Screenshot from YouTube video
In just another gatekeeping move on the photography industry, it seems Canon is trying to wring beginning photographers for all their money.
Canon's newest, beginning-level DSLRs (the $600 Canon SL3 and the $450 Canon T7/2000D/KissX90/1500D) are no longer compatible with cheap flashes.
Video That Unveils The Facts
Michael the Maven, a popular YouTube photographer, made this video showcasing the worst new feature of Canon's DSLRs.
Most DSLRs up to this point have a single metal pin in the hot shoe metal. You can think of this metal pin like a micro USB cable for phones, which ensures you can use your friend's charger regardless of what type of phone you have.
This metal pin essentially ensures everyone can use any brand of flashes.
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But, in Canon's new DSLRs, this pin no longer exists. This prevents major third-party flashes, like the very popular (and cheap!) options from Yongnuo, from being able to talk to your camera.
Photo by Paul Gaudriault on Unsplash
In the video, Michael also had some choice words for the megacorporation.
"I feel like Canon is playing games with their customers," he said. "(Canon) is engineering future frustrations into their cameras."
"Locking customers out from using hundreds of accessories... I think that's pretty messed up."
Alternative Options
Canon and Nikon kind of rule the market of entry-level DSLRs, and apparently Canon knows it.
If you're still looking to purchase a Canon DSLR, there are other options that will work with third-party flashes.
The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 is priced at $599.99 and is one of the more advanced options for beginning-level photographers.
The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 comes with all of these features:
- 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
- 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD with 1.040 million dots
- 1080p Full HD video
- 5 fps burst shooting speed
- Canon EF-S lens mount
Plus, it comes with Wi-Fi!
On the other hand, if you, like many of us, are upset with Canon for their decision to gatekeep photography for those who can afford it, Nikon has some good options as well.
We recently wrote about the Nikon D3300, which came out 5 years ago but is still a powerhouse for a beginning DSLR. It helps that it's priced at just $499.99.
The Nikon D3300 is equipped with a 24.4-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor. It also has an Expeed 4 processor and can craft 1080p Full HD videos, all while shooting up to 5 frames per second.
Plus, it has a Guide Mode for beginning photographers which helps you to become acquainted with the camera and photography as a whole.
For more beginning-level DSLR options, check out our article on the best entry-level DSLR cameras of 2019.
Learn More:
- Why This Sony Ambassador Just Quit Photography For Good
- 11 Things You Need to Know When Considering the Nikon Z7
Via PetaPixel