The Dash 8 was derived from the Dash 7 turboprop-powered airliner. The descendant airliner offered enhanced cruise performance and reduced operational costs, however without short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. The airliner was offered in three sizes such as the original series 100 with thirty-seven to forty seats and the series 200 (Q200) with more powerful engines, the stretched version series 300 (Q300), and the series 400 (Q400) which accommodated sixty-eight to ninety sets.

In 1984, the initial variant Series 100 entered service. It can accommodate 37 to 40 passengers on board. The initially installed engines were two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW120 or PW120A with a rated thrust of 1,800 shaft horsepower each and has a maximum takeoff weight of 15,000 kg. In 1986, the DHC-8-102 was built with two PW120A or PW121 engines and an increased maximum takeoff weight of 15,650 kg.

In 1987, the DHC-8-103 was powered by two PW121 engines with s maximum takeoff weight of 15,650 kg or could be modified to 15,950 kg. In 1990, the DHC-8-102A was built fitted with two PW120A engines and with improved interior from Heath Tecna. By 1992, the DHC-8-106 was introduced; it was equipped with two PW121 engines with a maximum takeoff weight of 16,450 kg.

The Series 100 has an external length of 22.25 meters, an external height of 3.2 meters, and a fuselage width of 2.69 meters. It has a tail height of 7.5 meters, a wheelbase of 7.8 meters, and a wingspan of 25.9 meters. The cabin is 1.95-meter high, 2.5-meter wide, and 9.16-meter long. The aircraft has a maximum payload of 4,536 kg and a fuel tank capacity of 835 US gal. The maximum speed is 289 knots and the travel range is 1,125 nautical miles. The aircraft can fly up to 25,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,475 feet per minute. The takeoff distance is 1,000 meters while the landing distance is 780 meters.