Although Canon’s EOS Rebel T7 / EOS 2000D and EOS Rebel T100 / EOS 4000D models, which are even more affordable DSLRs, are located down at the bottom of the company’s lineup, neither model left much of an impact on us when we put them through their paces during our testing.
Although purchasing either of those two cameras is still the most cost-effective way to enter the extensive EOS DSLR system – at least if one does not consider the option of purchasing a used camera – there is an additional choice that provides users with a few other accessories to play with as well as a little bit more room for expansion. And considering the consistent competition from low-cost mirrorless cameras, that can only be viewed as a positive development.
C $769.95
8 used from C $669.00
The Rebel SL3, also known as the EOS 250D and EOS 200D II, is a Canon digital single-lens reflex camera that was released two years after the very capable EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D that was released two years before it and quickly made its way onto our list of the best DSLR cameras. It was placed between the EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D and the more advanced EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D.
Most of the Rebel SL3’s primary feature set was one that we were already familiar with at the time of its debut; nonetheless, it was the first DSLR camera of any brand to provide 4K video recording at such an affordable price.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Features
The EOS Rebel SL3 is the newest Canon DSLR to get a sensor with 24 megapixels resolution in an APS-C format, just like its main competitor, Nikon. It is speculated that this is the same sensor included in the preceding Rebel SL2, and it also incorporates a Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, much like its predecessor did.
Phase-detection autofocus is the method that digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) generally employ when you look through the viewfinder. This technique focuses the camera by using the pixels in the sensor. The presence of this on the sensor enables the Rebel SL3 to achieve rapid focusing whether utilizing live view or when recording movies, two aspects of the camera’s functionality that we will investigate in further depth in the following sections.
The camera uses an EF mount, the same amount used for a long time in Canon’s EOS DSLRs. This mount is compatible with both EF-S and EF lenses. Your lens will be subject to a 1.6x crop factor because of the size of the sensor in the camera, regardless of the type of optic you choose to use.
Therefore, the EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens included with the camera as part of the default kit option offers an effective focal length ranging from about 29-88mm. Because there isn’t a comparable sensor-based system built into the camera, having lenses equipped with their Image Stabilizer (I.S.) designs is especially useful in this case.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Build Quality
The EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D is Canon’s smallest and lightest DSLR, according to the company’s marketing materials. The black version weighs 4g less than the black Rebel SL2 at 449g, and the white version is 5g lighter than the white SL2 at 451g, but all of these measurements include the battery and card. It is the joint-smallest of its kind. Its dimensions are precisely the same as those of the Rebel SL2: 122.4 x 92.6 x 69.8 mm.
Although Nikon’s D3500 model, which weighs 415g, manages to outweigh this, Canon’s Rebel SL3 is the lightest DSLR with a moveable LCD screen. Therefore, the title still goes to Canon. In any event, a difference that is so inconsequential shouldn’t be a deal-breaker; it is unobtrusive to carry around for lengthy periods due to its diminutive size and lightweight.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Autofocus
When looking through the viewfinder, the focus is taken care of by nine AF points organized in the standard diamond arrangement. It seems that this is the exact mechanism found inside the previous Rebel SL2, which is a little disappointing.
When the subject is close up, and you need a point to fall somewhere outside of the nine pre-determined positions, focusing can be a bit more difficult due to the low number of issues and their distance from one another; however, it does cover a reasonable portion of the frame, and it may be acceptable for static and more distant subjects.
It also doesn’t bode well for tracking moving subjects, which relies on points being closer together, and the fact that only one point is cross-type means the other eight are only sensitive to details in one orientation. This can typically be more of a problem against low-contrast and low-detail subjects. However, the camera does a surprisingly good job of finding focus against even relatively featureless issues.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Performance
The menu pad provided here makes navigating the menus relatively simple, and the fact that the menu itself is color-coded and easy to read makes things even more straightforward. Although you will have to pay a little bit more for a camera that has a dial on the back for quick menu browsing, using this menu pad makes navigating the menus relatively simple.
If you are a complete novice, you may even switch the camera to a guided mode, in which the graphical user interface (GUI) is made to be more appealing to the eye, and visuals and text assist in explaining what everything is and how to capture particular sorts of photographs.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Image Quality
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is similar to other entry-level Canon EOS DSLRs in terms of its photography capabilities, even though it is one of the most reasonably priced digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) currently available on the market.
Images are often adequately exposed regardless of the environment in which they were taken, be it outside, where there may be a contrast between the sky and the foreground, or inside, where there may be a range of highlights, shadows, and mid-tones.
As a result of the potential for a reduction in detail caused by densely cloudy skies, it is essential to remember to keep the Highlight Priority Option activated when shooting in these kinds of settings. Even on the Low level, the Auto Lighting Optimizer has a beneficial impact and should be left on for scenarios with a high dynamic range. This allows the shadows to be lifted just a bit, which makes the picture seem more balanced.
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Specs
| Body type | Compact SLR |
|---|---|
| Body material | Composite |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 26 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC 8 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (14-bit Canon CR2)C-RAW (compressed) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 9 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
| Scene modes | PortraitSmooth skinGroup photoLandscapeSportsKidsClose-upFoodCandlelightNight portraitHandheld night sceneHDR backlight control |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speed continuousSilent singleSilent continuousSelf-timerContinuous shooting after self-timer |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via wired or wireless remote or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1070 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 449 g (0.99 lb / 15.84 oz) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 93 x 70 mm (4.8 x 3.66 x 2.76″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes (videos only) |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Verdict
C $769.95
8 used from C $669.00
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D combines several tried-and-true features with a mount that accommodates a limitless diversity of lenses. The camera’s compact size, long battery life, and reliable overall performance are also strong points. These days, mirrorless cameras are all the rage, but if you’re bent on having a conventional setup, at least a model like this will provide you with a compact version.
