Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D review

Small, light and easy to use

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Verdict

The compact proportions of the original EOS Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D meant it was a truly novel camera amongst its peers, but the slightly bulkier proportions of the EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D make it feel more like a slightly pared-down Rebel T7i / 800D than anything unique.  

So what else does the Rebel SL2 / 200D have going for it if it can't brag about its svelte dimensions anymore? Quite a bit, actually. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View is excellent, while the refined touchscreen control and vari-angle display all add to its ease of use. And that's not forgetting the guided user interface, which offers a more welcoming experience for new users. We'd have liked to have seen more AF points spread across the viewfinder, but the AF performance is very good for general photography. 

Do we have any other concerns? The plasticky finish and the absence of 4K video capture disappoint, but perhaps the main hurdle the EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D has to overcome is its price relative to the competition. Even if we just look at Nikon’s DSLR offerings at around the same price or less, you've got three capable options: the D3400, D5300 and D5600. And that’s before you consider mirrorless alternatives.

Competition

Phil Hall

Phil Hall is an experienced writer and editor having worked on some of the largest photography magazines in the UK, and now edit the photography channel of TechRadar, the UK's biggest tech website and one of the largest in the world. He has also worked on numerous commercial projects, including working with manufacturers like Nikon and Fujifilm on bespoke printed and online camera guides, as well as writing technique blogs and copy for the John Lewis Technology guide.