Canon EOS 200D Rebel SL2 Review

The Canon EOS 200D is Canon’s replacement for the 100D and is one of Canon’s smallest Digital SLRs available. The camera features the same 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor as the 800D, with ISO25600 (extends to ISO51200), 5fps continuous shooting, Full HD, 60fps video recording, with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth. The 100D has now been discontinued.

Canon EOS 200D Features

The Canon EOS 200D is available with the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens, that was introduced with the 77D and 800D. The lens is an ultra-compact kit lens, that Canon says is the World's smallest non-retractable kit lens. The lens offers up to 4-stops of Image Stabilisation (IS), with improved optics, and a size that is just 61.8mm long. When used with the new lens, the camera is said to offer the World's fastest focus for APS-C ILC cameras at 0.03s (when using the viewfinder).

Nb. The Canon EOS 200D is also known as the Canon Rebel SL2 (outside Europe).

The 200D features a vari-angle touch-screen, built-in guided user interface, and improved battery life of 650 shots.

Updated on the 200D compared to the 100D:

• New 24mp Dual-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Increased ISO range (extends to ISO51200)
• 5fps continuous shooting
• 650 shot battery life (compared to 380 on the 100D)
• FullHD video up to 60/50fps
• Improved White Balance (Ambience, or White priority)
• New image processor (with additional lens correction)
• New graphical user interface with easy / guided mode
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built-in, connection button

The updates, with a new user interface, with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth makes the camera easier to use for beginners, as well as being more appealing to a younger generation with the camera being available in three different colours. With NFC, it's quick to make a connection to a compatible Android device, and Bluetooth is also available for low-power image transfers. 

The Canon EOS 200D is designed to be easy for beginners to pick up and use, without the traditional size of a DSLR.

FullHD video is recorded at 60fps, with stereo sound and a microphone socket. A lens with built-in optical image stabilisation (OIS) is recommended, as the camera does not feature in-camera image stabilisation. 

There is a microphone socket on the side, a flash hot-shoe on top, plus a built-in pop-up flash. The 3inch vari-angle touch-screen can be tilted forwards so that it can be used as a selfie screen, and the built-in guide can be switched on and off. You can watch a video, below, which shows the new guide mode, as well as the options available.

The 18mp Canon EOS 1300D is shown above, next to the new Canon EOS 200D.

Canon EOS 200D Key Features

• 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor 
• Dual Pixel AF
• Digic 7 image processor
• 9 AF points, centre-cross type (49 in live-view)
• 3inch vari-angle touch-screen
• 0.87x magnification Optical Viewfinder (OVF)
• ISO100-ISO25600 (extends to ISO51200)
• 5fps continuous shooting
• FullHD video at 60fps
• Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
• Built-in guide
• Available in silver, black or white

Canon EOS 200D Handling

The Canon EOS 200D has a much larger grip than the 100D, which makes the camera more comfortable to hold, and also makes the camera slightly larger than the 100D. The camera has a top command dial, for changing settings, such as aperture or shutter speed when in Aperture and Shutter priority. There's a built-in pop-up flash, and the layout of controls and buttons is similar to other Canon EOS DSLRs. The camera doesn't feel like a budget or cut-down camera, with the same lens correction, and white balance options as more expensive DSLRs from Canon, including a white-priority option for Auto White Balance. 

The new guided menu system can quite easily be switched off if you’re already used to Canon’s menu systems. If you’re not, the guided menu system is clear and easy to use, with brighter text and larger icons. If you go for the standard menu system, this is clear and well laid out, and you can use the touch-screen with both menu systems. The Q button gives quick access to settings, and these can also be changed with the touch-screen. The only interface that we’d like to see updated is the live view mode, where pressing the Q button brings up another method to change settings. 

The camera has a plastic construction, however, this shouldn’t put you off the camera, with the camera feeling and looking solidly built. As a testament to this, there are many older models still going strong today. If you’re moving from another EOS camera, then the layout of buttons and controls will be very familiar. The on/off switch features a third position, which switches the camera into video mode.

There is one control wheel on the camera, meaning you'll need to use the rear AV / +/- button to switch between shutter and aperture when in manual mode. 

The screen looks good, although the live-view refresh speed isn’t as quick as most mirrorless cameras, with a 30fps refresh rate. Using the touch-screen to change settings is easy, and the screen is very responsive to touch. Viewing angles are good, with a gapless screen, and being able to tilt the screen can make it easier to see what you are shooting.

There are 9 focus points, and these can be viewed in the optical viewfinder when shooting, or on the rear screen when using live view. You can even switch on display of focus points in playback mode so that you can confirm you focused on the desired point(s). In live-view, the focus area covers a large area of the image, and there is no penalty in focus speeds.

The optical viewfinder, whilst not the largest, features dioptre correction, and there is a soft rubber surround, making it comfortable to use both with or without glasses. 

Wi-Fi features - Setting up a connection to your smartphone or tablet is relatively easy. As the app, Canon Camera Connect guides you through the process making it as easy as possible for you. Once setup, it’s easy to transfer images over, as well as remotely control the camera. You can also use the app to add location information to your photos. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 650 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which is very good and an improvement over the 380 shots possible on the 100D. This should save you money, as you're less likely to need to invest in a second battery.