Canon SL1 vs Canon T7i

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon SL1 vs Canon T7i

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.

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

Go in depth with our full Canon T7i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T7i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T7i.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T7i conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SL2
Compare SL1 vs SL2

Succeeded by the Canon T8i
Compare T7i vs T8i

Compare CANON SL2 vs CANON T8I

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Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Canon T7i

Less expensive
$549 vs $899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Bigger JPEG buffer
1140 vs 148 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon T7i advantages over Canon SL1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

600 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
45 vs 9
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 8 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 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
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 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 SL1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T7i User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T7i

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm lens

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.
Read our Canon SL1 Review

Very good image quality; Improved dynamic range & high ISO quality over T6i; 45-point AF system; Fast Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Improved buffer depth.
Default JPEGs slightly soft straight out of camera; Dynamic range & high ISO still lags behind competitors; No 4K video.
Read our Canon T7i Express Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon T7i

Pentax K-5 IIs

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T7i vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to 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

Canon T7i

Sony A58

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T7i vs Sony A58

Compared to 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

Canon T7i

Pentax K-S1

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T7i vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Pentax KP

Canon SL1

Pentax KP

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax KP

Canon T7i

Pentax KP

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T7i vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7

Canon SL1

Canon T7

$549
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$464
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SL1 vs Canon T7

Canon T7i

Canon T7

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$464
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Canon T7i vs Canon T7

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