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Rent NowThe Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is an entry-level DSLR that held the distinction of being the world’s smallest and lightest APS-C digital SLR at the time of its 2013 release, designed for photographers stepping up from a smartphone or compact camera who want genuine DSLR image quality in an unusually compact, lightweight body. It’s positioned at the accessible end of Canon’s Rebel lineup, achieved through the downsizing of internal components like the shutter unit and CMOS package.
At the core of the SL1 is a newly designed 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 5 image processor, delivering an ISO range of 100-12800 for stills (expandable to 25600) and 100-6400 for video (expandable to 12800), allowing confident shooting even in dim lighting. Autofocus is handled by a 9-point AF system with a high-precision cross-type center point at f/2.8, providing reliable subject acquisition whether the camera is held horizontally or vertically, along with AI Servo AF for tracking moving subjects. Continuous shooting reaches up to 4fps, capturing bursts of 28 JPEG or 7 RAW files.
The camera’s Hybrid CMOS AF system uses phase-detect points covering roughly 80% of the frame to assist focusing during Live View and video, a meaningful improvement in Live View autofocus speed over older contrast-detection-only implementations. Video capability includes Full HD 1080p recording at up to 30fps. Metering is handled through a 63-zone, dual-layer system.
Handling centers on a 3.0-inch, 1.04-million-dot Clear View II touchscreen LCD, allowing for touch-based menu navigation, focus point selection, and shutter release, along with an optical viewfinder offering 0.87x magnification and approximately 95% frame coverage. The camera includes a built-in pop-up flash with a guide number of 9m, along with a stereo microphone input despite housing a mono built-in mic.
Build quality reflects the SL1’s compact positioning, measuring approximately 117 x 91 x 69.4mm and weighing about 370-407g depending on configuration, notably smaller and lighter than any APS-C DSLR before it, though it does not include weather sealing against dust and moisture. The SL1 uses Canon’s EF/EF-S lens mount, giving it access to Canon’s full range of EF and EF-S lenses. It does not include built-in Wi-Fi or GPS.
Key Features
– 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 image processor
– 9-point AF system with cross-type f/2.8 center point
– Hybrid CMOS AF (phase-detect assist for Live View/video, ~80% frame coverage)
– Up to 4fps continuous shooting
– 63-zone dual-layer metering system
– Full HD 1080p video up to 30fps
– 3.0″ 1.04M-dot Clear View II touchscreen LCD
– Optical viewfinder (0.87x magnification, ~95% coverage)
– Built-in pop-up flash and stereo microphone input
– World’s smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR at release (~370-407g)
– No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS
– Canon EF/EF-S lens mount
