Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera - 18-55mm Lens — main product image

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera - 18-55mm Lens

Canon

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera - 18-55mm Lens

Name: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera - 18-55mm Lens
Brand: Canon
SKU: 8575B003

★★★★★4.5 (653 reviews)

f/2.8

The smallest DSLR in Canon's lineup pairs an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor with touchscreen Live View for sharp, intuitive shooting on the go

$899.00*

Check availability

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Canon EOS Rebel SL1 was designed with a clear mission: deliver full DSLR image quality in the most compact body Canon could engineer. For photographers who value portability — street shooters, travelers, parents documenting family life, or anyone who wants a capable camera they will actually carry — the SL1 makes a compelling case. The 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor paired with Canon's DIGIC 5 processor produces images with the warm, natural color palette Canon is known for, with enough resolution for detailed prints and generous cropping latitude. The Hybrid CMOS AF II system brings phase-detection autofocus to Live View shooting, making the touchscreen a genuinely useful creative tool rather than just a review screen — tap a face or a product detail, and focus snaps into place with noticeably less hunting than contrast-only AF systems.

In the hand, the SL1 feels remarkably small for a DSLR — smaller than many mirrorless cameras with a grip attached. The build is primarily polycarbonate, which keeps weight down but means you will want to handle it with more care than a magnesium-alloy body in rough field conditions. The 3-inch touchscreen is bright, responsive, and smudge-resistant, making it comfortable to work with during extended Live View or video sessions. Through the optical viewfinder, the 9-point AF system is straightforward and reliable for deliberate, composed shooting, though the limited point spread means action and tracking work requires more technique and patience than higher-end bodies demand. For the photographer who values having a real optical viewfinder, interchangeable lenses, and Canon's color science in a body they can slip into a small bag alongside a prime lens, the SL1 remains a charming and capable tool.

Key Features

Compact and lightweight DSLR featuring a newly-developed 18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, ISO 100–12800 (expandable to H: 25600) for stills and ISO–6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for videos for shooting from bright to dim light, and high performance DIGIC 5 Image Processor for exceptional image quality and speed.

9-point AF system (including a high-precision dual-cross f/2.8 center point) for exceptional autofocus performance when shooting with the viewfinder; new Hybrid CMOS AF II, which combines the advantages of high-speed phase-detection AF and high-precision contrast AF, provides a widened Hybrid CMOS AF focus area for increased autofocus speed and accuracy when shooting photos and movies in Live View.

High speed continuous shooting up to 4.0 fps allows you to capture all the action

EOS Full HD Movie mode with Movie Servo AF for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects, manual exposure control and multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 30p (29.97) / 25p), built-in monaural microphone, manual audio level adjustment, and Video Snapshot with editing for expanded movie shooting options.

Touch Screen Wide 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II (approximately 1,040,000 dots) with smudge-resistant coating features multi-touch operation with direct access to functions for setting changes and Touch AF for an easy, intuitive experience and clear viewing when outdoors; an Optical Viewfinder with approx. 0.87x magnification makes subjects easier to see.

Specifications

Sensor

18.0 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C)

Image Processor

DIGIC 5

ISO Range (Stills)

100–12800 (expandable to 25600)

ISO Range (Video)

100–6400 (expandable to 12800)

AF System

9-point with dual-cross f/2.8 center point; Hybrid CMOS AF II (Live View)

Continuous Shooting

Up to 4.0 fps

Video

Full HD 1080p at 30/24/25 fps; 720p at 60/50 fps

LCD Monitor

3.0-inch touchscreen, ~1,040,000 dots

Viewfinder

Optical, ~0.87x magnification

Lens Mount

Canon EF/EF-S

Included Lens

EF-S 18-55mm

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Exceptionally compact and lightweight body makes it comfortable for all-day street shooting, travel, and casual event coverage without fatigue
Touchscreen Live View with tap-to-focus is intuitive and fast for deliberate composition, product photography, and video focus placement
Full compatibility with Canon's deep EF and EF-S lens ecosystem gives you a clear upgrade path from the kit lens to specialized glass
The 18-megapixel APS-C sensor produces clean, detailed files through ISO 3200 that hold up well for web publication and moderate-size prints
DIGIC 5 processing delivers natural color rendition with Canon's characteristic warm skin tones straight out of camera

👎 Cons

The 9-point autofocus system limits subject tracking accuracy, with only the center point offering reliable precision for off-center or moving subjects
4 fps continuous shooting is adequate for casual action but falls behind for sports, wildlife, or any scenario demanding fast burst capture
The optical viewfinder covers only approximately 95% of the frame, so you may find unwanted elements at the edges that were not visible when composing
No weather sealing means rain, dust, and moisture on outdoor shoots pose a real risk to the body and electronics
Battery life is modest for a DSLR — heavy Live View and video use drains the LP-E12 battery faster than viewfinder-only shooting

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Rebel SL1's autofocus perform for moving subjects through the viewfinder?

The 9-point AF system is functional but basic — the single dual-cross f/2.8 center point is noticeably more reliable than the surrounding points, so you will find yourself gravitating toward center-point-and-recompose for accuracy. For fast or erratic subjects, the 4 fps burst rate and AF tracking are workable but not on par with higher-end bodies.

Is the touchscreen useful for actual shooting, or is it more of a gimmick?

It is genuinely practical for Live View shooting. Touch-to-focus lets you tap your subject for instant focus point placement, which is faster than navigating AF points with a d-pad — especially for video work and tabletop product shots. It also speeds up menu navigation significantly compared to button-only interfaces.

Can I use full-frame EF lenses on this camera, or only EF-S lenses?

The SL1 accepts both Canon EF and EF-S mount lenses. Full-frame EF lenses will work perfectly with the 1.6x crop factor applied, which effectively extends the reach of telephoto lenses. The included 18-55mm EF-S kit lens provides a 29-88mm equivalent field of view.

How does the SL1 handle low-light situations?

Usable ISO performance runs through about ISO 3200 with acceptable noise for web and moderate print sizes. ISO 6400 introduces visible grain, and the expanded ISO 12800-25600 range is strictly for emergency use. The f/2.8 center AF point helps with focus acquisition in dim conditions, but the surrounding points may struggle.

Is this camera suitable for shooting video projects?

The SL1 records 1080p at 30/24/25 fps with manual exposure control and continuous Movie Servo AF, making it capable for short-form video, vlogs, and B-roll. The monaural built-in microphone is basic — you will want an external mic for any serious audio. The Hybrid CMOS AF II improves focus tracking during video compared to older Rebels, though it is not as smooth as Canon's later Dual Pixel AF systems.