Canon EOS D30 Review: An Impressive Camera for Both Beginners and Professionals

Are you in search of a good camera for your photography needs? The Canon EOS D30 might be what you're looking for! It is a high-quality camera ideal for both beginner and professional photographers alike. With its advanced features and optimal image quality, it's worth considering for capturing those perfect shots.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS D30 article cover photo

Key Features

Oct 10 2000

Announced

3 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight855g
MSRP$2199USD

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Overview of the EOS D30

When it comes to cameras, Canon is well-known for producing some of the best cameras in the market. The Canon EOS D30 is no exception. This camera has a 28-135mm lens and a 3.2-megapixel CMOS sensor that deliver good quality images. Whether you're an amateur or a professional photographer, this camera is perfect for you. It has all the advanced features that you need for good quality photography. Let's take a closer look at the Canon EOS D30 and its capabilities!

Canon EOS D30 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS D30 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 (3.1 megapixels)
Wide range of compatible lenses
Easy to use interface
Good battery life
Fast autofocus
Good image stabilization

Cons

Obsolete technology
Mediocre ISO performance
Limited video capabilities
No image stabilization in body
Limited dynamic range
Heavy body

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS D30

Weather sealed
Dimensions150 x 107 x 75mm
Weight855g
Thickness75mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS D30 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 Resolution120k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 1.80" screen, with a display resolution of 120k dots. This makes the Canon EOS D30 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 D30 includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.55x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS D30 has a 3MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 3 pixels. Canon EOS D30 has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Oct 10 2000

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution2160 x 1440 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS D30 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, 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 D30 is excellent

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 D30 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 D30 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 D30 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 D30 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, 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 D30 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 3 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 D30?

The Canon EOS D30 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS D30 weather sealed?

No the EOS D30 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS D30 announced?

The Canon EOS D30 was announced on Oct 10 2000

Does the Canon EOS D30 have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS D30 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 D30?

The EOS D30 has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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