Canon EOS 30D

    55
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    Highlights

    • 8.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 9 Focus Points
    • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Canon EOS 30D was announced in 2006 and is an APS-C (22.5 x 15 mm) DSLR camera with 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.


    Here is the Canon EOS xxD series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Canon EOS xxD series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Canon 90D August
    2019
    32.5 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 25,600 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 77D February
    2017
    24.2 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 25,600 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 80D February
    2016
    24.2 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 16,000 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 70D October
    2013
    20.2 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 12,800 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Canon 60Da April
    2012
    18.0 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 6,400 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 60D November
    2010
    18.0 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 6,400 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 50D October
    2008
    15.1 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 40D October
    2007
    10.1 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 1,600 Fixed 3.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 30D April
    2006
    8.2 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 20Da June
    2005
    8.25 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 1,600 Fixed 1.8"
    118k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 20D November
    2004
    8 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 1,600 Fixed 1.8"
    118k dot
    Image cannot be found Canon 10D March
    2003
    6 MP
    APS-C
    100 - 1,600 Fixed 1.8"
    118k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Canon EOS 90D vs EOS 77D vs EOS 80D vs EOS 70D vs EOS 60Da vs EOS 60D.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 30D.

    PROS

    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8.2 Megapixel
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 59
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Canon EOS 30D to its predecessor EOS 20D and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS 20D
    Higher Sensor Resolution 8.2 Megapixel vs 8 Megapixel
    Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
    Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 118k dot
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 736 vs 721
    DOWNGRADES Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS 20D
    Timelapse Recording vs
    Lower DxO Color Depth 21.5 vs 21.9
    Lower DxO Dynamic Range 10.8 vs 11.0
    Lower DxO Overall Score 59 vs 62
    Heavier 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz) vs 770 g (1.70 lb / 27.16 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS 30D vs EOS 20D.

    Successor

    In 2007 Canon EOS 30D was replaced by Canon EOS 40D. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Canon EOS 30D and its successor.

    UPGRADES Canon EOS 40D vs Canon EOS 30D
    Higher Sensor Resolution 10.1 Megapixel vs 8.2 Megapixel
    Max Image Resolution 3888 x 2592 vs 3504 x 2336
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.59x vs 0.56x
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 6.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Average Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    Lower Min Metering 0 EV vs +1 EV
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.1 vs 21.5
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.3 vs 10.8
    Higher DxO Overall Score 64 vs 59
    Environmental Sealing vs
    DOWNGRADES Canon EOS 40D vs Canon EOS 30D
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 703 vs 736
    Heavier 822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz) vs 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Canon EOS 30D vs EOS 40D.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Canon EOS 30D has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.90x (0.56x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Canon EOS 30D features a 8.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 22.5 x 15 mm and a total area of 337.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Canon EOS 30D's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.5 x 15 mm337.5 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3504 x 2336 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 2544 x 1696, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Canon EOS 30D has Canon EF/EF-S lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.6x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.6.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 30D.

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Canon EOS 30D has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Canon EOS 30D has Electronically Controlled Vertical-travel Mechanical Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from +1 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±2 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Canon EOS 30D has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Canon EOS 30D has dimensions of 144 x 106 x 74 mm (5.67 x 4.17 x 2.91"). It weighs 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    144 mm (5.67")

    106 mm (4.17")

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    106 mm (4.17")

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    74 mm (2.91")

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    Canon EOS 30D dimensions

    Canon EOS 30D for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Canon EOS 30D is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Canon EOS 30D gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    55

    Canon EOS 30D gets a score of 55 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    53

    Canon EOS 30D gets a score of 53 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Canon EOS 30D gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    74

    Canon EOS 30D gets a score of 74 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    73

    Canon EOS 30D gets a score of 73 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)

    Canon EOS 30D Evaluation

    We evaluate Canon EOS 30D and give score of 55 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    55

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    66

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 66 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 59

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    61

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 61 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 67 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    41

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 41 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    BAD
    39

    We give Canon EOS 30D a score of 39 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 784 g (1.73 lb / 27.65 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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