Canon EOS 200D preview
With a fresh sensor, image processor and connectivity options galore, the 100D’s successor proves that less can be more
Introducing the world’s smallest DSLR (with a vari-angle screen), no less…
with the recent expansion of the EOS M system, Canon’s entry-level DSLR lineup has been left looking relatively neglected, represented by the EOS 1300D, along with the positively pensionable EOS 100D from over four years
ago. Consequently, it’s no surprise that the new EOS 200D packs numerous internal and external improvements, with particular attention focused on usability and connectivity. For starters, the camera gets Canon’s Guided UI, which popped up in the recent EOS 800D. This allows you to switch the interface from its traditional readout to a more graphically driven guide that explains various shooting functions. Canon is aiming the EOS 200D at smartphone photographers looking to enter the DSLR world, and to further ease this transition and tempt them to the Canon brand, the EOS 200D packs a new selfie mode, together with skin smoothing and background blurring controls. Built-in Wi-fi, NFC and Bluetooth are also on hand, making image sharing as seamless as possible.
Of course, the EOS 100D struck big by being so small, and its successor follows suit, albeit with a caveat. Canon is marketing the EOS 200D as the world’s smallest DSLR with a vari-angle screen, as the EOS 100D is still the smaller camera. Its replacement is over 6mm wider,
Focusing speed is further streamlined with the addition of touch sensitivity
almost 2mm taller, and a hair’s width deeper. Plus, at 453g loaded with a battery and card, it’s a tad heavier than the 407g EOS 100D, even if the new camera’s weight is still well matched to the current entry-level competition.
Not only is Canon attempting to win over the tech savvy, the EOS 200D is also gunning for the style conscious. Three body finishes are available, with a white version and a silver/tan option flanking the traditional black look. Design-wise, the most significant changes include a more ergonomic grip, which is now deeper, as well as a radically redesigned top plate where pretty much everything has been restyled. Canon has opted to have the Mode dial recessed into the top plate, and has gone with a new power control that allows immediate access to movie recording. Furthermore, there are dedicated buttons for connectivity and display.
Thankfully, the EOS 200D’s changes are more than skin deep. Gone is the EOS 100D’s venerable old 18Mp APS-C sensor and DIGIC 5 processor, replaced by a 24.2Mp sensor and the latest-generation DIGIC 7 image processor (that also appears in the EOS 6D Mk II – see page 104). Sensor sensitivity is now also a stop higher, with a native range of ISO100-25,600, that’s expandable to ISO51,200.
Despite the more pixel-packed sensor and boosted processing hardware, 4K video capture is absent, with the EOS 200D shooting good-old Full HD 1080p resolution, albeit at 60fps where the EOS 100D could only manage 30fps. The new camera also incorporates a five-axis digital IS function to help keep things steady during recording. If you’d rather shoot a burst of full-res stills than record video, these are now captured at 5fps – 1fps faster than the EOS 100D – and the 200D will maintain 3.5fps, even in Live View with AI Servo AF enabled.
It’s a pity the new camera still sports a nine-point AF system with only a single cross-type point, however the system has been augmented with Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which allows the camera to use phase-detect AF using Live View and during movie recording.
Focusing speed is further streamlined with the addition of touch sensitivity to the EOS 200D’s screen. The LCD panel itself shares the same specifications as that used by the EOS 100D, but its 1040k-dot resolution can still cut it in today’s market, while the EOS 200D’s new vari-angle screen hinge makes it much easier to compose high and low-angle shots, and can be twisted to point forwards for those all-important selfies.
Extra features like a time-lapse movie mode and in-camera Raw processing are also welcome additions, with the latter being great if you want to shoot Raw and share your shots immediately. Last but definitely not least is the EOS 200D’s battery life, which is good for 650 shots; a healthy improvement on the EOS 100D’s 380-shot rating.