Canon announces EOS Rebel SL1, world's smallest and lightest DSLR camera

Canon Thursday announced EOS Rebel SL1, the world's smallest and lightest DSLR camera. The Canon EOS Rebel SL1 features an 18.0-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor in a body that measures 4.6" (w) x 3.57" (h) x 2.74" (d) and weighs only 407 grams.

"The EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera represents a new era in DSLR versatility: ultra-portable, full- featured DSLR cameras," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The EOS Rebel SL1 combines the high speed, high image quality and expanded shooting range of a DSLR camera, with the easy and fun usability of a point-and-shoot camera."

As mentioned earlier, the EOS Rebel SL1 features an 18-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor with an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to H: 25600) for photos and ISO-6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for video. The camera includes a new nine-point centre cross-type autofocus (AF) and a new Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor, which provides a wider focus area when shooting photos or video in Live View mode, and a continuous AF speed that's increased from previous EOS models. The camera is capable of shooting speed up to four frames per second (fps).

The EOS Rebel SL1 features Canon's Movie Servo AF, which provides continuous AF tracking of moving subjects. When shooting video with one of Canon's new STM lenses, such as the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (available in the standard lens kit), Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens' stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF. The camera is capable of full-HD shooting in a number of recording sizes and frame rates, and enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features.

The Canon EOS Rebel SL1 comes with a touch-enabled three-inch Clear View LCD monitor II and a Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, that detects faces, colours, brightness, movement, contrast, distance and other factors and automatically adjusts and selects the exposure method needed.

Users can also access advanced imaging features like the new Effect Shot mode, which automatically creates two different shots, one with a selected creative filter and one without. In addition, Creative Filters and Background Blur Simulation can now be displayed in real time during Live View shooting. Editing photos is also a snap with the Rebel SL1's in-camera editing and cropping functionality. This feature allows users to view and crop the image using the camera's LCD touch screen and save the edited version as a separate file.

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera is scheduled to be available in April in the US for an estimated retail price of $649.99 for the body alone or $799.99 bundled with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. India pricing and availability details remain unclear at the time of publishing this story.