Canon yesterday announced the launch of EOS 100D, the world’s smallest and lightest digital SLR camera.
Canon EOS 100D
The new EOS 100D measures in at a mere 116.8mm x 90.7mm x 69.4mm and weighs approximately 370g.
The EOS 100D retains the full capabilities expected of an EOS camera with a low-noise 18-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 5 image processor that captures photos that strike the delicate balance between high resolution and high sensitivity, maintaining the essential details of the photo even in low light. The Hybrid CMOS AF II Live View function is able to rapidly pinpoint and focus on subjects for sharp and blur-free photos.
Fitted into the EOS 100D’s compact body is a powerful low-noise high-resolution 18-megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 5 image processor, providing outstanding photo quality. When it came to selecting the most appropriate sensor for the EOS 100D, an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor was found to provide the best balance between quality and sensitivity. At this resolution, an image can be cropped up to 20% of its original size and still be of sufficient quality for a 3R photograph.
The EOS 100D is able to shoot continuously at four frames per second (fps). At this speed, the black-out time between photos is so short that it becomes much easier to track moving subjects like kids and pets, plus users are unlikely to miss that perfect moment. Highly sensitive ISO speeds of up to 12800 (expandable to 25600) carry this speedy performance onto low-light situations while still maintaining a high degree of image quality.
The EOS 100D is complimented by a new Auto-Focus (AF) system known as Hybrid CMOS AF II, employed when shooting in Live View mode. It uses phase detection AF to quickly zero in on subjects and then contrast detection to fine tune focus. It is much more responsive than conventional AF method using only contrast detection.
The earlier version of this system limited phase detection area to the center of the frame, but Hybrid CMOS AF II greatly improves on that by expanding the phase detection area to approximately 80% of the frame. Pair the Hybrid CMOS AF II with a Stepping Motor lens (STM), users will be able to quickly track and maintain focus on subjects even if they are not in the center of the frame, allowing for very rapid point-and-shoot performance.
While the EOS 100D might be smaller and lighter than its DSLR cousins, its one-of-a-kind rubber grip, albeit smaller and more compact, gives users a secure hold on the camera. The rear buttons have been rearranged for the compact size, and the mode dial can now be rotated 360 degrees so that different shooting modes can be selected more quickly. The high-powered viewfinder, a staple element of DSLRs that allows for easier aiming when shooting outdoors or rapidly-moving subjects has been made slightly larger with a magnification of 0.87x for more comfortable viewing.
Much of the EOS 100D’s features have been designed around the Clear View LCD II electrostatic touch panel display. The wide 3.0-inch 1.04 million dot display is dirt-resistant and reduces reflections in outdoor environments for greater clarity, and its intuitive touch operation makes it extremely easy for users to quickly navigate through menus and functions. Using Live View, users can easily tap to focus and lock onto subjects and faces to instantly get the shot they want.
Canon has created a new Background Blur Simulation function in Creative Auto mode to help casual users achieve the same effect. In this mode, the Live View display will be able to simulate the background blur in real-time before the photo is taken. A simple slider interface allows users to adjust the depth-of-field blur to the desired level, without requiring any knowledge of the technicalities of apertures and depth-of-field.
To help users take photos quickly, the EOS 100D introduces three new family-oriented scene modes: Kids, Food, and Candlelight. By selecting Kids mode, the EOS 100D automatically adjusts itself for high-speed shutter control to capture active kids without blur, and with a color-balance adjusted for healthy-looking skin tones. The Food mode is for food enthusiasts who like to share photos of their meals, and optimizes settings for bright and vivid food images, while Candlelight mode disables the flash and adjusts the red tint for natural-looking candlelight images.
Another new function of the EOS 100D is the Extra Effect shot, which is the ability to snap two photos at a time – one with a Creative Filter or Picture Style effect applied and the other without. These photographs are taken and saved simultaneously, so users can freely take creative photos without fear of losing the original unfiltered photo.
For users who like to play around with aspect ratios, whether it is aspect ratio of 16:9, classic 4:3, 3:2, or 1:1, the EOS 100D is able to adjust this easily in Live View or playback mode. The high resolution of the 18-megapixel CMOS sensor allows for photos to be cropped while still retaining a high level of image quality. Whereas previous models required cropping to be done in post-production on a PC, the EOS 100D is able to make use of its intuitive touch panel to perform cropping actions in-camera.
Ready for movies
Canon has included many movie-centric features into the EOS 100D. For starters, the EOS Movie mode can be activated quickly by flicking the power lever to video. The rapid AF performance provided by the Hybrid CMOS AF II system also applies to movies, by powering the Movie Servo AF function. Once a subject is selected, Movie Servo AF will lock onto it and continually adjust the AF to keep the subject in perfect focus, even if it is not in the middle of the frame. Movie Servo AF greatly improves the quality of moving and panning shots, as it will not lose focus of the subject.
The popular Miniature Effect creative filter has been upgraded in the EOS 100D to be compatible with EOS Movie mode. Users can now take videos using the filters; select recording speeds of up to 5x, 10x and 20x real time. Even the most familiar cityscape will be seen in a different light using this new feature, especially when cars and clouds are seen zipping by at 20x speed.
the EOS 100D comes with a kit lens that makes full use of its EOS Movie capabilities. The new EF-S18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is an advanced lens designed specifically to improve the EOS Movie experience. The STM in its name denotes stepping motor, which allows the Movie Servo AF function to achieve silent and smooth auto focusing without disrupting the peace with any AF motor noises.
It includes a new six-group inner focusing system for smooth Movie Servo AF movements. The built-in image stabilizer allows it to take photos as sharp as other lenses do with shutter speeds set to four settings faster. It also has a 7-blade circular aperture for beautiful soft-focus images. The full-time manual focus allows fussier photographers to do manual focus adjustments even when in AF mode. The 18-55mm zoom range, along with its compact and lightweight design, makes an ideal everyday lens versatile enough for most situations.
