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Canon EOS R100: two-minute overview
The Canon EOS R100 seems like a fairly dated digital camera in each sense, and it will really feel alien when you’ve solely used a smartphone digital camera earlier than. Nevertheless, do not decide a guide by its cowl – it really makes excellent sense for folks searching for a cheap camera, particularly for the household, and specifically for any budding photographers within the household.
That is the most affordable mirrorless digital camera which you could purchase new, and it is one which makes use of the identical 24MP APS-C sensor and dependable dual-pixel autofocus as Canon’s pricier fashions, the EOS R50 and EOS R10.
Naturally there are compromises. The construct high quality is fundamental, particularly the fastened rear display, which is not even contact delicate, and the video specs are dated too.
Nevertheless, after utilizing the EOS R100 for a lot of months my household has discovered it to be a wonderful little snapper, and an ideal match for small arms. Moreover, I really assume the EOS R100’s limitations are its power, particularly for first-time photographers.
With its old-school DSLR-style design, a viewfinder, and a rear display missing contact performance the EOS R100 is not making an attempt to compete with a smartphone, and this has led my youngsters to discover what every exterior management does, and consequently decide up some images fundamentals.
There’s been additional excellent news because the EOS R100 launched, too. Canon opened its RF-mount to 3rd events for manufacturing APS-C lenses, and Sigma has already seized this chance, launching RF variations of a lot of its glorious DC DN Up to date lenses that improve the EOS R100’s images chops, the place beforehand lens alternative for Canon’s mirrorless cameras was severely restricted.
I’ve significantly loved utilizing a quartet of Sigma f/1.4 prime lenses, that are all compact, light-weight, prime quality, and a very good bodily match with the EOS R100 – I might extremely suggest the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Up to date as a second lens after Canon’s 18-45mm package lens, which is fairly fundamental.
There’s part of me that also cannot heat to the EOS R100; however I am an skilled photographer, and it isn’t designed for me. It is my household which have actually taken to it and really used it – which is greater than I can say for a number of the devoted cheap kids camera we have examined, and pricier alternatives which might be difficult to make use of.
I felt like I can belief my youngsters with the EOS R100, they usually’ve taken some glorious photographs with it, taking the expertise to a different degree by (simply) printing a few of their favourite photographs utilizing a low-cost Canon Selphy printer. It is this type of optimistic engagement with artistic tech that I’ve all the time hoped my youngsters would have.
Canon EOS R100: worth and launch date
- The Canon EOS R100 and 18-45mm package lens launched for $599 / £669 / AU$1,099
- That bundle now sells for as little as $350 / £410 / AU$800
- It is out there body-only too, and in a twin lens package with the 18-45mm and 55-210mm lenses
I typically have associates asking me to suggest a primary digital camera for his or her younger youngsters / tweens, with a finances round $500 / £500, and naturally they’d reasonably purchase new. That leaves few different choices in addition to the EOS R100.
And that is precisely the purpose of this beginner mirrorless camera. The design is stripped again, it has fundamental construct high quality and a few of Canon’s earliest mirrorless tech, and it is mass produced, available, and offered on a budget. If basic images is your meant use and you do not want flagship energy, the EOS R100 nonetheless holds up nicely right this moment.
The digital camera was launched in Might 2023, and with the 18-45mm package lens it price $599 / £669 / AU$1,099. Nevertheless, since then I’ve seen some extremely good offers, particularly within the US throughout Black Friday 2024 and different seasonal gross sales, throughout which period the digital camera and lens worth fell to as little as $350 / £410 / AU$800. It prices even much less body-only – it is fairly merely the most affordable mirrorless digital camera you should buy new.
Canon EOS R100: specs
|
Sensor: |
24MP APS-C |
|
Video: |
4K 30fps / FHD 60fps, 4:2:0 8-bit |
|
Cont. capturing |
As much as 6.5fps |
|
Viewfinder: |
2.36m dots, 0.39-inch OLED |
|
LCD: |
3-inch fastened, no contact perform, 1.04m dots |
|
Battery (CIPA score): |
340 photographs (VF), 430 (LCD) |
|
Weight: |
12.5oz / 356g (physique solely) |
|
Dimensions: |
4.58 x 3.36 x 2.7 inches / 116.3 x 85.5 x 68.8mm |
Canon EOS R100: design and dealing with
- Canon’s smallest mirrorless digital camera, and a super match for smaller arms
- It incorporates a viewfinder and a hard and fast rear display that is not contact delicate
- Photos are recorded onto a single SD card
The EOS R100 appears like a shrunken-down model of Canon’s DSLRs of previous, solely with mirrorless tech beneath the hood.
It is snug to carry because of a pronounced grip, and its diminutive proportions are an ideal match for little arms – my youngsters, aged between 5 and 12, might all maintain the digital camera comfortably and simply take photographs with it.
A dinky viewfinder gives a transparent view of your scene for when it is in any other case difficult utilizing the rear display, akin to in shiny daylight.
Personally, I might reasonably the rear display a minimum of tilted for straightforward viewing from awkward angles – the marginally pricier EOS R50 incorporates a vari-angle touchscreen – though the fastened display was much less of a limitation for my youngsters, whose knees are reasonably much less creaky than mine.
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At first my youngsters had been thrown that the rear display did not reply to the touch – they’ve grown up with tech and are conversant in smartphones, and the digital camera’s display felt alien to them.
Finally, nonetheless, the dearth of contact performance brought on them to show their consideration to the EOS R100’s bodily controls, and I felt like this inspired them to they discover the digital camera extra, determining what every management and button did.
I initially called the camera ‘out of touch’ with learners, exactly due to its old-school design and non-touch display, however after prolonged use I’ve modified my thoughts – that is in reality a super digital camera with which to study images fundamentals.
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The physique is constructed from a sturdy plastic. It isn’t weather-sealed, however because it’s low-cost and feels stable I felt snug letting my youngsters get on with utilizing it with out intervening an excessive amount of, though I used to be additionally aware of its potential vulnerability in inclement climate and dusty outside areas.
As I am an skilled photographer, the EOS R100 is not sufficient for me – there can be far too many events once I’d miss having a sure management or a function at my fingertips. Nevertheless, for learners the EOS R100 makes loads sense.
Canon EOS R100: options and efficiency
- Canon’s unique dual-pixel autofocus is snappy for basic images
- Burst speeds are a reasonably common 6.5fps for steady capturing
- Video specs are fundamental – that is primarily a digital camera for stills
As you’ll be able to think about, Canon’s most cost-effective mirrorless digital camera is pretty stripped again in terms of options, and restricted in terms of outright pace.
It does, although, function Canon’s dual-pixel CMOS autofocus with face detection and human subject-tracking autofocus, which I discovered to be actually sticky and dependable for portraiture.
Must you want to make use of a unique autofocus mode, akin to spot AF, the convoluted course of includes diving right into a menu, whereas there is no joystick for speedily deciding on focus factors manually.
Canon’s newest autofocus system within the professional EOS R5 Mark II is one other degree, with a variety of subject-detection modes for animals and automobiles, sports activities precedence, the choice to retailer particular folks to prioritize, plus Eye Management AF – the 2 cameras are worlds aside. Nevertheless, for basic images, the EOS R100’s autofocus is superb.
The EOS R100 has rudimentary burst capturing speeds of as much as 6.5fps, with sequence lengths as much as 97 JPEGs or simply six raws – an motion images digital camera this isn’t.
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Video recording choices embrace 4K as much as 30fps, plus Full HD as much as 60fps; that is the minimal I might count on for a video-capable digital camera launched in 2023. Dig deeper into the specs and you will find that video recording is in 8-bit shade, which is way much less color-rich than 10-bit.
The digital camera has a hotshoe for attaching equipment akin to a flash gun. It is the extra fundamental 5-pin kind, that means not all of Canon’s flash weapons are supported by the EOS R100, so when you’re seeking to buy such an adjunct test that it is appropriate with the digital camera first.
- Options and efficiency rating: 3.5/5
Canon EOS R100: picture and video high quality
- Similar trusted 24MP APS-C sensor as pricier Canon cameras
- 4K video recording as much as 30fps, 8-bit shade
- No C-Log shade profile or ‘recipes’
There’s not an excessive amount of extra to say concerning the EOS R100’s picture and video high quality that hasn’t already been coated in our EOS R10 review – it has the identical potential for natural-looking photographs with Canon’s beautiful shade profiles.
This additionally means the EOS R100 can seize detail-rich photographs of comparable high quality to the likes of the Sony A6100, Nikon Z50 II and Fujifilm X-T30 II, all of which make the most of a sensor with a decision across the 24MP mark, which is spectacular contemplating that the EOS R100 is a less expensive digital camera.
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The entire photographs above had been taken with both Canon’s RF-S 18-45mm or RF-S 55-210mm.
Canon’s RF-S 18-45mm package lens does not fairly match the standard of Nikon’s 16-50mm package lens, whereas the RF-S 55-210mm lens, which is on the market in a twin-lens package with the EOS R100, is first rate with out overly impressing; element is just a little comfortable within the photos of geese, above, whereas bokeh within the cat portrait has an onion-ring impact.
To really elevate picture high quality, I’d suggest shopping for one other lens. The photographs included within the first gallery immediately under are made with a few of Sigma’s DC DN Up to date f/1.4 primes – the 16mm , 23mm and 30mm. Within the second gallery under, all of the photographs are made with Sigma’s 56mm lens, which is right for portraits.
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Video high quality is rudimentary. Sure, the EOS R100 can shoot 4K, however solely as much as 30fps and with 8-bit shade depth, which is not as wealthy as 10-bit, which cameras like Fujifilm’s X-M5 provide.
Flat shade profiles for video, which might give shade graders extra to work with when enhancing, are lacking too, as are customized profiles that may be uploaded to the digital camera, one thing that is out there with the Nikon Z50 II through Nikon’s Imaging Cloud
None of that is stunning given the EOS R100’s worth level and goal person, although, and we’re left with Canon’s acquainted vary of shade profiles which, fortunately, are higher than most.
- Picture and video high quality rating: 3.5/5
Canon EOS R100: testing scorecard
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
The most affordable mirrorless digital camera you should buy new |
5/5 |
|
Design |
Easy and fundamental DSLR-design with glorious ergonomics, particularly for little arms |
3.5/5 |
|
Efficiency |
Principally Canon’s unique mirrorless digital camera tech, and stripped again options |
3.5/5 |
|
Picture and video high quality |
Canon’s 24MP APS-C sensor and trusted shade profiles provide a stable place to begin for learners |
3.5/5 |
Ought to I purchase the Canon EOS R100?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Canon EOS R100: additionally take into account
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is arguably the best-value newbie mirrorless digital camera out there, with its retro-styling, a succesful 20MP sensor and excellent picture stabilization. As it is a Micro 4 Thirds digital camera an enviable collection of lenses can be found, and regardless of being launched in 2020 its tech is of an identical period to the EOS R100’s.
Learn our in-depth Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review
For a further outlay, the Fujifilm X-M5 is an excellent different for learners who wish to shoot video and far as photographs. The X-M5 is tiny, is supported by an excellent collection of lenses, and comes with a 26MP sensor that delivers 6K video. Nevertheless, like most different newbie mirrorless cameras, it is about twice the value of the EOS R100.
Learn our in-depth Fujifilm X-M5 review
How I examined the Canon EOS R100
- I picked up the EOS R100 greater than six months earlier than penning this overview
- Throughout that point each I and my kids have used it recurrently
- I’ve paired the digital camera with many lenses, primarily the RF-S 18-45mm package lens, but in addition third-party ones
This overview is a mirrored image of long-term testing over many months. And it isn’t simply my ideas and testing of the digital camera which have knowledgeable my ideas, as my youngsters have taken a eager curiosity within the digital camera too.
Initially, I used the digital camera with simply the RF-S 18-45mm package lens, however we have additionally tried out Canon’s RF-S 55-210mm telephoto zoom, plus 4 Sigma Up to date lenses – 16mm, 23mm, 30mm and 56mm f/1.4 primes.
We have primarily used the digital camera for taking photographs reasonably than video, capturing landscapes, portraits, wildlife, pets, closeups and extra.
First reviewed April 2025