• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SL2 advantages over Nikon Z7

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $3097
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    668g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon Z7 advantages over Canon SL2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.35 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Better color depth
    26.3 vs 23.6 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,668 vs 1,041 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Review Excerpt

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SL2
Nikon D3400
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon Z7
Nikon D3400
  • $2064
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon Z6

Canon SL2
Nikon Z6
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2064
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Nikon Z7
Nikon D3500
  • $2064
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon EOS R

Canon SL2
Canon EOS R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2064
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon Z7
Canon SL3
  • $2064
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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