Canon 10D vs 1100D

The Canon EOS 10D and the Canon EOS 1100D (labelled Canon T3 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2003 and February 2011. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 10D has a resolution of 6.3 megapixels, whereas the 1100D provides 12.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 10D		Canon 1100D
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
6.3 MP, APS-C Sensor		12.2 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-3,200		ISO 100-6,400
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
1.8 LCD, 118k dots		2.7 LCD, 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge		700 shots per battery charge
150 x 107 x 75 mm, 850 g		130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 10D and the Canon EOS 1100D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 10D and the Canon 1100D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1100D is notably smaller (19 percent) than the Canon 10D. Moreover, the 1100D is substantially lighter (42 percent) than the 10D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 10D nor the 1100D are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 10D gets 500 shots out of its BP-511 battery, while the 1100D can take 700 images on a single charge of its LP-E10 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life 1	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch 2	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 10D	5.9 in	4.2 in	3.0 in	30.0 oz	500	n	Feb 2003	1,999
	Canon 1100D	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	17.5 oz	700	n	Feb 2011	449
	Canon 1200D	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	16.9 oz	500	n	Feb 2014	449
	Canon T5	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	16.9 oz	500	n	Feb 2014	449
	Canon SL1	4.6 in	3.6 in	2.7 in	14.4 oz	380	n	Mar 2013	549
	Canon 650D	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.3 oz	440	n	Jun 2012	849
	Canon G1 X	4.6 in	3.2 in	2.6 in	18.8 oz	250	n	Jan 2012	799
	Canon T4i	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.3 oz	440	n	Jun 2012	849
	Canon 600D	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.1 oz	440	n	Feb 2011	599
	Canon 7D	5.8 in	4.4 in	2.9 in	30.3 oz	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699
	Canon 1000D	5.0 in	3.9 in	2.6 in	17.7 oz	500	n	Jun 2008	449
	Canon 40D	5.7 in	4.3 in	2.9 in	29.0 oz	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299
	Canon 30D	5.7 in	4.2 in	2.9 in	27.7 oz	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399
	Canon 20D	5.7 in	4.2 in	2.8 in	27.2 oz	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499
	Canon Rebel	5.6 in	3.9 in	2.8 in	22.9 oz	400	n	Aug 2003	899
	Canon D60	5.9 in	4.2 in	3.0 in	30.2 oz	620	n	Feb 2002	2,999
	Nikon D100	5.7 in	4.6 in	3.2 in	27.5 oz	370	n	Feb 2002	1,999
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement.

Camera Model
Canon 10D
Canon 1100D
Canon 1200D
Canon T5
Canon SL1
Canon 650D
Canon G1 X
Canon T4i
Canon 600D
Canon 7D
Canon 1000D
Canon 40D
Canon 30D
Canon 20D
Canon Rebel
Canon D60
Nikon D100

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The 1100D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 78 percent) than the 10D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 1100D is 6 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the 1100D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 10D (DIGIC), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the 1100D offers a higher resolution of 12.2 megapixels, compared with 6.3 MP of the 10D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 5.15μm versus 7.38μm for the 10D). However, it should be noted that the 1100D is much more recent (by 7 years and 11 months) than the 10D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 1100D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 1100D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 10D are 15.4 x 10.2 inches or 39 x 26 cm for good quality, 12.3 x 8.2 inches or 31.2 x 20.8 cm for very good quality, and 10.2 x 6.8 inches or 26 x 17.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 10D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 1100D are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 1100D has a markedly higher DXO score than the 10D (overall score 5 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.8 bits higher color depth, 0.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon 10D	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	21.1	10.9	571	57
	Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
	Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
	Canon T5	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
	Canon SL1	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.8	11.3	843	63
	Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
	Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
	Canon T4i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
	Canon 600D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	793	65
	Canon 7D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	854	66
	Canon 1000D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	..	..	..	..
	Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
	Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
	Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
	Canon Rebel	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	21.0	10.8	544	55
	Canon D60	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D100	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	..	..	..	..

Camera Model
Canon 10D
Canon 1100D
Canon 1200D
Canon T5
Canon SL1
Canon 650D
Canon G1 X
Canon T4i
Canon 600D
Canon 7D
Canon 1000D
Canon 40D
Canon 30D
Canon 20D
Canon Rebel
Canon D60
Nikon D100

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The 1100D indeed provides for movie recording, while the 10D does not. The highest resolution format that the 1100D can use is 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 10D and the 1100D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the 10D has a higher magnification than the one of the 1100D (0.55x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 10D and Canon 1100D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon 10D	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon T5	optical	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon SL1	optical	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.9	Y	n
	Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0	922	Swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9	Y	Y
	Canon T4i	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon 600D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.7	Y	n
	Canon 7D	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
	Canon 1000D	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 40D	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5	Y	n
	Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon Rebel	optical	n	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5	Y	n
	Canon D60	optical	Y	1.8	114	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D100	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n

Camera Model
Canon 10D
Canon 1100D
Canon 1200D
Canon T5
Canon SL1
Canon 650D
Canon G1 X
Canon T4i
Canon 600D
Canon 7D
Canon 1000D
Canon 40D
Canon 30D
Canon 20D
Canon Rebel
Canon D60
Nikon D100

One feature that is present on the 10D, but is missing on the 1100D is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The 10D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the 1100D uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 10D and Canon EOS 1100D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon 10D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
	Canon 1100D	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 1200D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon T5	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon SL1	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 650D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon G1 X	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon T4i	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 600D	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 7D	Y	mono	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 1000D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 40D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 30D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 20D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
	Canon Rebel	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
	Canon D60	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
	Nikon D100	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-

Camera Model
Canon 10D
Canon 1100D
Canon 1200D
Canon T5
Canon SL1
Canon 650D
Canon G1 X
Canon T4i
Canon 600D
Canon 7D
Canon 1000D
Canon 40D
Canon 30D
Canon 20D
Canon Rebel
Canon D60
Nikon D100

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 10D (unlike the 1100D) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 10D and the 1100D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 10D was replaced by the Canon 20D, while the 1100D was followed by the Canon 1200D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon 10D better than the Canon 1100D or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 10D:

• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.55x vs 0.50x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2003).

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 1100D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (12.2 vs 6.3MP), which boosts linear resolution by 39%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (5 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 720/30p video.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.7" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (230k vs 118k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (130x100mm vs 150x107mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 355g or 42 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (700 versus 500) out of a single battery charge.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.1).
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (78 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 7 years and 11 months of technical progress since the 10D launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1100D is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 10D and the Canon 1100D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 10D and the 1100D in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 10D	..	+ +	..	o	..	Feb 2003	1,999
	Canon 1100D	80/100	69/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449
	Canon 1200D	+	..	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449
	Canon T5	+	..	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449
	Canon SL1	+	78/100	4/5	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	549
	Canon 650D	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849
	Canon G1 X	+	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799
	Canon T4i	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849
	Canon 600D	o	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	599
	Canon 7D	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699
	Canon 1000D	82/100	+ +	3.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	449
	Canon 40D	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299
	Canon 30D	+ +	+ +	o	o	..	Feb 2006	1,399
	Canon 20D	..	+ +	..	o	..	Aug 2004	1,499
	Canon Rebel	..	+ +	..	o	..	Aug 2003	899
	Canon D60	..	+ +	o	..	..	Feb 2002	2,999
	Nikon D100	..	+ +	o	o	..	Feb 2002	1,999
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Camera Model
Canon 10D
Canon 1100D
Canon 1200D
Canon T5
Canon SL1
Canon 650D
Canon G1 X
Canon T4i
Canon 600D
Canon 7D
Canon 1000D
Canon 40D
Canon 30D
Canon 20D
Canon Rebel
Canon D60
Nikon D100

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

Specifications: Canon 10D vs Canon 1100D

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.