The Canon EOS Rebel T100 is a pretty good camera, just not a great one. That being said, the Rebel T100 does pack in plenty of the features of a higher-end camera, albeit not nearly of the same quality. This digital camera doesn’t make it into our top three list for the best digital camera for beginners, but for the price, it is a good option for anyone that wants to try a DSLR without spending too much money.
Why We Like It – Canon EOS Rebel T100
Most of us already have a pretty good quality camera that we carry around daily: our phones. But phones can’t yet pack in some of the exciting features of a dedicated digital camera, nor will they ever be able to provide the same methodical experience many photographers crave. For the entry level photographer that wants to try their hand at more professional tools, the Canon EOS Rebel T100 is a good choice.
- 18 mp APS C CMOS sensor is a noticeable upgrade from phone cameras
- Battery can last up to 500 shots on a single charge
- Easy to understand button layout
- Only 9 AF points are all clustered in center of frame
- Laggy live view, especial in low light and when trying to capture movement
Image Quality
The EOS Rebel T100 is capable of pretty good image quality that occasionally disappoints. The native ISO range on this digital camera is relatively small at 100-6400, and anyone shooting in the JPEG format will see noticeable noise at any stops above 1600. RAW photos fare better up to ISO 6400, but the camera can only produce six RAW files in a single burst. Even so, that beats the four possible on the Canon EOS 800D. Because of the slow autofocus system, the Rebel T100 also has a pretty difficult time tracking motion that makes it pretty much unusable for action shots.
Ease of Use
Many photographers struggle to get past the steep learning curve that comes with trying a DSLR, but, fortunately, the Canon EOS Rebel T100 is fairly easy to pick up. Several reviewers note that the button layout is configured very well and shouldn’t pose any problems for new users. The integrated scene intelligent auto mode is also nice for amateurs because it optimizes the camera settings for the best possible outcome. Unfortunately, the autofocus on the Rebel T100 EOS is slow and only works in the center of the frame. What’s more, continuous autofocus is unavailable when recording video, which will make filming more difficult for inexperienced videographers.
Battery Life
Battery life is the other area where the Rebel T100 really shines. You can take about 500 pictures on a single battery charge, while some far more expensive cameras struggle to even produce half that. Even cameras that we’ve rated higher like the Nikon D3500 Digital SLR and the Nikon Z50 can’t quite hold up to that number. Beginning photographers should nonetheless remain wary of the different elements that might reduce this number: temperature, using the LCD screen, and the age of the battery can all affect its performance. Using wi fi to transfer photos to your phone will also use extra battery life, so it’s unfortunate this camera doesn’t also have the lower power Bluetooth option as well.
Durability
The Canon EOS Rebel T100 is a budget camera, and that shows in its construction. The body is fully plastic and feels kind of cheap to some reviewers. Even the lens mount is plastic, so anyone that anticipates swapping lenses consistently should opt for something else. Canon also failed to utilize a rear thumb rest, which might make this camera harder to hold for some. The Rebel T100 is not weather sealed like some of its competition, so it would be wise to keep this camera from the elements. When it comes to durability, there are far better options available.
Value
At $380 MSRP, the Canon EOS Rebel T100 is an enticing choice for photographers that want to upgrade from smartphone photography; however, there are a lot of fantastic features this camera doesn’t have that make it difficult to recommend over some cameras that cost just a little bit more. Reviewers also note that the kit lens with this camera is rather underwhelming, so it’s important to factor in the cost of better lenses as well. If you don’t have much knowledge of DSLR cameras and features like autofocus and live view, then this camera is a great learning tool that shouldn’t overwhelm you.
Canon EOS Rebel T100 Wrap Up
The Canon EOS Rebel T100 is an OK camera that caters to the entry level photographer audience. Image quality is better than what’s possible on a smartphone, but a lot about this camera ultimately feels cheap and outdated. If you’re an aspiring photographer that wants to learn hands-on about higher-end camera features, or even if you just prefer using an optical viewfinder to your phone’s screen, this camera comes through at a great price. Anyone else, though, would be better off looking elsewhere.
