Canon EOS Rebel SL2 - yet another beginner DSLR, or a quite sophisticated instrument? With this little camera currently selling for about the same price as the very-most basic Canon...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

With this little camera currently selling for about the same price as the very-most basic Canon DSLR - the T7
… does it really make any sense to even consider the latter, if your budget dictates only one or the other?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The T6 is the beginner camera. The SL2 may be used as a beginner camera but it is a well featured compact DSLR. I use my SL2 primarily for video. I often carry my SL2 along with my 5D_IV or my 5DSr because the video files from the SL2 are a whole lot easier to work with (they are smaller). Regardless of budget, I personally would not buy a T6 or T7 series DSLR but I do have both the SL2 and the SL1, which I bought several years ago.

BebuLamar

Chris I suggest that it would be an interesting read if you answer your own question. I am sure you can write a great post telling us why it's a beginner camera and why it's also a sophisticated instrument.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

BebuLamar wrote:

Chris I suggest that it would be an interesting read if you answer your own question. I am sure you can write a great post telling us why it's a beginner camera and why it's also a sophisticated instrument.

As a matter of fact, Bebu - I'd every intention of doing just that - but I wanted to get some opinions, first. There's an indication the smaller design makes it good to use as a "street" camera - whatever that means, but - it's priced the same as the T6/T7. So, it doesn't make a whole lotta sense, to go for the latter …

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

In many respects the SL2 is superior but in a number of other important areas it is no better. The SL2 also comes with the superior EFs 18-55 STM lens while the t7 appears to come with the earlier Mark II version of that lens. At the end of the day, for a beginner, it will likely come down to cost. The SL2 lists for $699, although its currently on sale for $599 until the end of March. The t7 lists for $449. So yes the SL2 package is better in a number of important ways, but t should be since the t7, at a $250 lower list price is a little less than two-thirds of the cost. For those non-beginners wishing to own a small kit for street shooting the choice is a no brainer. The SL2 is a better choice due to the superior lens, much better processor, and a rotating LCD touch screen, among other things.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

mwsilvers wrote:

In many respects the SL2 is superior but in a numb... (show quote)

So, it's temporary, then, huh, Mark? … Just saw the SL2 listed at $499 via Amazon …

You forgot to mention the F/A screen is Touch, too … find THAT in your basic T6/T7 …

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Chris T wrote:

So, it's temporary, then, huh, Mark? … Just saw the SL2 listed at $499 via Amazon …

You forgot to mention the F/A screen is Touch, too … find THAT in your basic T6/T7 …

The $100 off sale price for the SL2 kit will end at authorized dealerships on March 30th. With regard to the rotating touch screen, I edited my original post with that information about the same time that you were posting. The $449 Amazon price you saw is for the body only rather than for the kit which also includes the very capable ef-s 18-55 STM starter lens. Additionally, the grey market price you're seeing for the body is only slightly lower than the current sale price from authorized dealerships. My comments about the cost difference between the two kits is based on authorized dealership prices, rather than the grey market, and is accurate.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

mwsilvers wrote:

The $100 off sale price for the SL2 kit will end a... (show quote)

There are THREE $499 deals listed here >
https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-sl2/canon-sl2A.HTM

One's for Amazon, one's for Adorama, the other's for B&H ... still seems to me a far, far better deal than the one on the T6/T7 models, Mark ...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Chris T wrote:

There are THREE $499 deals listed here >
https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/canon-sl2/canon-sl2A.HTM

One's for Amazon, one's for Adorama, the other's for B&H ... still seems to me a far, far better deal than the one on the T6/T7 models, Mark ...

Those deals are ALL without the lens. Body ONLY!!! You have to read the fine print. The t7 however comes WITH a lens at $449. so, for an entry level package for someone unfamiliar with cameras or lenses, and for whom low price is paramount, the t7 KIT may be a better deal as a starter kit.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1461734-REG/canon_2727c002_eos_rebel_t7_dslr.html/?smp=Y&ap=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4fHkBRDcARIsACV58_FNrkfCCrfkxoGg3nReqgSnU8iSGeQ8i3zDhZG0SPE2nv9ZgyrbGd8aAgbpEALw_wcB

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Chris T wrote:

As a matter of fact, Bebu - I'd every intention of doing just that - but I wanted to get some opinions, first. There's an indication the smaller design makes it good to use as a "street" camera - whatever that means, but - it's priced the same as the T6/T7. So, it doesn't make a whole lotta sense, to go for the latter …

"Street" camera to me means:
It is relatively inconspicious,
It is responsive,
Easy to use,
and it is very easy, and comfortable, to carry around in just one hand.

For myself, if I was wanting to buy another body, a flip out screen is very handy (not necessarily for street photography), like the one on the SL2.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

RichardTaylor wrote:

"Street" camera to me means:
It is relatively inconspicious,
It is responsive,
Easy to use,
and it is very easy, and comfortable, to carry around in just one hand.

For myself, if I was wanting to buy another body, a flip out screen is very handy (not necessarily for street photography), like the one on the SL2.

Not only is it a flip-out screen (unlike the previous model) but, it's Touch, too, Richard …

If I was laying out $500 for a camera - the SL2 is the one I'd want - no matter how small it is!!!

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

mwsilvers wrote:

Those deals are ALL without the lens. Body ONLY!!!... (show quote)

You can get the SL2 refurbished with the 18-55 lens for the same cost, $449.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-rebel-sl2-black-ef-s-18-55mm-f-4-5-6-kit

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

BuckeyeBilly wrote:

You can get the SL2 refurbished with the 18-55 lens for the same cost, $449.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-rebel-sl2-black-ef-s-18-55mm-f-4-5-6-kit

And that is a great deal, but we were discussing the the relative value of the t7 vs the SL2 based on a number of factors including price. Unless refurb versions of the SL2 at that price are readily available to anyone making a purchase decision between these cameras then i don't think it's a relative factor in this discussion.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

mwsilvers wrote:

And that is a great deal, but we were discussing the the relative value of the t7 vs the SL2 based on a number of factors including price. Unless refurb versions of the SL2 at that price are readily available to anyone making a purchase decision between these cameras then i don't think it's a relative factor in this discussion.

Dude, I merely pointed out from YOUR first post of the t7 being available for $449, yet many on here were saying that overall the SL2 was the better one. So I took the high road and tried to imply that, ok, if someone is considering the t7 at $449, then why not get the better reviewed SL2 for $449? I hope that explains my post and that it meets your approval.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

BuckeyeBilly wrote:

Dude, I merely pointed out from YOUR first post of the t7 being available for $449, yet many on here were saying that overall the SL2 was the better one. So I took the high road and tried to imply that, ok, if someone is considering the t7 at $449, then why not get the better reviewed SL2 for $449? I hope that explains my post and that it meets your approval.

Your post certainly did not need my approval, and I'm glad you posted it as this information may be very useful to someone who may want to take advantage of getting the SL2 kit at a very good price while supplies last

To the best of my understanding this thread is about overall comparative value of these two bodies at their respective price points. Whether or not a few people might be able to take advantage of a lower refurb price on a very limited stock of SL2 cameras does not seem to me to be germane to the original purpose of this thread.

Although ChrisT might not agree with me, I think that discussion of the price for a limited number of essentially used copies of the kit, skews the numbers unrealistically.