This yr, Canon has lastly launched some reasonably priced mirrorless cameras just like the spectacular Canon EOS R10 – and contemporary rumors counsel it’s going to quickly launch a good cheaper mannequin known as the EOS R100. However that digital camera’s leaked specs level to an underwhelming, spinoff filler mannequin, somewhat than a much-needed reinvention of the funds digital camera. 

Canon Rumors (opens in new tab) has certified its EOS R100 leak with the disclaimer that it comes from an “unknown supply”, so that they’re actually not confirmed specs. However given Canon’s latest historical past and the characteristic units of its different APS-C cameras, they appear very believable – and that is not essentially nice information.

The rumors counsel that the digital camera shall be a bit like a hobbled Canon EOS R10 with out an digital viewfinder. This might make it a religious successor to the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, which makes use of Canon’s outdated (and seemingly forgotten) EOS M mount.

If that is the case, Canon will hopefully have some further tips up its sleeve – as a result of on paper, the Canon EOS R100 seems like a really secure and barely belated response to the Nikon Z30 and Sony ZV-E10. The R100 will apparently deliver the EOS R10’s 24.2MP APS-C sensor and Digic X processor, together with 12fps burst taking pictures and 4K/30p video. All advantageous, however not precisely setting a brand new agenda in a world of highly effective smartphones.

In these financially difficult instances, it appears perverse to deride a digital camera for being ‘too low-cost’. And it’s nonetheless early days for the EOS R100 rumors, so it may actually nonetheless shock us. However today, reasonably priced cameras additionally have to strike a steadiness of being compelling sufficient to justify their existence – and the leaks thus far counsel the EOS R100 may solely goal to do the naked minimal to realize that. 

Granted, this could imply a tempting price ticket that is within the ballpark of the Nikon Z30 ($707 / £699, body-only). And Canon has an opportunity to its undercut its rival’s unusual resolution to incorporate a 16-50mm f/3.5-6.Three VR package lens with the Z30, which is not fairly broad sufficient for its meant vlogging viewers. 

Canon wants an ultra-wide RF-S lens for its new APS-C cameras, just like the rumored RF-S 11-55mm f/4-4.5 IS STM, and the EOS R100 might be the best time to launch it. Given the EOS R100 is anticipated to lack in-body picture stabilization, this would offer sufficient house for the crop that digital stabilization brings, whereas letting you maintain the digital camera comfortably at arm’s size.

However the EOS R100 will want extra innovation than this if it is to actually outshine its rivals (together with telephones just like the Apple iPhone 14 Professional), somewhat than simply tick the reasonably priced field in Canon’s lineup. 

Elevating the bar

Occasions have modified because the Canon EOS M6 Mark II arrived in September 2019, and reasonably priced mirrorless cameras must be way more succesful for stills and, specifically, video.

For this reason the Canon EOS R10 now tops our information to one of the best newbie cameras. At $979 / £899 / AU$1,499, it is a lot pricier than Canon’s outdated entry-level DSLRs. However the inclusion of options like 4K/60p video (albeit with a 1.56x crop) and highly effective autofocus imply it justifies that price ticket and is an improve from one of the best digital camera telephones.

It is doable that the Canon EOS R100 may obtain the identical factor, however the rumors thus far counsel it may fall simply the improper aspect of that line. A lower-powered Canon EOS R10 with weaker video abilities and burst taking pictures speeds could be a harder promote (not less than, to non-Canon followers), significantly with solely two native RF-S lenses to again it up.

There’s a chink of sunshine in Canon Rumors’ declare that “new equipment will launch with the digital camera”, which suggests some contemporary innovation is feasible. And who is aware of, maybe Canon is planning a contemporary new interface, a big edge-to-edge display screen, a revamped app and slicker livestreaming powers for its subsequent digital camera.

Current historical past and this new Canon Rumors leak counsel in any other case, however entry-level mirrorless cameras should now reinvent themselves to beat the more and more succesful hybrid powerhouses which can be already in our pockets.