Canon announces the launch of the EOS R100, the latest addition to its APS-C mirrorless offerings. The camera is set to join the ongoing EOS R series in July at a starting price of $479.99 for the body only. The kit package includes an RF-S 18–45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens and is being sold for $599.99. Another package that includes an RF-S 55–210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM telephoto lens along with the aforementioned RF-S 18–45mm lens is being sold for $829.99. The R100 features a 24.1-megapixel sensor, eye-tracking dual pixel autofocus, and a compact size.
The announcement has created a buzz in the market since the R100 is quite similar to the EOS M50 Mark II with regard to its specs and features. The camera is equipped with a similar sensor, Digic 8 processor, 2.36 million dot OLED EVF, and cropped 4K video. However, it misses out on key features that are norms in modern cameras like an articulating screen, in-body image stabilization, webcam streaming, or any touch controls.
The R100 is reminiscent of the early Digital Rebel DSLRs since it can be considered a budget option. The camera is being sold at a price point that is lower than its predecessor, the 2.5-year-old M50 Mark II which had a starting price of almost $800. It comes as part of a kit that includes two lenses, but it is worth noting that the quality of the lenses is subject to debate.
Although the R100 is a touch of nostalgia for the days of selling the current Rebel of the moment to parents and college grads, the camera’s lack of certain features and its focus on affordability may be a dealbreaker for content creators who expect certain features.
However, the R100 has many things going for it. Its autofocus system is a significant improvement compared to its predecessors, which is set to provide an excellent user experience. Furthermore, it is affordable and caters to beginner photographers, enticing them to upgrade to the Canon family’s growing RF lens ecosystem.
The R100 will also launch with the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens, priced at $299.99; the lens is compatible with both crop and full-frame cameras and is slightly larger than a body cap. Despite the R100’s pricing strategy, top-of-the-line cameras and lenses have only become more niche and expensive.
In conclusion, while the R100 is positioned as a budget camera, its features and pricing may provide an excellent opportunity for beginner photographers who are looking to enter the market and experiment with different lenses and camera equipment.
