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Canon EOS 30D

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Template:Infobox Digicam The Canon EOS 30D is an 8.2-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera, initially announced on February 20, 2006. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 20D, and is succeeded by the EOS 40D. It can accept EF and EF-S lenses, and like its predecessor, it uses an APS-C sized image sensor, so it doesn't require the larger imaging circle necessary for 35 mm film and 'full-frame' digital cameras.

Improvements

Changes over the 20D include a bigger 2.5-inch (64 mm) LCD rear screen, improved shutter mechanism rated for 100,000 actuations, improved frame capacity, 1/3 stop increments for sensor speed and an added spot meter. The camera retains the same sensor as its predecessor; all lenses still have an angle of view crop of 1.6. Other changes include a larger 11 frame RAW / 30 frame JPEG buffer, and slightly faster 0.15 second startup. The maximum frame rate is the same (5 frame/s), but a lower-speed 3 frame/s option has been added. The 30D uses the same number of autofocus points as the 20D (nine), but has improved algorithms. The 30D can record in both JPEG and RAW .CR2 files. The camera shows the ISO in the view finder while changing the ISO.

While the 30D has inherited features from the full framed EOS 5D, Canon users have decried the 8.0 MP CMOS sensor since it was a carryover from the 20D. The consumer-level EOS 400D (Rebel XTi) released in September 2006 featured 2 introductions - a 10MP sensor and dust removal.

The EOS 30D can also accept the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1/E1A for fast file transfer to a remote file server, either through an ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi network. This capability expands the EOS 30D's range of applications to sports and studio set ups where real-time transfer of the images is crucial.

The main competitors for the Canon EOS 30D DSLR are the Nikon D80 and Nikon D200, with the EOS 30D marketed in between the two in terms of cost and features.

Resolution

The Canon EOS 30D has several resolution settings:

  • Raw CR2 format (3504 x 2336)
  • Large/Fine (3504 x 2336)
  • Large/Normal (3504 x 2336)
  • Middle/Fine (2544 x 1696)
  • Middle/Normal (2544 x 1696)
  • Small/Fine (1728 x 1152)
  • Small/Normal (1728 x 1152)
  • (There are also six resolution settings for JPEG+Raw which are the same as the first six but which also attach a Raw file in a separate .cr2 file).

Features

The Canon EOS 30D features a Mode Dial on the top which selects the shooting mode. It is divided into two sections: Creative Zone and Basic Zone. The Creative zone provides manual and semi-manual modes; it gives access to RAW format, manual exposure, aperture and ISO sensitivity.

Creative Zone

  • A-DEP: The camera automatically selects the aperture and shutter speed to keep most of the image in focus. (Only recommended in high light conditions as the camera tends to choose smaller f/stops)
  • M (Manual): The camera lets you choose manually the aperture and shutter speed.
  • Av (Aperture priority): The camera lets the user choose the aperture (f/) value and then automatically adjusts the shutter speed for correct exposure.
  • Tv (Shutter speed priority): The camera lets the user set the shutter speed and automatically sets the aperture for correct exposure.
  • P (Program AE): The camera automatically chooses an aperture and shutter combination for correct exposure and the user can change between one of these combinations.

Basic Zone

  • Auto (represented with a green rectangle): Completely automatic shooting.
  • Portrait: The camera tries to blur the background for better looking portraits.
  • Landscape: For shooting landscapes and sunsets.
  • Close-Up: For shooting small objects near to the camera.
  • Sports: For capturing fast moving objects.
  • Night Scene: Shoots with flash and with slow shutter so that the subject is illuminated by the flash and the background (e.g: a city) is also captured naturally in the night.
  • No Flash: All automatic with no flash.

The camera features (like many others) two LCDs, one monochrome at the top, which contains all information pertinent to shooting, and a full-color one at the back, which is used for picture reviewing and menu navigation.

The Canon EOS 30D also features a large dial on its back which is used for fast scrolling over the stored pictures or over the settings in the menu. The JUMP button can also be used to reach sections of the menu easily, as well as scroll through either 10 or 100 image in playback mode. The 8 way controller above the dial is used to select one of the 9 AF points, to move around a zoomed image in playback mode, and to set custom white balance.

Its internal flash can be set to release several consecutive strobe bursts to aid focussing in dim situations, but there is no dedicated AF assist lamp. Photographers can attach an external flash with AF assist lamp like many of Canon Speedlites.

Firmware and software

A firmware upgrade is always recommended for best results but instructions for doing so must be read carefully. Latest firmware and software upgrades can be found at CanonEOS.com. The latest firmware for the 30D is version 1.0.6.

Canon DPP 3.0 has been released.

A cross-process style firmware upgrade is also available for download, although not recommended for casual users.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canon EOS 30D.
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