Review: Canon EOS 100D

Holding the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR camera in his hand, my colleague, a professional photographer, joked that the EOS 100D felt like a toy. But measuring 116.8 x 90.7 x 69.4mm and weighing just 407 grammes, there’s more capabilities to this camera than meets the eye.

Boasting an 18-megapixel APS-C Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor, the camera can shoot at a speed of four frames per second (fps) – lower than the 700D’s 5fps, but still reasonably fast.

The three-inch 1040K-dot touch screen is sensitive and easy to use, but the LCD screen does not flip, which was a slight letdown. Another drawback was that although the handgrip on the side of the frame is roughened, it is small, and so the camera is certainly not going to be easy handling for a person with large hands.

However, the settings and external controls on the 100D are far from undersized and mimic regular mid-range Canon DSLRs. The 100D also boasts an 1080p HD video option, which is accessible right next to the on/off switch.

We experimented with shooting videos in low-light conditions and were pleasantly surprised with the quality. Shakes were also limited, thanks to the efficient image stabilisation. With a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12800 (extendable to ISO 25600), you can shoot decently sharp images even in the night/poor-light conditions.

The creative filters on the 100D, such as black and white and fish- eye can be applied before and/or shooting images, and are a definitive plus. What’s more, this function is quick and easy.

Another positive is that the tiny camera is compatible with 75 additional Canon lenses.

All in all, the 100D packs a lot of punch for its size, and is a great (albeit pricey) buy for an amateur photographer looking to own a DSLR.

UAE Price: Dhs3,299, including a 18-55 lens.