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Canon M6 vs SL3

The Canon EOS M6 and the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 (labelled Canon 250D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2017 and April 2019. The M6 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the SL3 is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon M6
versus
Canon SL3
Canon M6   Canon SL3
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF-M mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60p Video 4K/25p Video
ISO 100-25,600 ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen Swivel touchscreen
9 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
295 shots per battery charge1070 shots per battery charge
112 x 68 x 45 mm, 390 g 122 x 93 x 70 mm, 449 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS M6 and the Canon EOS Rebel SL3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon M6 and the Canon SL3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The M6 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the SL3 is also available in two color-versions, but different ones (black, white).

Size Canon M6 vs Canon SL3
Compare M6 versus SL3 top
Comparison M6 or SL3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon SL3 is considerably larger (49 percent) than the Canon M6. Moreover, the SL3 is markedly heavier (15 percent) than the M6. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M6 nor the SL3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M6 112 mm 68 mm 45 mm 390 g 295 n Feb 2017 779ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon T8i 131 mm 103 mm 76 mm 515 g 800 n Feb 2020 749ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 387 g 305 n Oct 2020 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark II 120 mm 70 mm 49 mm 408 g 305 n Aug 2019 849ebay.com
6.
 
Canon M50 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 390 g 235 n Feb 2018 779ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
9.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M5 116 mm 89 mm 61 mm 427 g 295 n Sep 2016 979ebay.com
12.
 
Canon M3 111 mm 68 mm 44 mm 366 g 250 n Feb 2015 679ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T6i 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
14.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The SL3 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 23 percent) than the M6, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the SL3 uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 8) than the M6 (DIGIC 7), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Canon M6 and Canon SL3 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the M6 and the SL3 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the SL3 is much more recent (by 2 years and 1 month) than the M6, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon EOS M6 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

M6 versus SL3 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon M6 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.6131778
2.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
3.
 
Canon T8i APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.5187383
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.6193983
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark II APS-C 32.3 6960 46404K/30p24.013.5184883
6.
 
Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p23.813.3168481
7.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
8.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
9.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
10.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
11.
 
Canon M5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.412.4126277
12.
 
Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.8116972
13.
 
Canon T6i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
14.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
15.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the SL3 provides a better video resolution than the M6. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/25p, while the M6 is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the SL3 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the M6 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the M6 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-DC2. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon M6, the Canon SL3, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon M6optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon T8ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.5/s Y n
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 14.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon M502360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
10.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon M52360 n3.2 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
13.
 
Canon T6ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The Canon M6 and the Canon SL3 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M6 and the SL3 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS M6 and Canon EOS Rebel SL3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon M6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
2.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Canon T8iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Canon M50Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
9.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
10.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
11.
 
Canon M5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
12.
 
Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
13.
 
Canon T6iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
14.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
15.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
padding

The SL3 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the M6 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the M6 was succeeded by the Canon M6 Mark II. Further information on the features and operation of the M6 and SL3 can be found, respectively, in the Canon M6 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon SL3 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon M6 better than the Canon SL3 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS M6:

  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More compact: Is smaller (112x68mm vs 122x93mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 59g or 13 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2017).


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS Rebel SL3:

  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 8 vs DIGIC 7).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/25p vs 1080/60p).
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1070 versus 295) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (23 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the M6 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SL3 comes out slightly ahead of the M6 (7 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M6 06:07 SL3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon M6 and the Canon SL3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the M6 and the SL3 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon M6......80/1004/54/5 Feb 2017 779ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon T8i4.5/5+3/580/1004/53.5/5 Feb 2020 749ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M50 Mark II4/5..4/5..4.5/53.5/5 Oct 2020 599ebay.com
5.
 
Canon M6 Mark II..+4.5/585/1004/54/5 Aug 2019 849ebay.com
6.
 
Canon M50..+4/579/100..3.5/5 Feb 2018 779ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
9.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon M54/5+4/582/1004/54/5 Sep 2016 979ebay.com
12.
 
Canon M34/5o..75/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2015 679ebay.com
13.
 
Canon T6i5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
14.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Canon M6 vs Canon SL3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon M6 Canon SL3
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF-M mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2017 April 2019
    Launch Price USD 779 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Canon M6 Canon SL3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.72 μm 3.72 μm
    Pixel Density 7.22 MP/cm2 7.22 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 4K/25p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 7 DIGIC 8
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 78 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.4 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.6 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1317 ..
    Screen Specs Canon M6 Canon SL3
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.54x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon M6 Canon SL3
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 9 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon M6 Canon SL3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Canon M6 Canon SL3
    Battery Type Canon LP-E17 Canon LP-E17
    Battery Life (CIPA)295 shots per charge1070 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 112 x 68 x 45 mm
    (4.4 x 2.7 x 1.8 in)
    122 x 93 x 70 mm
    (4.8 x 3.7 x 2.8 in)
    Camera Weight 390 g (13.8 oz) 449 g (15.8 oz)
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