Canon's absolute cheapest DSLR, stripped to bare essentials for the most budget-conscious buyer.
The Canon EOS 4000D, sold as the Rebel T100 in some markets, was launched in 2018 as the most affordable DSLR Canon has ever produced — positioned below even the entry-level 2000D in the lineup. It represents the absolute minimum specification Canon considered viable for an interchangeable-lens camera: an 18MP APS-C sensor, 9-point AF, 3fps burst, and built-in Wi-Fi, all in a body that uses a plastic lens mount as the primary cost reduction. For photographers learning on a minimal budget, it captures the same fundamental images as Canon bodies costing many times more.
The 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor pairs with the DIGIC 4+ processor — the same image platform as the 1300D, providing equivalent base quality at a lower price. The 9-point AF system has one central cross-type point; the remaining eight are line-sensitive, adequate for static subjects. At 3fps the burst rate suits casual sequential shooting. Video covers 1080p at up to 30fps for basic documentation. The rear screen is 2.7 inches at 230,000 dots — notably lower resolution than the 1300D's 920,000-dot panel, producing a visibly coarser live view image. Wi-Fi is built in for wireless transfer and remote shooting; NFC is absent. At approximately 436g with battery the body is the lightest in the Canon DSLR range at launch. The LP-E10 battery is shared with multiple Canon entry-level bodies, making spares easy to source. A plastic lens mount replaces the metal mount found on all other Canon DSLRs in the range.
In use the 4000D covers the same photographic scenarios as the 1300D. The 18MP sensor quality is identical, producing adequate results at moderate ISOs for everyday and social media use. The lower-resolution 2.7-inch screen makes image review noticeably less comfortable than on the 1300D. The plastic lens mount is the defining practical limitation: heavy EF lenses exert more stress on the mount than a metal bayonet absorbs, and the plastic is more susceptible to damage from drops or repeated lens changes. For light EF-S lenses the mount is functional; for heavy professional glass, reconsider.
On the used market the 4000D is extremely cheap. The plastic lens mount must be inspected for any play, cracks, or misalignment — particularly important if the body has been used with heavy EF lenses such as telephoto primes. The 2000D at a small premium is a meaningfully better camera: metal mount, higher-resolution screen, and NFC alongside identical image quality. The 4000D should be purchased only when minimum cost is the sole constraint. Shutter life is rated at 100,000 actuations. LP-E10 battery condition is worth verifying.