If you’re just getting into photography and looking for a budget-friendly camera that can grow with you, two options should be on your radar: the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and the Canon EOS R100. I’ve shot both of these cameras within the past year and know first hand that these Canon cameras each have their strengths and weaknesses.

Both are under $600 (often closer to $400 on sale) with a kit lens and offer a solid starting point, but they take very different paths; one is a traditional DSLR with physical controls and the other is a modern mirrorless camera that leans into compactness and simplicity.

Here’s a full breakdown of how they compare from my hands-on, real-world perspective. Who wins in a Canon EOS Rebel T7 versus Canon EOS R100? You be the judge.

Design and Feel

Let’s keep in mind that we’re talking about entry level cameras. These aren’t weighty, metal pro cameras. We’re dealing with plastic and a certain plasticky form factor. That said, the Rebel T7 feels like a “traditional camera;” it’s big, stable, and while not exactly confidence-inspiring in your hands, it’s one of the last entry DSLRs on the market. You can hear the mirror flip up and down. The grip is deep, the buttons are clicky, and the optical viewfinder gives you a classic shooting experience. It's great for learning manual settings because everything is clearly laid out.

The EOS R100 on the other hand is a mirrorless camera. Unlike the flip-flopping mirror that allows you to see through an optical viewfinder, this camera has a sensor directly behind the lens. It’s way smaller and lighter, almost pocketable with the 18–45mm kit lens. It’s an ideal camera for travel or casual day-to-day shooting. But that smaller size can be a trade-off. I found the grip to be too tight and the buttons are minimal. Great if you’re upgrading from a smartphone, but DSLR users might feel like it’s a step down in handling.

Image Quality

Both the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and the EOS R100 use a 24.1MP APS-C sensor, but the R100 has the advantage of a newer DIGIC 8 processor. After all, the Rebel T7 is five years older than the R100, and the R100 is already two years old in 2025.

The updated processor translates into sharper JPEGs, better low-light performance, and more accurate auto white balance. The Rebel T7 still delivers beautiful colors and detail in good light (especially outdoors) but it starts to get fairly grainy past ISO 1600. Photos in dark spaces, like Grand Central Station in New York City (below) start to look a bit muddy. Blame the shooter if you must, but in door shots never quite look great on the R100 with high ISO.

Otherwise, both cameras produce great images because they have a variety of lenses that can be used on the bodies. You can see a few more samples of what I mean below. If you’d like to see more images, check out my in-depth reviews of the EOS Rebel T7 and the EOS R100.

Canon EOS Rebel T7 Sample Photos

All of the photos below were taken with the kit lens that comes with the EOS Rebel T7, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II.

Canon EOS R100 Sample Photos

All of the photos below were taken with the kit lens that comes with the EOS R100, the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM.

Autofocus and Performance

This is where the R100 runs laps around the T7. Dual Pixel autofocus means faster, more confident focusing in both photo and video. It always knows how far away your subject is, while the T7, with its basic 9-point system and contrast autofocus, takes a long time focusing the lens in and out to figure out where your subject is. It feels slightly sluggish in Live View, which is fine for still subjects but frustrating for anything moving. You’ll miss some great shots because of it.

The R100 also shoots faster bursts (6.5fps vs. 3fps), making it better for photos of kids, pets, or street photography. I can’t tell you how many great NYC moments I missed on the street because the Rebel T7 wouldn’t focus fast enough.

Video Capabilities

Neither of these cameras is built for serious video, but the EOS R100 does have 4K at 24fps, albeit with a 1.55x crop. It’s good enough for casual clips or B-roll. The EOS Rebel T7, in the meantime, is stuck at 1080p at 30fps, with no mic jack and slow autofocus while recording. If video matters even a little, the R100 is the clear winner. Take a look at the two videos below to compare each camera’s video performance at its best.

Battery and Storage

Both cameras use SD cards, but the R100 leverages the UHS-I video speed class ratings of V30, which makes sense with its 4K video capabilities. The Rebel T7 doesn’t, but you won’t notice a difference between write speed. Both cameras ship without SD cards so you’ll want to buy some.

In terms of battery, the Rebel T7 pulls ahead here, getting over 500 shots per charge, while the R100 gets around 300–350. However, be sure to buy a spare battery or two. Each camera gets you hundreds of photos per charge, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you can get through that. A better gauge of capacity is time and, between photo and video, you’ll likely only get a couple of hours of shooting time.

Spec Comparison Chart

Feature	Canon EOS Rebel T7	Canon EOS R100
Sensor	24.1MP APS-C CMOS	24.1MP APS-C CMOS
Image Processor	DIGIC 4+	DIGIC 8
Autofocus System	9-point AF	Dual Pixel CMOS AF (143 zones)
Burst Shooting	3 fps	6.5 fps
Video	1080p @ 30fps	4K @ 24fps (1.55x crop)
Screen	3” fixed, non-touch LCD	3” fixed, non-touch LCD
Viewfinder	Optical (OVF)	OLED Electronic (EVF)
Battery Life	500 shots	~300–350 shots
Connectivity	Wi-Fi + NFC	Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
Body Weight	~475g (with battery)	356g (with battery)
Price (kit)	🛒 Check current price	🛒 Check current price

Final Verdict

If you're looking for a DSLR experience with physical controls, an optical viewfinder, and long battery life, the EOS Rebel T7 is still a solid pick, especially for beginners who want to learn photography basics the traditional way.

If you're after something more modern, compact, and snappy, the EOS R100 gives you better autofocus, faster burst shooting, 4K video, and a future-proof lens mount, even if it feels a little stripped-down.

Bottom line:

T7 is great for learning and shooting stills on a budget.
R100 is better for portability, autofocus, and 4K video.

If you asked me to choose, I’d spend the extra cash for the EOS R100. However, if budget is your primary concern, you don’t care about video, and you want to start shooting right away, the Rebel T7 is your best bet.

Canon EOS Rebel T7 vs. Canon EOS R100: Best Beginner Camera in 2025?