14 DAY TRIAL // It is always just a matter of time before Canon, like every other technological product maker in the world, releases a new product. This once, though, the company chose to make a stronger impression than usual.
The short version of the story is that Canon has released the smallest DSLR camera in the whole wide world.
The somewhat longer version is that the company made some sacrifices in order to release this very small photo and video capture device.
Called Canon EOS Rebel SL1, it uses a smaller battery and grip than usual in order to reach a weight of only 14 ounces / 400 grams. It is about 30% smaller than other Rebel models.
An 18-megapixel APS-C image sensor is found inside, along with a hybrid autofocusing system (only one cross-type autofocus point). Photos and videos are previewed on a small touchscreen. Burst shots are captured in four frames per second.
“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 and 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.”
Overall, Canon's Rebel EOS SL1 is somewhat similar to the now defunct T41, just smaller and easier for those buying their first digital camera to warm up to.
It has a price of $649.99 / 649.99 Euro, or $799.99 / 799.99 Euro when a kit lens is included in the purchase (give or take).
The product will start shipping at some point near the end of next month (April 2013). That is when we will see if Canon really avoided image quality sacrifices when it miniaturized the design.
