally, when I read about this announcement, I was really excited the Canon was releasing even cheaper, high quality DSLR that might possibly be used as a backup, or video only camera but that is not the case with the SL1. The SL1 is priced as much as the Rebel T4i at around 649.99. This is such a drawback seeing as the SL1 is pretty much the same camera but in a smaller package. The difficulty in selling this product is convincing the consumer to defer away from the T4i, which has an articulating screen, and go with the smaller SL1.

Canon had this product perfectly planned…until they began to price it. I could realistically see many photographers or videographers buy one of these for the sole purpose of a small back up camera or a second camera to film a certain object or different angle with. I was going to pre-order one myself actually, which is a difficult thing to do! A price point of around 400 dollars would’ve had any visual artist jump up and do the harlem shake! Seems like that time will just have to wait. Are any of the Tech Of Tomorrow viewers a big film and photo person?! What do you guys think about this camera? Do you see yourselves using this miniature thing? Let me know with a comment down below! Thanks guys.