Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (250D)
Announced April 10, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is a compact and user-friendly DSLR that serves as an effective learning tool for beginners thanks to its helpful guide mode and intuitive touchscreen interface. While it delivers excellent image quality and impressive battery life, the camera struggles with a limited nine-point autofocus system when using the viewfinder and significant performance compromises in 4K video recording.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- High-quality stills and color reproduction
- Versatile vari-angle touchscreen
- Compact and lightweight body design
- User-friendly interface and helpful guide mode
Cons
- Crippled 4K video mode with heavy cropping and no Dual Pixel AF
- Dated 9-point autofocus system for viewfinder shooting
- Incompatibility with certain third-party flashes
- Lack of weather sealing
- Inconvenient battery and card compartment design
- Launch price $599 (USD)
- Sensor 24.1MP APS-C CMOS
- Video 4K 25p
- Burst 5 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 79/100
The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is a great option for beginners that are looking to get serious about photography. It's comfortable to hold, fun to use, and has a useful guide mode to help you learn photography's basics in real time.
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As such while the 250D / SL3 still offers a lot for the money, I’d look out for potential bargains on the older 200D / SL2 if you remain smitten on DSLRs, or if you fancy a full-time live view camera, go for the mirrorless EOS M50 instead.
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The Canon EOS 250D / Rebel SL3 is a generously featured, easy-to use entry-level DSLR that has plenty going for it. Overall image quality is very good, delivering vibrant colour images and enough fine detail to make large prints.
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When you need (want) the smallest camera possible, a camera ready to go everywhere with you, but do not want to give up DSLR features, including the excellent image quality these provide, the SL3 immediately jumps to the forefront of your options list.
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Don't get me wrong, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (250D) is a really fun camera to shoot with. It's a really enjoyable experience for a new user, especially as a family camera or first DSLR.
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The Canon EOS 250D offers a compact DSLR, with Canon’s typical, and excellent, colour reproduction. Noise performance is improved compared to other entry-level Canon, and Nikon DSLRs.
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[T]he Canon EOS 250D / Rebel SL3 continues the premise of its predecessors: a compact and affordable DSLR aimed at first-time buyers that’s step-up over the cheapest models while delivering what should be the best of both Worlds [...]
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There are two cheaper DSLRs in the Canon range than this one – the EOS Rebel T100 / 4000D which may not be around much longer and the EOS Rebel SL7 / EOS 2000D – but we reckon this EOS SL3 / 250D is a better buy than both of them.
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The Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is one the smallest SLRs available, but its autofocus system struggles with fast-moving subjects.
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The EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D blends a number of tried-and-tested features with a mount that accepts an endless array of lenses, and its small size, battery life and general performance are all solid.
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With the Canon ELS Rebel SL3, photographers get the basics in a tried-and-true form factor with a solid — if not overly sophisticated — set of features. And, thanks to its guided menu and built-in help, the SL3 is an excellent learning tool.
- Digital Trends 6/10
The Rebel SL3 is a fine DSLR camera but doesn’t stand out next to Canon’s new mirrorless options.
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A winner for beginners with in-built guides to show users around the camera and image effects reachable from within the camera itself. Decent stills resolution and 4K video make it suited for photography newcomers that want to shoot a bit of everything.
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Ideal for beginners looking to learn, vloggers wanting decent Full HD capture (including to camera with a 3.5mm mic), or progressing photographers looking to learn more.
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The EOS 250D continues that heritage nicely – it takes great images and supports a wild number of lenses that will allow it to grow with learning photographers. It’s usable, and its guide mode provides an easy way into the jungle of f-stops and shutter speeds.
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An ideal starter’s DSLR that can take lovely photos so long as you work within its limitations.
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The battery life on this camera is truly impressive, and that's probably the biggest thing that sets the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (250D) and the M50 apart.
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The EOS Rebel SL3 is an ultralight and inexpensive camera with great image processing, lens corrections and marvelous high ISO performance — but has crappy autofocus performance that can result in soft images.
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The way I see it, image quality within this camera is a graduated process in itself for beginners.
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Beginners shouldn’t have to compromise on quality and thankfully, the SL3 delivers on most fronts.
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[...] I really do like this Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (250D). It's going to be a great camera for beginners.
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[I]t's a great entry-level camera which is very user-friendly and offers any beginner photographer a great performance in photo, video, and autofocus.
