ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Canon EOS R100 mirrorless digital camera is a good starter for aspiring photographers, and it is on sale proper now for $399, which is $200 off the common value.
- It includes a 24-megapixel sensor for excellent picture high quality and shade and may seize 4K (UHD) video at 24 frames per second.
- Sadly, it does not have a flip-out preview display screen.
It is a good time to be a photographer as of late, because it’s simpler than ever to entry nice cameras. Particularly, mirrorless cameras like Canon’s EOS R100. Certain, our smartphones are able to capturing fairly good pictures, however when you’re a real photographer at coronary heart, you are ultimately going to need extra out of your digital camera.
You are going to need extra flexibility in post-processing and, fairly frankly, higher picture high quality. Fortunately, Canon has a number of digital camera our bodies in its mirrorless product line, together with the R100: a compact mirrorless digital camera aimed on the newbie photographer who’s contemporary off their smartphone.
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The Canon R100 is likely one of the lightest digital camera our bodies you may discover available on the market, however do not let its weight idiot you into assuming it could actually’t create high quality photographs or video. It has an APS-C sensor which might seize 24 megapixels in addition to 1080p video at 60 frames per second. It is also able to capturing 4K (UHD) video at 24 frames per second.
While you’re simply beginning out in pictures, the very last thing you need to do is wrestle with flipping by way of menus, buttons, and dials. You need to begin capturing as quickly as potential to get used to the texture of the digital camera and its capabilities. Canon’s intuitive menu design together with its dial-and-button format makes the R100 a straightforward sale for brand new photographers.
Sure, it is compact, however the shutter button and rear buttons are proper the place they must be on your index finger and thumb, respectively. I’ve actually giant palms, so I battle with holding smaller cameras. With the R100, nonetheless, it solely took a couple of minutes for me to get used to the way it feels.
I am a agency believer {that a} digital camera has to really feel good in your palms; I do not care about its elaborate checklist of bells and whistles, it ought to simply “really feel proper” if you are going to shoot with it commonly. Canon does a great job with this.
Picture high quality
The picture high quality is on par with what I anticipated from a budget-friendly digital camera with a cropped sensor (APS-C). You will hear smartphone producers similar to Apple and Samsung boast having over 40 megapixels of their smartphone cameras, so when you’re not sure if a digital camera with solely half that may stand as much as them in high quality, the reply is a powerful sure. This is why.
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The picture sensor on this digital camera is a lot bigger than these in any smartphone, so the picture high quality will virtually at all times be higher. Listed below are two pattern photographs captured with the R100 in two barely totally different situations. Picture one utilized the equipment lens (18mm-45mm) that got here with the R100.
On this first picture, you may discover the picture high quality is fairly strong. I did not do any post-processing aside from adjusting the white steadiness. My canine Kylo seems fairly good right here. Even once I zoomed into the picture, I seen the noise wasn’t dangerous, contemplating I shot this in a shaded space on a sensor smaller than what I often use (full body).
The ISO was cranked as much as 3,200, so getting picture noise is nearly assured. Have a look at the primary picture and evaluate it to the zoomed-in model of the picture under. The noise is not a lot of a difficulty.
I captured yet one more picture, however I am going to admit, I cheated just a bit. Within the second picture, I connected an 85mm prime lens, which has a wider aperture for extra mild. Additionally, it is only a higher lens because of the standard of the glass.
I must also notice that I connected this lens onto the R100 by way of an RF to EF lens adapter. Most of my Canon lenses are EF mount, which is not suitable with the mirrorless our bodies except you utilize an adapter. With that stated, the R100 did a stellar job.
This 24 megapixel APS-C sensor did an amazing job in capturing tremendous particulars. Sure, I’ve a greater lens on the physique, however this additionally proves {that a} photographer can begin with this digital camera and improve to higher lenses over time till they’re prepared to maneuver onto an upgraded mirrorless physique from Canon. As within the first picture, I solely corrected the white steadiness. No different post-processing was carried out.
Video perspective
Capturing video on the R100 is easy, with full HD at 60 frames per second. That is nice for stay motion, however when you’re making an attempt to shoot one thing in a “cinematic flare,” again the body price all the way down to no less than 30 frames per second, ideally 24 frames per second.
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When you’re curious to shoot in 4K (UHD), notice that your picture will probably be introduced at a tighter focal size as a result of the video mode makes use of the middle of the APS-C sensor and never the complete working space. This might be an inconvenience, however not a dealbreaker for a digital camera on this prince vary.
When you’re questioning whether or not the R100 can be utilized for vlogging and livestreaming, the reply is sure and no. If you wish to vlog, you’ll be able to, however you will not be capable of see your self as there is not any flip-out display screen discovered on most vlogging cameras. Concerning livestreaming, you need to use the micro HDMI to attach the R100 to your pc by way of a seize card or an HDMI switcher similar to an ATEM Mini.
My considerations with the R100
I haven’t got many considerations. First, the shortage of a flip out display screen is slightly inconvenient. Flip out screens are helpful past simply vlogging functions. For instance, when you’re photographing one thing from a excessive or low angle, having the choice to rotate the display screen is tremendous useful in composing and framing your shot.
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Secondly, the APS-C sensor shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, however capturing video needs to be carried out within the highest decision accessible. Capturing in 4K (UHD) is an choice, however cropping in on the sensor does not give your 4K footage the look of fresh 4K video, only a 4K file dimension. On a constructive notice, the APS-C sensor is nice for capturing moon pictures with a full body telephoto lens connected. You will acquire a little bit extra attain in focal size by roughly 1.4x.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
When you’re an aspiring photographer trying to scratch the itch that your smartphone digital camera can not seem to fulfill, the Canon EOS R100 is a strong digital camera at a budget-friendly $399 (which incorporates the 18mm-45mm equipment lens). The starter lens is not one of the best, however you may positively see an enchancment over your trusty smartphone.
One other wonderful thing about the R100 is that it has the potential to develop with you as you purchase barely higher lenses, such because the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. This one provides a wider aperture, higher glass, and nice portraits proper out of the field. So, even with the addition of the 50mm lens, you are still below $1,000 spent for an amazing choice to get began with pictures.