redbeard1947

I have a canon 60d and want to add a body. I am looking at the sl1, the size intrigues me. I do mainly zoos and gardens. I have the following: 18-55, 50, 75-300, and 24-105. will the sl1 give me similar results? any opinions or comments would help.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

What kind of money are we talking about? If you shoot flowers you might be better off with a 100mm macro lens.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I haven't handled the SL1 myself but my son tried it, said it was too small for his hands and his are smaller than mine, definitely give it a feel before you buy, Bob.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I agree about trying the camera before you buy. I found a huge difference in comfort and appeal between the sx50 and the Nikon P510. If you're using the same lenses, though, probably won't be much difference in result.

There are always comparison articles online:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/canon/60d/vs/canon/sl1/

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The SL1 will give you nearly exactly the same results as the 60D (yes, with some improvement is pixel count and low-light performance). If you want a smaller camera, this an idea. If you want different images, consider a lens rather than another body with the same cropped-size sized sensor.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I shoot an EM1 and find the SL1 to be too small (funny, given that my EM1 is smaller). I think it has to do with thickness of the camera...the ergonomics just aren't there...go hold one.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I am curious why you want to add a second body? I also have a 60D plus several Rebels and a 6D. I really should off several bodies. I find that glass was my most improving addition. The 50 and L glass is strong. Longer glass could be improved.

To more directly answer your question the SL1is a great body for what it is. It should be price promoted in the next period of holiday.

J. R.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Having the controls in roughly the same place is a big advantage to a second body.

MikeFromMT Loc: So Cal & MT

I have an SL-1 and I love it. It fits me perfectly. I have a camera "GO BAG" (thank you Criminal Minds) with the camera and a bunch of STM lenses that I can just grab and go. Great for flights. That said, the pictures come out very good. Adequate ISO and speed. You will not regret the purchase but suggest you first handle the camera to see if it fits in your hand good. It is small. But that is the plus side of the camera.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The main appeal of the SL1 is it's small size and light weight. If those are important to you, then it might serve well. It uses the same 18MP sensor as your 60D. The SL1 is a newer model using a generation newer Digic 5 sensor, but only to provide 4 frames per second top shooting speed, while the 60D manages 5.3 fps with a Digic 4 processor. The 60D also has a larger image buffer, to be able to accommodate 16 RAW files in a burst, before it needs to pause to clear the memory. The SL1's buffer can handle half that, 8 RAW files.

In many respects, the SL1 is like a slightly lower specification version of your 60D. It has a slower top shutter speed (1/4000 vs 1/8000) and a slower flash sync (1/200 vs 1/250) and an overall lower specification shutter. To save size, weight and cost the SL1 uses a penta-mirror, with a 95% & 0.87X viewfinder versus the bigger brighter true pentaprism of the 60D that gives 96% & 0.95X.

Both use a 9-point AF, but in the 60D all nine are the more sensitive "cross type" with the center one an "enhanced" type with f2.8 and faster lenses. The SL1 only has one cross type at the center point, also enhanced with f2.8 lenses... but the other eight AF sensors are the simpler, slower single axis type. 60D has interchangeable focus screens, too, while SL1 doesn't.

Neither model offers Micro Focus Adjustment (as found on 50D, 5DII, 70D and all later, higher models).

The SL1 also cannot be fitted with a battery grip, while the 60D can use a BG-E9 to double battery power and provide verrtical controls.
The 60D has an articulated LCD screen, while the SL1 doesn't.... However the SL1's fixed LCD screen provides "touch controls", while the 60D's doesn't. The SL1 uses that single, rear LCD for everything, while the 60D has the rear one plua the secondary LCD on the camera's righthand shoulder providing readout of most of the major camera settings.

Controls are a bit different, too. SL1, like most Rebel series, uses a single dial and two-step process (push button/turn dial) to switch between setting shutter speed and aperture in manual mode. 60D, like most mid-grade and higher Canon models, provides more direct control access. This generally makes 60D faster to shoot with, compared to most Rebel models. (Note: the new T6s has 60D/70D style controls, a first for a Rebel series model.) The Rebel series tend to be a bit more designed around automated control, while the mid-grade and higher models increasingly put the photographer in control, as you move up the model line.

This is not to say that the SL1 isn't a very nice and capable camera,m as well a good value... It's just designed differently from the 60D, to be smaller and lighter, in particular, as well as more affordable. For someone who travels a lot, hikes, bikes and climbs mountains with their gear, it might be an ideal camera. For someone who shoots sports/action, it may not be the best choice. For "zoos and gardens" either camera would serve pretty well.

It sort of depends upon your purpose with the second camera. If you are shooting with both at the same time and quickly switching back and forth (perhaps with different lenses on them) it's very nice to have the same control layout such as a pair of identical 60Ds would give you. Or, if looking to use them for different purposes and to produce different results, it may make sense to use different formats to complement each other, such as a full frame model along with an APS-C model. Or, if one is going to primarily be a backup or an alternative for compact, lightweight travel, then different design models such as a 60D and an SL1 might make the most sense,.

Of course, 60D are a now-discontinued model that's largely unavailable new and rarely available refurbished, so a second one would most likely need to be bought used. The SL1 is still in production, so might be bought new, used or refurbished.

Ain't it great to have lots of options?