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Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
By: Canon Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 108
More Information
 On: 2008-07-03
Canon EOS 30D, Bill Dubovsky, SI Business Trends, Bits & Bytes, Jan, 2007.
Did You Know? Higher-end SLR (single lens reflex) digital cameras are now getting more affordable and user friendly...theyre not just for professionals anymore. This month I will review the technology behind the digital SLR and specifically the performance of the Canon EOS 30D, about $1,300 with standard zoom lens.
What is it? SLRs or single lens reflex digital cameras are becoming even more popular as their costs decrease. Once a replacement for film cameras for professional photographers, many digital SLRs can be purchased from about $500 and up. Some popular makes are: Nikon, Olympus, Canon, Pentax, Sony and even Kodak. According to market researcher NPD Group Inc, a digital SLR has an average holiday price of about $942. Baby boomers, brought up with film SLRs are flocking to the digital mode as they can afford the newer cameras and appreciate the difference in quality and performance.
Digital SLRs create better photos for a number of reasons, including the larger size of the sensor (collects more light, faster and more accurate - especially in low light situations) and are much better in taking action shots. The superior optical quality of the larger lenses is also a major factor in getting crystal clear photos.
The Canon EOS-30D, has 8-megapixel resolution and a 2.5 inch LCD, and it shoots continuously at 5 frames per second with a 30-shot buffer, so you dont miss the action shots of your kids, sports or wildlife. Its not too bulky or heavy and has good hand feel and balance. It provides good high-sensitivity photos which are crisp and not grainy and has image stabilization which reduces blur when using extended zoom.
How it works: Folks with compact digital cameras know the frustration of shutter lag and the inability to frame your pictures accurately through the small LCD screen. Typically compact digital cameras take the photo a fraction of a second or so after you snap, often missing the action you wanted to capture. Its also hard to frame and focus with the smaller cameras smaller LCDs. With SLRs, you view the action directly through a viewfinder and actually look through the lens via a mirror that moves up when you press the shutter button. You get what you see. The viewfinder is also a blessing when you are in a bright light situation where the image on an LCD is hard to see due to glare.
Other benefits to the advanced amateur include: saving film costs and not dealing with chemicals if you used to develop or print your own photos. If you choose to do your own printing and editing, there are many good programs that allow you to do some impressive work right on your Windows or Mac computer.
In the past you would have to take and develop a whole role of film to see if you got the right shot. With digital photography, you can just take as many photos as youd like and delete all except the "keepers." You wont have to pay for, or keep a large inventory of poor photos as you only keep and print the good ones. Unlike film, digital CF memory doesnt go out of date, and can hold hundreds of photos before you have to download them to your computer.
What you need: Besides buying the camera kit, which should include the standard 18mm-55mm zoom lens, buy extra CF memory card. Most cameras dont come with a memory card. Additional accessories may include a heavier duty flash and/or a better quality lens. You will probably need a Mac or Windows XP computer with a USB slot for downloading the photos from the camera. The Canon comes with software for both Windows and MAC that is quite good and easy to use. While I have used the Canon software, I prefer to use iPhoto on the Mac.
How to get it: Be careful about buying on-line. I saw a great deal on the Canon and bought it. I then had to call a number for delivery options and they told me I had to buy the battery charger for an extra cost (which would have brought the total price up to what everyone else was selling it for). I declined and asked them to send me exactly what was on the product description on their website. After much going back and forth, they told me they couldnt fulfill the order - they were out of the ones without the battery charger! I "Googled" the online company and found quite a list of disgruntled buyers - apparently they pull this routine all the time. Lesson learned - check out the on-line company before you spend any time with them. I immediately cancelled my order with them and bought the camera locally with no problem. You can watch for sales and rebates at consumer electronics stores for good deals or check with camera stores. Sometimes the camera is sold "body only" and you need to purchase the lens separately. This is good if you want to purchase a specific, upgraded lens of your choice.
How hard is it to use? The automatic mode is very simple. You can learn to use in 10 minutes or less. The manual settings require a bit of reading and playing, but you can get some awesome results. The combination of digital photography and photo editing software are a great match.
Findings: Not surprisingly, I love it. I have been an amateur photographer from my college days and grew up using Nikon and Nikomat 35 mm film SLRs. While they are heavy and clumsy by todays standards, they took great photos, mostly because of the control you had over shutter speed and f-stop as well as the great Nikor lenses. I find you can get the same control (if you choose) from the Canon EOS-30D along with a wide variety of Canon and other lenses. While the Canon EOS-30D is about the same size as the older film SLRs, it is much lighter. This camera has made me retire my film cameras.
Pros: Convenience; not having to buy and store film, lighter camera, getting what you see, ease of use, professional results. The Canon EOS-30D also came highly recommended by my professional photographer friends. While I have been partial to Nikon, the earlier digital SLR models seemed to have had some mechanical defects, which took time to repair. However, I have not heard of any major shortcomings with the major SLR manufacturers new models.
Cons: Cost. They are more expensive than compact or viewfinder cameras. They are heavier and bulkier than compact cameras. Youll want accessories such as: additional or better quality lenses, heavy-duty flash, gadget bags, tripods and a host of other attachments. Its too big to keep in your pocket or purse to use for snap shots. I have also found the built-in flash to be weak - only good to about 10 feet. Good enough for snap shots. An upgraded professional quality Canon flash is about a $400 accessory.
Bottom-line: In general, I am very happy with the feel, performance and results from the Canon EOS-30D and would recommend it to any serious amateur photographer.
For more information: See the January 2007, Consumers Reports or Google for more information and users comments. You can contact Bill Dubovsky at billdubovsky@gmail.com with your feedback, experiences and questions. As always, check with www.Amazon.com for user feedback and good, reputable deals.
On: 2008-06-09
I upgraded from the Digital Rebel XT to the 30D and am extremely happy that I did. Compared to the Rebel line, the camera is bigger and sturdier. The camera fits in my hands much better, and the magnesium body feels like it will last much longer than the plastic body of the Rebel.
The shutter for this camera is also rated for 100,000 actuations compared to the 50,000 for the Rebel XT and 20D. The LCD screen is much larger also. I have not experienced any problems with dead pixels or coloration problems with the screen. The viewfinder is bigger and easier to see through than the Rebel as well.
One of my favorite features is the wheel in the back as opposed to the 4 buttons of the Rebel. The wheel allows for quick changes to exposure compensation as well as much easier scrolling through the pictures when in the review setting.
In a nutshell, if you are new to photography, are on a tighter budget and want to see exactly how interested you really are in Digital SLRs, I always recommend the Rebel XT or XTi. It is a great starter camera that wont break the bank. However, if you know you want a great camera or already have a Rebel, the 30D is a very nice upgrade. Personally, I think this camera is the best value for your money out there.
On: 2008-06-04
You cannot go wrong with this camera. With the 40D recently lowering in price and Canon preparing to release another model soon, I would expect to get this camera for a real deal from many retailers (e_tailers) in the near future. Camera functions are amazing and very similar to the 20D and 10D. Of course there are many newer features including the BIG pretty 2.5" LCD. For many, the 30D is sufficient which means you can save money instead of buying the 40D. Spend that hard earned money on optics...where it should go anyway!
 On: 2008-05-22
The EOS 30D is an excellent camera for the price. I have been using it for a few weeks and it has produced some really great shots. I will be ordering a higher end Canon soon and the 30D will become a backup. It is easy to use and understand. Canon has a great collection of lenses too. If you are in the market for a great camera on a budget, this one just may be what you are looking for!
On: 2008-05-22
Have finally retired my 30D which has only been flawless and remarkable. I absolutely love this camera and would easily recommend it to anyone that is able to get it for about a $300 difference as I dont think the 40D is worth paying that much more for. If pricing is about the same, go with the 40D.
On: 2008-05-20
EOS 30D + m42 adapter + Takumar 55mm f/1.8 = Some of the most amazing shots Ive ever seen
On: 2008-04-25
Ive been waiting years for the prices of Digital SLRs to get down to my comfort zone. This is definitely it. A full set of pro features, uses all my Canon lenses and well under a grand.
The Rebels with the 10MP were only slightly tempting, but the plastic bodies were a deal-killer.
On: 2008-04-14
I was going between the Rebel & this Camera, I am a retired EOS user since having kids, but I have done many weddings & Bar Mitzvahs in the late 90s early 2000. I decided on the 30D & absolutely loved it! I already shot a wedding. Not having much prof. digital experience, there were a few things I didnt realize & I called 1-800-okcanon while at the rehearsal shoot! Boy, they were great, they walked me through the issues. I didnt realize that shooting in the AV mode you have to maually set the shutter sync speed. Once I figured that out I was golden. Love the camera & my photos turned out great. I also got the Canon Speedlite 430 EX which worked as it should.
On: 2008-04-08
This is my first major upgrade to the older digital rebel (300D), and I am very pleased. Ive come to realize that its not the number of megapixels that makes the camera great, its everything the camera will do for the photographer. Believe me, this camera does everything I could possibly want.
On: 2008-03-30
The camera was SOOOOO easy to use. I have always used olympus but the transition from olympus to canon was so smooth. Its a wonderful camera and I havnt had ANY problems out of it. I Recomend it to the proffessional of the amature. its easy enough for the amature but takes VERY professional Photos :)
On: 2008-03-27
I ordered my Canon 30D camera body from Amazon through another vendor. When I opened the box I noticed the manuals plastic bag was torn in the middle and the cameras mirror had dust spots. I was a bit worried about whether it was a returned item. However, I cleaned the dust away with my blow brush and have taken several hundred test shots.
The camera works fine and I am happy that I have bought it. Initially, though, it was not my choice. Since I already owned several cameras and lenses of Canon, Nikon and Mamiya, I knew I would choose a DSLR camera body between a Canon and Nikon model so that I could use my old but great lenses. I was leaning using my Nikkor lenses, so after some research, I decided to buy Nikon D80--its large and bright view finder was a major attraction to me for I do like to take photos through the view finder rather than a live screen.
But before I ordered it, I went to the stores to have a look at the camera. My impression of the Nikon D80 body was not good. It looked small and a bit cheap feeling. I just didnt like the design and the feeling of it while holding it. And its not made in Japan. The Canon models are. Somehow I more trust in cameras that are made in Japan. But Canon Rebels are too small and light. Even though I have rather small hands, I still like a more solid and a bit more weighty camera body. The newly launched Canon 40D looked nice, but I wasnt inclined to buy a camera thats just come to the market. So, leaving the stores it seemed I still didnt have a camera to buy. After I did a bit more research, I found Canon 30D was right for me, so without actually seeing the actual camera, which was not available at the stores, I ordered it believing a predecessor of 40D must also be made in Japan. And it is. It looks and works great with its well designed features.
Ever since I moved three years ago, I have lost the access to the great darkrooms of a college where I enrolled in a darkroom class for five years just to use the facilities--I had such an incredible time processing, printing and enlarging my own color and b&w photographs that when the digital wave came I was rather skeptical and considered using computers and printers was rather mechanical and not romantic or artistic at all, but I guess that prejudice has left me now and with Canon 30D, I found my passion for photo making has come back to me, its great fun to switch between color and b&w using one camera, and it is no less fun to crop and alter contrast to instantly create impressive pictures. One suggestion, for general color photography, avoid shooting in the sunlight, always using the open shadow or shooting in a cloudy day. That way you dont need a hood, even with a hood, you wont get the best colors in the sun. And I dont like to use filters either. But I highly recommend Canon 30D, its not the most "professional" camera, but an ultra expensive camera doesnt mean it will bring you great photos, which can only be got through good eyes and some impromptu moments, and of course, practice. Have fun!
On: 2008-03-08
I Got this from Adorama via Amazon, along with what I considered to be a bare essentials kit for this beginner on a $1,500 budget: Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, Sandisk Ultra® II CompactFlash® Card 2GB, extra battery Canon BP511A 1390mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Select Digital Cameras and Camcorders, a couple of filters, Slik Professional Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Panoramic Photo Guide, Lowepro Topload Zoom 2 - Holster bag ( for camera ) - TXP, TXP ripstop - black, navy blue, Domke J-803 Digital Satchel Camera Bag, Canvas, Black.... Great price, great delivery; I had not taken into consideration that the tripod would be as heavy and bulky as it is (not a con though), which added to the delivery price, but thats my fault.
What made me take the plunge was a combination of the lower price once the 40D was out; research which led me to better appreciate the value of a good lens first, a good camera second; and the fact that the Canon Rebel line never felt right in my (6 feet tall) hands.
First impressions? Swoon... It had been a long time since I had been wowed by anything electronic - computers lower ones expectations by that much, I guess. What I appreciate and will be obvious to any pro:
- It feels like a well made quality product; great ergonomics, if a tad heavy;
- It takes the picture "right now" with the manual modes, which is a major reason why you would buy this instead of a "point and (eventually) shoot";
- You can unleash your creativity by fiddling with the dozens of parameters; I just read Ken Rockwells excellent online tutorial and feel like Ive been liberated: Im getting the type of pictures I want after only a couple of days of playing with it.
My main concern was getting blurry pictures because of my somewhat shaky hands; the combination of a fast lens and tinkering with shutter speeds and exposure has saved the day.
Does the 40D do more things? Sure. Is it better? Not until you are able to master the endless combinations this amazing camera affords; only then does it begin to make sense, for a beginner at least.
On: 2008-02-06
I first got into photography using only powershot digital point and shoot cameras. I then got into learning about SLRs and started off with the Canon Rebel XTi and discovered I wanted to move up a notch to buy the 30D.
Let me tell you this. Buying the Canon 30D was the best decision I have ever made in my photography hobby. I love the camera. Great features and have never had any mechanical problems with it. I like the size and the screen is just the right. I mainly use the camera for portraits and the pictures come out outstanding!
The only thing I dont like about it is the fact that it doesnt have a sensor cleaning mechanism. Ive had to take it to the Canon Consumer building in Irvine, CA once every month since the California wildfires as im still getting extreme dust spots on and off.
 On: 2008-01-31
Unfortunately you only find 63% discount on STBR cameras. This one is undoubtfully an extra fine pro-am camera with very nice features that has been around for 5 years now. Even today, 8mp is more than youd normally need, unless you require extra large prints. You are getting a very fair value for your money. The problem will arise in a few months once you find out that the camera has been discontinued and service and parts have become scarce and expensive... By the way STBR = "soon to be replaced"...
On: 2008-01-27
I love this camera. I bought it a while back, well before the 40D came out. The current price of $800.00 body only is an insanely good deal. Yes, the new 40D is better, but if your budget is under $1000.00, this is a no brainer. Actually, I cant believe how cheap this thing is right now!! $799.00????? Holy cow! Thats cheaper than the Nikon D80 and this thing is a way nicer camera!! Image quality is beautiful, and will continue to be just as beautiful in the years to come. Some great features that make shooting a more pleasurable experience. Eight hundred bucks???? Why are you still reading this???? Go buy it!!!! Get two!
I wouldnt recommend the kit with the 28-135 iS lens, that lens is great for snap shots and such, but put some good glass on a 30D and the difference is stunning. In fact, if you are looking for the ultimate, affordable setup to get started, buy a 30D and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Its only $80 and betters the image quality of some $500.00 lenses I have used. That will get you going, and lots of other great lenses will always be available when you need them.
The only reason this camera is so cheap is because the 40D is a direct replacement and Canon is dumping all the 30Ds at a blow out price. If Canon put out a slightly higher end camera instead of the 40D and kept the 30D in its lineup, it would still be a $1200.00 camera. In other words, this is not an $800 camera, it is a $1200 camera for only $800. I cant believe you are still reading. Have you placed your order? Go! Do it now before they are gone! This means you! Jeez...
On: 2008-01-18
8.2 MP is excellent for non professional users. Functions great and package full included charger and cables and software.
On: 2008-01-15
Purchased with 28-135 lens kit from Amazon last summer. Good walk around combo. When shooting indoors without flash, I use a 50mm f1.4. So far so good.
On: 2008-01-03
First, the camera takes fantastic pictures, even with the cheap packaged lens. The photos are just great.
BUT, the camera is not for the point and shoot crowd at all. If youre looking to open up the box, take a few pictures and be impressed, youre going to be seriously disappointed. In fact, you may be tempted to return it. Like any SLR, youre going to have to make some judgement calls to get the best pictures and youre going to have to invest time and money (for lenses) to get the most from this camera.
The second part of this is that the camera is just a fantastic camera. Im a big guy, and this camera doesnt feel like a toy in my hand like the point and shoots (or the Rebels). Its a larger camera with heft to it. Its a joy to use and with a few lens purchases, I believe Ill be even more thrilled with it.
For lenses, Id recommend the Canon 50mm/1.8, $60-80 on Amazon, or the 50mm/1.4, $300 on Amazon, from what Ive read. They look to be outstanding portrait lenses. One of these will be my next purchase. After that, maybe the 100mm macro lens by Canon. Avoid the cheap zooms and look into some primes to get the speed youll want in low light conditions.
Ill see how it goes from here. Later.
On: 2007-12-31
I am a seventeen-year-old senior in high school. I am the photo editor of my schools yearbook, and also the go-to person for any photography questions people may have at my school. Ive been recommending Canons to people since I got my first point-and-shoot, a Powershot A510, I believe the newest version is this A720: Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom. After a couple years of wanting to further my photography and drooling over every digital SLR I saw, I was able to purchase this 30D from a friend. It has every feature I had ever dreamed of wanting, and it lets me control everything just as much as my old film SLRs did. I think this is a great camera for those wanting to finally make the switch from film to digital. In the manual setting, you can control every aspect of the picture youre about to take, exactly as you would with film.
Also, the amount of lenses Canon makes that fit this camera are phenomenal. I have the 17-40mm lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras on my 30D right now and the detail it provides is incredible. Also, if you plan on buying this with the kit lens (the 18-55mm) that is probably one of the best quality kit lenses available.
I HIGHLY advise buying this camera, to everyone from high school photographers to people finally deciding to switch from film to digital, to people looking to upgrade from lower level canons.
On: 2007-12-24
Im really a film photographer at heart. I just like the process of developing film, printing photos and looking at a black and white pictures printed on fiber-based photographic paper. I initially resisted digital photography as a poor imitation of "real" photography. While using the EOS 30D has not totally changed that belief, it has made me realize that photography encompasses more than my own narrow viewpoints.
Ive been using Canon EOS film cameras and Canon EF lenses (among numerous other 35mm and medium format cameras and lenses) for about nine years. In that time, Canon equipment has proven to be reliable, precise and well made. When I decided to buy a digital camera, I knew it would be a Canon DSLR. Surprisingly, it was simple for me to learn the basics of digital photography despite my lack of computer savvy. Not surprisingly, the 30D got little use in the first several months of ownership due to my innate distrust of new equipment. After a bit of doodling around with the camera, I learned to trust it and Im using it more and more.
If youve used an EOS SLR in the past, you will find the 30D to feel very familiar. Its a comfortable camera to use despite it being rather small and my hands being pretty large. Like all Canon models above the Rebel level, control buttons and wheels are all in natural positions and easily manipulated. The viewfinder is smaller than Canon 35mm and full frame digital SLRs and it has taken some getting used to. Initial trepidation with using CF cards instead of film has proven to be without basis. After experimenting with the cameras built-in software, I am getting nice, sharp, saturated color photos and some very impressive monochromes. Using a dedicated photo printer, I am impressed with inkjets that simply look stunning.
Will I give up film for digital? Certainly not--at least for my black and white work. I still prefer a fiber and silver-based black and white photograhic print over an inkjet and I dont intend to shut down my darkroom or give up my film cameras. I will admit, as a general rule, digital photographs are now acceptable me when the circumstances are appropriate.
On: 2007-12-18
I am a semi-professional photographer who normally shoots with the Canon 1 series digital bodies. As much as I love the 1 series, there are times when I want to use a smaller body. Years ago I had the 10D and loved the feel of the camera and quiet shutter but hated the slow start-up and image review. I upgraded to the 20D but returned it because of the awful sounding shutter and small LCD. Still wanting a small body to compliment my big and heavy 1D bodies, I was very happy when Canon released the 30D. It has a quieter shutter, a larger 2.5 inch lcd for viewing your histogram after a shot, and spot metering. It feels a little better in your hand as well, though not quite as solid as the 10D did. I had my first 30D converted to shoot IR (infrared) earlier this year and recently picked up another 30D due to the bargain prices now. A lot of people dumped their 30D bodies when the 40D came out but I am not all that impressed w/ the 40D (3 inch lcd has poor resolution, dust cleaning is a gimic) and didnt see paying another $400 for the additional 2 megapixels as being worth it. To me, the 30D at the current price point is a real bargain for such a nice camera. You can see pictures I have taken with the 30D, 30D-IR and 1D Mark II at my blog: http://www.visualperceptions.info/ I highly recommend the Canon 30d to professionals and serious amateurs looking for a solid well performing camera. Nikon has some nice bodies too but the visible noise in their images is much higher and I think Canon has a much wider range of lenses so Id recommend Canon over Nikon for someone just starting out that doesnt have a lot of money already invested in lenses.
On: 2007-12-18
Outstanding camera. Every bit as good as advertised. My son spent months reviewing this camera and hes very pleased with it.
On: 2007-11-22
I love this camera. My first DSLR was the Rebel XT, which I love and still use, but the 30D is by far my favorite. The larger LCD, the larger view finder, the faster shutter, the ease to change the shutter and f-stop, etc, etc, really made it worth it to me. Ive had the camera for over a year now, use it in all situations (sports photography, still life, nature, macro, zoo), and havent had any problem other than user error. I am constantly learning to improve my photography, and will make mistakes, but have not had any trouble with the camera itself. Again, as I suggested in my Rebel XT review, dont buy the kit lens, save your money and buy a better lens to start with. Ive used my kit lens only once, and that was just to test out my rebel the day it came in the mail well over a year ago. The quality of the kit lens doesnt match the quality of the camera body, therefore your picture quality will suffer, so whats the point of buying a camera like the 30D and not buying a lens to match? When I was choosing my camera, looking at pictures taken with various cameras helped, so if you like you can view my photography at flickr.com/photos/gira I always note the lens I used so that can give you an idea also what youd be interested in there.
On: 2007-11-15
I like this camera very much. My only complain is regarding auto focus points. I wish all of them were high-precision cross-type points.
 On: 2007-11-10
Ive had this camera for less than a year. I have to ship it out for repair for a fourth time tomorrow. The first three times it went out were for focus problems. This time Canon actually shipped it back to me broken. With a new problem, not even what I send it in for. Each time I send it in its at least two weeks. They promised me this time a manager would look at it. They promised me that last time and it didnt seem to matter much. To me, its an expensive piece of junk.
On: 2007-11-02
I love my 30d. Im a big Canon fan because you can make things as simple or as complicated as you like. You can shoot in fully automatic to fully manual and many steps in between. There is only one small thing that I dont like about it: the remote shutter control port. It is a 3 prong plug, so it is difficult to plug in and it is easy to bend the prongs out of place. That makes it difficult to assemble at 10pm right before a fireworks display. I previously owned a Rebel 2000 which has a standard single plug just like headphones would have.
Apart from that one small criticism, I love the creative flexibility the 30d offers, the nice LCD size, the rapid shutter speed, and the fact that I can use all of my old EF lenses!
On: 2007-10-31
Nothing much to say. It is awesome. Sorry this is not useful, but I just have to express it.
On: 2007-10-13
I got this camera in July 2007. I was intimidated by all the features and buttons, but if your a noobie to SLR cameras, buy the magic lantern companion book and the DVD. It only took me about a month to figure everything out. The 30D is pretty much all you will need for your photography needs. This camera is built like a tank (I would hate to get wacked in the head with it).I cannot think of any downsides to this camera except I wish it had a 3 inch screen and I wish it had an automatic sensor cleaner. (I know they dont work that good anyway).
The 30D takes compact flash cards (CF). It has a CMOS sensor.
On: 2007-10-12
I got this camera in July 2007. I was intimidated by all the features and buttons, but if your a noobie to SLR cameras, buy the magic lantern companion book and the DVD. It only took me about a month to figure everything out. The 30D is pretty much all you will need for your photography needs. This camera is built like a tank (I would hate to get wacked in the head with it).I cannot think of any downsides to this camera except I wish it had a 3 inch screen and I wish it had an automatic sensor cleaner. (I know they dont work that good anyway).
The 30D takes compact flash cards (CF). It has a CMOS sensor.
On: 2007-10-12
I got this camera in July 2007. I was intimidated by all the features and buttons, but if your a noobie to SLR cameras, buy the magic lantern companion book and the DVD. It only took me about a month to figure everything out. The 30D is pretty much all you will need for your photography needs. This camera is built like a tank (I would hate to get wacked in the head with it).I cannot think of any downsides to this camera except I wish it had a 3 inch screen and I wish it had an automatic sensor cleaner. (I know they dont work that good anyway).
The 30D takes compact flash cards (CF). It has a CMOS sensor.
On: 2007-10-10
I bought this camera just 4 days before the new 40D was released (oops!). Its ok though, as Ill eventually get the 40D and use the 30D as my backup. For now, the 30D is AMAZING. Ive upgraded to the 30D from the Rebel XT and it has made a world of difference.... Its super fast and I really like having the option to shoot at ISO 3200... the bigger display is really nice and its a good sized camera.
Love it!
On: 2007-10-09
As a long time Canon film SLR I was slow to pick up a digital camera. In fact my wife was first. She bought a Canon Elph SD700 IS for a trip. By the second day we were fighting over it. I since have used it a lot but find its button controls just too small. So I purchased this digital SLR and indeed the controls are very easy to use. It is a large camera, (about the same as Canon F-1s, but lighter) but it fits my hands wonderfully. It has no case, so I purchased Mades "Camera Armor"MADE CA-1103-BLK SLR Camera Armor for Canon 30D Digital SLR (Black). It makes the camera even larger, but the tactile quality is quite improved, and the protection provided invaluable. Both the included Owners Manual and information on the web makes climbing the learning curve easier. Once charged, (and dont forget to buy memory cards), turn it on, and you will be taking images immediately. Download with the enclosed USB cable and the wonderful world of digital storage, captioning, sharing and printing immediately opens.
On: 2007-10-07
Enough has been said about this camera. Theres full in depth reviews about performance and specs, but one thing that never gets brought up is the LCD live view. I dont understand why canons cheaper point and shoot cameras have the active LCD where you dont need to look through the viewfinder to shoot, but the 10d, 20d, and 30d all lack this feature which is probably the most convenient as it becomes more versatile when shooting in awkward positions, areas. Now, canon has finally given us the Live LCD with the 40d. Good job canon for taking 5 years to incorporate something that a cheap $100 point and shoot camera already has. This was a huge disappointment when i got my camera.
On: 2007-10-05
I currently have the camera in the canon service center. It appears to have dust internally but it cannot be cleaned by the customer. I am awaiting the full story from the service center.
On: 2007-09-26
Received this camera used from another photographer in July 2007. Camera had been used to take a few images before me, but I was not concerned because the build quality of the 20d, 30d camera line is SOLID.
This camera takes pictures in low light much better than the 20d! Combined with spot metering makes this camera a must-have for the serious photographer. I have used this camera for indoor, outdoor activities and it has never disappointed me. I would highly recommend this camera to the up and coming photographer, or serious enthusiast.
At first I was not so excited about this camera but after shooting with it for a short time, I hardly ever pick up my 20d camera. Even though the sensor is the same size as the 20d (8.2 MP) the buffer size, slow and fast shutter speeds, larger monitor, spot metering MORE than make up the differences between the 20d and 30d.
Happy shooting!!
Alonzo
On: 2007-09-08
Canon has a great model for producing winners... learn from professional photographers what they need in a camera, and then make it better than that. I chose the 30D as a replacement for a 10D. The 30D has great performance in a compact package you can easily carry around your neck all day.
On: 2007-08-25
I bought this camera outfit a month ago.
Right out of the box, with no prior knowledge, I used it as a point and shoot because I needed it that night for some important pics. Wow, was I amazed at how intuitive the camera is at choosing the right settings for amatuers.
My wife can even use it, and loves to go out and shoot animals outdoors, and get close-ups of butterflys and flowers. She cant even work our Kodak point and shoot half as well as she does with this 30D! The pictures come easy, and look spectacular.
The software that comes with it is great also, and basically good enough for most people, unless you want to get into extreme pro features like advanced masks and filters. We love the batching of picture groups you can do.
We rented a couple of books from the library on the 30D, and basic photography, and are using the 30D as a great learning tool for us into the world of photography.
You can purchase almost any accessory a pro could want for this camera, because the Canon EOS line has the most available lenses, and other tools than any other line out there.
We purchased this from Adorama, along with the 70-300 IS, a Tamrac extreme 7 bag, and a screen guard.
I would highly recomend Adorama for a place of purchase. No grey market stuff, if it isnt labeled as such, and they were extremely professional. The sale was seamless, and they overnighted to me at no extra charge since it had a slight back-order.
Sure the 40D is coming out soon, but that will just make this more of a bargain. Dont wait for the "next best thing" to come out. Go and get this so you can be shooting tomorrow, and not miss out on 2 months worth of pictures!
On: 2007-08-05
This camera is awesome, but if you could buy other lens will be great. I recommend a lens with no zoom, the EF 28-135mm its a little dark.
On: 2007-08-02
Over the years as my paycheck as grown so has the cost of my cameras. I have had many digital cameras. Up to this point they have all been point and shoots. The last camera I purchased prior to the 30D was the Canon S2IS which is a great camera by the way. But the S2 just made me want a professional camera. One that I could control manually. I dug deep in my pockets and purchased the 30D with the kit 18-55mm lens and the kit 70-200mm telephoto lens. The camera is great. It is almost like a teaching tool in that it allows you to learn how to take professional photos and when youre in need of quick snapshots you can easily revert back to auto mode. The camera has more bells and whistles than I care to explain but if youre a novice photographer looking to make the next step I think this is a great camera. Ive had the chance to shoot with some other more expensive lenses and now I know that the real money is in the lenses. I plan to have this camera body for many years. As I learn more about photography Ill invest in better lenses.
On: 2007-07-20
I bought this camera recently, receiving it 2 weeks before a wedding that I was going to shoot. The fact that I was able to acquaint myself with the camera in 2 weeks was a great feature. I had previously owned a Canon Rebel, but wanted something more sturdy with the ability to expand my experience in photography. This camera has a lot of features that make it a great buy for the price I bought it.
I dont have a light kit yet, but the PC port (for Studio Flashes) gives me the option to add that easily at a later date.
Being able to change the light metering from Spot, Evaluative and Center Weighted has helped me be that bit more creative with my shots on the fly during a wedding. I typically shoot in Av mode and let the camera set the appropriate lighting.
Setting the camera to Quick Mode, allowing for use of the Quick Wheel during shots is great when you want to quickly underexpose a shot for sunsets or other sky shots to pick up detail.
Allowing me to change the Focusing Mode from One Shot, AI Servo, And Auto has really helped, too.
If you are serious about your photography hobby, I would recommend this camera over the XTI, or others in the Rebel series. Also, Canons reputation for quality is confirmed with this camera.
On: 2007-07-19
I have been a Canon fan ever since I purchased my Canon AE-1 back in 1981. Although that camera was fantastic for its time, this EOS 30D is the new standard by which all cameras within the reach of the general public should be judged. If you purchase an "L" Series lens with it, youll be absolutely floored by the quality of the images you can produce. For people who have only used point-and-shoot cameras, this camera may at first seem a bit large, but trust me, you will immediately find this to be an advantage in terms of the stability you gain by having more surface area to hold. It feels like a glove. Once you get used to it, holding your point-and-shoot will feel quite awkward. The camera encompasses such a broad range of creative control that the absolute novice can take it right out of the box and start photographing in 5 minutes (dont forget to buy a compact flash card since one is not provided by Canon). The possibilities of creative potential offered by this camera are only limited by your skill and creativity as a photographer/Photoshop user. My recommendation to people buying a digital camera of this calliber for the first time is to also purchase a book specific to this particular camera to learn its features in depth. One book I highly recommend is Canon EOS 30D Guide to Digital SLR Photography by David D. Busch published by Thomson Course Technology PTR.
On: 2007-07-11
This is a fine unit for the price. I have been into photo gear since the 60s so have seen the fads come and go, got a dimage -7 that is a door stop compared to this that was 1400.00 when new. This is a great unit for novice to semi-pro. wows the people I show pictures taken with it. If you dont have the $$$ yet to get this camera, save up till you do! More tech stuff to add after a month of use to be un-biased...
On: 2007-07-08
I took few pictures and they came out very well. I have to work on the macro mode.
On: 2007-07-04
I wanted to upgrade from my 1st generation Digital Rebel, and debated for quite a while about which one to buy, so I visited a local electronics store to compare (and read every review I could find). Theyre both great cameras. The deciding factor for me was the ergonomics. The XTi is just too small. The grip is so small that my hand started cramping up within minutes of handling it. The 30D is solid. It feels great in your hands. And holy crap is it fast. You can shoot 5fps and the cache clears in a fraction of the time it takes the Rebel.
The Rebel really only has two advantages over the 30D. 10 megapixels, versus 8, and dust management. But for large prints, you really dont need much more than 6MP. The megapixel race is all hype. And photographers have been getting by for more than 100 years just being careful to keep their equipment free of dust. Dust filters are nice, but not completely necessary.
After using the 30D for a month, Im very happy with my decision. And, by the way, if youre going to buy the kit, get the 28-135mm f/4-5.6 IS USM kit. Its a great lens, short of buying the 24-105mm f/4 L, and rarely comes off my camera.
On: 2007-06-27
So i got this camera as an upgrade from the canon rebel and its an amazing camera, i didnt realize how fast it could take pictures. i like every thing about this camera the battery life is amazing i charge my battery about every 1000-1500 shots. My flash units have trouble keeping up with the camera when shooting at high speed. Witch is a very nice feature to be able to shoot at 3fps or 5fps. I suggest getting a high speed card to keep up with the camera. Over all this is an amazing camera i would recommend it to any serious photographer
On: 2007-06-15
For those not familiar with the canon line the 10D came first, then the 20D, then the Rebel (aka 300D)then there were the really high end bodies with astronomical price tags that I wont mention. Later came the revamped rebel the 350D and the Xti and the revamped 20D known as the 30D. Each body has slightly different specs and megapixels, the Xti has the new 10 megapixel sensor but for me anyhow it just doesnt have the features I need. My primary purpose for my cameras is shooting karate tests for my school, I shoot in a gymnasium with mixed lighting (and not much light either, this camera can shoot in the equivalent of ISO 3200 with very acceptable results, especially if used with a product such as noise ninja to correct noise issues) and have had to learn to get around mixed lighting issues but primarily I need the 5 fps offered by the 20D/30D and the more expensive canon bodies that I sure cant afford on my salary. The Rebels and the 20D/30D have a "C" sized sensor which means that any 35mm lens you put on this body has a magnification factor of 1.6 so a 10 mm lens works a lot closer to 20 mm than ten mm etc. The C sized sensor also means that Canon and other lens manufacturers can take some design liberties with the back of the lens (of course this also means these special lenses wont work on a standard body just on a c sensor body). The 20D is a very capable camera for anyone that wants to shoot fast sports or weddings etc. The 30D has a lot of little tweaks that make an already excellent product even more capable. The 20D has been discontinued as far as I know but you can still find them new on ebay etc., given a choice go for the 30D, theyve revamped the shutter mechanism, revamped at least one of the focusing modes, the lcd is bigger and brighter, and to me anyhow, it just feels a lot spunkier when I shoot with it (and the 20D was already incredibly spunky). I havent had a chance to shoot my usual subject with it yet but just from a few snaps her and there it seems to expose a little darker at least outdoors in the shade. I was going to wait for the 40D but I got a chance at a floor model 30D for an unbelievable price and so I grabbed it knowing the new 40D would not be as cheap in the forseeable future. The big difference with the 40D will be the new 10 megapixel sensor. I really enjoy my camera, I think the canon glass is generally overpriced especially for the professional L series lenses. Take a look at the Sigma EX or EX DG line before deciding on canon glass, theyre generally just as fast as the canon lenses at focusing and one heckuva lot cheaper.
Recommended lenses: For a walk around lens the canon 28-135 IS is a great lens. For shooting stuff that can be close or medium far look at the 17-85 IS and the sigma 10-20 EX DG (good landscape lens too). The IS system is great because it will correct camera shake to a point and allows you to handhold at shutter speeds not normally possible. The kit lens 17-55 is ok but there are much better choices, avoid it if you can.
Flash units: The canon 580EX is a great flash but also check out the metz af-58 1C for professional class units, the built in flash is not really suited for anything but snaps if you ask me.
Other stuff you want: IS lenses suck batteries like candy. You want the BG-E2 or one of the generic equivalent battery grips (ebay). It makes the camera a lot more stable, easier to hold and repeats some common controls when shooting vertically.
Several extra batteries: I like the Lenmar rapid charger (comes with a 12V car cord too) for these batteries and buy a few extra off ebay (check the seller rep and be sure they are 7.4 volt packs not 7.2 volt packs--full price these batteries are ridiculous but you can get them reasonable on ebay from third party manufacturers)
Several large fast compact flash cards: Full sized images take a lot of space, this camera has large buffers so you almost never have an issue but buy the 80-150X high speed cards, youll be glad you did (warranty generally better on them also). Ive used Lexar and ridata and sandisk extreme with no issues in this camera, buy a few medium sized 2G-4G ones not one huge one (card errors can wipe the whole card but thats rare).
Nice bag: The 20D/30D are somewhat weatherized but its still not something you want to get wet. Hlliburton makes some very nice metal cases with foam inserts to protect your expensive gear. You might also want a special cover for shooting in inclement weather that lets you control the camera and keeps the water off it.
Digital wallet? If you shoot a lot and are away a long time a digital wallet with a notebook hard drive installed will let you clean off your cards and reuse them while storing your images on the internal hard drive. These can be found on ebay pre assembled or in kits just add your own hard drive and away you go.
Lots of hard drive space or a product like Roxio and a DVD burner: You need to store your hard won images securely. I have mine on three hard drives for redundancy you could also use a RAID setup or back up to DVD (but the size of DVDs you need a lot of those to backup lots of images) at least until such time as most normal people can afford the new blue ray and media backing up to single layer DVD will take a while. Dual layer DVD holds twice as much but the media is a lot more expensive. When you choose a software make sure its one that will chain the backup for you automatically, its a big hassle to figure out what will fit on a DVD manually.
On: 2007-06-05
My only regret is that I have not had this camera for my whole life. There may be a reason why a professional might need a 5D or what not, but for the rest of us, this camera does it all with ease, elegance and style. With a good lens, is it awesome. I snapped a small baby allegator I could hardly see from 50 feet away, and when I blew the image up on the computer you could see every detail, including his pupil and the glint in his eye. This camera is a lot of fun.
On: 2007-05-07
This camera is perfect for my needs. Any more than 8 megapixels makes for file size that chew up my computers hard drive capacity too quickly. The options and controls give me all the flexibility I could desire in taking pictures. The 5 frames per second exposure rate is great for Little League picture taking, capturing all the action needed. The 1.6 focal length multiplier is also great for my needs, making all of my lenses effectively 60% longer (I dont need wide angle shots often, and am content with panoramas when needed). The low noise, high ISO capabilities have been fantastic to date, and the high shutter speed capability has allowed me to take some great low depth of field exposures on bright days with an f2.8 lens. Highly recommended.
On: 2007-03-23
I have been a photo hobbiest for several years. I decided to get serious and began selling some of my work. I got such great review and have sold several prints. This prompted me to take an online photo class and buy the Canon 30D. The camera has every mode that a point and shoot camera has but, if you are serious about photography this camera provides you more options that you could ever ask for. I quickly relized that I could not cheat with the camera. I really had to know what I was doing if I was going to us the manual mode. Every day I learn something more and am so excited. I have to say that I did not even read the manual. The camera is very well laid out and if you are at all experienced with the Canon point and shoot cameras all of the controls will be familiar. I considered the new sony alpha, the new nikon, canon rebel and the olympus. Out of all the camera options the 30d just melted into my hand. THIS CAMERA IS COMFORTABLE! The grip and size of the camera is designed for long hours of use. It is a little on the heavy side compared to a lot of other cameras, but I totally forgot about the weight after one day of shooting. The 30D lives up to the Canon name and of all the camera options under $2500.00 this is the best.
On: 2007-03-22
I have been a photo hobbiest for several years. I decided to get serious and began selling some of my work. I got such great review and have sold several prints. This prompted me to take an online photo class and buy the Canon 30D. The camera has every mode that a point and shoot camera has but, if you are serious about photography this camera provides you more options that you could ever ask for. I quickly relized that I could not cheat with the camera. I really had to know what I was doing if I was going to us the manual mode. Every day I learn something more and am so excited. I have to say that I did not even read the manual. The camera is very well laid out and if you are at all experienced with the Canon point and shoot cameras all of the controls will be familiar. I considered the new sony alpha, the new nikon, canon rebel and the olympus. Out of all the camera options the 30d just melted into my hand. THIS CAMERA IS COMFORTABLE! The grip and size of the camera is designed for long hours of use. It is a little on the heavy side compared to a lot of other cameras, but I totally forgot about the weight after one day of shooting. The 30D lives up to the Canon name and of all the camera options under $2500.00 this is the best.
On: 2007-03-20
Ah! Finally, the pleasure of using an SLR camera without the cost of processing film. I have always used Canon SLRs in the past from the all manual old one where I learnt to shoot, to the new Elan 7 I now own. I love the work and feel of the 30D. Feels exactly like my Elan 7 and shoots fabulously well. I love the capacity to change ISO. The pictures are brilliantly clear and fantastic resolution. You guys who are serious amateurs and are feeling the pinch of the film processing and printing and throwing away those extra bad pictures and storing boxes of film, close your eyes and jump feet first into the 30D. You will love it. Of course, I am now taking a lot more pictures, which also means I am less careful about compositions. But some of those bad compositions have turned out to be unusually good and I have learned to see things for a perspective I never had the luxury of trying out before. Go out with your 30D rain or shine and have a great day of seeing through the lens of a superior camera.
On: 2007-03-12
I am not a pro but do spend much time for taking pictures. Gave it 5 stars because of its much better performance than 20D. Yes, it should be since it is an upgrade version of 20D. I like shooting animal and people in the motion, and this one is much faster than 20D. Never used 5D but it seems like 30D has faster shot. In terms of picture quality, even though 20D and 30D both are 8 million pixel but still the image quality is much better by 30D, especially in weak lighting condition.
The only thing I have noticed that 30D is not as good as 20D is the color of LCD of 30D is a little bit more yellow tone(the true picture is not), which is more precise on 20D.
Considering its price and performance, I will gave it 5 stars since it has met all my needs at current stage.
On: 2007-03-08
Bought the 30D to replace a 20D. I also got the 17-55IS to go with it. This camera is for my wife as we both shoot weddings and it has turned out to be a good investment. The camera performs well and has much better features than the 20D-really closer to my 5D.
On: 2007-03-07
I am very pleased with my decision to purchase this camera. As a newbie to the
world of SLR photography I wasnt sure I should spend as much money as I did on
this camera. I cant compare it to other cameras due to my lack of experience
but I can say that finding my way around the different controls has been very easy.
This has allowed me to experiment and learn quite a bit in a short time. The speed of this camera is
amazing for taking action shots. Catching my kids in action has been a breeze
compared to using our other point and shoot digital camera.
In summary, I highly recommend buying this camera.
On: 2007-02-28
This is a great camera. I have had the 30D for 3 months. I also own a Canon rebel xt (8.2 mb). Although the resolution is the same, I prefer the 30D much more because of: size (xt is too small), controls (superior to xt), quality of construction (magnesium frame), features (spot metering, lcd screen, etc.). I had to choose between the Nikon D 80 and the canon 30D. I selected the Canon for two primary reasons: 1) I think the construction of the 30D is in a different class than the D80 (D80 is more similar to the digital rebel); 2) I like the lens choices from canon better than Nikon (the usm series zoom series gives me a better selection than Nikon). I would not get the kit lens with this camera, get the 17-85 usm instead. Accessories: 4 GB compact flash card, Lowepro Topload zoom 1 holster bag. [...]
On: 2007-02-24
I have played with alot of the SLRs and I like this one because it has the canon lenses to pick from as well as a good price and feature ratio even for a canon.
Its neither the best or the cheapest of the canons and for this reason I recommend it. The other SLRs start having trade offs for being best or cheapest because either features are compromised, as with the rebel, or the camera is extremely expensive with more resolution than most people need coupled with even larger camera bodies.
One draw back is the lack of weather sealing. That aside I have had very little to complain about. I have loved this camera and would take it over the 5d for general shooting because with 8 mega pixels at the quality this camera has I am left wishing for little in resolution. It is also smaller and lighter than the 5d. For anyone looking to shoot fast it also shoots faster than the 5d.
The larger screen makes this one a clear pick over the 20d, trust me, this is the way to go over the 5d and 20d unless you are really trying to blow images up huge, and I mean greater that 36x24. This camera will not disappoint.
On: 2007-02-22
I really cant say anything other than THIS CAMERA IS AMAZING. As a professional photographer, this does everything I could ever ask for a camera to do. The software is a bit tricky.. I lost a few shots in the beginning trying to convert files, but once you get that down, its smooth sailing. If youre looking for an SLR, youll fall in love with this one.
On: 2007-02-15
Comparing to 350d and 400d, this one feels in hand more like a real DSLR. It has every feature you need and excellent quality, Solid built. If you really want a good DSLR, buy this for just $400 more than 400d. Even mounting a 70-200mm, you will not feel unbalanced.
Definitely 5 stars.
On: 2007-02-14
Comparing to 350d and 400d, this one feels in hand more like a real DSLR. It has every feature you need and excellent quality, Solid built. If you really want a good DSLR, buy this for just $400 more than 400d. Even mounting a 70-200mm, you will not feel unbalanced.
Definitely 5 stars.
On: 2007-02-13
I was close to getting the XTI, but glad I held out for the 30D. Its magic in your hands. I had to cover a birthday party and the battery life, super fast autofocus, feel in my hands, easy buttons, and fast shutter speed made it a breeze. I walked around the room and was literally done in 4 mins. Captured everyone beautifully and only 2 out of 100+ shots were unusable. One of the greatest things about this camera is its dynamic ability, so buyer beware if you dont like understanding the technical side of photography. You dont have to understand how Aperture and Shutter work technically, but you should learn how to control them and why (if you enjoy analyzing data as I do, then better for you).
I love this camera as much as my Mac, which is saying a lot! It will open many more creative doors for you, like working with lighting, RAW image editing, etc....
On: 2007-02-12
I was close to getting the XTI, but glad I held out for the 30D. Its magic in your hands. I had to cover a birthday party and the battery life, super fast autofocus, feel in my hands, easy buttons, and fast shutter speed made it a breeze. I walked around the room and was literally done in 4 mins. Captured everyone beautifully and only 2 out of 100+ shots were unusable. One of the greatest things about this camera is its dynamic ability, so buyer beware if you dont like understanding the technical side of photography. You dont have to understand how Aperture and Shutter work technically, but you should learn how to control them and why (if you enjoy analyzing data as I do, then better for you).
I love this camera as much as my Mac, which is saying a lot! It will open many more creative doors for you, like working with lighting, RAW image editing, etc....
On: 2007-02-04
I have owned the Rebel XT for a little over a year now. As soon as the XTi was announced, I decided I would upgrade to that new camera. I owned the BG-E3 grip (which is made for the XT and XTi) and four batteries, plus I had a year of experience with the XT, so I felt the XTi was the best upgrade path. The XTi also offered 10mp and sensor cleaning. It had the nine-point AF system and the 2.5" LCD.
But this is a review for the 30D, right? Right. Although the XTi is the direct upgrade for the XT, I did wish for something a bit bigger in my hands. Also, I was looking for something with a bit more of a robust build. Im not hard on my gear, but its nice to know that it can take it if need be. The XTi didnt, to me, offer that. And despite only having the opportunity to hold the 30D at Best Buy with the "dont steal me stick" hanging beneath it, I really liked the feel. It doesnt have the 10mp or the sensor cleaning of the XTi.
Wait! This IS a 30D review - right? Right!
If youve shot with the XT, then the rest will mean something to you. The 30D is far more robust and sturdy. It feels like the SLRs of old - the AE-1 or A-1 I used to have. The XT feels somewhat more like a SLR point and shoot. The 30D is bigger - a bunch bigger. I dont need the grip on the 30D like I did on the XT to make it feel like an SLR.
The 30D has some functional advantages to go along with the tactile ones: higher ISO settings for low light shooting; a higher top shutter speed for bright settings or freezing REALLY fast action; spot metering for those light-challenging shots; faster continuous shooting for catching the perfect expression or just the right angle on moving subjects; a MUCH better battery for almost double the shots between charges and a top LCD for shot settings.
Heck, I even like the shutter sound more!
Im not putting down the XTi - its a great camera! If the MPs matter to you or you like the sensor cleaning, those are things the 30D doesnt offer. The size might appeal to you if you want a smaller body. Its lighter, too. These are advantages.
The 30D is the bridge between the pro systems and the pro-sumer systems. It offers much of the best of both worlds. And it feels really good in your hands!
No regrets at all.
On: 2007-02-03
I have owned the Rebel XT for a little over a year now. As soon as the XTi was announced, I decided I would upgrade to that new camera. I owned the BG-E3 grip (which is made for the XT and XTi) and four batteries, plus I had a year of experience with the XT, so I felt the XTi was the best upgrade path. The XTi also offered 10mp and sensor cleaning. It had the nine-point AF system and the 2.5" LCD.
But this is a review for the 30D, right? Right. Although the XTi is the direct upgrade for the XT, I did wish for something a bit bigger in my hands. Also, I was looking for something with a bit more of a robust build. Im not hard on my gear, but its nice to know that it can take it if need be. The XTi didnt, to me, offer that. And despite only having the opportunity to hold the 30D at Best Buy with the "dont steal me stick" hanging beneath it, I really liked the feel. It doesnt have the 10mp or the sensor cleaning of the XTi.
Wait! This IS a 30D review - right? Right!
If youve shot with the XT, then the rest will mean something to you. The 30D is far more robust and sturdy. It feels like the SLRs of old - the AE-1 or A-1 I used to have. The XT feels somewhat more like a SLR point and shoot. The 30D is bigger - a bunch bigger. I dont need the grip on the 30D like I did on the XT to make it feel like an SLR.
The 30D has some functional advantages to go along with the tactile ones: higher ISO settings for low light shooting; a higher top shutter speed for bright settings or freezing REALLY fast action; spot metering for those light-challenging shots; faster continuous shooting for catching the perfect expression or just the right angle on moving subjects; a MUCH better battery for almost double the shots between charges and a top LCD for shot settings.
Heck, I even like the shutter sound more!
Im not putting down the XTi - its a great camera! If the MPs matter to you or you like the sensor cleaning, those are things the 30D doesnt offer. The size might appeal to you if you want a smaller body. Its lighter, too. These are advantages.
The 30D is the bridge between the pro systems and the pro-sumer systems. It offers much of the best of both worlds. And it feels really good in your hands!
No regrets at all.
On: 2007-01-19
We purchased this camera to replace a Nikon we have had for a few years. The speed of this camera alone makes it worth the money...no more missed shots due to camera lag!!! While it is more complicated camera (hence a recommendation to buy the how to guide) the point and shoot mode makes taking great pictures a breeze. This is definately a grow into camera!!!
On: 2007-01-16
I purchased this camera a few months ago and have taken about 3000 pictures with it. I am a serious amature. I enjoy nature pictures, gardens, flowers, mountains and my children and grandchildren. It does all of these very nicely. I have paired the camera up with the EFS 17-85 IS lens and find they work well for me. The canon sensor is excellent. I range up to ISO 1600 occasionally and often use 1000 for indoor flower shows and in museums. It gives excellent results and sometimes I further improve the pictures by using Noise Ninja. I have tried all of the picture settings but really like Standart Setting the best as it just looks the most real to me. You do have a lot of choices though if you like to experiment. The camera/lens combination has a solid feel. I am definitely hands on and appreciate the 4 different light metering systems. I use the average metering the most with spot metering second and I do use the others at appropriate times. For my landscape and flower shows I believe I generally get within 1/3 stop of what I consider the correct exposure. Photoshop does the rest but there isnt generally much to do. White balance works well. In the mixed indoor light of flower shows AWB gets pretty close and a little adjustment out of curves or levels tweeks it to my satisfaction. About the Canon IS lens. I got it because with age I was having difficulty getting a really steady shot at slow shutter speeds which I need to use indoors where I dont want to use flash. I have had very good results down to 1/10 second hand held and that in combination with a ISO of 1000 does a great indoor job and grain is not a problem.
The camera came with a dirty sensor. It had a lot of dust bunnies that showed up in the skies. After getting tired of clonning them out I got the Copper Hill Sensor Cleaning Kit and in one afternoon I cleaned the sensor 3 times and I have the cleanest skies around now. It is regrettable that Canon delivers the camera with a dirty sensor but it is a solvable problem the $30 Copper Hill Kit is needed just like a lens cleaning kit so get one.
I have other Canon lenses which also work fine on the camera. I am very happy with it.
On: 2007-01-14
This camera is more than I imagined it would be and Im still learning. This isnt for a beginner. It is wonderful for an advanced intermediate getting serious about their work. It was easy to handle. Heavy but not as bad as Id heard. I love it. Ive had great reviews and my results have been professional.
I would recommend buying a high quality lens. The lens in the kit is very average at best. Good mostly for practice.
On: 2007-01-14
Having spent nearly 40 years taking pictures, I had downgraded to a point and shoot just to avoid carrying heavy cameras. The D30 was a pleasant surprise. While not a feather-weight, its easily manageable in a small bag and doesnt hang too heavy on the shoulder. The images are stunning and far exceed the results I used to get with film, even fine grain Kodachrome. The cameras controls are easy to learn and get to when necessary. What shocked me most were results from the highest ISO speed. Using slower lenses, even with Image Stabilization, you would expect unsharp results due to camera movement. Thanks to IS and the D30s incredible sensor, you can "push process" your digital up to 3200 ISO. In film terms, that would the equivalent of pushing 400 ASA Tri-X three stops. Yet the noise/grain is hardly noticeable, especially after you apply Photoshop CS2s noise filter. I was amazed at the results. Great purchase, made better by Amazon. The company is a pleasure to work with.
On: 2007-01-12
Awesome camera, I love it. The color quality is great and the lens that it came with isnt so bad. The only negative thing I could come up with is that changing the aperture is cumbersome compared to the Nikon D70S I previously used but nothing would make me go back to Nikon after using this camera.
On: 2007-01-10
The 30D has been a great camera. It focuses fast and the frame capture rate...WHOA...5 fps. Raw quality is excellent and JPG is expected. Flexibility in configuration is fantastic. This is a winner even at only 8 megapixels. Trust me...megapixels dont make a better picture, lenses do. Get the great price on this winner camera.
On: 2007-01-06
I had a Rebel Digital 300D and upgraded when the price went down on the 30D. I love this camera...no complaints.....battery lasts a long time...more than the Rebel. I stayed away form the 20D because of no spot metering. I bought the Canon 17-40L lens; Im an amateur...lens has a short focal length...but great pictures.....I sold it and bought a Canon 17-85 IS......thats a great walk around lens and picture quality is unnoticeably different to this amateur.
On: 2007-01-06
Image quality superior, controls easy to use, fully compatible with previously purchased lens; fully met my expectations
On: 2007-01-01
This is written by someone who has not had a good SLR since the days of the manual film camera. But, like many camera shoppers, I did some homework before buying, and settled on this 30D kit with the 17-85mm lens.
With the rebate ($230 on this package as of 12/06), this is a good, full-featured deal. This package will suit many peoples needs, and includes a good "walk-around" lens that is generally regarded as better than the standard kit 18-55.
The 30D is no doubt on its way out, to be replaced by something fancier -- hence the rebate. But it has all the important features -- enough megapixels for great pictures at reasonable enlargements, versatile shooting modes & shutter settings (up to 5 frames per second), good LCD, very good low-light performance, the capability of different metering arrangements including spot metering, intelligent image processing, sturdy metal construction, etc.
True, you can get even a Canon Rebel with more than 8 megapixels. One thing I learned from a lot of experts websites, though, is that having more megapixels than this is of no real value, unless for some reason you are doing large poster-size images that need to withstand scrutiny up close (which is not a normal viewing distance for a big poster). So for me, the 30Ds features & construction outweighed the Rebel XTis 10MP and lower price. I wanted the metal body, the ability to shoot sports at 5 frames per second, and spot metering, all of which are lacking in the Rebel.
The image stabilization ("IS") feature on this lens really does help. Just playing around while shooting handheld, I was able to get good images on some shockingly slow shutter speeds on the 30D, albeit not every exposure. But the "IS" feature will stretch your ability to work handheld at slow shutter speeds, especially at a long focal length. Try it -- take a few pictures even at a half-second, and you might be surprised at some of them.
This lens itself is not particularly "fast." Staying on a budget, I combined this kit with Canons 50mm 1.8 lens (under $70) to enhance low-light shooting options, including indoor family shots and portraits. The bag I chose was a Lowepro Slinghot 200, which Im tentatively happy with. My new memory card is a Sandisk Extreme III 1GB, and Ill also get a bigger one later when prices come down (make sure to get a card "fast" enough that it wont slow the camera down when shooting in bursts).
With a UV filter to fit each lens, it has been "off to the races" with this kit. Still on the shopping list are a separate flash (although I dont see the shadow problem with the built-in flash mentioned by another reviewer), a second battery and a tripod.
Remember, this camera and similar ones have a 1.6 "conversion factor," meaning you multiply the focal length of the lens by 1.6 to get the lenss "equivalent" focal length performance. So they make a lens more "telephoto" than it would otherwise be.
There are other Nikon or Canon setups that will take good care of you, but I found this body/lens combo to be a pretty cost-effective way to start building a system. So far, Im happy with it, and with the service from Adorama Camera through Amazon.
On: 2006-12-19
I own the Digital Rebel XT and was decided to step up to the EOS 30D. I shoot alot of child and family portraits as well as high school sports. The picture quality difference in theses two are amazing. The 30D captures sharper images every time.
The focusing is much quicker and more precise then the Rebel XT and the 30D is a much better camera all around.
The Rebel is great for everyday pictures but for professional quality shots I recommend the 30D.
I also have the Battery Grip for both cameras, a must for doing vertical pictures.
I use the following lenses:
Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L ISA USM * Perfect for indoor sports *
Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5 - 5.6 IS * A great investment over the kit lens *
Canon EF 70-300mm F/4 - 5.6 IS * Great for outdoor wildlife *
Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5 - 5.6 * OK for snapshots *
On: 2006-12-16
Still, the flash creates a huge shadow from my lens, EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.
This was a big problem with the 20D and still is with the 30D. I had to buy a 580ex to overcome this problem. Yeah I know stupid me, why reward them for not fixing a huge problem known by them before introducing this product.
Otherwise the camera is very well built and sturdy. I upgraded from a plastic Rebel, big difference in the quality of the LCD.
On: 2006-11-27
Camera:
I have owned this camera practically since it came out on the market, and at the time it looked like an expensive proposition, especially when compared to Nikon D50, Canon Rebel XT, or an used 20D. I am glad I got this one, however. No doubt, the other DSLRs take fine photos, and all have much lower noise and faster reaction time than a point-and-shoot. Here is what made the difference for me:
- Better controls: There are ergonomically placed buttons and scroll wheels to control just about everything you care about in this camera. Not so with the Rebels, which is what I upgraded from - changing ISO alone used to drive me nuts :)
- ISO 3200: Comes handy for poorly lit indoors shots, esp. with slow lenses; I only use external flash with my DSLR and I dont carry it with me most of the time, so high-ISO is a big deal. It is grainy but not as bad as the Nikons at high ISO.
Lenses:
The kit lens is not that bad, so get it if this is your first SLR. It is a very useful range, especially for travel and casual stuff. However, it is neither very wide for some indoors and architectural shots, nor fast enough for many flash-free low-light situations. You may want to look at the 10-22mm and 50mm lenses, respectively. I am currently looking for a faster one-piece replacement of the kit lens - the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 looks like an option. If you have the money, do some research on what else Canon, Tamron, and Sigma offer in the 16-55 ranges.
On: 2006-11-21
I had no investment in a DSLR but narrowed my choices to the Canon 30D and the Nikon D200. I had always wanted a Nikon. The D200 is definitely a joy to hold and it did take good pictures (I tried both at a camera store before I bought the 30D). I did a lot of research (more than I care to admit!) and there was no conclusive evidence that one camera had a clear edge over the other. Depending on your specific needs, one camera may be "slightly better" than the other.
After trying out both cameras, I was convinced the 30D was as good a fit for my needs as the D200. For "value for money" the 30D was a clear winner over the D200 (I got mine when Canon had the Cash in with Canon promotion going). Also, as a beginner to SLR I found the 30D with its fully automatic and scene modes easy to start out with. I dont expect to use the scene modes or the full auto mode after a week or two. I expect to quickly graduate to the creative control zones. But to use as a family camera, the quick scene modes are very helpful. If you expect to use it more on a professional basis itd probably not matter.
Additionally, when I checked it out at the store, I noticed the Canon 30D focused sharply almost every time. The D200 did not at least a few times. Id take this with a grain of salt though since it was a brief trial at a store. But I thought Id share my experience. It may have just been an anomaly with the actual equipment I tried out.
Do I still find the Nikon D200 to be a great camera? Absolutely! Do I regret having bought a Canon 30D? Absolutely not! The decision swinger in my case was really the "money factor". I was more than willing to spend up to $300 more for the Nikon D200. But when the difference became $550 it no longer became justifiable for my Christmas gift to myself:-)
My purchases included the Canon 30D [...], Canon 17-85mm EF-S IS USM lens [...], and a SanDisk Extreme III 2GB compact flash card [...]
I plan to add an external flash to this soon, and will consider eventual lenses after I determine that the camera is a long-term keeper.
On: 2006-11-17
I bought a 30D along with the 580ex flash. I have always bought Canon products (point-and-shoot, SLR film). I used this product for a couple of weeks and thought it did have some limitations. The biggest drawback was underexposed flash images in full auto mode. The most frustrating part was that they look great on the screen during review but, when you look at them on the computer, they are very underexposed. I know that this would not be a issue if I captured the images in RAW format. I however want to primarily shoot family pictures in JPEG and not edit every picture. I searched the web and saw that numerous people had the same problem and they changed to the program mode with a +3/4 to +1 exposure compensation. Outdoors, the full auto mode seemed to meter fine. I understand that most users of this type of camera would not have an issue with and enjoy customizing each setting but, I want my wife to be able to be able to pick the camera up and take a decently exposed flash picture of our two year old using full auto mode. I even exchanged the camera for another one and had the same issue. I used a Canon 24-105, Canon 17-85 IS and a Tamron 17-50/2.8 lens and had the same issue. I made a very tough decision to move over to the Nikon D200 with SB-800 flash. It takes very clear and accurate exposed pictures in full auto mode with the flash. The build quality is also a lot better. It does cost more though but, I think its worth it. Bottom line though is that this camera takes great pictures outdoor and indoor with flash using exposure compensation. If you take mostly indoor family pictures like I do, the full auto mode is useless and youll need to make corrections to the settings or with editing software.
On: 2006-11-16
I bought a 30D along with the 580ex flash. I have always bought Canon products (point-and-shoot, SLR film). I used this product for a couple of weeks and thought it did have some limitations. The biggest drawback was underexposed flash images in full auto mode. The most frustrating part was that they look great on the screen during review but, when you look at them on the computer, they are very underexposed. I know that this would not be a issue if I captured the images in RAW format. I however want to primarily shoot family pictures in JPEG and not edit every picture. I searched the web and saw that numerous people had the same problem and they changed to the program mode with a +3/4 to +1 exposure compensation. Outdoors, the full auto mode seemed to meter fine. I understand that most users of this type of camera would not have an issue with and enjoy customizing each setting but, I want my wife to be able to be able to pick the camera up and take a decently exposed flash picture of our two year old using full auto mode. I even exchanged the camera for another one and had the same issue. I used a Canon 24-105, Canon 17-85 IS and a Tamron 17-50/2.8 lens and had the same issue. I made a very tough decision to move over to the Nikon D200 with SB-800 flash. It takes very clear and accurate exposed pictures in full auto mode with the flash. The build quality is also a lot better. It does cost more though but, I think its worth it. Bottom line though is that this camera takes great pictures outdoor and indoor with flash using exposure compensation. If you take mostly indoor family pictures like I do, the full auto mode is useless and youll need to make corrections to the settings or with editing software.
On: 2006-11-13
My 2 year old is really active and my point and shoot camera cannot keep up with him. And I also dont like the washout look when I uses flash. So I researched about which SLR will best meet my needs, mainly catching fast action, candid moments and low light photos without flash. The Canon 30D comes up top on the list. It has the best high ISO performance in its class (better than Nikon and Sony). And when I combine the 30D with the fast zoom lens EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS, the result is amazing. I can stop any action in daylight, capture every candid expression of my 2 yr old with the fast burst mode, and take indoor or night photos without using flash or tripod. Portraits are also excellent with sharp image and beautifully blurred background (bokeh). Even the dimly-lit decors of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion came out superb when we went there for the Halloween party at night, without flash or tripod. This is really an important factor for me to buy this camera, as taking pictures with a tripod is not an option when your subject is an active 2 yr old. But you will need a good lens to make this work well. If you use a cheap kit lens, then it will probably not matter which camera you pick. Remember that these 3 are all very good cameras and the small differences in image quality you see in reviews are apparent only when they use the best prime lens (not the kit lens)and crop the pictures to magnify the details. The Sony is a very good choice if you are on a budget and dont need low light performance (use flash and save money). The Nikon has more custom function than Canon, and it is really as good as Canon. They both have their strength and weakness. Canon just happens to have slightly better high ISO performance and that suits my need better than Nikon. To be fair, I should mention that the Nikon D200 tops most reviews as the camera of the year, beating the Canon 30D overall. But the D200 is a bit too advanced for an amateur like me, better suits someone more serious about photography. The D80 is like a "mini" D200, but slower. So it really boils down to what you really need and how much you want to spend. Shooting in low light without flash will need good high ISO performance, a good fast lens (with wide aperture, usually expensive), and image stabilization. If thats what you want, the Canon 30D with the EF-S 17-55 mm f/2.8 IS will not disappoint you.
On: 2006-11-11
I am so pleased with this camera! Theres really nothing negative I can think to say about it! I also own the Cannon XT. I use both for wedding photography as well as family portraits and I am so impressed with the color quality of the D30! Well done CANNON!
On: 2006-11-11
I compared a number of pro-sumer cameras and became firmly convinced this was the best camera for the money. Although Nikon at one time was considered the premier camera for the professional, they now take second stage to Canon not only for engineering, but for the quality of the lens, innovative and user-friendly design, and overall quality. I have used the camera for approximately one month and have been delighted. Having talken pictures for over 35 years - including professional - and always using Minolta equipment for all of those years, I am truly enamored with this Canon camera.
On: 2006-11-10
This can be a very easy to use camera. Simply by using the auto mode and composing your pictures properly you can get very good JPEG images. It also can be about as complicated as you want to make it. It has many advanced features on it. I have been shooting 35mm for about 32 years. My most recent before this one being an Elan II E about 7 years ago. Its still working also. The 30d is my first digital and I absolutely love the camera. I generally work in the aperture priority mode with a tripod at 100 ISO when shooting landscape. But, the camera is very capable in auto mode as well without the tripod. I like to shoot RAW so that I can tweek things a bit, but the JPEG images are very acceptable. It also works extremely well for portraits. It actually is better than the 35mm to me because it has very low noise even at higher ISOs. 1600 looks about like 800 film to me. This is a very good value for the money in my opinion.
On: 2006-11-10
This camera is incredible. I ordered it for my husbands birthday and he is just begining to figure it all out. There are so many great features. One of the best is how quickly you can take digital pictures. Our other digital cameras have a lag time between shots, but not this one. The pictures are crisp and it is easy for even a novice like me to use. I highly recommend this camera if you want to take digital photography to the next level. It is one of the best!
On: 2006-11-09
I have had my Canon Eos 30D for about a week and after 500 shutter actuations I am completely addicted to photography. I bought the 17-85mm Canon lens and it takes phenomenal pics especially using the software and post-processing in RAW. I also have a 70-300mm lens for sports/outdoors/nature and bursts of 5fps are a beautiful sound. I bought the Camera through Dell and with rebates currently this is the best deal out there! Strongly recommend. Pay the extra $$$ and get this over the Rebel XTI. You wont be disappointed!
On: 2006-11-07
Someone in this site is trying to tell us that the Rebel XTi is a better camera, partly because the Rebel has more megapixels. For those who truly know digital cameras, having more than perhaps 6 or 8 megapixels is important only if you plan on blowing your images up to "poster size", or if you are a pro who knows how to crop images & use all those pixels. And truthfully, how many of you really plan to do that type of stuff? To say that the Rebel XTi is better than the 30D because it has more megapixels and is smaller is not the best advice. Any Canon DSLR is going to give you great images, if know how to use it. For those of you who are trying to decide which camera to buy, you really need to go to a camera store and ask to handle each camera. While youre at it, ask yourself how it feels in your hands. Is it too bulky & heavy for you? Is it too small and hard to handle? Does it have the features you want such as spot metering, which the Rebel XTi does not have? I handled the Rebel recently. It is rather small. The grip is rather small. I have medium-sized hands (male). I felt like I could not get a secure grip on the camera (without a lens). I felt that...with a large lens...the Rebel would be difficult to hang on to. On the other hand (no pun intended), the 30D is a fairly large camera. But, its easy to hold securely. The 30D is a terrific DSLR. It has all the features 95% of us need. My final bit of advice? When you buy a semi-pro camera such as this 30d, it only makes sense to also buy good lenses for it. And were talking about hundreds of dollars for nice lenses. It makes no sense at all to buy a great camera and then use cheap lenses on it. If you are a point & shoot photographer, you probably dont need "this much" camera. Save your hard-earned money and try a Rebel or a pocket camera, or maybe the Canon S3 IS.
On: 2006-11-07
I have owned my 30D for over 2 years and approximately 12,000 frames and I am very happy with the camera. The build is substantial and the features are quite vast. I like the camera so much that I purchased one for my father for Christmas and he is very pleased with it as well. I have not had the opportunity to try a 40D other than the camera stores, but I have to say that I am set for a few more years, now I just need to upgrade all my lenses to L Series, but that takes a bit of time and money.
On: 2006-11-06
I upgraded from the Canon Digital Rebel (grey body) to this because I was ready to take my photography to a new level. One thing I like most about this camera is its flash compenstation. I purchased the 430ex flash with it because I was tired of having to use the built in flash and always getting those hard shadows on the wall.
On: 2006-10-16
All the reviews praising this as the best Canon DSLR for the cost were posted before the Canon Rebel XTi was introduced. I own the 30D and I am very pleased with it, however I also bought it a few weeks before the Rebel XTi was fully announced. The Rebel XTi has more megapixels than the 30D (10 vs 8) and the XTi has a self dust cleaning system which the 30D does not have. The only true reason to choose the 30D over the XTi is if you are a serious sports photographer and need 5 frames per second (30D) instead of 3 fps (XTi). Another major distinction between the two bodies is the size. The XTi is much smaller than the 30D. Some love this, while others with large hands prefer the larger size of the 30D. Since the XTi is about $[...] less than the 30D I would have to advise you to get the XTi.
For your knowledge I own the Canon Rebel XT and the Canon 30D.
On: 2006-10-15
All the reviews praising this as the best Canon DSLR for the cost were posted before the Canon Rebel XTi was introduced. I own the 30D and I am very pleased with it, however I also bought it a few weeks before the Rebel XTi was fully announced. The Rebel XTi has more megapixels than the 30D (10 vs 8) and the XTi has a self dust cleaning system which the 30D does not have. The only true reason to choose the 30D over the XTi is if you are a serious sports photographer and need 5 frames per second (30D) instead of 3 fps (XTi). Another major distinction between the two bodies is the size. The XTi is much smaller than the 30D. Some love this, while others with large hands prefer the larger size of the 30D. Since the XTi is about $[...] less than the 30D I would have to advise you to get the XTi.
For your knowledge I own the Canon Rebel XT and the Canon 30D.
On: 2006-10-13
First I shopped around a lot and settled on the 30D. This camera has not let me down at all. I have taken over 10,000 photographs (Not all good) But have gotten some great shots. I am still learning different things with photography and every time I want to try something new the Canon 30d is capable and grows with me. I now have 3 lenses with most of my range and have not at any time regretted my decision buying this camera. It is very easy to use also.
On: 2006-10-07
I have mine about a month now & took it on vacation where I put it thru a lot of use. I really like it. I got about 500 pics out of one charge on the battery. Quality is great. Used it in all modes. The speed at which I could take multiple frames, great. No complaints, wouldnt trade it for anything.
On: 2006-09-24
Ive read all the other reviews and I dont have much to add that hasnt been said before. I just wanted to join in the chorus of positive reviews and say that I love this camera. I originally bought the Digital Rebel XT and found that I wasnt happy with that camera for a few reasons which I will detail below. I upgraded to this camera and have to say that it was a great move. This camera is worth every penny and is definitely a great upgrade over the XT for the following reasons:
- Much better manual shooting. Manual shooting with the XT is an exercise in compromise and frustration. With the dual wheels, this camera enables you to shoot in manual much more easily.
- Much larger and more detailed LCD dispaly allows at-a-glance look at settings
- Body is bigger than the XT and fits in my hands much more comfortably (I have large-ish hands)
- No need to push the "Set" button when making changes to camera settings like ISO, WB, etc. This doesnt seem like a big deal when you read it, but when you actually use the camera and change settings quite a bit to match your desires, the quicker you can make the changes, the better chance you have of getting the shot.
All in all, this camera is an absolute gem. I highly recommend it.
On: 2006-09-24
I am planning to buy a 30d body but the picture on this page makes me confused. it looks like a 20d though it says 30d on the body. can smn explain this???
On: 2006-08-22
I love this camera, i upgraded from the EOS 20D in May of this year and have already taken 10000 pictures with the 30D this camera is great and if you are a serious photographer you should think of getting one. I purchased the body only as i already had canon lenses and at 5 frames per second great for shooting in RAW Format.
review work at [...]
On: 2006-08-09
The EOS 30D isnt much of an upgrade from the 20D, with a few new features such as true spot metering. If youve already got a 20D, you might as well sit tight and wait for the next generation. (The EOS 5D isnt really an upgrade option for 20D owners if they own many EF-S lenses.) However, the 30D is a major step up for those who own the original Digital Rebel or Rebel XT. It offers a more advanced body, faster operation, and a broad range of customization features.
However, I recommend getting the 17-85 IS lens over the 18-55 kit lens, for sharper results and the steadiness of image stabilization.
On: 2006-08-02
Theres not a whole lot to say that hasnt been said on all the reviews that are out there for this camera. I absolutely love it. I was seriously considering the 20D but the larger screen, and the added options made me go for this one and I dont regret it a bit.
The body feels very well built, and changing settings on it is extremely friendly (even for Canon first timers like me), you can change shutter speed/aperture, ISO and Auto Focus point, all in seconds and without taking your eye away from the viewfinder, absolutely brilliant.
I would highly recommend this camera to anyone thats considering buying it. Its well worth the money.
On: 2006-07-27
Pics are excellent. Manual and options are at first daunting but just jump in and try.
The on/off switch is not easy to grasp as its nearly flush with surface. Right grasp is a little shallow for we women with finger nails but I adjusted. Havent found easy way to disengage flash despite 8000 ISO setting. I ended up using my Powershot A95 which does great job with ambient light and no flash in museums or staged performances. Main advantage is being able to capture shots with rapid shutter response but it is heavier and bulkier than A95 which also gets excellent results. Didnt notice charger included in kit so ordered extra battery and charger from outside source through Amazon and now it is more costly to return than to keep both. Also would have appreciated a scratch resistant LCD monitor as mine got scratched by belt buckle on first day of use.
On: 2006-07-24
Im new to SLR photography, yet some of the photos I have been able to capture on "assisted" mode have been wonderful. This is an amazing camera.
The main reason I went with the 30D over the RebelXT is because of the better build quality. The camera is very solid and the shutter has been built to last 100,000 clicks.
The battery life is AMAZING. Coming from a wimpy Sony Cybershot (where battery life was 70 minutes with a lithium-ion), Im blown away. Ive taken hundreds of pictures, looked at all of them on the LCD monitor, and the battery still barely takes a hit. Canon includes a lithium ion battery along with a charger, which also blew me away (considering I had to special order $150 worth of parts from Sony for a battery, charging pack and cable).
NOTE: Id recommend buying the BODY ONLY and put the extra $150+ towards a better lense. The kit lens is decent, but I regret that I didnt buy a better lense with it.
On: 2006-07-11
awesome camera i had a rebel xt which was very nice too but i like the larger body and construction of this one.
On: 2006-07-01
If you are anything like me and love Black & White Photography, but dont want to do a lot of processing, this camera is great. The larger screen and the "film type" options are the main differences between this and the 20D and for my money well worth it. You get beautiful black and white results that have much more dimension than usual with a digital camera. Ive been shooting with it for a month or so now and really love everything about the camera. I purchased it as a second body and an upgrade to my Rebel XT. I couldnt quite justify the money for the 20D, but with the added "film style" options on the 30D I felt I was getting another dimension that would justify the second body. Now I can carry them both hiking with the dog, have a short lens on one and a long on the other and not have to risk my sensor with in field lens changes. Aside from the black and white being much better than any other Ive seen with a digital camera the "landscape film" setting, not the fully automatic picture setting, but the film one really makes the greens in your landscapes pop. The "standard" setting gives you beautiful, accurate colour and great skin tones. I havent had a chance to play with the other two settings much. The camera is blindingly fast, I have to be careful to not fire off five or six shots the thing is so fast. The alternate 3 fps setting is a nice option to have if you have a slower lens and want to give it time to focus in a sports type situation. The only draw back I had was the size and weight of the 30D compared to my Rebel. I however, am one of the few people I know or have read about that felt the Rebel was the perfect size for my hands. Most people felt they had to add a battery grip onto the Rebel to have enough space to hold on to it. The 30D is much bigger and heavier and that takes some adjusting to, but I have been able to shoot great hand held stuff after just a little bit of aclimization. The battery life is also exceptional. I am still shooting on the original charge of the battery after a month of use. Going back to the black and white, you can also add "filters" to the monochrome settings that save you the cost of getting a red, yellow, orange or green filter to further bring out depth in different situation. I just love this camera. I would rather take the picture I want in camera than go home and play with an exposure that isnt what I had in mind with software and I really feel that I can with this camera. Total die hard Canon fan and started out with a point and shoot Canon two years ago. The quality on that was amazing and with this camera your imagination is your only limitation. I am also bad about reading instruction manuals and find that the menus are pretty intuitive and easy to use. I know I am not utilizing all the potential of this baby and I am still taking amazing photographs! This camera is well worth the money for the serious amature.
On: 2006-06-30
If you are anything like me and love Black & White Photography, but dont want to do a lot of processing, this camera is great. The larger screen and the "film type" options are the main differences between this and the 20D and for my money well worth it. You get beautiful black and white results that have much more dimension than usual with a digital camera. Ive been shooting with it for a month or so now and really love everything about the camera. I purchased it as a second body and an upgrade to my Rebel XT. I couldnt quite justify the money for the 20D, but with the added "film style" options on the 30D I felt I was getting another dimension that would justify the second body. Now I can carry them both hiking with the dog, have a short lens on one and a long on the other and not have to risk my sensor with in field lens changes. Aside from the black and white being much better than any other Ive seen with a digital camera the "landscape film" setting, not the fully automatic picture setting, but the film one really makes the greens in your landscapes pop. The "standard" setting gives you beautiful, accurate colour and great skin tones. I havent had a chance to play with the other two settings much. The camera is blindingly fast, I have to be careful to not fire off five or six shots the thing is so fast. The alternate 3 fps setting is a nice option to have if you have a slower lens and want to give it time to focus in a sports type situation. The only draw back I had was the size and weight of the 30D compared to my Rebel. I however, am one of the few people I know or have read about that felt the Rebel was the perfect size for my hands. Most people felt they had to add a battery grip onto the Rebel to have enough space to hold on to it. The 30D is much bigger and heavier and that takes some adjusting to, but I have been able to shoot great hand held stuff after just a little bit of aclimization. The battery life is also exceptional. I am still shooting on the original charge of the battery after a month of use. Going back to the black and white, you can also add "filters" to the monochrome settings that save you the cost of getting a red, yellow, orange or green filter to further bring out depth in different situation. I just love this camera. I would rather take the picture I want in camera than go home and play with an exposure that isnt what I had in mind with software and I really feel that I can with this camera. Total die hard Canon fan and started out with a point and shoot Canon two years ago. The quality on that was amazing and with this camera your imagination is your only limitation. I am also bad about reading instruction manuals and find that the menus are pretty intuitive and easy to use. I know I am not utilizing all the potential of this baby and I am still taking amazing photographs! This camera is well worth the money for the serious amature.
On: 2006-06-21
First of all I wont get into all the features on this camera, thats been covered enough. I agree with everything that was said concerning those features. Im also happy that there are those that think this camera is the best thing ever. Where my disappointment takes place in the photos themselves. Im not a newcomer to photography (I started in 1955), nor am I new to digital. I have the Fuji S7000 (6.3MP) and the pictures it produces are fantastic. I assumed if I were to upgrade to 8MP or 9MP things would be even better. I spent the better part of three weeks researching and reading everything I could get my hands on. Everything I read about the 30D was overwhelming, so I purchased one. I would like to say that in the past seven weeks Ive shot 3700 photos and barely half of them are equal to my S7000. Thats not to say I havent produced some very creditable shots. I have. Its just that I expect the majority of them to be that way. If I were to have shot the giraffe, that a customer attached, with my S7000 youd be able to see every hair. The birds shots would have been more distinct. Youd not only see the individual feathers but the patterns in the feathers as well. When I spend $1400 on a camera I expect it to produce unequaled photos. Ill continue to use it, but for those photos that are must haves I will more than likely use my Fuji S7000.
I still have all my 35mm SLRs and both of my twin-reflex type cameras. Im finding it hard to give them up. I got my first digital camera five years ago. It was only 1MP and I grew tired of the shots it produced. So I kept upgrading. Its been a good trip. Im not sorry I bought the Canon 30D because I can change lenses, which I cannot do with my Fuji. But Im not thrilled...yet.
Since I wrote my review some time ago my 30D began acting up. It would only take time exposure shots. No matter what setting I chose to put the camera in it would only take a time exposure. Needless to say the shots I attempted were a disaster. I tried everything imaginable and nothing worked. As a last result I contacted Canon Service Representative and we went over a dozen different scenarios with no result. Finally, I was directed to send it directly to Canon with a letter explaining the problem. In less than a week I had the camera back and it appears to be working fine. I have to commend Canon for their fast and thorough corrections to the problem at no charge to me because it was still under warranty.
Also, Ive noted since my first review of this camera that if I put the camera on a tripod the shots come out a little better; however, I dont have to do the same with my other cameras. I still dont feel like I should have to do it with this camera...but Ill live with it for now.
I gave the camera 4 stars, because a distinct photo means a great deal to me. I would have rated 3.5, but there are a lot of features that are noteworthy.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-06-21
The 30D is more than a simple upgrade to the stellar 20D camera, its now a workhorse. The shutter has been upgraded to 100,000 exposure lifecycle (this is the standard rating of when youll effectively wear the camera out beyond economical repairs).
Combined with the metal construction, this will easily last several years in the hands of an advanced photographer, and can deliver professional results (although not as weatherproof or bulletproof as the Mark II series).
The inclusion of the "picture styles" will be warmly appreciated from old time film users who liked different coloring and sharpness levels dependent on the subject. If you dont like Canons settings, you can tweak them, or download addition styles from their website.
Handling and performance are top-notch, and Canon offers the widest selection of lenses available today. This kit lenses is a good value for the money, but you might consider the EF-S 17-85 if youre budget allows.
On: 2006-06-13
I was always reluctant to switch to digital from film, but last year I tested the waters and bought a Digital Rebel XT. I found that on the job I would opt for my digital more and more until I finally quit bringing my film rig along with me when shooting on location.
Ive just recently upgraded to the 30D, and I can say now that this is almost the perfect digital SLR. I love the professional features that the XT lacked, and the 30D also feels much more solid. It balances much better with Canons professional lenses, and the 2 | | |
