Canon EOS 800D 18-55mm IS STM Review
The Canon EOS 800D kit comes with everything but the kitchen sink. We look past the bundle to see if the older Rebel DSLR is still worth your money.
The 30-Second Version
This is an older Canon Rebel DSLR kit with a huge accessory bundle. The camera itself is fine for beginners, but the $1150 price is steep for the performance. Only worth it if you need all the extras in the box and don't mind dated tech.
Overview
The Canon EOS 800D, or Rebel T7i, is a classic entry-level DSLR kit. It comes with the standard 18-55mm IS STM lens and a massive bundle of accessories, from a tripod to filters and extra lenses.
At its core, this is a 24.2MP camera designed to get beginners shooting. The bundle approach means you get a lot of stuff in the box, but the camera itself is a known quantity that's been around for years.
Performance
Performance is a mixed bag, which our data makes clear. The autofocus lands in the 46th percentile, so it's fine for casual shots but won't keep up with fast action. The lens's optical quality is in the 36th percentile, and its aperture is weak at the 30th percentile, meaning low-light performance and background blur (bokeh) are limited. Where it shines is versatility, scoring in the 87th percentile, thanks to that zoom range covering wide to short telephoto.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The kit includes a huge bundle of accessories, so you have everything to start. 88th
- The 18-55mm zoom range is versatile for everyday shooting.
- The 24.2MP sensor delivers plenty of detail for prints and cropping.
- Canon's menu system and guided modes are great for beginners.
Cons
- The lens has a slow, variable aperture, hurting low-light performance. 22th
- Build quality and stabilization scores are below average. 27th
- Autofocus performance is merely average and can struggle with motion. 30th
- It's fundamentally an older DSLR design in a mirrorless world. 35th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 55 |
Value & Pricing
At $1150, the value proposition is weird. That price is high for an older Rebel body and kit lens. You're paying a premium for the extensive accessory bundle. If you literally need a tripod, bag, filters, and extra lenses day one, it's convenient. But if you just want the best camera for your money, you can get a newer mirrorless camera with a better lens for the same price, and buy accessories separately later.
vs Competition
Compared to modern competitors, it's showing its age. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 for Sony offers a faster, constant aperture and better optics in a similar zoom range. The Canon RF-S 18-150mm is a more versatile all-in-one lens for Canon's newer mirrorless cameras. Even the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 prime lens, while not a zoom, would give a Rebel shooter vastly better low-light and portrait performance for a fraction of this kit's price. This bundle makes sense only if you value the included extras over pure camera performance.
| Spec | Canon EOS 800D 18-55mm IS STM | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Nikon NIKKOR Z Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-55mm | 55mm | 35mm | 17-70mm | 24-70mm | - |
| Max Aperture | - | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | - | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | true |
| Weight (g) | - | 281 | 400 | 544 | 676 | 320 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | - | Wide-Angle Zoom | Wide-Angle Zoom | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS 800D 18-55mm IS STM | 46.4 | 26.6 | 37.9 | 21.7 | 34.6 | 29.7 | 87.5 | 37.9 |
| Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 81.1 | 89.1 | 67.5 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 87.8 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 63.4 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.5 | 37.5 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.3 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 87.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Compare | 46.4 | 71.6 | 72.1 | 72.4 | 97 | 54.6 | 85.4 | 87.8 |
| Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus Standard Prime Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 88.8 | 85.3 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 87.8 |
Common Questions
Q: Is this a good camera for low-light or night photography?
Not really. The kit lens has a slow aperture (scoring in the 30th percentile), which doesn't let in much light. You'll need a faster prime lens for better low-light shots.
Q: Can I use this for video?
It can shoot video, but the autofocus is just average and the stabilization is below par. For serious video, a modern mirrorless camera would be a much better choice.
Q: Are the bundled lenses (telephoto and wide-angle) any good?
Those add-on lenses are typically low-quality optics that screw onto the front of your kit lens. They're fun for experimenting, but don't expect sharp, professional results from them.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you want modern performance or plan to grow your skills quickly. If you need good low-light capability, fast autofocus for sports, or high-quality video, look at a newer mirrorless camera. This kit is a starter box that you'll likely outgrow.
Verdict
Buy this only if you are a total beginner who wants a single-box solution with every accessory imaginable, and you're committed to the Canon DSLR system. The convenience of the bundle is the main draw here, not the camera's cutting-edge specs.