Canon EOS Rebel T5 / 1200D

The EOS Rebel T5, sold in some regions as the 1200D, is a Canon DSLR from 2014. Its APS-C sensor, optical viewfinder and EF-S lens mount make it a straightforward camera for learning photography with interchangeable lenses.

It weighs 480g and measures 130 x 100 x 78mm, so it is small and easy to carry. A built-in flash is on hand when the light fades indoors.

It also records Full HD video, so one body covers family stills and casual clips without needing a separate device.

The 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor works alongside a Digic 4 image processor, and the Canon EF-S mount governs lens compatibility.

The Optics score of 39 is limited, and the camera sits in the bottom 4% of cameras in our database for Optics. Continuous shooting reaches 3fps at most, and nine autofocus points are available. The modest burst rate suits steady subjects better than fast action.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 6400, so low light soon pushes settings toward the top of that range. The 1/4000s maximum shutter speed sets the fastest exposure available, which can restrict wide apertures in bright conditions.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so avoiding camera shake at slow shutter speeds depends on steady technique, a tripod or lens-based stabilisation if available. Framing is through an optical pentamirror viewfinder, which gives a natural view of the scene.

The camera records video at up to Full HD resolution, and its maximum frame rate is 30fps, with clips saved as MOV files. That resolution is enough for casual clips, family footage and simple vlogs.

The Video score of 43 is modest. There is no built-in timelapse function, and the 30fps frame-rate ceiling leaves little headroom for slow-motion, so creators who need either will need other tools.

The screen can be flipped, which helps when you are framing yourself or shooting from waist level. Live view also lets you compose on the screen instead of the viewfinder, which is handy for static, solo recording setups where you appear in front of the camera.

Handling centres on a 3-inch LCD with 460,000 dots. It is fine for framing and menu navigation, but images look less crisp on it than on higher-resolution screens, so zoom in when you check focus. There is no touch input; buttons and dials do the work.

Live view lets you compose on the screen when the viewfinder is awkward, such as when the camera sits low on a tripod or you want a precise edge-to-edge check.

Both a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external unit are fitted. You can start with the pop-up flash for casual fill light and add a stronger flash later without changing camera.

The Features score of 36 is limited: missing weather sealing, touch input and Bluetooth all cost points, and the screen's dot count earns little. GPS and Wi-Fi are absent as well, so there is no built-in wireless transfer.

A single SD, SDHC or SDXC slot handles storage. SDXC compatibility allows the use of large-capacity cards, but with one slot there is no in-camera backup copy of your files, so offload regularly on important shoots.

The LP-E10 battery is rated for 500 shots. Ratings like this depend on test conditions, so real-world endurance will vary with how you shoot; a spare battery is a sensible precaution for long outings.

There is no USB charging, so the battery cannot be recharged over a USB connection. The Storage & Battery score of 27 is limited, held back by the single card slot, the battery rating earning only partial credit, and the absence of USB charging.