Canon announces entry-level EOS R100 camera for $480
Canon has announced the EOS R100, the company's most affordable entry in the EOS R series. Aside from the more expensive EOS R50, the R100 is now the only other crop sensor camera in the series.
The EOS R100 uses the 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor borrowed from the EOS M50 Mark II. It includes Canon's Dual Pixel AF with 143 AF zones and face detection, and up to 6.5fps burst capture. The camera also supports uncropped 1080p video up to 30fps and 4K video up to 24fps but with a crop and only contrast-based AF.
Being targeted at first time camera buyers or those upgrading from a smartphone, the EOS R100 features Scene Intelligent Auto mode for ease of operation along with Creative Filters and a Hybrid Auto mode that also captures 2-4 seconds of video before every shot. There's also option to record vertical video for uploading to social media. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are included for ease of connection with a smartphone.
Aside from that, however, the EOS R100 is a very basic camera that may not excite those already into photography. Aside from the now old sensor and processor, the relatively slow burst capture rate of 3.5fps when using AF, and the limited controls with only one adjustment dial, the EOS R100 also makes a raft of other cost cutting measures. The OLED EVF is only 2.36M dot in resolution. The 3.0-inch LCD is only 1.04M dot, has no articulation and also lacks touch support. Storage is limited to a single UHS-I SD card, and there is no headphone jack to go along with the microphone jack. There's also no in-body stabilization.
The EOS R100 supports the EOS R mount, which is still relatively new and has very expensive lens selection, many of which cost more than the camera. Canon does provide the RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM in various kit options and also launched a new RF28mm F2.8 STM pancake lens but your lens selection options are still going to be limited and pricey.
Starting at $480 for the body and $600 for the kit options, the EOS R100 will be available in July. The RF28mm F2.8 STM will also be available in July for $300.