Canon T5i vs Canon SL1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon T5i vs Canon SL1

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon T5i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T5i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T5i.
Compare Canon T5i image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T5i conclusion.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon SL1 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL1.
Compare Canon SL1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon T6i
Compare T5i vs T6i

Succeeded by the Canon SL2
Compare SL1 vs SL2

Compare CANON T6I vs CANON SL2

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Differences

Canon T5i advantages over Canon SL1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Faster JPEG shooting
4.8 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon SL1 advantages over Canon T5i

Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL1 test data on DxO Mark T5i test data on DxO Mark

843 vs 681 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Bigger JPEG buffer
1140 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T5i User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL1 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T5i

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; 9 cross-type AF points; Stereo microphones; Built-in touchscreen; Multi-shot modes; Improved kit lens; Even more affordable.
Little-changed from the earlier T4i; Slow Live View and video autofocus; High ISO performance is unimproved; Below-average battery life; No dedicated AF illuminator.
Read our Canon T5i Review

Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).
Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon SL1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T5i

Canon T4i

$539
APS-C

Lighter weight

$700
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T5i vs Canon T4i

Canon SL1

Canon T4i

$549
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Lighter weight

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SL1 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Sony A57

Canon T5i

Sony A57

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony A57

Canon SL1

Sony A57

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon T5i

Pentax K-5 IIs

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5i vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL1

Pentax K-5 IIs

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony A58

Canon T5i

Sony A58

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony A58

Canon SL1

Sony A58

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Pentax K-500

Canon SL1

Pentax K-500

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-500

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