24.1 Megapixel APS C CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor Standard ISO 100- 6400 (Expandable to 12800)

EOS 1500D with 18 55 IS II

Overview

The EOS 1500D is one of two entry-level DLSR cameras announced by Canon on 26 February  to replace the EOS 1300D.  Designed for novice users who want better image quality than their smartphones can provide, the EOS 1500D and its cheaper, lower-featured sibling, the EOS 3000D come with Wi-Fi, Full HD 1080p video up to 30 fps and continuous shooting at up to three frames/second. Both models include 9-point autofocusing and Canon’s Scene Intelligent Auto mode for simple point-and-shoot photography.

Angled view of the new EOS 1500D with the 18-55mm kit lens fitted and the pop-up flash raised. (Source: Canon.)

The EOS 1500D represents a relatively minor upgrade to the EOS 1300D, distinguished from its predecessor mainly by the higher-resolution CMOS sensor, which is the same chip as used in the majority of Canon’s current entry- and mid-level DSLR cameras.

The DIGIC 4+ processor is unchanged and the 1500D also sticks with the older CR2.RAW file format; not the CR3.RAW format introduced with the EOS M50, which was announced at the same time.

The EOS 3000D slots in below the 1500D, retaining the 1300D’s 18-megapixel sensor but losing a number of what many would consider critical features. It has a smaller monitor screen, no separate on/off switch, no speaker and no dioptre adjustments for the viewfinder.

Its lens mounting is plastic, rather than metal and the built-in flash must be pulled up, rather than popping up via a spring-loaded switch. Canon says it’s built and configured for DSLR ‘first timers’. The table below shows key features of the three cameras.

Features

We covered the 24.2-megapixel APS-C sized sensor with fixed optical low-pass filter in our review of the EOS 77D, although in that camera it is paired with a more powerful DIGIC 7 image processor.  The DIGIC 4+ chip has been around since 2014 and was targeted mainly at small-sensor digicams designed primarily for point-and-shoot photography.

The speed of this processor has limited the camera’s capabilities to a maximum burst speed of three frames/second and Full HD   (1080p) video at a maximum of 30 fps. The native sensitivity range runs from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with expansion available to 12800.

Integrated Wi-Fi with NFC connectivity allow users to interface the camera with their smartphone via the Canon Camera Connect app, which is available for iOS and Android. Built-in feature guides provide pop-up descriptions of shooting modes or functions as they are selected to help users obtain the most from the camera. The four ‘Creative Filters’ that can be applied to images during playback haven’t changed since the EOS 1200D and comprise: Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Fish-eye, Toy Camera and Miniature.

The 1500D's video capabilities are much the same as the previous model's and, as is usual for DSLRs, you can only shoot video in live view mode. Clips are recorded in MOV format with the popular H.264 compression and Linear PCM audio recording. The table below shows the options available, along with typical recording times and file sizes.