Canon EOS 1200D vs Canon EOS R100: A Hands-On Expert’s Deep Dive for the Budget-Minded Photographer

When it comes to choosing an entry-level Canon camera in 2024, the EOS 1200D and EOS R100 often come up in conversation. I’ve spent significant time handling both - not just in sterile bench tests, but out in the field across multiple genres of photography - and today I want to share a detailed, practical comparison. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast stepping up from a smartphone, a budget-conscious beginner, or even a pro looking for a solid backup on a budget, recognizing what these two models bring to the plate will save you some serious cash and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Both are Canon cameras, designed nearly a decade apart, but one is a traditional DSLR (1200D) and the other a modern mirrorless (R100). That alone sets the stage for some interesting technical and usability contrasts. Let’s jump in with a full disclosure: each has its strengths and quirks - no perfect answer here, just the right camera depending on your needs and style.

First Impression and Handling: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

The Canon 1200D weighs in at 480 grams with dimensions of 130 x 100 x 78mm, while the Canon R100 is noticeably lighter, tipping the scales at 356 grams and a more compact 116 x 86 x 69mm. This difference is immediately felt in hand and makes a case for portability.

The EOS 1200D feels like a traditional DSLR club for your thumbs: it’s bulkier, has a more pronounced grip, and gives a solid, reassuring heft - which I personally appreciate in colder shoots or long sessions where stability matters. The EOS R100, being mirrorless, is smaller both in body and depth (no mirror box), making it an excellent pocket-friendly grab-and-go option for street or travel photography, where every gram counts.

The control layout also reflects their generational gap.

The 1200D’s top plate sports straightforward dials and buttons but lacks some niceties seen on modern gear. The R100 picks up the pace with a clean, mirrorless approach - though still simplified to avoid intimidating beginners. Neither camera boasts illuminated buttons or extensive physical customization options, but the R100’s electronic viewfinder and touchscreen AF bring up-to-date control improvements.

Ergonomically, I’d say if you prefer a traditional DSLR feel and don’t mind a larger body, 1200D wins. For lightness and modern design aesthetics, R100 is the pick. Both bodies, however, lack weather sealing or ruggedized build features - so don’t go dropping them in the rain or sand expecting full protection.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Pixel Count vs Technology Age

Here’s the juicy part: both cameras have APS-C sized sensors measuring 22.3x14.9mm with a 1.6x crop factor - which keeps optics compatible and field of view comparable. However, sensor resolution and technology diverge.

• Canon 1200D: 18MP CMOS sensor paired with the ageing DIGIC 4 processor
• Canon R100: 24MP CMOS sensor with a newer, though unspecified, image processing pipeline

The 1200D’s older sensor and processor mean older generation noise-reduction algorithms and a lower max ISO of 6400 native (expandable to 12800). The R100 boasts a native ISO ceiling of 12800, expandable to 25600, suggesting better low-light performance.

In my side-by-side real-world tests in varied light (twilight landscapes, dimly lit interiors), the R100 produced cleaner images at ISO 1600 and above, with less chroma noise and improved detail retention. The 1200D holds up nicely up to 800 ISO, but pushing beyond results in more visible artifacting and loss of detail.

Color depth (measured as bits of tonal gradation) isn’t published for the R100, but Canon’s newer sensors, particularly in mirrorless models, tend to capture richer colors and better dynamic range. The 1200D’s DxO Mark scores show a respectable 21.9 bits of color depth and 11.3 stops dynamic range, still decent for entry-level use.

So the bottom line here: The R100 handles noise and dynamic range a notch better, but 1200D remains capable for daylight and lower ISO shooting.

Display and Viewfinder: Old School vs New School

The 1200D sports a fixed 3-inch 460k-dot TFT LCD and an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame at 0.5x magnification. That’s classic DSLR through-the-lens framing, but with limited coverage and relatively dim optics.

In contrast, the R100 upgrades with a 3-inch, much higher resolution 1.04 million-dot LCD and a fully electronic viewfinder (EVF) at 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage with 0.59x magnification. This EVF is brighter, shows you exactly what you’ll get - in exposure, white balance, and depth of field preview - and lets you zoom/peep manually or digitally.

The touchscreen on the R100 supports touch autofocus, which translates to rapid subject focus shifts in live view or video, a feature the 1200D lacks. Both displays aren’t articulating or tilting, so overhead or low angle shooting requires some contortion.

If you’re a traditionalist who likes an optical viewfinder and manual focus peaking, 1200D fits the bill. If you want real-time exposure feedback and touch control - especially useful in fast-paced video or street shooting - R100’s EVF and improved LCD steal the show.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Technology Leap for Action Lovers

Autofocus has evolved rapidly over the last decade, and that’s where these cameras part ways sharply.

• Canon 1200D: 9-point phase-detection AF system (center point cross-type), with contrast detection in live view, no eye or face tracking, continuous AF limited to 3 fps shooting.
• Canon R100: Astounding 3975 contrast-detection autofocus points, coupled with face and eye detection AF. Continuous shooting rate nearly doubles at 6.5 fps.

The AF system on the 1200D was state-of-the-art back in 2014, but today feels like floppy disks compared to cloud-based streaming. It hunts more often in live view, struggles with moving subjects, and is incapable of intelligently prioritizing eyes or faces beyond a center point.

Conversely, the R100’s AF system is a revelation in this price bracket. It nails eye detection (human only - no animal eye AF here), tracks subjects reliably in continuous shooting, and is far less prone to focus hunting in low light. I tested both cameras tracking runners and cyclists: the R100 flawlessly keeps up with moving targets, while the 1200D frequently missed shots due to sluggish focus or lack of tracking capability.

This advantage extends to wildlife and sports photography - where burst rate and focus tracking are paramount. The R100 gives you a much better chance of capturing sharp sequences.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Old EF vs New RF Mounts

Canon’s ecosystem is legendary for choice, but the mount systems here differ:

• 1200D: Canon EF/EF-S mount, supporting over 326 lenses including decades’ worth of affordable glass, including many third-party options.
• R100: Canon RF mount with 39 lenses currently available (including a few budget kit lenses), but fewer and generally pricier due to new construction and optics.

Canon 1200D screen back Canon R100 front Canon R100 screen back

If you already own EF or EF-S lenses, the 1200D lets you plug and play with zero adapters. The R100 requires RF lenses or an EF-to-RF adapter (adding bulk and cost). For beginners just starting lens collections, RF mount options are growing but still limited compared to the vast EF catalog. That said, RF lenses tend to offer sharper optics, improved autofocus motors, and better stabilization - but this comes with a premium.

So if you want budget versatility and tried-and-true glass, 1200D’s EF mount wins. If you’re stepping into mirrorless with new RF glass investment planned, the R100 aligns with Canon’s future roadmap.

Video Performance: Slow to Fast, HD to 4K

Video shooters beware: the 1200D’s video feature set is modest.

• Full HD 1080p max at 30fps, using H.264 codec
• No microphone or headphone jacks
• No 4K recording, no advanced video profiles or log modes

By contrast, the R100 shoots at a solid UHD 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p with 120 Mbps bitrate, along with 1080p at higher frame rates. It has a microphone input for better sound quality, though no headphone jack to monitor audio, which is a bit of a miss.

Neither has built-in stabilization, but combined with stabilized RF lenses, the R100’s video output is cleaner and more professional looking. The touchscreen AF assists in smooth focus pulls, and the simpler interface is less clunky for quick vlog-style shooting.

For videographers on a budget, the R100 is a clear winner offering modern codecs, resolution, and audio inputs. The 1200D is strictly “entry-level DSLR video” that’s fine for casual clips but not for serious content creation.

Battery and Storage: Running the Numbers

• Canon 1200D: LP-E10 battery rated at around 500 shots per charge (CIPA standard), SD/SDHC/SDXC storage, single slot.
• Canon R100: LP-E17 battery with approx. 370 shots per charge, SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I slot single card.

I found the 1200D’s battery to be impressively long-lasting for nonstop shooting, likely thanks to the lack of EVF and less complex electronics drawing power. The R100’s mirrorless design and EVF naturally burn juice faster.

Single card slots and no weather sealing on either camera means carrying spares or safe storage is key for extended shoots and rough conditions.

Taking it All In: Photography Genres and Use Case Suitability

Here’s how these cameras stack up across photography types from my field tests:

Portraits

• 1200D: Good skin tone rendering, but limited AF points and no eye detection make focusing manually a pain. Bokeh quality relies on your lens more than camera.
• R100: Superior AF eye detection, faster focusing. Slightly higher resolution sensor captures more detail.

Landscapes

• 1200D: Solid dynamic range, good color depth, but lower resolution limits cropping flexibility.
• R100: Higher resolution gives more detail and cropping freedom; EVF aids precise framing but no weather sealing on either hurts outdoor ruggedness.

Wildlife

• 1200D: Struggles with AF speed and tracking on moving animals.
• R100: Faster AF, good burst rate improves chances of sharp shots, though limited native RF tele-lenses in budget range.

Sports

• 1200D: 3 fps too slow, AF system too basic.
• R100: 6.5 fps with eye tracking better for action, but budget lenses may cap performance.

Street Photography

• 1200D: Bulkier and less discreet, optical viewfinder good for quick framing.
• R100: Compact, silent electronic shutter option, EVF with exposure preview aids fast shooting.

Macro

• Both cameras depend heavily on lenses; similar limitations on focus stacking and magnification support.

Night/Astro

• The R100’s better high-ISO performance and 4K video mode give it the edge. Neither camera has built-in stabilization or advanced astro features.

Video

• Clearly the R100 is the better choice, with 4K and mic input support.

Travel

• Weight and size favor R100; battery life leans 1200D. R100’s connectivity (built-in wireless and Bluetooth) is a bonus.

Professional Work

• Neither camera is ideal for heavy-duty pro workflows due to lack of weather sealing, low-end processors, and limited burst speeds. However, the R100’s newer sensor and EVF system hint at a more modern pipeline.

Putting It All Together: Strengths and Tradeoffs

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Put in Your Bag?

If you’re on the absolute tightest budget and want a solid, reliable DSLR that can handle everyday photography, learning about manual controls without the fuss of too many bells and whistles, and already own EF lenses, the Canon 1200D remains a decent option. It’s a bit like a vintage muscle car - you don’t get all the driver aids, but it’s straightforward and can teach you the fundamentals well.

However, if you want a more future-proof, versatile package with a more modern sensor, excellent autofocus, and 4K video for creative content, all in a lightweight mirrorless body, the Canon R100 is the better value - even at a slightly lower price. It’s especially suited for enthusiasts who want to grow their skills in portraits, street, travel, and video without breaking the bank.

In my experience, the R100’s modern tech boosts real-world usability, especially in speed and image quality. The 1200D appeals to those who prefer DSLR optics and feel but are willing to compromise on dynamic autofocus and video.

Both lack professional-grade weather sealing, in-body stabilization, and high ISO excellence, so advanced users might need to set sights higher or supplement with additional gear.

Pro Tip for Buyers:

Try to handle both models personally (if possible) and identify your key photography goals. A compact mirrorless with a touchscreen EVF often speeds learning curves and fuels creativity, whereas DSLRs provide the traditional tactile interaction that some photographers cherish.

If you’re a budget-conscious beginner aiming to dive deeper into photography and video, put the Canon R100 at the top of your list. If you want more lens options and a dependable, budget DSLR with familiar controls, the Canon 1200D is still playable.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera bring out the best in your photography journey!

If you want to see the cameras in action, here are some real images from both bodies illustrating their strengths across genres:

Canon 1200D screen back Canon R100 front Canon R100 screen back