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Canon 1100D vs Epson R-D1

The Canon EOS 1100D (called Canon T3 in some regions) and the Epson R-D1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2011 and March 2004. The 1100D is a DSLR, while the R-D1 is a rangefinder-focusing mirrorless camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Epson provides 6 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon 1100D
versus
Epson R-D1
Canon 1100D   Epson R-D1
Digital single lens reflex Rangefinder camera
Canon EF mount lenses Leica M mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 6 MP – APS-C sensor
720/30p Video no Video
ISO 100-6,400 ISO 200-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 2.0" LCD – 235k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 1 shutter flaps per second
130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g 142 x 89 x 40 mm, 620 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 1100D and the Epson R-D1? 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.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1100D and the Epson R-D1. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 1100D vs Epson R-D1
Compare 1100D versus R-D1 top
Comparison 1100D or R-D1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Epson R-D1 is somewhat smaller (3 percent) than the Canon 1100D. However, the R-D1 is markedly heavier (25 percent) than the 1100D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 1100D nor the R-D1 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. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1100D) and the Leica M Lens Catalog (R-D1).

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
2.
 
Epson R-D1 142 mm 89 mm 40 mm 620 g .. n Mar 2004 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX50 123 mm 87 mm 106 mm 595 g 315 n Sep 2012 429ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 600D 133 mm 100 mm 80 mm 570 g 440 n Feb 2011 599ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 550D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 530 g 440 n Feb 2010 699ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 450D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 1000D 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
13.
 
Canon Rebel 142 mm 99 mm 72 mm 649 g 400 n Aug 2003 899ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X Vario 133 mm 73 mm 95 mm 680 g 450 n Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D50 133 mm 102 mm 76 mm 620 g 400 n Apr 2005 749ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D70s 140 mm 111 mm 78 mm 679 g 500 n Apr 2005 899ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D70 140 mm 111 mm 78 mm 679 g 400 n Jan 2004 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 85 percent) than the R-D1, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the R-D1 is 15 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (1100D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon 1100D and Epson R-D1 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 1100D offers a higher resolution of 12.2 megapixels, compared with 6 MP of the Epson R-D1. 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 7.85μm for the R-D1). However, it should be noted that the 1100D is much more recent (by 6 years and 10 months) than the R-D1, 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 Epson R-D1 are 15 x 10 inches or 38.2 x 25.4 cm for good quality, 12 x 8 inches or 30.6 x 20.3 cm for very good quality, and 10 x 6.7 inches or 25.5 x 16.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 1100D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Epson R-D1 are ISO 200 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the 1100D is build around a CMOS sensor, while the R-D1 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

1100D versus R-D1 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
2.
 
Epson R-D1 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none21.110.456455
3.
 
Canon 2000D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.611.9100971
4.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
5.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
6.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
7.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
8.
 
Canon SX50 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p20.311.217947
9.
 
Canon 600D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.579365
10.
 
Canon 550D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.578466
11.
 
Canon 450D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
12.
 
Canon 1000D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
13.
 
Canon Rebel APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.010.854455
14.
 
Leica X Vario APS-C 16.1 4928 32721080/30p23.412.7132078
15.
 
Nikon D50 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.910.856055
16.
 
Nikon D70s APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.410.352950
17.
 
Nikon D70 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.410.352950
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The 1100D indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the R-D1 does not. The highest resolution format that the 1100D can use is 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1100D and the R-D1 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 1100D, the Epson R-D1, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Epson R-D1optical n2.0 / 235 fixed n 1/2000s 1.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 2000Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon SX50202 n3.0 / 461 swivel n 1/2000s 2.2/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon 600Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 550Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n
11.
 
Canon 450Doptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 1000Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon Rebeloptical n1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
14.
 
Leica X Variooptional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D50optical n2.0 / 130 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D70soptical n2.0 / 130 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D70optical n1.8 / 130 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 1100D has one, while the R-D1 does not. While the built-in flash of the 1100D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The 1100D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the R-D1 uses SDHC cards.

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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 1100D and Epson R-D1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Epson R-D1Y- / --------
3.
 
Canon 2000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon SX50Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 600DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon 550DYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon 450DY- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon 1000DY- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Canon RebelY- / ----1.1---
14.
 
Leica X VarioYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D50Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D70sY- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D70Y- / ----1.0---
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Studio photographers will appreciate that the Epson R-D1 (unlike the 1100D) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 1100D and the R-D1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1100D was replaced by the Canon 1200D, while the R-D1 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the 1100D and R-D1 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 1100D Manual (free pdf) or the online Epson R-D1 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 1100D better than the Epson R-D1 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 1100D:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (12.2 vs 6MP) with a 42% higher linear resolution.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 720/30p movies.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.7" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 1 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 125g or 20 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (85 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 6 years and 10 months of technical progress since the R-D1 launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Epson R-D1:

  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in March 2004).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1100D is the clear winner of the match-up (9 : 2 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.

1100D 09:02 R-D1

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 1100D or the R-D1. 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 adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
2.
 
Epson R-D1............ Mar 2004 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 2000D3/5o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX503/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 429ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 600D3/5o..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2011 599ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 550D..+ +..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 699ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 450D..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 1000D..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
13.
 
Canon Rebel......+ +.... Aug 2003 899ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X Vario3/5......4/54/5 Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D50..78/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Apr 2005 749ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D70s..........5/5 Apr 2005 899ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D70......+ +.... Jan 2004 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon 1100D vs Epson R-D1

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 1100D Epson R-D1
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Rangefinder camera
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Leica M mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2011 March 2004
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 2,999
    Sensor Specs Canon 1100D Epson R-D1
    Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.0 x 14.7 mm 23.7 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 323.4 mm2 369.72 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.5 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 6 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.15 μm 7.85 μm
    Pixel Density 3.76 MP/cm2 1.63 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 200 - 1,600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.0 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 755 ..
    Screen Specs Canon 1100D Epson R-D1
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 2.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 235k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 1100D Epson R-D1
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Manual Focus
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 1 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon 1100D Epson R-D1
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 no USB
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 1100D Epson R-D1
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Epson EU-85
    Body Dimensions 130 x 100 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in)
    142 x 89 x 40 mm
    (5.6 x 3.5 x 1.6 in)
    Camera Weight 495 g (17.5 oz) 620 g (21.9 oz)
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