Canon Updates Two DSLRs

2017.06.30

Coinciding with International Camera Day, Canon has released the successor to two lesser known series of DSLRs.

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2, also known as the EOS 200D outside of North America, is a new small-form-factor DSLR which follows the excellent Canon EOS Rebel SL1 reviewed here already over 4 years ago. The SL1 is the smallest APS-C DSLR on the market and the new SL2 is just a few milimetres wider while featuring a completely new imaging pipeline and revised ergonomics.

The new Canon EOS Rebel SL2 is built around a 24 megapixels APS-C (1.6X Crop) CMOS sensor with Dual-Pixel CMOS which can perform Phase-Detect Autofocus at every pixel. This technology, unique to Canon, allows smooth focus transition when using Live-View and video capture. The sensor is paired with the latest Digic 7 processor to handle the larger amount of data from the 24 MP Dual-Pixel sensor and record full 1080p HD video at 60 FPS, up from 30 FPS for the SL1. The new sensor and processor combination allow the SL2 to shoot at 5 FPS instead of 4 FPS and has a full stop more sensitivity, reaching ISO 25600, expandable to 51200.

While the SL2 lost the essential high-start sensor, it gains WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1 LE and NFC capabilities. It also has a versatile but definitely fragile rotating LCD. The optical viewfinder still remains at 0.87X magnification with 95% coverage which is typical for an entry-level DSLR. To see the complete list of specification differences between the SL2 and SL1, use our Digital Camera Compare Tool.

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II follows the original 6D launched almost 5 years ago. The Mark II version is extremely similar to its predecessor, even inheriting its fatal flaw which make it unpopular in the first place. Externally, very little has changed other than the removal of the infrared receiving port in favor a 3-pin wired connector and a rotating hinge for the rear LCD. Besides those two changes, it would be extremely hard to tell the 6D Mark II and 6D apart.

Internal changes though are substantial. There is a completely new imaging pipeline starting with an all-new 26 megapixels Dual-Pixel CMOS sensor with Phase-Detect AF at every pixel. Just like the SL2, this lets the 6D Mark II focus smoothly and continuously during Live-View and video capture. The same Digic 7 processor also lets the 6D Mark II record full 1080p HD video at 60 FPS. The new sensor has a standard sensitivity range of 100-40,000, expandable to 50-102400, gaining only a little in the standard range. The 6D Mark II is much faster than its predecessor and can shoot continuously at 6.5 FPS rather than 4.5 FPS.

The dedicated autofocus system has been completely changed too. The 6D Mark II uses a 45-point All-Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF system when shooting with the optical viewfinder. Speaking of the OVF, Canon still cropped it in the Mark II version, albeit with 1% more viewing area, giving it 98% coverage. Still 98% is not 100% and that will certainly keep the 6D Mark II out of the hands of serious photographers. From Canon's perspective though, this 2% crop will keep serious photographers paying for the more-costly Canon EOS 5D Mark IV which is better in almost every way.

The 6D Mark II, like its predecessor, features a built-in GPS which records position and elevation, but not orientation like the 5D Mark IV. Its body is weatherproof and offers a hot-shoe but not a built-in flash. New to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is built-in Bluetooth 4.1 LE and NFC.

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 is expected to ship this August for $600 USD. The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is also expected to ship around the same time, although with a suggested price of $2000 USD.

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