Canon’s 8 megapixel EOS 30D features include, 2.5″ LCD, spot metering, selectable continuous shooting speed, and 100,000 shutter cycle life. Since the EOS 30D is an evolved 20D and uses the same sensor and image processor its imaging quality will be the same as the 20D.
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[Canon EOS 30D Spec Sheet at Digital Camera Info]
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[Sample Photos at Camera Labs]
[Sample Pictures #1 at Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Pictures #2 at Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Pictures #2 at Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Pictures at Steve's Digicams]
[Sample Pictures at DP Review]
[Sample Pictures at DC Resource]
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CNET Asia - 8/1/2006 - has a new review of the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 30D and rate it 8.5 out of 10 - “Building on the merits of the 20D, there is no doubt that the 30D is also a performer. However, current 20D users may find it less convincing to cough out the cash differences for a nominal improvement in terms of features, unless they absolutely need a spot metering option, larger LCD and more control in how their pictures turn out with Picture Styles. Despite the limited reasons to upgrade, the EOS 30D is still able to hold its own with the competition and will appeal strongly to enthusiasts or first-time digital SLR buyers.”
Camera Labs - 07/31/2006 - has reviewed the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 30D and they write - “Canon’s EOS 30D may be little more than an evolutionary step forward, but it’s crucial to remember it improves upon a camera which most agreed was already excellent. While it may have been more honest to describe it as a 20D Mark II, the 30D remains a great camera which is enjoyable and rewarding to use, while delivering lower noise levels than its rivals. There may be few existing Canon owners who’ll justify upgrading, but plenty of new digital SLR users who’ll find it ideal.”
PopPhoto - 07/19/2006 - has a new review of the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 30D and here is an excerpt -
“Given everything that this camera can do, and do well, it ranks as a near-perfect advanced amateur/semi-pro camera. Notice the “near-perfect.” In field use of the 30D, we were reintroduced to the few quirks and inconveniences of the 20D: Setting a custom white balance, for one, is unduly complex - a five-step procedure, when most other DSLRs in this class can do it in two.”
Trusted Reviews - 06/01/2006 - scores the 8.2 megapixel Canon EOS 30D an 8 out 10 in their new review. They continue to write -
“A bit of a disappointment for anyone hoping for a major upgrade, the EOS 30D is unlikely to attract anyone who already owns a 20D. However newcomers to the mid-level DSLR market will find a superbly specified camera with the usual Canon hallmarks of reliability, design and outstanding image quality. For the serious amateur or semi-pro it is the ideal camera.”
Steve’s Digicams - 5-1-2006 - Viewing the 30D as a mid-life refresh of the successful 20D, photographers upgrading from consumer digicams and Canon film SLR’s will find it very attractive, especially considering its body-only street price of under $1400.
Users of Canon’s earlier dSLR’s, the Digital Rebel, 10D, D60 and D30, may find the 30D’s improvements sufficient to justify its purchase, especially sports shooters who will benefit from its improved AF performance and reduced noise at high ISO settings. Users of Canon’s 20D will likely not find the 30D sufficiently advanced to justify an upgrade; those with the upgrade itch should instead consider improving their lens inventory with high quality glass that will not only improve the results from their current camera, but also any EOS dSLR they might purchase in the future.
[Canon EOS 30D Review At Steve's Digicams]
PC World - 4-22-2006 - The 30D’s interface is a model of elegant simplicity: Almost all of the controls that you’d use in everyday shooting are accessible via a button. Yet because Canon doubles up the functions of the camera’s buttons, the unit is not overladen with buttons and knobs.
[Canon EOS 30D Review At PC World]
Imaging Resource - 4-14-2006 - The exceptional nature of the Canon 30D should come as no surprise though, given that it’s a refinement of an already superb digital SLR, brought up to date with a few features the market’s been wanting. The camera performs well in every respect. Color is accurate, image noise very low, resolution excellent, and the camera is very responsive, both to the shutter button, and from shot to shot. The interface is well designed and straightforward; and for current EOS owners it couldn’t be more familiar. Because the 30D uses the same sensor as the 20D, it manages to maintain low image noise at high-ISO, on par with its predecessor.
[Canon EOS 30D Hands-On Review At Imaging Resource]
Bob Atkins - 4-10-2006 - I’ve been shooting with an EOS 20D since it was introduced in the fall of 2004 and I’ve been very happy with it. I expected the EOS 30D to be essentially the same and in many ways it is, though I have to admit that it is a nicer camera to use. I really like the larger and more visible LCD, which for me makes the camera quite a lot easier to use without putting my reading glasses on (which is a pain). The addition of the spot meter is a welcome improvement too. I don’t use a spot meter very often, but it is nice to have it there for when I do need it. While I don’t personally shoot long continuous bursts very often, I can see how the EOS 30D could make life a lot easier for those who do. That would include sports photographers and anyone who does a lot of action work.
[Canon EOS 30D Hands-On Review At Bob Atkins]
Lets Go Digital - 4-8-2006 - Even though the Canon 30D may not exactly be a revolutionary digital SLR camera, and the expectations were somewhat subdued, it is still a truly fantastic camera. The concept was already solid as could be, but with the introduction of the Canon EOS 30D, Canon have once again clearly asserted and strengthened its roots and their position. There are virtually no points that might cause any form of hindrance for the user, which, in our opinion, is an excellent performance indeed. A superb camera!
[Canon EOS 30D Review At Lets Go Digital]
DP Review - 4-4-2006 - Nobody should then be too surprised that the EOS 30D, despite its relatively minor range of updates still deserves our Highly Recommended rating. It’s a great camera to shoot with, image quality is excellent and the high sensitivity performance is still notably better than the competition, the EOS 30D inspires confidence and delivers shot after shot.
[Canon EOS 30D Review At DP Review]
DC Resource - 3-22-2006 - What I liked: Excellent photo quality (with the right lenses) Very low noise, even at high ISOs Solid, well designed body; useful playback zoom buttons Large 2.5″ LCD display Full manual controls, including nice white balance controls Robust performance, especially in terms of continuous shooting Great low light focusing All the expandability you’d expect from a D-SLR; two ways to attach an external flash USB 2.0 High Speed support Impressive software bundle; camera can be controlled from Mac or PC
What I didn’t care for: Images on the soft side straight out of the camera; some lenses just exacerbate the problem LCD not as bright/sharp as the one on the Nikon D200
[Canon EOS 30D Review At DC Resource]
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Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 21 February, 2006: Canon today announces the EOS 30D, replacing the award winning EOS 20D. Retaining the 5fps, 8.2 Megapixel performance of its predecessor, the upgraded camera enjoys a larger, wider viewing angle 2.5″ LCD, extended 100,000 shutter cycle durability, spot metering, and a variety of refinements designed to enhance the photographic experience. Targeted at an increasingly discerning population of serious creative photographers, the EOS 30D replaces a camera that already claims a significant share of the Western Europe D-SLR market, which grew by 120% in the last 12 months*1.
The EOS 30D features
8.2 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor 5 fps and 30 large JPEG frame burst 2.5″, 230K pixel, 170º wide viewing angle LCD screen Picture Style image processing parameters Spot metering and High Precision 9-point AF system DIGIC II image processor with 0.15 sec start-up time Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software 100,000 cycle shutter durability and rugged magnesium alloy body Simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording Wide 100-3200 ISO range E-TTL II Flash PictBridge compatibility Complete compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and Video Out connectivity “A rapidly expanding population of serious and semi-commercial creative photographers is helping drive EOS growth,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “As well as putting many high-end pro features into their hands, the EOS 30D becomes a launching pad into the world’s most comprehensive interchangeable lens system and huge range of flash units and accessories.”
Improved performance
Many improvements over the EOS 20D are made in response to EOS 20D owner feedback. Along with the larger screen, improved durability and 3.5% area spot metering, these include Canon’s Picture Style pre-sets, Canon’s in-camera image processing standard. Picture Styles can be likened to selectable film types for different photographic expression (see appendix ‘Technologies Explained’). Frame rate is selectable between 5 and 3fps and photographers are given finer control over exposure, with ISO settings now adjustable by 1/3 stop increments rather than whole stops. A Print/Share button is included and the camera features new advanced PictBridge functionality . The maximum number of images in a folder is increased from 100 to 9,999, while the in-built flash has been upgraded to match the 100,000 shutter cycle durability, an increasingly important feature in the digital age.
Speed and image quality
The EOS 30D features Canon’s award winning CMOS sensor technology, with large 6.4µm2 pixels for wide dynamic range with low noise. Any remaining fixed pattern and random noise is dealt with by on-chip noise elimination circuitry. A low-pass filter in front of the sensor reduces false colour and moire effects, while an infrared filter suppresses red fringing caused by sensor reflections and fog. The camera features Canon’s DIGIC II processor now found across the digital EOS range. DIGIC II maximises speed and image quality by processing uncompromisingly complex colour rendition algorithms, clearing the buffer at high speed. (For more on CMOS and DIGIC II, see appendix ‘Technologies Explained).
EOS: The system
One of the EOS 30D’s greatest advantages is the EOS system: compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, EX-series Speedlites and EOS accessories such as the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1. The EOS 30D’s EF-S lens mount allows connection to Canon’s range of lighter and wider angle lenses, including the new wide aperture EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM standard zoom lens. Indicative of Canon’s commitment to lens development is the release today of the exceptionally fast EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, for low light and extremely narrow depth of field photography. For high-speed processing of lossless RAW images and complete capture-to-print workflow management, the EOS 30D also comes with Canon’s latest Digital Photo Professional software (see appendix ‘Technologies Explained).
Battery grip
To extend the EOS 30D’s 750 shot *2 battery life and increase handling options, the camera is compatible with the BG-E2 battery grip. The BG-E2 takes two Lithium-Ion battery packs for up to 2,200 *3 frames or six AA batteries *4 in the supplied BGM-E2 battery magazine. For easy vertical shooting, the BG-E2 provides additional shutter release, main dial, AE lock/FE lock and AF point selection controls.
EOS Range
Canon’s current EOS range now includes:
EOS-1Ds Mark II - 16.7 Megapixels, 4 fps EOS-1D Mark II N - 8.2 Megapixels, 8.5 fps EOS 5D - 12.8 Megapixels, 3 fps EOS 30D - 8.2 Megapixels, 5fps EOS 350D - 8.0 Megapixels, 3fps
Software
As well as the latest Digital Photo Professional RAW image processing software, the EOS 30D comes with Canon EOS Solution Disk, containing the new EOS Utility (integrating remote capture software), plus the latest versions of ZoomBrowser/ImageBrowser and PhotoStitch.
The EOS 30D includes membership of Canon’s online photo album, CANON iMAGE GATEWAY with 100MB of space for image uploads and photo sharing *5.
*1 GfK, EU11, 12 months until Nov 05, year on year *2 According to tests carried out under CIPA industry standard test conditions *3 When shooting at 20° without flash *4 Shooting capacity with AA batteries is lower when compared with the Battery Pack BP-511A. See specifications for battery type compatibility *5 CANON iMAGE GATEWAY is not available in all European countries, please see www.cig.canon-europe.com for available countries
Technologies Explained Picture Style
Picture Style pre-sets simplify in-camera control over image quality. Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types - each one offering a different colour response. Within each easily selectable pre-set, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation. The camera’s factory default configuration is set to deliver immediately-usable JPEG images without need for additional menu settings. Picture Style presets applied to a RAW image do not degrade the image in any way and can be revised with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software.
The six pre-sets include: Standard - for crisp, vivid images that don’t require post-processing; Portrait – optimises colour tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to achieve attractive skin tones; Landscape - for punchier greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a crisp edge to mountain, tree and building outlines); Neutral - ideal for post-processing; Faithful – adjusts colour to match the subject colour when shot under a colour temperature of 5200K; Monochrome - for black and white shooting with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple and green). The User Defined pre-set can be used to store up to three customised pre-sets, or any of the pre-sets available for download from Canon’s web site.
DIGIC II
Now found across the EOS range, DIGIC II is a purpose built, dedicated image processor responsible for the high speed calculations necessary in order to providing exceptionally accurate colour reproduction in real time. Canon’s second generation imaging engine, DIGIC II performs the duties of a number of separate processing units to speed processing, save space, and optimise battery life.
To avoid the trade off faced by other manufacturers between camera responsiveness and image quality, Canon has created a processor so fast it can read, process, compress and write image data back to the buffer between exposures. This allows for longer continuous bursts at maximum frame rates before the buffer fills. Moreover, each image can be subjected to the full complex processing algorithms required in order to deliver superb image quality.
CMOS
Canon’s award winning CMOS technology is one of the company’s key competitive advantages. With noise reduction circuitry at each pixel site, Canon’s CMOS sensors have lower noise and lower power consumption characteristics than CCD sensors.
CCD sensors use a bucket relay system to transfer each pixel’s accumulated electrical charge to a corresponding gutter. The operation is time consuming and draws considerable power, which limits battery life and generates unwanted heat, further increasing noise and lowering image quality.
By contrast, signal conversion in Canon’s CMOS sensors is handled by the individual amplifiers at each pixel site. Unnecessary charge transfer operations are avoided, vastly speeding up the process of getting signal to the image processor. Noise generation is reduced and power consumption limited.
Digital Photo Professional Software
Digital Photo Professional software provides high-speed processing of lossless RAW images. Processing with Digital Photo Professional allows real-time display and immediate application of image adjustments, giving control over RAW image variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation and colour tone. The camera JPEG images can be recorded in sRGB or Adobe RGB colour space, and the Digital Photo Professional application supports sRGB, Adobe RGB and Wide Gamut RGB colour spaces. An ICC (International Colour Consortium) profile attaches automatically to RAW images converted to TIFF or JPEG images. This allows faithful reproduction of colours in software applications that support ICC profiles, such as Adobe Photoshop. For improved efficiency, a set of image adjustments can be saved as a reciepe and applied to multiple images.
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