Alternatively there is a vast range of mirrorless cameras available, which are worth looking at if small size is of a priority, including the Sony NEX-3N / NEX-5R, Panasonic Lumix GF6 / G6, Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 / E-PM2, and Samsung NX300 to name a few. At the lowest sensitivity settings, the Canon EOS 100D is able to resolve up to around 28 on our chart. If you are shooting raw images there is a slight improvement, but it can’t resolve much higher. However, the lines are more defined, especially after a slight sharpening.

The sensor itself has an ISO range of 100-12,800, extendable to 25,600 in the ‘H’ setting. The sensor, as the name suggests, features built-in phase-detect autofocus (AF) technology and as a result supports continuous AF when recording HD video. Overall, image quality is perfect for the fair-weather photographer. For those that like to shoot in low light, the Canon EOS 100D does seem to struggle at higher sensitivities, and time will have to be spent editing the raw files to get the best from the camera. x 1080 pixels (at 30fps, 25fps or 24fps), 1280 x 720 pixels (at 60fps or 50fps), 640 x 480 pixels (at 30fps or 25fps), MOV files with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression The available white balance settings are Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent and Custom; there is no way to enter a Kelvin value manually. You can fine-tune any of the presets using the White Balance Correction feature. The ISO speed can be changed by pressing the ISO button and turning the control wheel in front of it. You do not have to hold down the button while turning the wheel. The ISO speed can be set from ISO 100 to ISO 12800 in full-stop increments. If you turn ISO Expansion on in the Custom Functions menu, you can even dial in ISO 25600; a boosted setting. Auto ISO is also available. The chosen ISO speed is also displayed in the viewfinder.

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The metering modes offered by the camera include Centre-weighted, Evaluative, Partial and Spot. The difference between Partial and Spot metering is that the former uses 9% of the frame area, whereas the latter uses only 4% (still a bit too much for spot metering, but there you go). Both of these selective metering modes are midtone-based; there is no highlight- or shadow-based spot metering available as with some rivals. In use, we've found that the Evaluative metering mode provided fairly good exposures with a variety of subjects, thanks to the advanced 63-zone metering sensor. When shooting contrasty scenes, it is worth using the Evaluative mode in conjunction with the Auto Lighting Optimiser feature, accessible by hitting the Q button and using the interactive status panel.

The Canon EOS 100D is a new mini-DSLR from Canon, designed to fit between the Canon EOS 600D and Canon EOS 700D, as smaller option for those looking for a Digital SLR. Featuring a similar specification to the Canon EOS 650D, with an 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, Hybrid AF focus, full HD video and 4fps continuous shooting, the camera is 25% smaller, and 28% lighter than the 650D, with every component made smaller. Canon EOS 100D Features Take complete creative control of your images with PIXMA and imagePROGRAF PRO professional photo printers. The AF system not only benefits from the phase-detect AF presence on the sensor, but also features Canon’s tried and tested 9-point AF array with one cross-type AF point housed in the centre. In brighter daylight conditions the 100D excels, the 18 megapixel sensor and lens combination capturing plenty of detail that results in images which clearly look a cut above what could be achieved with a humble fixed lens compact. Yes, there is the occasional loss of highlight detail in strong sun, but as we say this is only occasionally the case.Based on Canon's testing conditions, JPEG, ISO 100, Standard Picture Style. Varies depending on the subject, memory card brand and capacity, image recording quality, ISO speed, drive mode, Picture Style, Custom functions etc. Only when shooting in an underground bunker, lit only by torches, did I find that I needed to reduce the exposure compensation by 2EV to keep the scene dark. It is obviously the role of evaluative metering to make images look bright and visible, and in a situation like this the metering will try and brighten the scene.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

Canon EOS 100D review – Our verdict

It is also at ISO 3200 that luminance noise starts to become noticeable, and it appears that luminance noise reduction also becomes stronger here, as there is a drop in detail resolution. I’d suggest that ISO 3200 is about as high as anyone would really want to shoot. Image quality lived up to our high expectations. We love the colour output of EOS cameras, and with well-chosen automatic settings and extremely low noise at fast ISO speeds, it’s hard to get anything but great results from this camera. Without a doubt, a camera needs to be ergonomic so that a photographer can enjoy snapping photos effortlessly. As such, the Canon EOS 100D DSLR camera has been designed with such emphasis in mind. Not only that, it is really a wonder that this Canon DSLR camera can boast a smaller body. Thanks to its smaller design, it becomes extremely comfortable and convenient to carry and use this Canon camera to snap pictures without any fuss. Since most DSLR cameras are bulky and can be unwieldy, the Canon EOS 100D DSLR camera proves to be an attractive choice as it is considered to be an extremely portable option that gives you greater freedom in snapping pictures around. Hardy & Handy Typically, the dynamic range of Canon EOS DSLRs with APS-C-sized sensors measures lower than that of many counterparts. For example, the EOS 650D employs a variant of the 18-million-pixel sensor used in the EOS 100D and, according to the results at DxO Mark ( www.dxomark.com), this has a dynamic range of just 10.62EV. While this figure seems many EV lower than some rivals, I found that in practice it made little difference to the majority of my images.