Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D review

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

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Nikon D3500

Nikon's latest entry-level DSLR doesn't have a vari-angle touchscreen like the Rebel SL2 / 800D, but its proportions are similar, while the price is a lot more appealing. This is one of our favorite entry-level DSLRs right now, thanks to a brilliant balance of price and performance. 

Read our in-depth Nikon D3500

Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D

Further up the Canon DSLR range is the EOS Rebel T7i (EOS 800D outside the US). Compared to the Rebel SL2 / 200D, the Rebel T7i / EOS 800D benefits from number of extra features, including a much better 45-point AF system, while it's hardly any larger. 

Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D review

Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D

The EOS Rebel T6 (known as the EOS 1300D outside the US) is Canon's most affordable DSLR, and it's far to say that it's pretty basic in terms of the features on offer, but at almost half the price of the Rebel SL2 / 200D it's a great choice for those on a budget.

Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel T6 / EOS 1300D review

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