Canon EOS 1100D: The Affordable and Reliable DSLR Camera

Looking for an entry-level DSLR camera that won't break the bank? The Canon EOS 1100D might just be the perfect choice for you! This affordable and reliable camera is a popular option among beginners and amateur photographers who are looking for a device that delivers great image quality and ease of use. With its impressive specs and features, the Canon EOS 1100D is a great tool to capture stunning photos and videos without spending thousands of dollars on professional gear.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 1100D article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 13 2011

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight495g
MSRP$599USD

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Overview of the EOS 1100D

As a beginner photographer, investing in a high-quality camera can be overwhelming, especially when you're on a tight budget. Fortunately, the Canon EOS 1100D offers a great solution for those who are looking for a quality DSLR that won't break the bank. With a 12-megapixel sensor, a 9-point autofocus system, and an ISO range of up to 6400, the Canon EOS 1100D packs a punch in terms of features. Designed to be user-friendly, this camera is intuitive and easy to navigate even for those just starting out in photography. So, let's take a closer look at what this affordable and reliable camera has to offer.

Canon EOS 1100D Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 1100D camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High image quality
Easy to use
Lightweight and portable
Affordable price point
Wide selection of lenses available
Good battery life
Accurate autofocus

Cons

Not weather-sealed
Only has 9 autofocus points
No built-in image stabilization
Limited video capabilities
Small LCD screen
Slow continuous shooting speed
Limited dynamic range

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 1100D

Weather sealed
Dimensions130 x 100 x 78mm
Weight495g
Thickness78mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 1100D is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 1100D not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 1100D includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.5x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 1100D has a 12MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Canon EOS 1100D has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Apr 13 2011

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4272 x 2848 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

62 / 102

Color Depth

21.9 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

755 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 1100D camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 1100D is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card
Battery Life700 shots
Battery ModelLP-E10
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 1100D supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 1100D uses the LP-E10 model of battery pack. This is rated for 700 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 1100D has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 1100D boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 1100D includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 1100D?

The Canon EOS 1100D features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 1100D weather sealed?

No the EOS 1100D does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 1100D announced?

The Canon EOS 1100D was announced on Apr 13 2011

Does the Canon EOS 1100D have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 1100D does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 1100D?

The EOS 1100D has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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