Canon R100.

[Chako]

Life is full of twist and turns, and quite often, they come at you when you least expect it.

Case in point, for a few weeks or so, I have had my eye on a beautiful Canon Elan 7NE at the local downtown pawn shop. At first, they wanted 400 Canadian for it. I know it is a fairly top end 35mm camera, but I  noticed the lens did not match the camera as there was severe vignetting whenever I looked through the viewfinder. The lens that came with it was a lens designed for a crop sensor camera. I noticed last week, they dropped it down to 299 Canadian. Yesterday I decided to buy it after work if it was still there. I have no need for a 35mm camera, despite my wanting one very bad in the early 2000s. At that time, it was out of my price reach. I did google the lens, and people were selling it for about the same price as what the pawn shop wanted for the whole thing. The Elan 7NE was discontinued in 2018, so it is not an old antiquated camera at all. It is just 35mm. I am fairly certain it would cost me to send the film out of town for developing. At worst, I would have one of my dream camera's of old sitting on a shelf for me to admire.

I got there two days ago, ready to pull the trigger because I notice the camera is still there. I ask to see it again (being my 4th visit for the camera) and he goes, did you see this one? He pulls out a box containing a Canon R100. Now, I know very little about the R series of Canon cameras. What I know is that back around 2018, Canon discontinued their DSLR family of cameras and lenses. DSLRs are those cameras that use a pivoting mirror inside to shunt light to the viewfinder or the sensor. They also stopped producing their lenses for these cameras. The Canon EF and  EF-s (from crop sensor cameras). This means no m0re new development on these cameras or lenses. I really do not care as I have pretty much all the gear I need. It did make me feel a bit sad however as it is the changing tide of an Era. I had read that Canon was putting all their eggs into the new R system of cameras and lenses. Probably why I was able to get a good deal on a Canon 5D mark II last summer.

Well, when the employee showed me a camera from the new system, and the price was 200 Canadian, I did one of those pivots, and decided to buy that instead. It was a Canon R100. I know from Canon's naming conventions that this was a "beginner camera". I was puzzled however at all the "higher up" features on the mode dial on-top of the camera. I took the lens cap off and the attendant explained to me that I had to twist the lens barrel to the start position to get the camera to work, I thought, what an ingenious way to make the lens very compact for carry. I was also not prepared for how much smaller the R100 is compared to all my other cameras.

When I looked into the camera and focused on something, the whole screen turned into green focus squares. What the hay! They bill this as their starter camera, and yet, it has a focus matrix better than my Canon EOS 1 Mark II N. I am so used to looking at 9 focusing points for many DSLRs, that this focus system blew me out of the water. It was lightning quick as well. I bought it for 200 dollars and started to research the camera online once I got home. I educated myself on the whole R range of cameras. Now, I was one of the first adopters of mirrorless cameras and they never could replace my DSLRs. I am happy to note I stayed away from the now discontinued Canon M series of cameras and lenses. Those are no longer being manufactured. The R range does have plenty going for it. I am just happy I got in on the very cheap. I found that in Canada, the little R100 retails for 800 to 900 Canadian, and it was first introduced in 2023. It is the cheapest and very user friendly of the series as the screen interface explains all the functions (I was happy to be able to turn this off and get the usual Canon camera menu system).

I read a lot of online reviews, and it reminded me of how snobby the photography world is. A fair number of reviewers stated that the camera was a let down simply because it was aimed at the cell phone crowd wanting to upgrade their photos, and that the LCD was a major let down because it is not a touch screen. With that said, I must have missed the bus because for a "starter" camera, this thing features a lot of advanced user controls, which puzzles me to no end when I read about reviewers claiming that you should stay away from it as "you will quickly outgrown the camera". The camera features all the priority modes including manual. A bulb feature is even found here, albeit in a menu. There are all the metering modes including spot. There is extensive photo aspect option as well. On top of that, there are 2 RAW formats on tap. The image sensor is the same 24 megapixel sensor as the higher end cameras, meaning the image will mostly be the same with the same lens...and  let's be honest here, the image is everything when it comes to cameras.

Because this is a "beginner" camera, a lot of the options are hidden inside the very extensive menus. That is always a drawback with the lower tiered cameras. You pay for quick access to camera functions. Also, you only get 1 scroll wheel and no little back joystick. That stuff can and is important. However, I found that the center button of the directional button array pulls up all the most used camera functions into one screen. Yes, you still have to scroll up and down that page, but at least it isn't buried 5 screens down.

Pros:
- Size and weight.
- The 18-45mm EF-S kit lens is compact.
- This "beginner entry level camera" has some serious top end features like many autofocus points, meter evaluations, photo function modes, etc...
- Tiny built in flash that is manual only pop up...thank you, I hate those that automatically pop up depending on which mode you are in.

Cons:
- If you want video mode, the 4K option is cropped and not that good. I never use a camera for video, so for me, this is not an issue. I am told that 1080 video is good here.
- Possibly too small for my big hands. No official power grip, but there is a third party making one currently
- Many functions are buried deep in the extensive menu system, with few dedicated buttons that higher end photographers like and demand. The R100 compromises with the center button that has most of what you need for somewhat quick access.
- No top LCD info panel. Because this is a mirrorless camera, there is no optical viewfinder. It is an LCD. That LCD contains all of your information.
- No optical viewfinder. On the plus side, the electronic viewfinder does give you 100% of what  the sensor sees.
- The rear LCD does not pivot. Most of my cameras, are fixed to the back like this one. However, when I had a Canon G5 that featured a pivoting rear LCD,  it made taking photos in weird positions very easy.

So far, I have already bought and Canon EOS RF to EOS EF adaptor. This will allow me to use all of my Canon glass on the new system (those big sized lenses will only make the camera look and feel all that much smaller). I also bought a lens hood for the kit lens, a protective UV filter for the lens. A hand grip strap as I cannot abide with the neck strap. Neck straps get in the way and for that reason, I have hand grips on all of my cameras. I also bought a set of batteries and charger to keep me going out in the field. I am thinking long and hard about that battery grip. I am going to take the little camera out for a few photo trips to assess if I need more hand real-estate.  All my cameras tend to get the same extra features: Eye extender because I wear glasses (Because this is an electronic viewfinder, I am certain they do not make one for this camera), hand grip, and battery grip for better hand holding with bigger lenses as well as the extra power. The fact that I am being cautious on that third party battery grip is surprising even to me. Possibly I might like a small capable camera that I can quickly take with me, and making the camera bigger might be detrimental with that.

Time for some photos.

20250419_082618A by Chako, on Flickr

20250419_082627A by Chako, on Flickr

20250419_082638A by Chako, on Flickr

20250419_082644A by Chako, on Flickr

Canon 5D mark II meet Canon R100. The 5D is a prosumer/Pro camera that gives the photographer a lot of functionality at their fingertips. Note the joystick, secondary wheel, and all the extra buttons. The R100 is very simplistic in this regard. The R100 also has mode that explains everything and what it does via a small paragraph and related image. Thankfully, I was able to turn this off and have a normal user interface that I am used to. The 5D does not hand hold you like that, but since I was able to turn that off on the R100, it is a non issue. It is there if you need it. Not there when you don't.

20250419_082843A by Chako, on Flickr

The R100 is very small compared to a DSLR.
20250419_082917A by Chako, on Flickr

For a starter camera, it has most of the modes out there. Just look at the mode dial and compare it to the 5D. When folks say that you will outgrow this camera, I will have to disagree.
20250419_083020A by Chako, on Flickr

I found this ridiculous hot shoe protector in the shape of a game joystick off of Amazon a while back. It actually fits nicely as the camera is so small, it makes the R100 look like a toy.
20250419_083201A by Chako, on Flickr

In conclusion, I got a great deal that now allows me into the new Canon R world. I can see that I have missed out somewhat in the past couple years in regards to what Canon is doing with their mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. I am very impressed with the R100 compared to what DSLRs have to offer. It is an amazing little camera, and I cannot imagine how much better the camera bodies get as you climb the R camera hierarchy.

[PitCarver]

Wow, such a cool find.
I really miss the carrying of a physical camera, though, these days,  I'm thankful for my Samsung phone.

[Barry Rowland]

I have a late 90s Canon Rebel 35mm that I picked up a few years ago.  When film cameras were all there was  I wanted one badly but couldn't afford one.  Now, many are out there at reasonable prices.  I have fun with film!  That being said, digital is so nice!!

[Chako]

I have come to believe I am a camera hoarder. I still have the camera my father loaned me when I was 8 years old learning photography, a Kodak Retinette 1A. Still thinking about fetching that Canon Elan 7NE...although I am not short of camera gear. Currently have 5 Canon bodies, and 4 Pentax bodies in the digital realm. I have quite a few 35mm cameras on top of that, despite my not shooting 35mm film since 2007.

[Barry Rowland]

I can't give mine up either Chako   I still have a functioning Kodak VR35 my parents got for me in 1984!

[Chako]

 

[Chako]

Just got in the few extras that I had ordered off of Amazon. I just tried the canon RF to EF adaptor. I tried my Sigma 50-500mm lens. I thought something went wrong as the lens kept focusing in and out when the camera was away from my face. It did stop once I put my eye to the viewfinder. I then took out my Tameron 90mm macro lens with the same issue. I thought there might be an issue with third party lenses, I went to get my Canon 100-300mm lens with the same issue. 

Stumped, I decide to look at what sort of autofocus mode the camera was operating under. Bingo, the camera was using continuous focus mode. I never use it, preferring to press the shutter to focus. Once switched over, no more weird constant focusing with the lenses. That did give me a bit of a scare thinking either the adaptor or the camera was malfunctioning. I re-installed my old but trusty Bigma and it works like a charm. Whew.

I was thinking of buying either the 100-400mm, 600mm, or 800mm RF lens, but now that I know the adaptor works, maybe not. Now if will only stop raining, I would like to try out the Bigma/R100 combo.

[Chako]

Now that I have taken the little R100 out for a few rounds, here are a few of my findings.

1. I really hate where Canon placed the camera mode dial on the upper right of the camera. I have big hands, and I find that while shooting, I will accidentally move the dial out of position. This is the only camera that I have that has this issue. Mostly due to its small size. I wish there was a locking button to stop this from happening.

2. I had a hard time to see through the viewfinder in bright sunlight, and the back LCD is a washout in bright sun. My wearing eyeglasses does not help in this matter at all. Sunlight still gets between the viewfinder and my glasses.

3. Although they have improved this from when mirrorless camera's first came out, there is still a delay for the viewfinder LCD and back LCD to get ready after taking one. I guess DSLRs with their glass viewfinders are still superior to mirrorless in this regard.

Other than that, it is a neat little compact camera that does very well overall. Now onto the photos...

Sault Ste Marie Canal B&W series of the Post Office. I used the Canon RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for this first jaunt. The lens is not bad for what it does. This with the camera makes for a very light package.

IMG_0307A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0320A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0325A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0329A by Chako, on Flickr

I then took a little drive to the Mill Market area which is basically the old paper mill repurposed into retail and service duties. I am using the same lens as above.

IMG_0345A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0346A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0347A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0348A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0349A by Chako, on Flickr

On another trip, I wanted to see how the R100 would work with the Bigma, a Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX RF HSM. My older version does not have any image stabilization, and I found that I struggled a little in holding the lens/camera steady (Looks like I may have to take this out more often to get the weight training back again). I wanted to see if I could get any bird photos. With that in mind, I packed an external flashgun along with a flash extender (a Fresnel lens that attached in from of the flash via a pair of brackets all Velcroed together) to bring out the plumage. This is where I found out that I had a hard time seeing both the viewfinder and back LCD in the bright sunlight. Happy to say that the Bigma works great on the Canon RF to EF adaptor. I have tried all my third party lenses and they all work with the little R100.

IMG_0405A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0409A by Chako, on Flickr

IMG_0422A by Chako, on Flickr

Yes, I am a bit out of practice as I struggled a little to steady the Bigma for hand holding photos

Here is a bonus shot I took that I like.

IMG_0376A by Chako, on Flickr



 

[Farmer X]

 

[Chako]

Thank you. 

[Chako]

I thought I would add an update. I bought one of those silicon camera wraparound cases for it. I just ordered a Canon RF 800mm f11 lens. With the crop factor, that will give me some serious reach at  1280mm at f11. I am curious if I can handhold this, or will I require a tripod. Only time will tell. My Bigma tops out at 500mm which equates to 800mm with the crop factor. I just got in today a few accessories like a third party lens hood, a proper tripod foot, and a nice lens bag for it. Just waiting on the lens to arrive someday I hope.

[Vidar]

Sounds like quite the bazooka of a lens? Maybe a middle ground could be just a single leg support foot instead of a full tripod?

Edit: Looked it up, and that is very small 800mm indeed. Still, 800mm is 800mm, so likely still hard to hold steady by hand.

[Chako]

Still hasn't shipped to me yet. Something wrong with their shipper, or them. Not amused or pleased. Unfortunately, no phone number to ring them up, and it takes a couple of days for them to respond to each email. 

I have a couple of Manfrotto tripods and a monopod. I even have a gun mount, but might need a special cable release for it if that is possible to get. The gun mount is no longer in production.

[Vidar]

There are parts for making a gun mount in the general and fairly standardized rigging systems for videographers. They will do photo cameras fine as well. I made my shoulder mounted camera setup from such parts from various brands. They all played nicely with each other.  For a gun mount a press towards shoulder pad and maybe a press plate for the chest area might be keys. There are lots of handles to choose from - I'm happy with one with the trigger right on the handle.

[Chako]

I may have to look into that. Thanks for the good info. 

[Chako]

Just got the lens in. I just got home, and was most of the way to getting into my comfy clothing when the UPS guy knocked on my door. I yelled out the cracked open door to give me a minute to finish dressing. He left. I had to chase him down at his next stop, but I did get the package. The lens is nice and long. During the order, I had gotten a third party lens shade, a good 95mm UV filter and a third party tripod foot adapter. I even got a very long lens case for it. I was smart and bought their biggest size, and am very happy to state that the lens and camera fit in the same bag.

20250611_155240A by Chako, on Flickr

20250611_155253A by Chako, on Flickr

Happy that there is enough room to fit the attached Canon R100.
20250611_155328A by Chako, on Flickr

20250611_155635A by Chako, on Flickr

The lens not extended.
20250611_155403A by Chako, on Flickr

The R100 with protective silicon skin that helps with grip, and the lens.
20250611_155417A by Chako, on Flickr

The lens fully extended. It appears that all Canon RF and RF-s lenses collapse into a more compact space for storage. You do have to extend the lens to use it. The camera will tell you to extend the lens for use when you turn it on and the camera notices the lens is still in its more compact form.
 20250611_155445A by Chako, on Flickr

The 800mm has a built in 4 stops stabilizer. Unfortunately, the little R100 does not have built in image stabilizing. I hear that for those cameras that do have it, it will work with the lens image stabilizer to get better performance.
20250611_155508A by Chako, on Flickr

Third party JJC lens hood made for the Canon 800mm f11.
20250611_155530A by Chako, on Flickr

Canon has sort of cheeped out on many of these RF lenses. The 800mm f11 does not come with a lens hood, or a proper tripod foot. I found this made for the lens solution on Amazon. It fits perfect and makes using a tripod/monopod that much more convenient. I bought the lens used, and counting the lens hood, the tripod foot, 94mm filter and lens case, I am still ahead from the OEM price of a new 800mm lens. I guess I can't complain much.
20250611_155539A by Chako, on Flickr

So now I can't wait to try this lens out. I am going to try and hand hold it and see if I can do that. If not, try it with a tripod or monopod on a second outing. Just got to wait for some nice weather,

I am also thinking of possibly getting a Canon R7 down the road. Just thinking if I need another camera. The answer to that is no, but the R7 is a serious wildlife camera. Before I do that, I will try the R100 and see how good it is. Seeing that I only paid 200 dollars Canadian for it, the camera owes me nothing.

[Vidar]

That is the cutest 800mm ever! 

In good light there should short enough shutters for hand held. But the minimum F11 (?) might make autofocus a bit less precise? Will be interesting to hear your experience.