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The Canon 30D is an upgrade of the
Canon 20D. The two cameras have the same sensor (1.6x
APS-C format, 8.2 MP) but the EOS 30D adds a number of new features. Noteworthy
are a 2.5" LCD screen, spot metering, RGB histograms and an increased buffer
size.
Here are the main features of the new Canon EOS 30D:
8.2MP (*)
APS-C format (1.6x multiplier, 22.5 x 15mm) (*)
2.5", 230,000 pixel LCD display
Buffer for 30 JPEGs or 11 RAW images
Selectable 3 or 5 frames/sec
3.5% spot meter
Camera "wake up" time 0.15s
Shutter lag time 65ms (*)
Flash Sync at 1/250s (*)
ISO settings in 1/3 stops from 100-1600 and visible in viewfinder when
changing
ISO 3200 selectable via CF (*)
Luminance and RGB Histograms
Option to disable image sharpening in JPEG mode
Picture Style modes like the EOS 5D
Tweaked AF algorithms, but does not have the extra 6 "invisible" AF zones of
the EOS 5D
Direct Print button
WiFi connectivity when coupled with the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1A
(*)
9999 images per folder (vs. 100 on the 20D)
Compatible with BG-E2 vertical grip (*)
Street price $1399.99 ($1499.99 in kit with EF-S 18-55/3.5-5.6 lens)
(*) indicates that this feature is common to both the 30D and 20D
Where to Buy
You may be able to find a used Canon EOS 30D in Photo.net's Classified Ads section. Otherwise, check out Canon's
newer Digital SLRs from our partners. Their prices are fair and you
help to support photo.net.
Externally the EOS 30D is almost identical to the EOS 20D, the only exterior
difference being a dedicated "print" button and a larger LCD.
Canon EOS 30D
What's in the Box
EOS 30D Body
Eyecup Eb
Neck Strap EW-100-DGR
Video Cable VC-100
USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
Battery Pack BP-511A
Battery Charger CG-580
EOS Digital Solution Disk
Printed Instruction Manual
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (included in kit version only, $1499.99)
Note that no memory card is supplied with the Canon 30D. It takes Compact
Flash (CF) cards and I'd suggest that you get at least a 512MB card which should
record about 130 images in large/fine JPEG mode or about 50 RAW images. A 1GB CF
card would be better. The EOS 30D is pretty fast and can take advantage of faster
cards, so I'd recommend a card with an 80x (or higher) speed rating to take full
advantage of the camera's speed.
The EOS 30D uses the same 9-point AF system that's used in the EOS 20D. I
couldn't really detect any difference between the AF of the EOS 30D and EOS 20D
in normal operation. Canon have said that "...with regard to AF precision,
further fine tuning has been incorporated compared with the EOS 20D..", but it's not
something that's obvious and my brief testing didn't reveal any significant
difference.
Shutter and Flash Durability
The shutter of the EOS 30D is rated by Canon for 100,000 cycles. I think this
is also the rating on the EOS 20D shutter, though it's hard to find that number
in print. Canon also say they have taken steps to match the durability of the
built in flash to the life of the shutter, which suggests that perhaps the flash
lifetime may have been increased over that of the EOS 20D. Shutter lag time is
specified at 65ms, the same as that of the EOS 20D.
Power Reduction
Through better power management Canon says there should be about a 10%
increase in shooting capacity over the EOS 20D. Canon's own numbers predict that
a fully charged battery should give 1,100 images at 68F with flash off, or 900
images at 32F. With 50% flash use these numbers are 750 frames at 68F or 600
frames at 32F.
Noise Reduction
The Canon 30D has an auto noise reduction function. It looks at the noise in
images with 1-30 second exposure andonly applies the long exposure noise
reduction algorithm if the camera thinks it's needed. Since noise reduction needs
a second exposure of equal length, skipping this step can significantly speed up
shooting when the noise reduction isn't needed.
The Direct Print Button
Though it might be useful for some, I'm not sure how many 30D owners will be
printing directly from the camera. I don't think this is a feature that most EOS
20D owners were asking Canon to add! It would have been better if the button
function could have been changed via a custom function, for example perhaps
optionally selecting mirror lockup. Most direct printing functions can be
accessed via the "set" button in the center of the rear command dial, so the real
need for a dedicated "print" button seems questionable.
LCD Display
The LCD is now 2.5" (diagonal), the same size as the LCD of the EOS 5D. The
larger LCD makes reading the menu items much easier and it's to see finer detail
when reviewing images. It's also readable over a vertical and horizontal angle of
about 170 degrees, a significantly wider viewing angle than that of the LCD on
the EOS 20D. All in all it's very worthwhile improvement over the 1.8" LCD of the
EOS 20D.
Image Samples
You can download Canon 30D full size image samples from the Canon
website
You may be able to find a used Canon EOS 30D in Photo.net's Classified Ads section. Otherwise, check out Canon's
newer Digital SLRs from our partners. Their prices are fair and you
help to support photo.net.
