• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $1499*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS R advantages over Canon SL1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Better color depth
    24.6 vs 21.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,308 vs 843 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $724
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A58

Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $724
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Sony A58
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $724
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-S1
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 5DS

Canon SL1
Canon 5DS
  • $724
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon SL1
Nikon D850
  • $724
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D850
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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