Canon EOS 30D Review
Review based on a production EOS 30D, Firmware Version 1.0.4
The model line in which the EOS 30D sits has seen a total of five models, each offering either an upgrade in features, resolution or both. From the EOS D30 to D60 we saw a doubling in megapixel count as well as numerous feature upgrades, from the EOS 10D to 20D again we saw an increase in megapixel count and performance (continuous shooting up to five frames per second). So eighteen months after the EOS 20D comes the EOS 30D, which honestly has to be one of the least exciting upgrades so far. The real headline improvements are a larger LCD monitor, standardizing on 'Picture Style', spot metering, third stop ISO selection and selectable continuous shooting speeds. Despite this subtle update there's still a huge amount of interest around this model, Canon has taken the "if it ain't broken don't fix it" approach to the image pipeline, the EOS 30D has the same sensor and image processor (DIGIC II) as the EOS 20D, and that camera has for the eight megapixel digital SLR benchmark since it was introduced.
Model line history
| Model | Announced | Effective pixels | Auto focus | Continuous (JPEG) | LCD monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOS D30 | Apr 2000 | 3.1 mp | 3 point | 3.0 fps, 3 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS D60 | Feb 2002 | 6.3 mp | 3 point | 3.3 fps, 8 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 10D | Feb 2003 | 6.3 mp | 7 point | 3.3 fps, 9 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 20D | Aug 2004 | 8.2 mp | 9 point | 5.0 fps, 23 frames | 1.8" |
| EOS 30D | Feb 2006 | 8.2 mp | 9 point | 5.0 / 3.0 fps, 30 frames | 2.5" |
Canon EOS 30D vs. EOS 20D feature and specification differences
 Canon EOS 30D  |
 Canon EOS 20D |
|
| Metering modes | • Evaluative 35 zone • Partial (9% at center) • Spot (3.5% at center) • Center-weighted average • 1.0 to 20 EV metering range |
• Evaluative 35 zone • Partial (9% at center) • Center-weighted average • 1.0 to 20 EV metering range |
| ISO steps | 0.3 EV steps | 1.0 EV steps |
| Image parameters | "Picture Style" • Standard • Portrait • Landscape • Neutral • Faithful • Monochrome • User 1 • User 2 • User 3 |
• Parameter 1 • Parameter 2 • User 1 • User 2 • User 3 • B&W |
| Custom image parameters | • Sharpness: 0 to 7 • Contrast: -4 to +4 • Saturation: -4 to +4 • Color tone: -4 to +4 • B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G • B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G |
• Sharpness: -2 to +2 • Contrast: -2 to +2 • Saturation: -2 to +2 • Color tone: -2 to +2 • B&W filter: N, Ye, Or, R, G • B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5" TFT LCD (wide viewing angle) • 230,000 pixels |
• 1.8" TFT LCD (wide viewing angle) • 118,000 pixels |
| Histogram | • Luminance • RGB |
Luminance |
| Continuous speed | • 5 frames per second • 3 frames per second |
5 frames per second |
| Continuous buffer | Up to 30 JPEG or 11 RAW frames | Up to 23 JPEG or 6 RAW frames |
| Playback file size display | Yes, MB | No |
| Playback jump | • 10 images • 100 images • By date |
10 images |
| Record review magnify | Optional | No |
| Shutter life | 100,000 shutter cycles | Not quoted |
| ISO in viewfinder | When changing | Not shown |
| Custom functions | 19 custom functions with 53 settings | 18 custom functions with 50 settings |
| Dimensions | 144 x 106 x 74 mm (5.6 x 4.2 x 2.9 in) | 144 x 106 x 72 mm (5.6 x 4.2 x 2.8 in) |
| Weight | • No battery: 706 g (1.6 lb) • With battery: 785 g (1.7 lb) |
• No battery: 685 g (1.5 lb) • With battery: 764 g (1.7 lb) |
About this review
As much of the EOS 30D is identical to the EOS 20D we have used our review of that camera as a basis for certain sections of this review.
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this review (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (normally 1024 x 768) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2006 Phil Askey and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey
