• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 7D advantages over Canon SL2

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    19 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    19 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SL2 advantages over Canon 7D

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $1499
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,041 vs 854 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    7 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    668g vs 1467g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    29 mm vs 45 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; Rugged construction with magnesium body and weather sealing; Fast autofocus and fast burst rate of 8 fps; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • No dedicated AF-assist lamp (flash is used), and AF-assist adjustment is buried in the Flash Settings menu; Kit lens (28-135mm) isn't quite up to the resolving power of the 18-megapixel sensor, odd focal length for subframe DSLR; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Canon SL2
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon 60D

Canon 7D
Canon 60D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SL2
Canon 60D
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 7D
Nikon D7000
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon SL2
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D
Sony A77
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon SL2
Sony A77
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon 7D
Nikon D3500
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Top deck display
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
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