The short version
- Mode dial (top) to M for full manual control.
- One top dial: shutter speed by default in M. Push up on the rocker to switch it to aperture, again for exposure comp, again to return to shutter.
- Watch the small dial icon next to the value on screen. It tells you which setting the dial currently drives.
- Press Q, pick the ISO box, turn the dial to set ISO. The screen is not touch sensitive, use the buttons.
- No Auto ISO minimum shutter speed setting. Use Tv mode with Auto ISO as the workaround.
- Kit lens is the RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM.
Last updated · Exposure Triangle Simulator editorial team
Where everything lives on the R100
The R100 is Canon's most stripped-down mirrorless body, and the controls show it: one dial, one rocker, one Q button. The trick is the dial's three-way cycle.
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mode dial | Top | Picks the shooting mode: M, Av, Tv, P, Auto, scene modes. |
| Top dial | Top, by the shutter button | The one dial for everything. In M it starts on shutter speed. |
| Rocker button | Above the dial, push up | Each push cycles the dial: shutter speed, aperture, exposure comp, back to shutter. |
| Q button | Back | Opens the Quick Control screen: ISO, white balance, drive mode, metering and more. |
| Multi-controller | Back | Navigates menus and the Q screen, moves the focus point. |
The rear screen is fixed and not touch sensitive, so every change goes through the dial, the rocker and the buttons. It is slower than a touchscreen, but it forces you to learn the controls.
Manual mode on the R100
- Turn the mode dial to M. The screen shows shutter speed, aperture, ISO and the exposure meter.
- Set shutter speed: turn the top dial. It controls shutter speed first. The shutter speed guide explains which speeds do what.
- Set aperture: push up on the rocker once. The dial icon next to the aperture value lights up. Now turn the dial to change the f-number. See what aperture does if the tradeoffs are new.
- Set ISO: press Q, move to the ISO box with the multi-controller, turn the top dial. Start at ISO 100 in daylight. The ISO guide covers when to raise it.
- Check the meter and shoot. Center the marker, half-press to focus, full press to take the shot.
Lost track of which setting the dial controls? Glance at the dial icon beside the values on screen. Push the rocker until the icon sits next to the setting you want.
Auto ISO on the R100, honestly explained
Press Q, open the ISO box and turn the dial until it reads AUTO. To cap the range, open the red Shoot menu, choose ISO speed settings, then Auto range, and set minimum and maximum.
Like its sibling the R50, the R100 has no minimum shutter speed setting for Auto ISO. In Av mode the camera can drift to a slow shutter and blur the shot. The fix is Tv mode with Auto ISO: set the shutter speed yourself (1/500 for kids and sports), and the camera picks aperture and ISO around it.
Three setups that just work
Dial these in on the R100 with the 18-45mm kit lens.
| Setup | Mode and settings | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait, blurry background | Av · 45mm · f/6.3 · ISO 100 | Zoom all the way in, open the aperture as wide as the kit lens allows. Focus on the eyes. For real blur, the RF 50mm f/1.8 is the classic first upgrade. |
| Landscape, sharp throughout | Av · 18mm · f/8 · ISO 100 | f/8 keeps the foreground and horizon sharp on this sensor. Focus about a third of the way into the scene. |
| Action, freeze motion | Tv · 1/1000 · Auto ISO | Push the rocker until the dial drives shutter speed, set 1/1000, let Auto ISO handle the rest. Use continuous shooting from the Q menu drive settings. |
R100 button combos, one box
| Want to change | Do this |
|---|---|
| Shooting mode | Mode dial → M, Av, Tv or P |
| Shutter speed (M) | Top dial (default) |
| Aperture (M) | Push rocker up once → turn dial |
| Exposure comp (M) | Push rocker up twice → turn dial |
| ISO | Q → ISO box → turn dial |
| Auto ISO | Q → ISO box → turn dial to AUTO |
| Auto ISO range cap | Shoot menu → ISO speed settings → Auto range |
Want these as a printable card? Grab the free camera settings cheat sheet and practice the moves on the simulator first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the aperture on the Canon EOS R100 in manual mode?
In M mode, push up on the rocker button above the dial once to switch the top dial from shutter speed to aperture, then turn the dial.
Why does my R100 dial sometimes change the wrong setting?
The single dial cycles shutter speed, aperture, then exposure compensation each time you push up on the rocker. Watch the icon next to the value to see which setting the dial currently controls.
How do I change ISO on the Canon EOS R100?
Press the Q button, move to the ISO box with the multi-controller, and turn the top dial. The R100 screen is not touch sensitive, so use the buttons.
Does the Canon EOS R100 have Auto ISO minimum shutter speed?
No. Like the R50, the R100 cannot set a minimum shutter speed for Auto ISO. Use Tv mode with Auto ISO to lock a shutter speed.
Is the R100 screen touch sensitive?
No. The 3-inch rear screen is fixed and not touch sensitive. Menu and Q-screen changes go through the multi-controller and dial.