As lovers of all issues cutting-edge right here at Stuff, we regularly give attention to essentially the most progressive, technically superior or daringly designed of devices. However there’s one thing to be stated for protecting the straightforward, inexpensive issues too – and that’s the thought behind the Canon EOS R100 mirrorless digicam.
This latest launch is the lowliest mannequin in Canon’s EOS R vary of interchangeable lens cameras, and at round $600/£600 together with a zoom lens it’s a really totally different beast from its subtle, costly siblings the EOS R7, EOS R6 and EOS R5. Seemingly designed for amateur photographers and videographers with a need to step up from smartphone imaging to one thing a bit extra concerned and regarded, it’s basically an inexpensive entry-level choice that gives the fundamentals however eschews superior options – and, as we’ll see, even some not-so-advanced options.
So what’s it? A refreshingly stripped-back snapper for the lots, or a throwback snapper for the trash heap? It’s time to seek out out.
Design & construct: petite and plastic
The Canon EOS R100 sports activities a traditional DSLR form however when you get it in your arms it’s surprisingly small and light-weight, even for a mirrorless mannequin, because of a primarily plastic construct. The equipped equipment lens is equally low in weight.
Light-weight isn’t at all times a plus level for mirrorless cameras, as you need them to really feel balanced and safe in your hand even with a heavy lens hooked up. Nonetheless, we don’t have too many complaints about consolation and ergonomics right here – at the very least when utilizing an acceptable lens. We did shoot just a few pictures utilizing Canon’s enormous and heavy 85mm F1.2 portrait lens (together with the one of many cat beneath, should you’re curious), and the steadiness was awkward to say the least. However should you’re utilizing a £3000 specialist lens with an inexpensive entry-level digicam you’re undoubtedly within the minority.
The bodily management format is pretty intuitive, however we do have just a few criticisms. The only management dial makes it laborious to regulate a couple of setting rapidly, which is able to frustrate customers who need to experiment by tweaking ISO, shutter velocity, aperture and extra. The video file cease/begin button can be tiny and barely laborious to succeed in, which looks like a poor design selection given the significance most individuals place on video in the present day.
There’s additionally a complete lack of contact controls, with the 3in display being a show solely. Whereas we’ve by no means positioned grand significance on the position of touchscreens on cameras like this, the flexibility to set an autofocus level with the faucet of a finger is undeniably helpful – and fully unavailable right here. The display can be mounted in place, unable to be flipped up or sideways to help selfie shooters. It feels outdated and old style.
There’s additionally an OLED viewfinder, which is a godsend on brilliant days when solar glare could make the display troublesome to make use of. It’s not among the many greatest, sharpest or brightest on the market, and its low magnification makes the picture look fairly small, however for an entry-level mannequin it’s completely superb.
Options & battery life: again to fundamentals
The display isn’t the one factor concerning the EOS R100 that appears primary and behind the instances. The USB-C port right here doesn’t assist energy provide or battery charging, making it helpful just for information switch. Which means you’ll have to carry a separate battery charger and cable together with you on longer capturing periods.
Fortunately the battery life is great, with the digicam CIPA rated for 430 photographs. We didn’t have to recharge it as soon as throughout our multi-day assessment, regardless of capturing dozens of RAW and JPEG pictures and many video footage.
Apart from the USB-C, connectivity consists of micro HDMI (for exterior show solely, not exterior recording) and a 3.5mm microphone port. There’s no headphone port, which isn’t too stunning on an inexpensive mannequin, however you do get single-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for cable-free picture switch, printing and management. Smartphone customers can fireplace up the Canon Digicam Join app and use their telephone like a distant management or share pictures immediately from the EOS R100 to social media.
As for storage, the digicam accepts a single SD card by way of a slot subsequent to the battery chamber. It solely helps UHS-I velocity playing cards, however we didn’t discover this affected efficiency too significantly.
Efficiency: discovering focus
To its credit score, the EOS R100 deploys a quick, correct hybrid autofocus system with the flexibility to recognise and mechanically monitor human topics (eyes, faces, heads and physique outlines are all shapes it will possibly spot). It does revert to merely distinction detection autofocus when filming 4K movies, which is a disgrace, and in contrast to sure different not too long ago launched cameras can’t recognise different topic varieties (animals, birds, bugs, automobiles and so forth.), however for primary on a regular basis use, portraits and road images the AF setup is greater than as much as the job.
There’s no in-body picture stabilisation (once more, not too stunning given the entry-level nature of the digicam), however lenses with optical stabilisation inbuilt will ship that – and it’s current on the 18-45mm equipment lens that comes bundled with the digicam. Capturing velocity isn’t unhealthy both, with JPEGs and RAW photographs supporting steady bursts of as much as 6.5fps. There isn’t an enormous buffer for RAW photographs captured like this (maybe the one means the UHS-I write velocity does detract from digicam efficiency), however for JPEGs you may seize a good quantity earlier than issues decelerate.
Picture high quality: superb pictures however mid vids
For us, the largest purpose to select the EOS R100 over your smartphone is its photograph high quality. Even with a budget equipment lens hooked up, its 24.1MP APS-C sensor and DIGIC 8 picture processor prove implausible trying nonetheless pictures with stunning colors and sharp element.
We expect there’s an analogue film-like high quality to the pictures that you just simply gained’t get from a smartphone with out intensive enhancing and tweaking. All of the samples we’ve posted right here had been shot in RAW and tweaked in Lightroom, however relaxation assured that the JPEGs that come straight from the digicam look implausible too.
Video isn’t so spectacular, sadly. The digicam can seize 4K video at 24 or 25fps, however doing so requires the aforementioned downgrade of the AF system in addition to a fairly extreme crop to the body. 1080p video makes use of the entire sensor floor, helps full hybrid AF and presents a large selection of body charges as much as 60fps, however there’s a noticeable hit to element and sharpness.
For those who’re a video fanatic who’s been utilizing your iPhone to seize 4K clips at a easy 60fps already, you may be questioning what the EOS R100 has to supply in the best way of an improve. There’s additionally nothing in the best way of 10-bit color depth, so anybody anticipating superior efficiency goes to really feel short-changed.
That stated, video high quality is under no circumstances unhealthy – it’s simply less than the extent of the nonetheless images aspect of this digicam.
Canon EOS R100 verdict
The EOS R100 is an efficient first interchangeable lens digicam as a result of its worth, portability and wonderful photograph high quality. Nevertheless, the digicam’s primary (or missing) options and uninspiring video performance means customers could rapidly discover themselves pissed off and hemmed in by its limitations.
It may be the best digicam to spark a brand new appreciation for images in customers transferring up from point-and-shoot smartphones, however anybody who develops a thirst for growing that appreciation right into a full-blown interest will most likely need to improve to one thing extra superior earlier than too lengthy.
Canon EOS R100 technical specs
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS |
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| ISO vary | 100-25600 (expanded) |
| Steady capturing | 6.5fps |
| Video recording | 4K/25, 1080p/60, 720p/120 |
| Display | 3in 1.04m-dot LCD |
| Viewfinder | 0.39in 2.36m-dot OLED |
| Storage assist | SD (UHS-1) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 3.5mm mic, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions | 116x86x69mm, 356g |
