Why the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 Excels « NEW CAMERA

If you were stepping into photography in 2025 and thinking about getting a DSLR camera, while we know that mirrorless cameras dominate the market right now, DSLRs also remain a top choice for beginners due to their affordability, robust build, and access to a vast lens ecosystem.
Among all the entry-level DSLRs that I have used from the past 10 years, the Canon SL3 or the 250D or the 200D Mark II—it has several names depending upon the region you are living in—stand out as the best beginner DSLR of 2025.

Why choose a DSLR camera in 2025?

DSLR cameras still have some unique advantages, specifically for beginners—those who are looking for a great solution under budget.

Lens ecosystem: Canon EF and EF-S lenses are widely available, and they are way too cheap compared to the existing mirrorless lenses. Additionally, a wide range of third-party lenses for DSLRs is available on the market, which come at a budget-friendly price.

Battery life: DSLRs like Canon SL3 / 200D Mark II / 250D offer 1070 captures per charge, which is far better than any entry-level or mid-range mirrorless camera of today.

Affordability: Used DSLR cameras are way too cheap—the price starts from $450, compared to entry-level mirrorless cameras. Also, there are several refurbished and open-box deals available, so keep looking for those deals too.

Optical viewfinder: It provides a direct, lag-free view of the scene, and it’s an ideal thing for learning compositions while composing your perfect scene.

What makes the Canon SL3 / 250D / 200D Mark II the best beginner DSLR in 2025?

Using a Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus sensor: Despite being a DSLR, the SL3 camera uses a 24-megapixel DPAF CMOS sensor. The sensor itself has more than 1000 Dual Pixel autofocus points divided into 143 AF zones, which also enable eye autofocus tracking and 3D subject tracking. But the DPAF sensor is active only when you are using the live view display of the camera. If you are using the optical viewfinder or the OVF, you are getting the traditional 9-point autofocus system of the DSLR.

Superior image quality: Despite being a DSLR camera, the Canon SL3 / 250D / 200D Mark II is using a 24.1-megapixel DPAF CMOS sensor paired with DIGIC 8 image processor. Overall, the performance is very much usable and the sensor is still being used inside cameras like the Canon R100 mirrorless camera.

Other factors that impact well: Also, one of the major factors that will affect the purchase is the availability of lenses. With the Canon DSLR camera, we have a huge range of EF and EF-S lenses available, as well as third-party lenses too. At the very same time, the battery life of the camera is very strong, and you can capture up to 1000+ shots with a single charge. This is in no way possible with the new generation of hybrid mirrorless cameras. So literally, this camera is very much capable if you are a beginner photographer and looking for a great budget camera.

Affordability is the biggest factor in having this camera: If you are looking for an old DSLR too, then due to the durability factor, these DSLRs perform very well. At the very same time, the lens ecosystem is affordable, so overall getting your hands into the photography zone is not as costly as entering into the mirrorless zone.

Who should buy the Canon Rebel SL3 / 250D camera?

The Canon SL3 is highly suitable for absolute beginner photographers. If you are looking to have a perfect photography interchangeable lens camera in your hand, then the SL3 has the properties of a mirrorless camera as well as a DSLR camera. So it’s a true hybrid DSLR camera, since with the live view display, you will enjoy the full functionality of a mirrorless camera, and when you are using the OVF, it acts like a DSLR. As you know, it has a lot of budget lenses available, and the battery life is superb, so overall, for a beginner, this is the best camera you can have to practice or learn photography.

Is this camera suitable for recording 4K videos or creating content?

No, this camera is not that much suitable to create 4K content, since we have to face an excessive 1.4x crop while recording in 4K. And when you are recording in 4K, the Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus mode gets deactivated. In 4K mode, you will be getting the support of contrast-detect mode only, so the autofocus becomes slow and sluggish. While when you are using full HD video recording mode up to 60 frames per second, the DPAF sensor is very much active and tracks eyes, faces, and 3D moving subjects very well. So up to full HD video recording, the camera works like a champ.

The Canon SL3 camera is highly suitable for budget-conscious buyers who are interested in buying the best beginner budget DSLR camera.

Other factor that you should note: The lenses in which you are investing your money — the super budget lenses — are still usable with the new generation of Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras with the help of an adapter.

Where to Buy

• New: B&H Photo (~$750), Amazon (~$740).

• Used: eBay (~$450), MPB (~$460).

• Tips: Verify shutter count (<50,000) using Camera Shutter Count.

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