The Inexpensive SL3 Is The Perfect Entry-Level Camera For Every Adventure

by Riley Eloise | Sep 7, 2023 | My Gear Recs

This post goes through a detailed review of the Canon SL3, weighing the pros and cons for it as the ultimate entry-level camera.

Embarking On Your Photographic Journey:

So, you’ve been snapping photos with your trusty iPhone, and while it gets the job done, the images fall short of the real thing, and the quality will never be enough for prints on the wall. Those breathtaking landscapes and stunning portraits you see on social media have you thinking, “Could I do that too?”

Many aspiring photographers reach a point where they crave more control, creativity, and quality in their photos…. And soon find themselves immersed in the world of photography. Searching for your first dedicated camera can be daunting. With a myriad of options, finding the perfect one can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to start capturing moments.

 In this review, I’ll explain why the Canon Rebel SL3 is the ultimate entry-level, beginner-friendly camera. While I’ve since upgraded, it served me very well as a first-time camera for over five years. I’ll do my best to keep things succinct and focus on real-world use.

NOTE: In some regions, the SL3 is known as the 250D

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links. It won’t cost you any extra, I may make a small commission on qualifying purchases. I only recommend items that I use and love*

SL3 Build, Design & Ease Of Use

• The SL3 is Canon’s lightest & smallest DSLR at only 14.18 oz (404g), making it perfect for traveling with. I loved how easily I could bring this camera with me everywhere without it weighing me down.
• Swivel LCD monitor, so you can shoot vlogger-style and still see what the camera is capturing. This feature is a dream for solo travelers who want a good photo without running back and forth twenty times.
• Easy-to-understand interface with just enough buttons to give you the control you want without overwhelming you. Choosing the newest, shiniest release can be tempting. But if you’ve never worked with a professional camera before then its many fancy features could leave you overwhelmed and unable to focus on learning the basics of photography.

Sl3 Image Quality

• The SL3 has a 24 mp image sensor. This is a decent size and you can make fairly large prints of your work should you want to.
• This is a CROP sensor camera, meaning it has a narrower field of view and ‘crop factor’. So a 100mm lens= 160mm, which is great if you’re like me and love snapping photos of wildlife.
• Image Format options include JPEG, RAW,  C-RAW, and JPEG + RAW simultaneously. But I recommend always shooting in RAW or at least JPEG + RAW
• Video Formats include Full HD time-lapse, 4K Time-lapse, HDR movie, HD, Full HD and 4K. I don’t take video as often, but the SL3’s video quality was great for an older model crop sensor. I won’t speak much more on the video aspects of this camera, since that isn’t my area of expertise. Rest assured, this offers everything a beginner videographer needs to start hands-on learning, and you won’t be disappointed with its recording quality.
• Your lens is crucial for low-light performance and color accuracy, true of any camera body you own. People often advise investing more in a quality lens & slightly less in your camera body (unless you don’t have a budget). I finally followed this advice a few months ago, and upgraded to my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and WOW did it make a difference (This is a pricier lens. I found a great deal on eBay so I’d advise checking there, but I was bidding for a few months before I got that deal. Until then the kit lens the SL3 comes with is all you need to start out)

SL3 Battery

• I’ve always had GREAT battery life on this camera, and it always lasts me the full day (though I’m careful not to keep it on when I’m not actively shooting, and I don’t use the monitor for most shots). For an entry-level camera, this is very impressive!
• It’s so good that I don’t even own a backup battery for it. As long as I charge it after a full day (a long, full day), then it’s good to go. I’d recommend a backup battery if you take a lot of videos.

Connectivity & Sharing

• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you can easily transfer your images to your phone. This is really nice for lightweight travel where carrying a laptop is impractical. Wireless transfer serves multiple purposes, from backing up photos to freeing up SD card space and enabling on-the-go editing with Lightroom on your phone. This feature is essential, providing peace of mind that your precious photos won’t be lost even if your camera equipment is stolen. 

SL3 Price

• SL3 Body only price comes in at about $649, and with the 18-55mm kit lens it’s about $749 on the Canon site, but you may be able to find cheaper options through places like eBay if you are patient and willing to put in your bidding time. An entry-level camera like this may be easier to find on sites like Ebay, as people slowly begin to upgrade as they grow as photographers. The links I’ve provided are for Amazon.

Performance

• For its price and size, the performance of this camera really is impressive. It’s got great image quality for an older model crop sensor camera, and its autofocus is great (For a beginner’s needs or for those doing mostly portraits and travel photos. More advanced photographers, especially those looking to capture wildlife, would not be satisfied with this camera’s AF, that’s part of why I decided to upgrade)

Overall Impressions

• If you are looking to get into photography or are an amateur photographer looking for the perfect travel camera, the SL3 really is the perfect choice. It’s lightweight and compact and will help you nail those travel photos. 
• At the end of the day, any of the cons with this camera won’t really be noticed by a beginner. Yes, the image quality isn’t magazine print-worthy and its autofocus won’t get you shots for national geographic, but if you get to that point in your career, you’ll be able to afford an upgrade. There is no need to break the bank for your first camera since it’s just the camera you will be learning on.

Conclusion

I owned my trusty SL3 for many years, and I wholeheartedly endorse it because I truly believe it’s a valuable investment for beginners. It’s been my faithful companion on journeys spanning the globe, a tool for deepening my understanding of the art of photography, and a means to venture into various types of photography. If wildlife photography hadn’t spoken to me most, I may have held on to my SL3 for several more years. Seriously, this camera gets the job done, you won’t regret making it your own!

These are the lenses that I used with my SL3, I’ll be doing reviews on them soon in my Gear Recs tab! The first two were the ones I used most, the last is a lens I just bought a few months ago (though I use it instead of my kit lens now)