One lens or two? Either way, this AU Black Friday deal gets you a Canon mirrorless camera for under a grand.


Cameras are expensive investments; I guess it's fair to say that you won't buy a “real” one unless you plan to put it to good use. But did you know that a “real” camera will take better pictures than your phone because of the larger pixels on the larger sensor?

Plus, a capable camera can be cheaper than buying one of the best camera phones. Case in point: the Canon EOS R100.

The included lens is not the only reason for my recommendation. I've used Canon cameras for 13 years and tried several models during that time, but I was really surprised by the value the EOS R100 offers.

If you don't want to take my word for it, TechRadar's camera editor wasn't sure what to expect from it either, but he was also impressed, as can be seen in his in-depth review of the Canon EOS R100.

With a comfortable grip and simple menu system, Canon has made it very easy to start your photography journey with the EOS R100. You may miss out on the fancy features of high-end cameras, but it has everything an entry-level camera needs. And it works very well too.

Its 24MP APS-C sensor is the same one used in the more expensive EOS R50 and EOS R10 models, and it features Canon's reliable dual-pixel autofocus system. With 3,975 autofocus points covering 143 zones, it's easy for anyone to get good, sharp shots. Its image quality is really good!

Take a look at some of the camera samples:

It won't do you much good if you want to take action photos like sports, as its maximum continuous shooting speed maxes out at 6.5 fps, but sometimes that's all you need… at least to start learning how to drive.

It can record 4K video, but it will be cropped at a maximum frame rate of 24fps, but Full HD (or 1080p) footage is captured using the full width of the sensor. Admittedly, this isn't as good as more expensive cameras, but it won't do better at this price.

Its 3-inch rear LCD screen is fixed, which might deter some potential users, as an articulating screen can help frame a variety of shots, but I still don't think it's a deal-breaker for a beginner. It more than makes up for this with a very comfortable grip, which can make a big difference if you need to carry it with you all day on your travels, plus it's lightweight too.

If you were thinking about what to get a young budding photographer, this is a great choice. Or if you are interested in learning the fine art of photography yourself? This camera will help you without burning a big hole in your pocket.

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