The major advantage of this device is that it is ultra compact for a reflex that makes him enter into serious competition with bridges.
How often people who have a compact (or bridge) and abandon the reflex reflex during an outing to a question of congestion? Very often ;-)
Here the question no longer arises: it is very compact and especially light enough! 407 grams. That's perfect.
Compared to my other DSLR (a Nikkon 5000 with a target 18 to 200 minutes), this is 280 grams less, which is not negligible.
How reliable are the technical characteristics of this EOS 100D?
Again, I'm not disappointed, it has excellent definition and autofocus is better than on my Nikkon.
The only point on which I will note a downside is on the colors.
I think the color rendition is worse than my louse Nikkon but can be subjective on my part.
In all cases, the colors are very nice though when I watch them on my computer.
In all cases, the colors and sensitivity will always be better than a bridge that does have a small CCD sensor and the EOS 100D, as most SLR, have a bigger CMOS sensor called.
Without going into the "debate" sensors, which can be summarized as a better image is obtained with a CMOS sensor assembled a good treatment of data generally associated with Reflex rather than a CCD sensor assembled with low associated digital processing with generally to bridges and compact.
The optical zoom is nice with this 18-55 minutes jopterai but rather for the purpose 18-135 minutes for a better versatility of possible shots.
In short, in summary; very good input device range to put in all the hands of those who want to discover the reflex.