Digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) have seen their market share shrink over the years, having been overtaken by mirrorless cameras. While industry professionals chiefly maintain an interest in the DSLR market, the law of diminishing returns applies here.
One fantastic thing about cameras is how much longer they last compared with a smartphone. There is far less pressure to obtain the latest gear each year, and having numerous lens options makes it a far superior investment for hardcore shutterbugs.
With this in mind, Canon continues to excite with one of its latest models – the EOS R10. This mirrorless 24-megapixel shooter features an APS-C CMOS sensor within a body that is small and light, making it ideal for travel and even casual walkabouts around your neighbourhood to capture candid shots.
When it comes to lenses, it relies on the RF-S mount that is compatible with other full-frame RF-mount cameras. In other words, every single full-frame RF lens will play nice with the EOS R10, in addition to the new RF-S lenses that have just been released.
For a prime lens, however, you will need to pick up a full-frame lens on your own accord, or fall back on an adapter to affix a DSLR EF lens.
The EOS R10 sports a 3-inch (7.5cm) flip-out touchscreen display that easily allows you to get your vlogging game on. Foldable smartphones allow a greater degree of flexibility for selfies, true, but why not aim for superior quality?
Targeting the younger generation who grew up on a steady diet of social media and YouTube, the flip-out display becomes indispensable. It’s intuitive enough for those who have only relied on smartphones to snap photos, whereas the older generation who had to manually set focus points will find the touchscreen capability heaven-sent.
The camera body is easy on the hand with a sturdy grip, and even those with sweaty palms will not find holding it a challenge on a long session. Those with smaller hands will also be able to cradle the R10 confidently.
Like any other digital camera today, there is a solitary SD memory card slot for storage. There is also WiFi connectivity for easy backup and photo transfer to the cloud. Still, it’s good practice to perform regular backups whenever you return from a photo-taking exercise.
The 1,040 mAh LP-E17 battery is in line with other similar cameras in this product category, offering up to 450 shots with the flip-out touchscreen enabled – at least on paper. In real-life usage, your mileage will vary.
When it comes to 4K 30p video shooting, you will most probably be able to coax about an hour’s worth on the R10. Bring a spare, fully charged battery with you if you intend to embark on a longer-than-usual photoshoot.
It might be prudent to carry a powerbank with you as well, since you can charge it via the USB-C port – but do note that this port can be very particular as it doesn’t work with all phone charges or cables. It’s best to consult Canon for the compatibility list.
Other connectivity options include a micro HDMI port, WiFi 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 4.2 for your wireless needs, and a microphone input.
Clearly playing to the younger gallery, the R10 allows you to capture high-speed action and key moments courtesy of the Continuous Shooting mode with AE/AF tracking. It is arguably its best feature, ensuring that fast-moving subjects remain in focus most of the time.
In fact, this works not only on humans but on animals and vehicles. Time for you and your furkid to go for an outing at the park and immortalise that memory!
It’s nice to see the control dial spin both ways without any issue, since older-generation cameras require you to spin it in a particular direction to enable a specific function.
When it comes to low-light conditions, your flagship smartphone might fare better with the clever implementation of computational photography. ISO 6400 should be the hard limit here for reasonably clear photos at night, but – compounded by the fact that in-body stabilisation is missing – chances are you will end up with a blurry mess at shutter speeds below 1/100th, unless you have the steady hands of a surgeon.
The integrated flash might help depending on the situation, so be prepared to activate it as and when the need arises.
The Canon RF-S 18-150mm lens is sufficient and versatile enough for everyday use, making it a good starting point for novices. Once you have fully mastered it and find the lens restricts your creativity, you could explore the slew of compatible RF and EF options available.
Verdict
The Canon EOS R10 is a versatile powerhouse for those who are starting out in the field and wish to explore more than what a smartphone offers. You get a value-for-money proposition with above-average shooting speeds, great autofocus, good image quality, and the ability to capture nice videos.
The Canon EOS R10 retails for RM3,969 on its own, or RM5,699 inclusive of the RF-S 18-150mm lens. For more information, visit the Canon website.
Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Check out his blog at manatau.com.