Canon EOS 30D 8.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body Only

Excellent buy!

Strengths: Top-notch professional quality. The larger LCD is a huge plus.

Weakness: None so far.

The camera has impressed me thoroughly. It takes great photos and is easy to use. It cost a good sum of money but it is definitely worth it. I'd recommend this camera to anyone looking to purchase a dSLR.

By anonymous; - Apr 29, 2006

Buy or not?

Strengths: The consumer camera did not get good ISO like Canon 30D yet, I have 20D, 30D, 5D.

Weakness: Loud shutter sound, not accurate AWB in yellow light, not all the images has good focus In low light even with AF light from the external flash & good lens with F2.8.

I am happy with it and I recommend it for any photographer, keep in mind that what is important the one behind the camera not the camera, but the camera could make our work better. _____ The new camera will have: Higher ISO with No grain (or noise), ISO 10,000 Olympus FE, ISO 6400 EOS-1D Mark III Chips with Optical Image stabilization in all direction Weatherproof function 3.5-inch LCD screen...
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I am happy with it and I recommend it for any photographer, keep in mind that what is important the one behind the camera not the camera, but the camera could make our work better.

_____
The new camera will have:
Higher ISO with No grain (or noise), ISO 10,000 Olympus FE, ISO 6400 EOS-1D Mark III
Chips with Optical Image stabilization in all direction
Weatherproof function
3.5-inch LCD screen with high resolution
Good AWB auto white balance
Quieter shutter sound (Two modes): electronic (no sound) & mechanical.
Six steps or more for Battery charge level & warning flashing light for the end of the battery.
Fulltime Live View function like (Olympus E-510 SLR).
Bigger Sensor 1000 MP (one day), Kodak 39 megapixels (the KAF-39000)
Image Sensor Dust Protector.
Two memory cards in the camera useful for wedding if one is full you move to the second card (or internal memory stores inside the camera temporally until you have time to change the card).
The Sony F717 has the best AF in low light (use leaser or night shot).
_____
Now if you need it buy it, but if you are going to get upset when the next model comes with this futures wait

_____
I am a full time photographer
My specialty sport, wedding and other portraits
I have:
20D, 30D, 5D
24-70 F2.8, 16-35 F2.8, 70-200IS F2.8, II extender, 50 F1.4
Wedding done on 20D & 24-70 (Backup 30D, 16-35 F2.8, 50 F1.4)
Sport done on 20D, 70-200IS F2.8 & II extender (Backup 30D, 24-70 F2.8)
For enlargement with good light (studio or outside) I use 5D with 24-70 F2.8

By testbyg - Mar 21, 2007

D30 Review

Strengths: excellent build quality, good ergonomics, many professional quality features, takes great photos

Weakness: a few pros might prefer complete weatherproofing

Canon literature suggests that the 30D is designed for both professional photographers and serious amateurs. So I guess I’m a bit of both. Roughly three decades ago I paid for a chunk of my college education as a campus photographer. My instrument of choice was a Nikon F, using only high quality Nikkor glass. When film cameras had seemingly lost touch with an electronic world, I purchased my...
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Canon literature suggests that the 30D is designed for both professional photographers and serious amateurs. So I guess I’m a bit of both. Roughly three decades ago I paid for a chunk of my college education as a campus photographer. My instrument of choice was a Nikon F, using only high quality Nikkor glass. When film cameras had seemingly lost touch with an electronic world, I purchased my first digital - a Canon S50. This little marvel takes good photos and is small enough to stuff in a pant pocket.

Despite the advantages of the S50, I couldn’t help but long for the accuracy of an SLR viewfinder, a body that solidly fills your hands, and the fine ergonomics of full-sized 35mm. lenses. After reading every review, blog and forum I could find on the Internet, the upgrade decision came down to the Nikon D200 or the lower-priced Canons (i.e., the Rebel XT, 20D or 30D). In addition to sub-$2000 price appeal, all of these cameras have cropping factors of roughly 1.6, which translates into a 60% enlargement - a big plus for telephoto work. My love of Nikon made it difficult to eliminate the D200. The weather proofing of the D200 is a big advantage; but not as much as the outstanding Canon CMOS sensor, especially for low-light shots. I shot a few pictures with a Rebel and found it to be a nice camera for the money. However, the Rebel is smaller and less solid feeling than its magnesium-clad bigger brothers. At the time of this writing the Canon 20D is being replaced by the 30D and can be purchased for $200 to $300 less. None-the-less the 30D seemed the better choice, primarily due to a far more usable LCD, a professional quality shutter (100,000 photo rating), spot metering, and several small improvements of the kind typical of equipment from a follow-on generation.

The Canon 30D has proven to be everything I’d hoped for. The viewfinder is bright and accurate. A 95% image is more than sufficient for most applications, although it’s difficult to understand why today’s manufacturers find it so difficult to design a 100% viewfinder. There is more than sufficient control between the usual Canon Basic Zone and Creative Zone; along with ISO, shutter speed, and aperture settings all with 1/3 stop resolution. Fully automatic operation is still possible and it works well, but who would buy such a camera and not tinker with the buttons? The focus is almost instantaneous, using nine points that can be selected and/or viewed in the viewfinder and LCD photo playback. The algorithms for selecting focus points automatically are remarkably good. It is clear that my skill for operating a manual focus at sporting events is now obsolete, particularly in a camera that can record at five frames per second and focus even faster.

The ergonomics of the 30D reflect a camera that has been refined through years of development. The camera is easy and reliable to grip. The shutter release provides solid feedback. The black and white LCD and associated buttons on top of the camera are well chosen to offer access to the controls you are most likely to need while taking pictures. The dial next to the shutter release is particularly useful for use even while looking through the viewfinder. It would be nice to have a button on the camera’s top or front (instead of requiring the use of the configuration menu) to allow the flash to be used to aid focus and still not fire. This may seem unnecessary, but I’ve used this more than a few times on the S50. The controls on the back of the camera are (appropriately) for photo viewing and for establishing more fundamental settings. The 2.5 inch LCD has nice resolution of 230,000 pixels and an adequate viewing angle. The LCD has appropriate contrast; brightness is good for most usage and can be increased if needed. The color LCD provides extensive information, including RGB histograms, and is easy to read. The joystick control is convenient for navigating photos. The overall user interface - two dials, a joystick and several buttons - is relatively easy to learn, but I’ll bet a user interface expert could do better with one fewer dial.

Ultimately, the evaluation of a camera comes down to picture quality and the Canon 30D really delivers. The sensor is accurate, even at 1600 ISO. If you are fussy about things like sharpness, contrast, or saturation, then Picture Styles provide more than enough options. 8.2 megapixels won’t measure up in five years, but I have seen 11 by 14 studio quality pictures from 6 megapixel sensors, so 8 MP is enough unless you insist on shooting telephoto type pictures without a telephoto lens. Furthermore, Canon has fine glass available in the form of L Series lenses. In summary the 30D retains all of the things I loved about the best of film SLRs effectively updated and enhanced to get the most out of a modern DSLR.

By ddriley - May 1, 2006

Excellent DSLR

Strengths: 100K shutter system, 5fps continous shooting, 2.5" LCD

Weakness: Build-in flash is not too good

Except the build-in flash, I am totally satisfied with this camera. If you use any L lenses with the lens hood, the lens hood might block part of the flash and there might be a circular shadow appear in the picture. I use 580EX at all time, so no problem for me. I guess when you spend that much for a camera, you got be somehow serious. Please don't waste money on the bundle with EF-S 18-55 lens,...
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Except the build-in flash, I am totally satisfied with this camera. If you use any L lenses with the lens hood, the lens hood might block part of the flash and there might be a circular shadow appear in the picture. I use 580EX at all time, so no problem for me. I guess when you spend that much for a camera, you got be somehow serious. Please don't waste money on the bundle with EF-S 18-55 lens, buy the body only version or the bundle with EF-S 17-85 IS lens. I have EF 24-70 f2.8 L and EF 70-200 f2.8 L. EOS 30D works extremely well on these lenses.

By monaceio - Jun 4, 2006

Serious Upgrade!

Strengths: Screen Size, Durability, AF System, FPS (Frames Per Second) Rate, Canon EOS System

Weakness: 1.6x Lens Magnification Factor

I was hesitant to ditch my Canon 35mm SLR and join the digital revolution, so a year ago I bought the Digital Rebel XT to see how my existing Canon EOS lenses, flashes and accessories in the digital realm. I was pleased with the Digital Rebel XT, but I missed some of the professional features on my 35mm SLR. I also felt that the XT was too small for my hands and felt poorly balanced when paired...
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I was hesitant to ditch my Canon 35mm SLR and join the digital revolution, so a year ago I bought the Digital Rebel XT to see how my existing Canon EOS lenses, flashes and accessories in the digital realm.

I was pleased with the Digital Rebel XT, but I missed some of the professional features on my 35mm SLR. I also felt that the XT was too small for my hands and felt poorly balanced when paired with Canon's professional lenses.

UPGRADING TO THE 30D HAS SOLVED ALL OF THOSE ISSUES!

The camera body is solid and much easier to grip.
The large screen is beautiful in any light.
It has professional features (such as flash sync port).
The motor drive is much faster than the XT even without the additional battery grip which I will soon buy.

I've used the camera for a couple of events already, and I'm loving everything about it except the lens magnification factor. The 1.6x factor takes away the wide angle usability of my very expensive and very awesome 24-70 f/2.8 L-series lens. That's really a minor complaint, however, since the problem will be solved when I pick up the 16-35 f/2.8 L very soon.

If you're looking at jumping into the serious digital photography from the ranks of film loyalists, or if your skills have outgrown the popular Digital Rebel, then this is the perfect camera for you!

By artirwinphoto - Jun 7, 2006