Canon SL2 viewfinder

I just got, and returned, an SL2. I've always been quite happy with Canons and their lenses, and this seemed like a great little camera to update my system until looking through the eye-level finder. The image is dark and tiny, like early SLRs from the 1950s. The EVF is quite excellent, but chimping is not my style.

Unfortunately, I gave away my old camera in anticipation of getting the SL2, and now am left with a nice selection of lenses with no body to put them on. I'm not quite sure how to proceed.

How about a T7I? I would expect that the optical VF should be larger than the SL2. If not you may need to look at an 80D if you are used to larger midrange EOS cameras. I believe all these options have the same sensor so image quality should be the same.

I'm very surprised the viewfinder on the SL2 is so poor. I use an EOS 100 (SL1) as a lightweight alternative to my 1DX and 5D3 and have found the viewfinder bright and informative. Perhaps a good used or new SL1 is your answer if you are looking for a small DSLR.

I haven't heard the Canon SL2 is "dark and tiny", But I use a mirrorless camera with EVF ... bright and shiny

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

My daughter has an SL1, which I confess I do borrow from time to time, and, like Dave, have always found its viewfinder to be "bright and informative."

 

I realize that the Rebels use pentamirrors instead of true pentaprisms in their viewfinders, but I wouldn't expect this to make much of a difference autofocusing in good light. Manually focusing in poor light might be another story...

My old 400D has a pentamirror with different on focusing screen layout but the same degree of viewfinder brightness and image magnification as the SL1 and my new 750D. I have found each of these easy to use and bright enough for framing on autofocus, but unsatisfactory with manual focus, particularly when taking at full aperture, or using catadioptric / mirror lenses. I get focus wrong all the time.

With the later SL1/100D and 750D cameras, focusing is OK in live view, but not something I'm used to. I guess I will get used to it, but I appreciate your problem..

You could see if a pentaprisn EOS APS C like the 80D should be brighter, and Canon makes appropriate 1.2x viewfinder enlargers, and there are some independent wider viewfinder enlargers. Bit more expensive and I'm not sure how useful a 1.2x enlargement would be.

If I am not mistaken, the SL2 and T7i share the same pentamirror system. But that's such a personal thing only you can decide what you like best. Otherwise you need to "steup", so to speak, to a pentaprism model.

IMO, this was always a fundamental weakness with the Rebel line. As w/ james_elwing, using these w/ MF lenses is an exercise in frustration... But... it's par for the course when the size of the body starts to approach 'miniscule' ;)

I have run the 400d / RebelXTi for 10 years with two interchangeable batteries, each of which still functions. It has been satisfactory, reliable and af focus simple and accurate. Obviously the manual focus is an issue, but I didn't twig about magnification for some time because the viewfinder was bright enough. Yes, par for the course.

I use Leicas, so it weighs nix but 'miniscule', no; just reasonable size. An FF Canon with a big zoom is the size and weight of 2 house bricks; scary and dangerous.