SL1 much of an upgrade from a T1i?

Hey, everyone, considering all of the good deals Canon has going, I am thinking about upgrading. My wife and I like the T1i, and have some pretty good glass (40mm pancake, 50 1.8, Sigma 17-50 2.8 HSM). The sigma was a nice upgrade from the 18-135(non STM), and we aren't really limited too much by the camera. Better low light would be nice, video capabilities(the T1i is pretty crude by today's standards), better AF, newer sensors, etc would all be nice. But, how much would the upgrade actually be? We could probably sell the T1i and 18-135 lens for close to what it would cost to get the SL1, and even the T5i wouldn't cost too much more than that. From everything I have been reading on many review sites and forums, is that the main advantage of the T5i is the 9 cross AF sensors, but I am not sure how much that matters. My wife says that if we upgrade, she wants it to be worth it(70D territory), but she is also cheap and doesn't want to spend the money. The SL1 is so cheap though!

Any thoughts from people who have spent some time with many of these cameras?

thanks

ergonomics will be a big downgrade as this body is REALLY small. I would say upgrade to the T5i for $379 that would be a large leap forward.
T5i would be better AF, faster FPS, a better sensor that is better at high ISO, flip screen that is touch screen that has continuous AF in movie mode.

I have to agree. I've owned the T1i and I now own the SL1 (along with several other bodies). I bought the SL1 *because* of its size. I wanted a small, lightweight rig. But it really isn't a big step up from the T1i in terms of specs or IQ. I don't do video at all, so I can't speak to that. I haven't owned a T5i, but just from what I've read, it's quite improved over the earlier T*i Rebel models.

BLD 25 wrote in post #17795794
Hey, everyone, considering all of the good deals Canon has going, I am thinking about upgrading. My wife and I like the T1i, and have some pretty good glass (40mm pancake, 50 1.8, Sigma 17-50 2.8 HSM). The sigma was a nice upgrade from the 18-135(non STM), and we aren't really limited too much by the camera. Better low light would be nice, video capabilities(the T1i is pretty crude by today's standards), better AF, newer sensors, etc would all be nice. But, how much would the upgrade actually be? We could probably sell the T1i and 18-135 lens for close to what it would cost to get the SL1, and even the T5i wouldn't cost too much more than that. From everything I have been reading on many review sites and forums, is that the main advantage of the T5i is the 9 cross AF sensors, but I am not sure how much that matters. My wife says that if we upgrade, she wants it to be worth it(70D territory), but she is also cheap and doesn't want to spend the money. The SL1 is so cheap though!

Any thoughts from people who have spent some time with many of these cameras?

thanks

Heya,

While technically it is an upgrade, the final output may not be any different realistically, making it potentially not worth it in a real world upgrade sense. You're not getting much of an increase in resolution to really make an impact with that. You are getting some better higher ISO usability, but this doesn't mean it automatically is better in low light, it still requires you shoot with a technique of high ISO use in mind (exposing to the right) and using good post processing to clean it up. It will have about the same AF frankly. And having a few more cross type AF points sounds great on paper, but it depends on if you use them or not, or if you're even telling the camera what to even use or leaving it in automatic selection mode, where it just has all points available and in use and it decides what to focus on, or if you're manually telling which focus point to use where you'll take more advantage of having those extra cross type points for improved non-center point focus. If you're letting the camera choose everything, mostly automatic use, then no, it will not be much of an upgrade frankly.

The SL1 is cheap for a reason. It's a decent enough camera, but it's truly very small, can't take a grip, no swivel screen, isn't any more modern than a T3i, and is really just barely a one step upgrade for you from your T1i. The T1i is a fine camera by the way.

If you really wanted a true upgrade, I would consider a lot of other options. A 70D refurb makes the most sense if you want an actual upgrade in every way, and not just an insignificant upgrade, but one that has substantial effect on the output even if you don't change your shooting habits or skill (mind you, it can still take a bad photograph... they all can). But it has the resolution, much improved AF, much much much improved build quality, other accessories/features like the screen, Wifi, MFA (this is huge if you get into fast or long glass), has modern video capability, and significantly better high ISO performance.

What you shoot, actually is more important to know.
And what you want out of the camera is more important to know (other than "low light" and "video"). Something more specific.

If you're not camera limited now, then I would definitely consider carefully if you really need a new camera.

Very best,

70D, same IQ as the T5i. Just more bells and whistles the casual photog may not need.

05Xrunner wrote in post #17795797
ergonomics will be a big downgrade as this body is REALLY small. I would say upgrade to the T5i for $379 that would be a large leap forward.
T5i would be better AF, faster FPS, a better sensor that is better at high ISO, flip screen that is touch screen that has continuous AF in movie mode.

Hmmm...okay, so I see in your sig that you have an SL1. Do you not like it? From what I have read, as far as sensors, etc, besides AF points(t5i having 9 cross types), that the SL1 is the same guts as the T4i/T5i.

M_Six wrote in post #17795801
I have to agree. I've owned the T1i and I now own the SL1 (along with several other bodies). I bought the SL1 *because* of its size. I wanted a small, lightweight rig. But it really isn't a big step up from the T1i in terms of specs or IQ. I don't do video at all, so I can't speak to that. I haven't owned a T5i, but just from what I've read, it's quite improved over the earlier T*i Rebel models.

so owning both, the SL1 isn't much improvement over the T1i? As I mentioned above, I thought the guts were mostly the same as the T5i, so what would make the T5i much improved?

MalVeauX wrote in post #17796061
Heya,

While technically it is an upgrade, the final output may not be any different realistically, making it potentially not worth it in a real world upgrade sense. You're not getting much of an increase in resolution to really make an impact with that. You are getting some better higher ISO usability, but this doesn't mean it automatically is better in low light, it still requires you shoot with a technique of high ISO use in mind (exposing to the right) and using good post processing to clean it up. It will have about the same AF frankly. And having a few more cross type AF points sounds great on paper, but it depends on if you use them or not, or if you're even telling the camera what to even use or leaving it in automatic selection mode, where it just has all points available and in use and it decides what to focus on, or if you're manually telling which focus point to use where you'll take more advantage of having those extra cross type points for improved non-center point focus. If you're letting the camera choose everything, mostly automatic use, then no, it will not be much of an upgrade frankly.

The SL1 is cheap for a reason. It's a decent enough camera, but it's truly very small, can't take a grip, no swivel screen, isn't any more modern than a T3i, and is really just barely a one step upgrade for you from your T1i. The T1i is a fine camera by the way.

If you really wanted a true upgrade, I would consider a lot of other options. A 70D refurb makes the most sense if you want an actual upgrade in every way, and not just an insignificant upgrade, but one that has substantial effect on the output even if you don't change your shooting habits or skill (mind you, it can still take a bad photograph... they all can). But it has the resolution, much improved AF, much much much improved build quality, other accessories/features like the screen, Wifi, MFA (this is huge if you get into fast or long glass), has modern video capability, and significantly better high ISO performance.

What you shoot, actually is more important to know.
And what you want out of the camera is more important to know (other than "low light" and "video"). Something more specific.

If you're not camera limited now, then I would definitely consider carefully if you really need a new camera.

Very best,

Thank you, I appreciate the long reply. I agree that we need to know more of what we want and lack before we do a big upgrade. While we are definitely not noob enough to just throw every camera on auto, we are still learning and appreciating all the functions. I recognize I am a technical guy, and I like lots of specs, bells and whistles. To be honest, the T1i seems to be quite an awesome camera. I would love to have more ability in low light, solid video performance, better more consistent AF, etc.

texkam wrote in post #17796073
70D, same IQ as the T5i. Just more bells and whistles the casual photog may not need.

It seems that if the T1i are same in IQ as people are saying, and the T5i and SL1 are same internals, and 70D and T5i are same IQ as you say, then what would the upgrade be?

Thanks to all

Is price a huge factor for you? You might want to step up to a 60 or 70D based on your replies.

yea its a nice little travel camera. I bought it mainly for video. But the images it takes are nice. its not fast as in shooting. but I am kind of use to my 1D3 so it might not be as noticeable comparing it to a T1i.

The upgrade from T5i to 70D
9point vs 19point AF
7fps vs 5fps
Better ergonomics with the top screen to see your camera setup for quick changes and glancing at. not relying on LCD screen to setup settings. I find that a bit of a PITA relying on the LCD to set my shooting settings.
Build quality improved
AF microadjust in the 70D
MUCH better viewfinder. larger and brighter and covers 100%
If you shoot video the Dual pixel AF is faster in the 70D

oh forgot those things
1/4000 on t5i vs 1/8000 max shutter on 70D
and 1/3 ISO stops on 70D vs full stops on the T5i

What are your shooting demands?

I went 1000D to T3 to EOS M to what I own now. I own and use both my SL1 and a 70D.

I love them both for different reasons. I like that the SL1 is small and it fits my small hands well. It's perfect for travel and for those times when you want to have a DSLR with you just in case. It has great IQ too. What is going to set them apart is the other specs like the auto focus system, the ISO increments, the flash sync speeds, max shutter speed, FPS, button layouts, menu layouts. Even if 2 cameras have the same sensor and are capable of the same IQ, different cameras will have advantages in different situations which will allow you to take photos that you wouldn't be able to take as easily with another camera. THIS is why you will get better "IQ" with one camera vs another, even if they have the same sensor.

If I had a T1i and the opportunity to grab an SL1 for the price they are now, I would do it. Before buying an SL1, I suggest handling one first. Comfort is very important if you plan to use it much. The SL1 ergonomics are a love/hate around here.

Size of a camera depends on ones hand size. There is no one size fits all. Do personally don't want a gripped 1dx. I surely wouldn't want to walk around all day with one on my neck.

BLD 25 wrote in post #17796313
so owning both, the SL1 isn't much improvement over the T1i? As I mentioned above, I thought the guts were mostly the same as the T5i, so what would make the T5i much improved?

There was a considerable time gap between owning those two bodies, so I never actually got to compare them side-by-side. In the mean time, my skills improved, so even looking at my T1i images vs my SL1 images doesn't paint an accurate picture. The SL1 does do low light better than the T1i and has more detail. But from a pure "bells and whistles" perspective, I don't think it's the better choice if you can budget for the T5i or a refurbed 70D. Especially if you plan on doing some video shooting.

My feeling on upgrades is that you get the best you can afford (i.e., take the biggest leap) so you won't be itching to upgrade again soon. The 70D is a huge jump over the T1i and will keep you busy learning to use it for a long time. Don't be afraid of refurbs. I have many (lenses and bodies) and have never had an issue with any of them. My SL1 and 7D MkII are both refurbs.

If you haven't done so already, sign up for alerts from Canon Price Watch. I snagged my SL1 and 7D MkII at fire sale pricing direct from Canon's refurb store thanks to CPW.

Many people that complain of grip size have the "my Schwartz is bigger than yours mentality".

Frodge wrote in post #17796361
Many people that complain of grip size have the "my Schwartz is bigger than yours mentality".

Not necessarily true. The first time I picked up a 5D III, I loved it immediately. It felt like it was made for my hand. I could hold that thing all day without my hand getting tired, which is decidedly untrue of my T1i. My fingers start cramping on the T1i after an hour, or so.

I never hold a camera for an hour straight. When I'm not using it I hang it on my arm or throw it back in the bag.