The mirrorless format is one of the most attractive options on the market today. Under Canon's roof, we've only covered the Canon EOS M5, a high-end camera with an average price of 850 euros. One of our priorities at NeoTeo is to explore low-cost options to bring more photographers on board, and that brings us to the Canon EOS M100. It's so compact and light that anyone could mistake it for a point and shoot, but it lets us swap lenses, tilt the screen, and share images wirelessly in seconds.
There are many users out there who want a more robust photographic solution than what their smartphones offer. The first thing that comes to mind is looking at DSLRs, but that format isn't always appealing. While the market offers very affordable options — the Canon EOS 1300D is already at 350 euros, and the Canon EOS 2000D at 400 — the idea of carrying more than half a kilogram of camera (just the body) sometimes doesn't click. This new generation of photographers is traveler, dynamic. They're constantly on the move, and they don't plan to carry too much gear. For them, mirrorless cameras are ideal, and one of the most striking alternatives in that category is the Canon EOS M100.
Canon EOS M100: Release the influencer within you
Presented in August 2017, the Canon EOS M100 features an APS-C sensor with 24.2 effective megapixels, paired with the DIGIC 7 image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 25,600, while shutter speed goes from 1/4000 to 30 seconds. The 3-inch LCD screen is tilting (180 degrees upward), supports touch, and has a maximum resolution of 1.04 million dots.
The Dual Pixel autofocus system works very well on the Canon EOS M100, with a total of 49 points. In the vast majority of cases, Auto mode will meet all expectations, but if you want a more manual approach, nothing stops you. Burst extends to 6.1 frames per second, with a buffer of 89 JPEG images and 21 in RAW. Technically it's not the best in this space for capturing action scenes (the Sony Alpha A6300 might serve us better, although it costs twice as much), but its final results are by no means deficient. Internal storage uses SD cards (one slot available), and in terms of connectivity we get the full package, with WiFi, NFC and Bluetooth.
When studying its interface, there's no doubt that the Canon EOS M100 is one of the easiest cameras to use on the market. Anyone who feels uncomfortable with the multiple buttons and dials of DSLRs will be happy to know they won't find any of that here. In fact, you don't even need to leave the smart auto mode to record video (there's a dedicated button next to the shutter release), with maximum support for 1080p60 AVC/H.264, and half an hour of duration (a 4 GB cap for file size).
Among the special modes and creative filters we find Self-portraits with optimal adjustments, Portraits, Smooth skin, Landscapes, Close-ups, Moving subjects, Food, Night scenes without a tripod, Backlit scenes, Monochrome, Soft focus, Fish-eye, Oil painting, Watercolor, Toy camera, Miniature model, High contrast and HDR. All secondary details about effects, filters and focus modes can be found in the manual, which despite its 370 pages is extremely easy to digest.
Accessories for Canon EOS M100
With a cost of 400 euros for the black edition (a 15-45 lens is included in the package) and 450 in white, I admit that the Canon EOS M100 proves to be a very reasonable option. Any accessory selection must obey its portability, and although in some cases (for example, lenses) this isn't fully achieved, our general list definitely goes in that direction. Let's see:
Batteries and power
The official performance for the Canon EOS M100 battery is 295 shots. It's not a weak number compared to other mirrorless cameras, but we can improve it with little money. Also, the camera doesn't support USB charging, so including a couple of Gloxy LP-E12 batteries is an excellent idea. With 20 euros you can cover all your immediate energy needs, and the Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car guarantees recharging on the move if you have a vehicle.
The kit is identified by the code "DI3776,VDTS-4604-CH-0712001294".
Tripods and supports
The Canon EOS M100 practically makes no demands when it comes to mounting it on a tripod or support. After all, the body barely exceeds 300 grams. That allows us to suggest slightly more compact options. On one hand, the classic Clampod Takeway T1 can receive this camera and its accessories without any trouble, to such an extent that it feels like 'overkill'. On the other hand, we have something different: the Triopo CL-50 monopod. Why carry a whole tripod when all you need is a good support point? It's very easy to carry, weighs less than 600 grams, and its thread is interchangeable. Want an even lighter traditional tripod? Then all arrows point to the Manfrotto Pixi. (Check thread compatibility for other options.)
Bags and cases
Talking about a camera bag for Canon EOS M100 might seem a bit exaggerated, but you never know what you'll need to carry at the last moment. Today we're going to share two alternatives. The first is the Delta 400a Fancier bag, a true veteran here on the site. With padded interior, adjustable dividers and an extra wide strap, your EOS M100 will feel at home, and you'll have no trouble carrying it. The second is the Lowepro Toploader Zoom 50 AW II. The waterproof cover gives us an extra layer of protection, and if you're going to work with the kit's 15-45, you'll have plenty of space.
The bag kit is identified by the code "Fancier400a,0712034688".
Lenses
Some users see the EF-M mount as a limitation, but I'm not so convinced of that. The official EF-EOS M mount adapter enables almost the entire catalog of EF and EF-S units, however, there are very interesting native lenses beyond Canon. As a wide-angle we have the Samyang 12mm f/2.0, which provides a viewing angle of 98.9 degrees and a minimum focusing distance of just 20 centimeters. If you've decided to buy only the camera body and need a solid all-rounder, the solution is the Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3, which should cover virtually every use. To finish, a small experiment: the Meike f/2.0 50-millimeter lens weighing 185 grams. You can take it anywhere with ease, and for 90 euros, it's very tempting.
Vlogger, traveler, or would-be influencer, it doesn't matter: if you prioritize portability and budget without making extraordinary compromises, the Canon EOS M100 is for you. Granted, the lack of USB charging, the absence of 4K video and the fact of not having a real viewfinder can be interpreted as weaknesses, but in a well-built mirrorless with a solid price-performance ratio, these are acceptable conditions. Good luck!
