CANON 100D REVIEWS 2014

Billed as the world's lightest DSLR, the 100D crams an impressive specification within a petite body

The 100D positions itself between the entry-level EOS 1100D and 700D in Canon's DSLR line-up. Sharing the same 18MP APS-S Hybrid AF II CMOS sensor as the 700D. the 100D has a smaller shutter mechanism, thinner sensor module and smaller-footprint circuit board to make it the petite size it is. The sensor delivers an ISO range of 100-12.800 (expendable to 25.600) and supports built-in phase-detect AF pixels for continuous autofocus when recording HD video (1920 x 1080) at 30. 25 and 24fps. There's the option to record videos at 50fps (1280 x 720) and a 3.5mm mic port is also available beside the remote port. Despite its dense component layout. the 100D crams in a DIGIC 5 image processor that allows it to shoot continuously at up to 4fps.

Retaining Canon's EF-S lens mount, which allows the camera to be used with Canon EF and EF-S lenses. the EOS 100D features a nine-point array of AF points in a diamond formation with one cross-type AF point in the centre. Focus modes include Al Focus One Shot and Al Servo. with metering being looked after by the tried and tested 63-zone SPC metering system.

Turning to the rear of the camera. the optical viewfinder makes a refreshing change from the electronic viewfinders we're commonly used to seeing on CSCs of this size. Coverage isn't the full 100% but approximately 95% with a 0.87 x magnification. Below the viewfinder is a 3in. Clear View II TFT touchscreen, which boasts a 1040k-dot resolution. Just like the Lumix G6. it's the capacitive type, but is not the vari-angle kind meaning it cannot be pulled out or swivelled.

KIT LENS PERMORMANCE

Continuous AF (Al Servo) is snappy for stills with the 18-55mm f/3.505.6 IS STM lens attached, but when you switch to movie mode. autofocus operates in an entirely different way. The stepper motor within the lens (STM) combined with the 100D's full time Servo AF mode produces beautifully smooth focus transitions for video with the option to pause movie Servo AF using the touchscreen when you'd like to fix you AF point or reposition the AF point before telling the camera when you'd like it to refocus. it makes for an intuitive way of focusing during video recording. plus there's the added benefit of the STM motor in the lens being completely silent so there;s no threat of whirring autofocus noises affecting audio footage either.

The 100D's body materials are made from aluminium alloy and polycarbonate resin with carbon and glass fibre. This is an improvement on canon's entry-level DSLR. the 110D, that has a stainless steel construction and weighs 88g more. The finish is excellent despite its weight loss. it feels refined in the hand. thanks to a new rubberised material at the front section of the handgrip and at the rear where the thumb lays to rest. its doesn't feature weather-sealing. but manages to separate itself from canon's entry level plasticky designs we've seen in the past.

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