February 2011 - This morning (7th Feb) Canon have announced the introduction of TWO new digital SLR cameras into their EOS line-up. I was invited to Canon UK’s HQ in Woodhatch to see what the new models would be and, more importantly, have a little play with them.
Read our EOS 600D and EOS 1100D Preview...
Canon EOS 1100D and EOS 600D Promotional Video by Canon
Canon EOS 1100D Details
12-megapixel resolution
Step up to DSLR image quality with a 12-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor. A 14-bit DIGIC 4 image processor provides 3.2fps continuous shooting and images that are packed with detail and tonal range.
Intuitive, on-screen feature guide
The EOS 1100D’s Feature Guide provides descriptions of many of the camera’s functions, as well as advice on how to use them in your own photography.
Easy to use Scene modes and Basic+
Theme-based Scene modes automatically pick the most suitable exposure, focus and drive-mode settings for the subject being photographed, while Creative Auto mode portrays adjustable functions in an easy to understand way. With Canon’s Basic + technology, the look and feel of these basic auto modes can be fine-tuned according to ambience and lighting type.
HD EOS Movie mode
Shoot stunning HD video at 25 or 30fps, with automatic exposure control leaving you free to concentrate on the action. Footage can be edited on your PC or Mac, or played directly on an HD TV via the camera’s HDMI connection.
ISO 100-6400 sensitivity
Low-light shooting without flash is possible thanks to the EOS 1100D’s ISO 100-6400 sensitivity range. The camera’s 14-bit DIGIC 4 processor helps to control noise and maintain image quality.
Wide-area 9-point AF system
The EOS 1100D focuses quickly and accurately on static and moving subjects, thanks to nine AF points, spread out across the frame. A central cross-type AF point is sensitive to both horizontal and vertical lines.
63-zone iFCL exposure metering
Advanced iFCL exposure metering dissects a scene into 63-zones before analyzing it to find the perfect combination of shutter speed, aperture and ISO.
6.8cm (2.7”), 230,000-dot LCD screen
Compose and review images on a large 230,000-dot LCD screen, which also provides access to the camera’s menu system and Quick Control Screen.
Use with all EF and EF-S lenses
The EOS 1100D is supported by the complete range of EOS lenses and accessories: flashguns, remote releases and a system of more than 60 lenses trusted by professional photographers the world over.
Technical Jargon - What does it all mean?
EOS - Stands for Electro Optical System.
SLR - Stands for Single Lens Reflex: Means the camera has one lens that is used for both composing the frame and capturing the image to memory.
APS-C - A type of digital camera sensor with an integral x1.6 magnification factor. This means that for all lenses (Canon, Sigma & Tamron) you have to x the focal length of your lens by the crop factor, which is 1.6 (Nikon 1.5). For example - Canon 50mm x 1.6 = 80mm. For a camera with a cropped sensor the field of view you actually get is 80mm.
CMOS - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor – A type of image sensor used in many digital cameras.
f-number - A numerical designation that indicates the size of the aperture. It is inversely proportional; a smaller number like F2.8 is a large opening whereas a larger number like F16 is a relatively small opening.