Cons

Autofocus in Live View mode

Little new

Video mode rudimentary

Cheaper than with the Canon EOS 1300D you get no current DSLR. At a street price of around 350 euros, there is solid technology that is more than sufficient for entering or changing to the DSLR segment. The fact that the price leaves little room for innovation is the downside of the Canon EOS 1300D. But one thing at a time.

Entry level cameras are made from simpler materials. While magnesium is often used for higher quality models, the Canon EOS 1300D has to make do with fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin. In view of the lower price and the classification as an entry-level model, however, we do not see any problems in this respect. Due to its rubberized and slightly ergonomically shaped handle and the rubberized thumb rest on the back, the EOS 1300D fits well in the hand, all keys are quite large. The SLR camera can be operated completely with the right hand, all buttons and dials can be reached from the thumb or index finger.

The 458 gram Canon EOS 1300D impresses with its compact dimensions. It measures just 129 x 101 x 77 mm. But this does not detract from the ultra-modern technology inside at all.

The camera is equipped with a CMOS sensor that achieves a maximum of 17.9 megapixels. This corresponds to a maximum resolution of 5184 x 3456 pixels. Perfectly sufficient for beginners and also more ambitious hobbyists.

When photographing, several aspects stand out positively at the same time. So you can work with a minimum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec. Also interesting are recordings with 30 s.

But the whole thing’s gonna get a boost. This makes it possible to take pictures with a maximum ISO value of 12,800. A strong value that does not always exist in this price range.

Furthermore, the long battery life, the 3.0 frames per second and the very high resolution display of 920,000 pixels should also be mentioned.

With the EOS 1300D, you can take more than just photos. Even videos in Full HD resolution can be created at any time. If you only want to take short video snapshots, the Canon camera is also the best choice. The mode for such recordings is already integrated by default.

The handling of the Canon EOS 1300D:

The polycarbonate case cannot be criticized. Nothing wobbles or creaks. The workmanship is really of a very good quality.

The operating menu is as usual from Canon, well structured and self-explanatory. However, the operation is only carried out via the attached keys. The camera does not have a touch screen.

The 9-point AF with center AF point works quietly and reliably. It may not be one of the fastest cameras in its class, but what can you expect from one of the cheapest cameras on the market? That’s why we don’t give you a minus point for this.

The 7.5 cm (3.0 inch) screen also speaks for the good handling. It reproduces the colours in detail and shines with 920,000 pixels.

Last but not least, the integrated WLAN and NFC functions underline the optimized handling. This means that images can be transferred to the smartphone immediately after they have been taken. Of course, the camera can also be controlled via smartphone. A great function that we don’t want to miss anymore.

Advantages and disadvantages of the SLR camera:

The sensor is the same as it was used in the predecessor models. So you don’t have to worry about image quality. It has always been good and it is also in the new 1300D.

The operation and handling are completely convincing. You don’t notice the missing touch screen. Everything can be implemented quickly and easily using the control buttons. It would still be nice if the display would unfold. But you can also do without this. There are, however, slight deductions for this.

But what the camera really lacks is a GPS function. Especially when travelling, this is so helpful. Besides, the lightning could be a tick stronger. But such trifles should not be interpreted as a negative point at this low price.

General View Of The Camera

The EOS 1300D is a rather compact DSLR camera with a plastic housing:

On the upper side of the DSLR, the aperture/shutter speed is adjusted with an adjustment wheel, and the integrated flash can also be unfolded using the only button located there. Like all integrated models, this is of course only suitable for brightening up closer motifs. With the possibility of flash exposure correction (+/- 2 steps) and the choice to flash on the first or second shutter, however, the basic functions are offered. If you need more options or a higher performance, you can of course use the accessory shoe to attach a system flash.

On the upper side the aperture and the program selection are possible:

with a grippy side surface so that it can be turned comfortably. All 13 photo programs and also the video mode are reached over it. As usual with a beginner model, the fully automatic mode (marked with a green A+) and the scene modes for special shooting situations are in the foreground. Of the latter, there are a total of eight. This includes a flash off mode, a portrait mode or a sport mode. The PSAM modes are available for advanced photographers.

These allow – depending on the program – the selection of the sensor sensitivity and/or the aperture or the exposure time. If you want to record videos, you have to select the video mode and press the Liveview button on the back. Outside the video mode, this switches to the Liveview view.

The buttons on the rear panel can be used to change the shooting mode (single shot, continuous advance, self-timer), sensor sensitivity, white balance, etc., if this is possible in the selected photo program. All important photo options are also summarized in the quick menu (accessible via the Q-key). Good: Here you will find short descriptions of the individual functions.

The main menu of the Canon EOS 1300D:

The main menu is used less frequently in everyday photo work, and is mainly used to make basic settings. It is divided into different tabs, symbols indicate where to find which options. The menu structure could be a bit more logical, but basically you will find your way around. Good: If you use individual parameters frequently, you can register them for the “My Menu” and reach them quickly and easily. Creative filters can of course also be applied to the Canon EOS 1300D (data sheet) images, but only after shooting. In addition to a granularity B/W filter and a “blur”, a “fisheye” effect is also available.

Let’s get to the focus: The phase comparison autofocus, which is used when looking through the viewfinder, has nine fields of view. The middle one is a cross sensor, the other eight are line sensors. These can only focus on horizontal or vertical contrasts. The cross sensor is capable of both. In general, focusing is possible with the Canon EOS 1300D (speed) up to an open aperture of F5.6. The AF thus moves on the level usual for a beginner camera, one should not expect too much. However, those who mainly use the middle measuring field will be able to get by with what they have bid. As an alternative to phase AF, the DSLR also supports contrast measurement for focusing in live view and video mode. You can find out what there is to consider here on the summary page.

For exposure metering, the EOS 1300D has a 63-zone metering system. In addition to multi-field and center-weighted integral measurements, a selective measurement can also be selected. With the shutter speed you can choose between 30 seconds and 1/4,000 seconds. Bulb mode is also offered for long time exposure.

The 3.0-inch LCD provides 920,000 subpixels for a sharp display:

Canon has doubled the resolution of the display from 460,000 to 920,000 subpixels compared to the previous model. This step is noticeable in a significantly increased sharpness. What has remained the same, however, is the fixed construction, which means that the LCD cannot be rotated or swivelled. Also missing is the touch surface familiar from many other Canon cameras. The viewing angles of the LCD are at least praiseworthy. Even when viewed obliquely, the colours do not change.

Canon EOS 1300D with decent image quality

The heart of the system is the APS-C-sized image sensor with an impressive 18 megapixels. The Canon EOS 1300D serves a maximum of 1,578 line pairs per image height with minimum light sensitivity. Recordings therefore appear crisp and sharp. Shots up to and including ISO 1,600 appear to be low-noise and rich in detail. So it works to leave the nine metre wide-brightening flash folded in and use the atmospheric ambient light instead.

Scene and creative modes make it possible to adjust the Canon EOS 1300D according to the motifs even without prior technical knowledge. Advanced users may venture into the (semi-)manual modes. However, aperture and shutter speed share a jograd on the top. A bright, but slightly smaller optical viewfinder, covering only 95 percent of the field of view, is used to find the subject.