Everything You Need to Know About Canon DSLRs

Are you thinking about buying one of the Canon DSLRs? Perhaps a holiday present for yourself? A DSLR is a great choice and it is very popular to hobbyist photographers, enthusiasts and pros.

Canon is one of the two major players in the DSLR market, the other being Nikkon. Canon’s range of DSLR cameras include models that are best for beginners, enthusiasts and professionals.

Canon DSLRs for Beginners

The beginner- level models are very easy to use for – literally – beginners, with no prior knowledge or training in photography. The cameras are intuitive with intelligent auto and scene modes that have settings made to make the most of wide range shoots.

• EOS 1200D / EOS Rebel T5 – The 1200D model is definitely a great choice for those who are highly considering their budget as a factor in making the purchase. It offers a great value for its price with great image quality, easy handling and access to the lenses and other accessories, and a classic design. Perhaps the only downside here is that this model is quite basic – in fact there are not a lot of flashy specs to boast of compared to its predecessor (the EOS 1100D). Regardless though, you can depend on this model to create beautiful photos.

SPECS: APS-C format CMOS sensor; 18.0 megapixels; 9-point autofocus, 1 cross type; 3fps continuous shooting; 3-inch 460,000 dots monitor; 1080p video

• EOS 100D / EOS SL1 – This is the smallest and lightest DSLR from Canon, but it still boasts of lots of great, upscaled features like its touch screen LCD. It uses the hybrid CMOS system that allows continuous autofocus when shooting a video. There is also a Scene Intelligent Auto Shooting mode that is perfect for beginners, which analyzes the scene you’re shooting by checking the brightness, contrast and color as well as detecting faces and movement.

SPECS: APS-C format CMOS sensor; 18.0 megapixels; 9-point autofocus, 1 cross type; 4fps continuous shooting; 3-inch 1,040,000 dots monitor; 1080p video

• EOS 700D / EOS Rebel T5i – This model is not as compact or light as the previous one. All 9 points of its autofocus points are cross type (compared to just one central point in other models). The battery lasts longer, and the maximum burst rate is faster. Another nice feature is the touch screen LCD that can do varied angles.

SPECS: APS-C format CMOS sensor; 18.0 megapixels; 9-point autofocus, 1 cross type; 4fps continuous shooting; 3-inch 1,040,000 dots monitor, touch sensitive; 1080p video

• EOS M – This is Canon’s only mirrorless compact camera in the market. It has a new lens mount, and without the mirror, the distance between the lens and the sensor is shorter. You will need an adaptor to use a regular Canon lens here. The camera’s design provides a size that is in between a DSLR and a pocket- sized camera. This model is best to shoot stationary subjects.

SPECS: APS-C format CMOS sensor; 18.0 megapixels; 31-point hybrid CMOS autofocus; 4.3fps continuous shooting; 3.2-inch 1,040,000 dots monitor, touch sensitive; 1080p video

Canon DSLRs for Enthusiasts

Models aimed at enthusiasts usually have more controls for advanced adjustments that allow a photographer with more expertise to change settings efficiently and quickly. There is also a secondary LCD on top of the camera so that the photographer can easily check on the settings. In addition, continuous shooting is typically faster and the build has better quality.

• EOS 70D – This model features a Dual Pixel image sensor at 20.2 megapixels. That means it has two photo diodes for every pixel, allowing for faster phase detection and autofocus. Its fully articulated touchscreen LCD provides faster focusing when you press any point in live view. Even the regular autofocus works great, with a 19- point module. There is a secondary LCD on top for easy access to the settings info and direct access buttons for the settings, as well as a built in WiFi.

SPECS: APS-C format CMOS sensor; 20.2 megapixels; 19- point autofocus, all cross type; 7fps continuous shooting; 3.2-inch 1,040,000 dots monitor, touch sensitive; 1080p video

• EOS 7D Mark II – This model replaced the EOS 7D with better features such as a higher resolution, faster continuous shooting and more advanced autofocus system. You can also tailor how the camera will respond to a moving subject, keeping the image sharp as it moves around the frame. The shooting scenarios can be helpful, but sometimes a bit complicated. It has built-in GPS for GEO tagging your location, but there is no built-in WiFi. It offers weather proofing too.

SPECS: APS-C format CMOS sensor; 20.2 megapixels; 65- point autofocus, all cross type; 10fps continuous shooting; 3-inch 1,040,000 dots monitor, touch sensitive; 1080p video

• EOS 6D – This is Canon’s cheapest full frame camera and the build quality is somewhere between the 70D and 7D Mark II. It has both built in WiFi and GPS. While there is no pop up flash, no Dual Pixel Autofocus, or even the basic hybrid autofocus system, the image quality is awesome just like a full frame camera.

SPECS: full frame CMOS sensor; 20.2 megapixels; 11- point autofocus, 1 cross type; 4.5fps continuous shooting; 3-inch 1,040,000 dot monitor; 1080p video

Canon DSLRs for Pros

The professional line of Canon DSLRs has no APS-C format models. These are also not compatible with the EF-S lenses used in APS-C format cameras.

• EOS 5D Mark III – This model brings a lot of upgrades over its predecessor, such as  its autofocus system. It features a DIGIC 5+ image processor and better sensitivity range, as well as a boost in speed. It has a dual card slot, and direct access controls that are more wide ranging. The body is well built, and the size and weight are very manageable.

SPECS: full frame CMOS sensor; 22.3 megapixels; 61- point autofocus, 41 cross type and 1 dual cross type; 6fps continuous shooting; 3.2-inch 1,040,000 dot monitor; 1080p video

• EOS 1D X – This model proves that higher resolution should be a priority for pro cameras. Its performance is awesome, thanks to the DIGIC 5+ image processor and 12 fps burst rate – which you can still push up to 14fps. Its standard range offers ISO 51200 and up to ISO 204800 when expanded. Although quite big and heavy, the body build and handling are great. It also offers superb image quality, even in very low light.

SPECS: full frame CMOS sensor; 18.1 megapixels; 61- point autofocus, 41 cross type and 5 dual cross type; 12fps continuous shooting; 3.2-inch 1,040,000 dot monitor; 1080p video

If you’re still stumped about which of these Canon DSLRs to get, consider doing a camera rent here at Aimimage.