Canon EOS 1500D review: A good option for a first DSLR

Canon’s previous entry-level DSLR, the 1300D, was launched about two years ago. Even though DSLRs do not get upgraded at the same pace as smartphones do, the 1300D was overdue for a replacement. The 1500D is the latest in their ‘four digit’ entry level DSLR range and it has a 24MP CMOS sensor.

On the exterior, there is no difference between the 1300D and 1500D. However, the 1500D is a few grams lighter (485g vs 475g). It is an all-plastic body but feels sturdy and well designed for an entry-level camera. The hand grip helps get a good grasp on the camera body and you even get a thumb rest on the back. There is a built-in flash with a dedicated raise button for it and you also get a hot-shoe to connect external accessories. The button layout is ergonomic and if you have ever used a Canon camera, you will feel right at home. The DSLR’s 3-inch TFT display is easy to read under direct sunlight – handy when shooting outside.

The main upgrade on the 1500D in comparison to the 1300D is the sensor. You get a new 24MP APS-C size sensor (1300D had an 18MP sensor) while the other specifications remain unchanged. Being an entrylevel offering, you get a Digic 4+ processor, 9 point autofocus system (1 of these is cross type) and a 3-fps continuous shooting speed. For first time users, this feature set is good enough to learn and understand how a DSLR works. If you already own a mid-range DSLR and are considering this as an alternative backup camera, you might want to reconsider.




Performance as an entry-level camera is good. Even at ISO 800, the noise levels are acceptable. Going to ISO 1600 increased the noise levels but the images were still good enough to be shared on social media. Autofocus is fast enough when using the viewfinder but switch to Live View mode and it really struggles. Camera has trouble hunting for focus as it only depends on contrast-detection – this is a common issue with most entry-level DSLRs. Video recording in low light is another area where the camera suffers — there was lack of details in videos and visible noise.

Battery life is claimed at 500 shots from a single charge — good enough for basic users in our opinion. There is also built-in WiFi and NFC. With the Canon companion app (available for iOS and Android), you can seamlessly transfer images from the DSLR to the phone. The good part is that once you have gone through the WiFi pairing setup, you do not need to do it again every time you want to transfer photos. What we did not like was that to enable the WiFi, you have to go deep in to the settings menu — a shortcut key would be a welcome addition for this function.

Overall, the Canon 1500D is a good option for anyone looking at their first DSLR and are stuck on a sub-?40,000 budget. If you can extend your budget, we would recommend skipping on the 1500D and opting for the Canon 200D which is available for ?44,000. It offers a superior Digic 7 processor, dual pixel autofocus system and a vari-angle flip touch screen.