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Canon EOS Rebel SL1 photo samples

Unsurprisingly, the SL1 delivers the same image quality as the T5i.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
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1 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

Noise and JPEG processing, low ISO sensitivities

The SL1's JPEGs look clean up through ISO 800, but there's a big jump in softness between ISO 800 and ISO 1600. I thought that the fuzziness at ISO 100 and ISO 200 was camera shake caused by the mirror slap at shutter speeds below around 1/100 sec, but looking back at my T5i samples it's there at lower ISO sensitivities, too. It could be that the bouncy mirror affects both cameras, but at least the SL1 has a soft shutter mode that seems to improve things.
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2 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

Noise and JPEG processing, high ISO sensitivities

I wouldn't recommend shooting JPEGs above ISO 1600 with the SL1 unless you'll be using them at small sizes.
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3 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 100 JPEG

The kit lens and default Picture Style settings result in sharp but not oversharpened images. You can get better results on those high-contrast edges (like the pink on green) by processing raw, though.

(1/100 sec., f19, ISO 100, AWB, evaluative metering, 18-55mm STM lens at 51mm)
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4 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 400 JPEG

ISO 400 is the top sensitivity where you can get clean JPEGs. They're very good.

(1/125 sec., f2, ISO 400, AWB, spot metering, 24mm f1.4 lens)
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5 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 800 JPEG

You can see some color noise and mushiness in ISO 800 JPEGs. The fringing is the lens.

(1/50 sec., f1.8, ISO 800, AWB, spot metering, 24mm f1.4 lens)
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6 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 800, raw vs. JPEG

You can get better nosie-reduction results at ISO 800 by processing the raw files.

(Note that the fringing is the fault of the lens.)
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7 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 800, no noise reduction

The color noise is pretty fine-grained up through ISO 800.

(1/125 sec., f2, ISO 800, AWB, spot metering, 24mm f1.4 lens)
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8 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 1600 JPEG

You can see the loss of detail at ISO 1600. 13x19 prints look OK, though, if a bit soft.

(1/60 sec., f2.8, ISO 1600, AWB, spot metering, Sigma 35mm f1.4 lens)
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9 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 3200 JPEG

Notice all the hot spots (white pixels) not caught by the noise-reduction algorithm.

(1/100 sec., f4, ISO 3200, AWB, spot metering, Sigma 35mm f1.4 lens)
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10 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

ISO 6400 JPEG

This is about as large as I'd use the ISO 6400 JPEGs. Any bigger and the artifacts are quite noticeable.

(1/100 sec., f2.5, ISO 6400, AWB, spot metering, Sigma 35mm f1.4 lens)
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11 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

Color

The SL1 renders pleasing, saturated colors.
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12 of 12 Lori Grunin/CNET

Picture Styles

As usual, Canon's default Auto Picture Style as well as Standard deliver brighter, juicier colors than nature intended. Neutral is only slightly toned down a bit -- just a hair less saturated and with no sharpening applied -- but not as accurate as it used to be. Faithful is flatter (lower contrast) with no sharpening.

(1/100 sec., f5, ISO 100, AWB, spot metering, 18-55mm STM lens at 18mm)

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