Canon EOS 1100D with 18-55mm IS II lens
£459.00
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Sometimes you need a simple camera with just enough features to get you started. The Canon EOS 1100D could be the entry-level DSLR you’ve been looking for...
Photo answers review
Photo answers rating
Entry-level is not necessarily something that should mean you are missing out. It’s true that you won’t get as much as a middle or top range camera, but we think you will find that the Canon EOS 1100D ticks a number of boxes. You’re still going to get high quality images, just without the bells and whistles features.
Features
Most modern DSLRs are packed with features, many of which we believe remain unused by the typical photographer. If you want to learn the basics of digital photography, then the 1100D may well be the best option, as it will provide a great learning platform for a budget price. This is a 12MP DSLR, so it’s not bursting with pixels. But unless you are printing huge pictures, you’re really not missing out. All the key shooting modes are there, so you have PASM along with the more creative options including auto, sports, portrait, landscape and macro. Using Basic+ technology in this camera, you can fine-tune these auto modes if you desire. The ISO range is limited to a maximum of 6400, but this is not bad. There are nine selectable focus points and the exposure control is provided by a 63-zone metering. On the back of the camera sits a 2.7in LCD screen, which is a tad smaller than what may be considered the norm, but once again, it’s more than enough. The 1100D also offers HD video capture at 1280x720p resolution. Another great feature is the inclusion of wireless flash supports, so you can control one or more compatible Canon flashes via the camera’s menus.
Performance
The design of this camera makes it a pleasure to use, and we especially like the larger than average buttons on the rear. If you’re in need of a little extra support to work out what the various camera modes actually do, the quick menu provides an intuitive on-screen guide. As you navigate through the modes such as White Balance (WB), ISO and focusing, a panel appears on the LCD to tell you what that mode actually does. This helps you learn as you shoot, and you can switch it off when you’re happy to go it alone. If you’re looking for a fast camera, then the 1100D is not the DSLR for you. It’s hardly slow at 3fps (JPEG), but you’re not best equipped for sports with this camera. Live View helps you to frame images like a compact camera and of course compose your video. The latter offers no real-time AF, so it’s a case of using manual focus. You get 95% coverage through the optical viewfinder and dioptic correction for those that wear specs. The camera takes the LP-E10 battery and the single memory slot can accept all the current SD card formats, including the very high capacity SDHC options.
www.canon.co.uk
Photo Answers’ verdict
Putting things into perspective, for a camera that is aimed at the entry-level user the Canon EOS 1100D delivers where it is most important, and that’s in image quality. The 12MP sensor may lack the resolution of the bigger models but this DSLR has been designed to keep things simple, with the addition of useful features like HD video.
Key spec
Street price (body only) £359
Effective resolution 12MP
Sensor type 22.2x14.7mm CMOS
Crop factor 1.6x
Lens mount EF-S
Metering TTL full aperture with 63-zone SPC
ISO range 100-6400
Shooting speed 3fps (JPEG) 2fps (RAW)
Card type SD/SDHC/SDXC
LCD monitor size 2.7in
Video HD 1080x720
Live View Yes
Built-in stabilisation No (kitted 18-55mm IS II lens offers stabilisation)
Weight/size (wxhxd) 495g/129.9x99.7x77.9mm