Canon 30D Review

For the opportunity EOS 30D body review Many thanks to Roman Stoiko.

Canon 30d review

Review of the Canon 30D. Photo taken from dpreview.com

Canon 30D is a great fast camera. This review presents exactly Canon EOS 30D body without a lens. Despite its age, the Canon 30D can shoot at 5 frames per second. Believe me, 5 frames per second is a great indicator for an advanced amateur camera. Canon 30D has the ability to adjust the speed, you can configure either speed at 3 fps, or 5 fps.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

True, the Canon 30D is not the most pleasant frame buffer. When shooting fast frame buffer Canon 30D can hold a maximum of 9 shots. In RAW mode - 9 shots, in JPEG L mode - 9 shots, in RAW + JPEG mode - 8 shots. It's funny, usually Canon cameras reduce the buffer when the maximum allowable ISO is turned on, in this case, 30 images are always placed in the Canon 9D buffer, regardless of the ISO value. True, if you turn on the noise reduction function at long exposures, then frame buffer reduced to 6 pictures in RAW.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Canon 30D uses 12 bit RAW (CR2 format). RAW files weigh between 6 and 10 MB, since the Canon 30D uses a matrix with 8.2 effective megapixels. Yes, the Canon 30D has only 8MP, this is not much, but it doesn’t interfere with taking great photos. I advise you to look in the section Battle of Megapixels.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

The CMOS sensor works at ISO from 100 to 1600 with the ability to expand to 3200 (ISO H mode). I can’t say that the camera has a noise-free image at high ISO, but, nevertheless, the image quality at high ISO pleasantly surprised me. Here sample photo on ISO 3200 without processing.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Canon 30D uses a 9-point focus system. The same number of focus points is available in the older Canon 20D and newer Canon 40D, Canon 50D, Canon 60D and in amateur Canon 400DCanon 450D, Canon 500D, Canon 550D, Canon 600D, Canon 650D, Canon 1100D. Even the full-frame Canon 5D, Canon 5D Mark II uses 9 focus points. Therefore, problems with the number of points should not arise. Focusing is more dependent on the lens and shooting conditions.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

The Canon 30D has a very nice optional monochrome display that displays all the most important camera settings. Using this display is very convenient to control the camera. The display has an orange backlight. The backlight is turned on using a special button.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

In general, the Canon 30D has very convenient controls. Many useful buttons, a very nice selector and joystick, good display, etc.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Canon 30D supports EF and EF-S lenses. The camera itself has crop factor 1.6x is an APS-C camera. The camera uses large CF Flashcardsthat allow you to quickly release frame buffer and increase the duration of burst shooting.

Example photo on a Canon 30D

Example photo on a Canon 30D

The Canon 30D has a decent 2.5-inch monitor at 230.000 points. On such a monitor, it is not difficult to navigate through the menu and view the footage.

Canon 30D sample photo

Canon 30D sample photo

The camera has a built-in flash with a guide number of 13, which has no command control mode, and the minimum excerpt makes 1 \ 250s. Also, the Canon 30D can work with a very short shutter speed in 1 \ 8000, which is very important when using high-aperture optics on open diaphragms, without filters, in good light.

Canon 30D sample photo

Canon 30D sample photo

Canon 30D camera works great with metering exposure when using manual lenses. I used it with the Helios-44-2 lens without any problems. More details in the section old lenses at canon.

Canon 30D sample photo

Canon 30D sample photo

Sample photos on the Canon 30D

Some more examples of photos on the Canon 30D

All sample photos were taken on a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 II whale lens and the old Soviet Helios-44-2.

Personal experience

The Canon 30D camera is pleasant to work with, nothing superfluous like Live View, video and other bells and whistles. The camera is very fast and functional. The viewfinder only covers 95% of the frame at 0.9x, which is quite normal for a camera of this level. If you only need image quality, you can safely buy Canon 20D, so how are u Canon 20D same sensor as Canon 30D.

Canon 30D sample photo

Canon 30D sample photo

Prices for modern Canon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions:

The Canon 30D is a good advanced hobbyist camera. Improved refinement Canon 20D. At the moment, the Canon 30D is morally obsolete, but will perform a good job with advanced photo enthusiasts.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

 

 

Comments: 69, on the subject: Canon 30D review

  • Roma

    Thanks for the review, I chose as my first camera, the choice was between 1100d and 30d, I wanted something not very expensive and helping to learn the basics, I stopped at 30d, cost 2000 hryvnias (3700 rubles) in perfect condition, I immediately bought a 50mm lens 1.8 yonguo, the first frames in the machine were upset because they were worse than my iPhone), but it gave me motivation to learn YouTube and articles)) after a while my friends already praise the pictures) and I myself feel that I’m getting a bit progressive)), I go as an assistant, learn, gain experience while the whole process is very carried away), in the near your plans sigma 17-50 2.8) as an option to start excellent IMHO, even now in 2018.

    • Nuna

      How interesting. I am also going to take the first steps. And the lens is 50 ka? How much did you buy?

  • Sergei

    Great ph. I’ve been sitting on Sony-Nikon for many years, the picture is already boring from them. Took on the occasion of 30d for 50 bucks. Cool drawing from him. The picture is really silk as they wrote. Loved thirty!

  • Novel

    For 11 years, the camera has been working like a clock. The only thing that is already approaching the stop is 8 megapixels .. Yes, there is no video and live view, and the screen by the standards is not enough pixels .. But the camera has all the normal photo functions in the normal range + super ergonomic magnesium case .. For photography as she is, this is enough. Reliable and good camera. Already as a native, I don’t want to sell for a penny .. It costs more .. But it’s morally outdated

    • Nuna

      Tell me, they offer me it for 5 thousand. Without a lens and the battery flew there, you need to buy a new one. Is this a normal price? And then I'm still a beginner ... and I don't understand yet ...

      • Michael

        Expensive, even decently expensive

  • Michael

    Thank you, Arkady, I’m still shooting at thirty, I wanted to buy an on-camera modern, powerful flash for it, Aliexpress was advised and sent Yong Nuo Speedlite Yn 565ex || But it does not work with the old Canonom. What flash works with the Canon eos 30d? Maybe tell me what to look for?

    • Lev

      Anyone who stood on the mountains will work. shoe of your device. But in manual mode. If you want TTL, buy one.

  • Ledogor

    Interesting camera. The Sigma 18-125 lens made it work, with which the old Canon 350D did not want to find a common language (it was desperately soaping) - quite decent pictures. Ergonomics - beyond all praise, lies confidently in the hand.

  • Michael

    I’ve been shooting thirty for six years, despite the 8.2 megapixels, the camera is very easy to use, very reliable, only the release button let me down. Two times I had to contact the service. I want to purchase a camera flash for my Canon EOS 30d. I wrote from China Yongnuo565 ex || They promised that it will work with my camera, but alas, it does not synchronize with it, although it works fine with newer devices. I would like to purchase a similar one that would work with my device. He suits me in everything, and a good flash would be a good addition to it.

  • Andrew

    Arkady, thanks for the review!
    I also sometimes shoot at thirty sometimes. Excellent machine.
    But I would like to clarify: 20D and 30D have different matrices. The size is the same, but the matrices are different. They draw in different ways.
    Canon 20d - Canon 704W
    Canon 30d - Canon 1050

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    I wonder if to choose between Nikon D80 and Canon 30D, which one to choose?

    • Specialist

      The D80 will be slightly steeper in terms of characteristics - iso, focus points, screen resolution. If there are no plans to use old lenses with M42, M39 threads and generally build up a fleet of lenses (at Canon they are a little cheaper, 20%), I would take the D80.

    • Specialist

      P.S. I myself (I have not read Pasternak) did not have a canon, but more than once I have come across the opinion that Nikon's cameras and lenses look better, and, perhaps, really of better quality. I clicked 50D times, the device did not seem to be worn, and the release button jammed every other time. Several nikons, starting with D50, never had jambs, ugh 3 times.

    • BB

      The D80 has a CCD, the 30D has a CMOS. Canon's working ISO will be noticeably higher, making it easier to shoot in poor lighting conditions.
      I would choose Nikon D80 only for the sake of CCD (if you want CCD), Canon wins in other parameters.
      What is the reason for this particular pair of devices?

      • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

        "What is the reason for this particular pair of devices?"
        I read it ... For some reason I like the word "Nikon", a good argument ...
        Somehow stuck on 30k, for the money came up, analog - D80, so I thought. I would like to have a rotary screen, but…. yesterday I bought 30k with fifty dollars.

        I will look after the lens, is there any info about them?

      • Igor N.

        Well, canon 30d is better than nikon d80
        only a magnesium case and a slightly better (half-step-step) high ISO. Otherwise (DD, color depth and viewfinder size d80 is better).

    • Victor

      Well, I would not say that the working ISO at 30d is directly "noticeably" higher, the ISO 800 is just as low-working as in the d80, but:

      - at low ISO, the d80 ctsd has a much cleaner picture (there is no sandy coating, which often appears in 30d)

      -d80 is much more convenient to control (you need to try it yourself, but for me - so)

      • Dima

        The 30d will be much faster, the body is more durable and, most importantly, the bolt and mechanics are much more reliable, it does not have weak points like the d80. Well, 1\8000. If you really need it. And the files from 30D are still noticeably cleaner.

        • twm

          But I had no luck with the shutters on the 20D: the first device I bought back in the 99s was err10 and was replaced under warranty a year later. The second unit has already reached the 40th mark at XNUMX thousand mileage.
          True, at the same time, a friend’s 40D served well over 70 thousand. But nonetheless.
          The picture on the 20D and d80, in my opinion, is much nicer than on the 40D.

      • Dima

        and the color on this Canon series from 20 to 40d is gorgeous despite CMOS.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    By the outbreak ...
    I also have a Sony P1. Is it possible to choose a flash to work on both devices?

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    “… The camera has a built-in flash with a guide number of 13, which does not have a command mode…”
    Ie, this photo cannot control multiple flashes?
    Correct me.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Note to the owners of thirty! ...
    I found out from the seller, and he was prompted in the workshop.
    There is a disease - the strap fasteners are unscrewed. The screws fall inside and break the contacts there, the second option is to drop the photo ...
    In the workshop for prevention, constriction, screws for hermetic!

    Does the thirty work with a captuan-type program? Or an analogue?

    Also, maybe Sony P1 works with a similar one? Then where can I find her? It doesn't work with the Captuuan.
    Thank you.

  • Enio Acevedo

    Tengo 14 años con esa cámara y no puedo quejarme de ella, será vieja y lo que digan, pero a demostrado ser un buena camara en todo terreno. Hecha para durar

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