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

Buy From

Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Canon SL1

  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon SL1 advantages over Canon EOS M

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.74 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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 EOS M

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL1
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All SL1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

  • Read our Canon EOS M 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 Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-C3

Canon SL1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon SL1
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon SL1
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Sony A58

Canon EOS M
Sony A58
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M 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-S1

Canon EOS M
Pentax K-S1
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

Compare Other Cameras?