Discovering The Canon EOS 30D: An Excellent Choice For Photographers

The Canon EOS 30D is an excellent choice for photographers looking to take their skills to the next level, thanks to its advanced features and user-friendly interface. Let's take a closer look at what makes this camera stand out from the crowd and why it should be considered for your next photography project.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 30D article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 04 2006

Announced

8 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight784g
MSRP$1399USD

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Overview of the EOS 30D

When it comes to photography, having the right camera can make all the difference. Whether you're an aspiring amateur or a seasoned professional, investing in a high-quality camera can help you take your skills to the next level. One camera that stands out from the crowd is the Canon EOS 30D. This versatile camera has a range of advanced features that can help elevate your photography game and produce stunning images. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the Canon EOS 30D, its features, and why you should consider it for your next photography project. So, let's dive in!

Canon EOS 30D Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 30D camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution sensor
Advanced autofocus system
Excellent image quality in low light conditions
Large and clear LCD screen
Fast continuous shooting mode
Compatible with a wide range of lenses
Solid and durable design
Good battery life

Cons

Non-articulating screen
Heavy and bulky body
Limited video capabilities
Expensive compared to newer models
No built-in WiFi or GPS
Slow buffer clearing time
No in-camera sensor cleaning
Limited ISO range

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 30D

Weather sealed
Dimensions144 x 106 x 74mm
Weight784g
Thickness74mm
Weight
Min
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 30D is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentaprism)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.50" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 30D not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 30D includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.56x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 30D has a 8MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 8 pixels. Canon EOS 30D has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - 3200. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Apr 04 2006

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 3200
Max resolution3504 x 2336 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

59 / 102

Color Depth

21.5 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

10.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

736 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 30D camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 30D is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageCompact Flash (Type I or II)
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 30D supports Compact Flash (Type I or II) with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 30D uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 30D has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 30D boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 30D includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 30D?

The Canon EOS 30D features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 30D weather sealed?

No the EOS 30D does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 30D announced?

The Canon EOS 30D was announced on Apr 04 2006

Does the Canon EOS 30D have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 30D does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 30D?

The EOS 30D has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-3200 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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