Canon’s new Rebel SL3 shoots 4K — a first for the EOS Rebel lineup

Mirrorless cameras may be all the rage, but Canon is still dedicated to their DSLR lineup. Their latest release, the EOS Rebel SL3 (or 250D depending on where you live), might convince a lot of people to give DSLRs a second look.

For those unfamiliar with Canon’s DSLR lineup, the EOS Rebel line is targeted towards beginners looking to get their first DSLR camera. Of that line, the SL- models are the smallest, lightest and most portable. Usually this has meant its features lag behind the more expensive cameras in the Rebel line but Canon just flipped that script in a big way.

The new EOS Rebel SL3 has many of the same features as the SL2 which came before it. This includes a 3″ tilting and swiveling LCD, 24.1MP sensor, ISO 100-25600 sensitivity, 9-point eye-detection autofocus, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It also retains the same small size and portability weighing in at only 15.84 oz (for comparison the Sony a6400 weighs 14.22 oz).

The big change that Canon made is the addition of 4K video recording. Besides Canon’s 5D Mark IV and 1D X Mark II the SL3 is now the only other 4K capable DSLR they offer. This was made possible by the addition of Canon’s new DIGIC 8 processor, the same one built into the EOS R full-frame mirrorless system.

Unlike the EOS R, 5D Mark IV and 1D X Mark II however, the SL3 lacks any in body stabilization as well as the ability to use Canon’s awesome Dual Pixel AF while recording 4K video. It also has an intense 1.6x crop factor giving you an effective sensor size that’s smaller than Micro Four Thirds. Still for only $599 ($749 with a lens) it’s pretty enticing. We’ll have to see just how good the video quality is when the SL3 starts shipping towards the end of April. Until then you can save $50 off the body only version and $100 off the lens combo if you preorder it through B&H.

Hopefully we’ll see Canon bring 4K video to their other cameras in the Rebel lineup later this year. A 7D Mark III with 4K video recording capabilities would be awesome.