Canon R100 vs iPhone 14 Pro: Which Takes Better Photos and Video?
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The quick answer
In my automatic mode comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro often gave me the sharper, more finished looking photo or video. Buying a Canon R100 with its kit lens did not automatically improve the result.
The R100 became more interesting when I changed the lens, took control of the settings and edited the files. I would consider it for learning photography, rather than assume it will beat a phone in every situation.
Compare the Canon R100 with the RF-S 18-45mm kit lens or check the R100 body on its own. Include a lens in the budget if you buy the body alone.
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How I compared them
I used the R100 with its RF-S 18-45mm kit lens in Scene Intelligent Auto. On the iPhone 14 Pro, I used the default camera app and its available camera views without adding effects.
For video, I recorded 4K at 60fps on the iPhone and Full HD at 60fps on the R100. These were different recording formats, so the result shows those setups rather than an identical resolution test.
| Test | Canon R100 setup | iPhone 14 Pro setup |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | Kit lens in Scene Intelligent Auto | Default camera app |
| Video | 1080p at 60fps | 4K at 60fps |
| Additional comparison | Manual settings, editing and a 50mm f/1.8 lens | Phone output used as the comparison point |
Photos in automatic mode
The iPhone’s photos often looked sharper and more vibrant to me than the R100’s kit lens photos in this test. That included the low light examples, where the phone produced cleaner looking results.
That is useful if I want a finished photo with very little effort. It also shows why sensor size alone does not tell me which automatic image I will prefer.
Video in the tested modes
The iPhone video also looked more refined in the automatic setups I used. For someone who wants to press record and share the result, the phone was easier to recommend from this comparison.
The different resolutions are part of that result. I would look at the sample footage and the way I plan to shoot, rather than treat this as a verdict on every recording mode the R100 offers.
Where a different lens and manual control helped
The R100’s advantage is the ability to choose a lens and take more control over the image. With the 50mm f/1.8 lens in my test, sharpness, low light performance and background separation improved.
I also compared the cameras with settings chosen for sharpness. The R100 came out slightly ahead in that part of the test, although both produced useful results.
For a compatible native lens option, compare the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Its narrower view on the R100 makes it a different tool from the kit zoom, especially indoors.
Which would I choose?
- For quick photos and video: I would keep using the iPhone if I liked its results and wanted minimal setup or editing.
- For learning photography: I would consider the R100 if I wanted interchangeable lenses and was ready to practice with exposure and editing.
- For a first camera with more room to grow: I would also compare the Canon R50 before buying.
The $479 body price, roughly $600 kit price and roughly $200 R50 price gap in my original comparison are historical reference points. Compare current packages and total lens cost.
Check the current R100 kit options and read my Canon R50 review before deciding.