Physical Tour

The 30D looks like both the 20D and the 5D. The wide-mouthed Canon EOS lens mount dominates all three bodies. The lens release button is rectangular and on the right side of the mount. The depth-of-field preview button is below it. The handgrip is covered in a leather-textured, rubbery material, and is capped with a sloping area for the shutter release and a control dial. Like the 20D, the 30D features a pop-up flash, so the viewfinder hump protrudes, 20D-like, over the lens mount. There's a "EOS 30D" badge in the upper right.

**Back
**The big departure from the 20D is the 30D's 2.5-inch LCD. Like the 5D's display, it sports 235,000 pixels. The 30D's viewfinder is like the 20D's – and suited to the APS-sized sensor the two models share. Most other features of the back are shared between all three cameras: A

column of buttons runs down the left side of the LCD. They are Menu, Info, Jump and Playback. The Delete button is below the LCD on the left, and the power switch is below the LCD and to the right.

The Quick Controller dial is also to the right of the LCD. Common to the current Canon DSLRs, it's a large circle on the back of the camera that can be spun very quickly for scrolling and other adjustments. The SET button is at its center. The status light which indicates when files are being written to the CompactFlash card is on the lower right of the dial. Canon provides a small four-way controller on the 30D, above the Quick Controller. It's convenient for scrolling around images, and unfortunately, it's missing from Canon's top-level DSLRs. The autofocus sensor control button and the exposure lock button are at the upper right of the back.

**Left Side **

The USB port, the A/V port, a PC terminal for flash sync and a jack for an external power supply are on the left side of the 30D. They are well sealed, under a rubber flap.

**Right Side
**The 30D's media card door takes up most of the right side of the camera. Like the door on the 5D and 20D, it slides back and then swings open. It does not have a separate latch, like the high-end 1D models. The 30D has Canon's typical heavy, recessed strap lug on the right side as well.

Top

The 30D's top includes the basic features of the 20D and 5D – a mode dial to the right of the viewfinder hump, a hot shoe on the hump, and like the 20D, a pop-up flash. Like the 20D, the 30D's mode dial includes scene modes to help beginners shoot portraits, landscapes, sports and so on. On the right side, the 30D has buttons for illuminating the monochrome LCD, for Autofocus and white balance, drive mode and ISO, and metering pattern and flash exposure compensation. The monochrome LCD on the camera's top shows shooting data.

**Bottom
**A latching door on the underside of the handgrip holds the 30D's rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and a metal tripod socket is centered under the optical axis of the lens.

Components

Viewfinder

The 30D viewfinder looks like the 20D's – they share the same optical system – but adds the Precision Matte type of focusing screen that the 5D offers. Precision Matte ought to make manual focusing easier. It's easy to see the corners of the frame as well as the exposure information display, even for users who wear glasses. The viewfinder information now includes ISO, which will help users manage exposure better without having to move the camera from shooting position.

**LCD Screen
**For most users, the 30D's LCD is the biggest improvement over the 20D. At 2.5 inches and 230,000 pixels, it matches the 5D's display, and is twice the area of the 1.8-inch unit on the 20D. In our first look, we did not have a chance to look at the LCD under bright light, but it does not seem any brighter than the display on the 5D, which is not bright enough for daylight use. Like the 5D, it has an extraordinarily wide viewing angle, and appealing color reproduction.

**Flash **

The 30D includes a pop-up flash, a feature most 20D users are happy to have, if only for a little fill flash. The 30D also accepts Canon's extensive line of EX flashes. Fortunately for long-time Canon users, the EX flash system has excellent compatibility with old EX equipment. Those flashes retain their capabilities when mounted on new Canon cameras such as the 30D.

The pop-up flash on the 30D covers lenses as wide as 17mm. Canon rates it with a Guide number of 43 for feet at ISO 100, meaning it should reach about 11 feet at f/ 4 at ISO 100. Look for our full review to see how it does in our tests.

Lens

The 30D accepts both Canon's exhaustive line of EF lenses and the lower-priced EF-S series, which also mount on the Rebel XT and 20D, but not on the 5D or the 1D series cameras.

The 18 to 55 mm f/ 3.5-5.6 zoom is a standard kit lens with the 30D. It adds $100 to the list price. In previous reviews, we found that the lens was sharp, though we noticed color fringing. The lens is not very tough, and a maximum aperture of f/ 5.6 is pretty dim. Better lenses will show the 30D's potential much more clearly.

Design / Layout

Model Design / Appearance

Nobody will upgrade from the 20D to the 30D on looks alone – it's very hard to tell them apart. From the big black shutter release to the curvy contours around the viewfinder hump, Canon is sticking with the style it introduced with the 1D series. The cameras' textured black gripping surfaces and matte black top are clean and simple. The general impression is of a useful tool, more than of a high-tech gadget.

**Size / Portability **

The 30D, at 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches, is the size of a 20D. That's middle of the range for DSLRs – entry-level cameras like Canon's own Rebel XT or the Pentax *istDL are smaller, and the pro-level cameras are much larger. If the 30D follows in the 20D's footsteps, it will be a popular second camera for 1D users who want to save space and weight. The 30D has better build quality than entry level DSLR cameras, which accounts for its added size and weight.

**Handling Ability **

Users familiar with Canon's DSLR interface will feel immediately comfortable with the 30D: its controls are unchanged from the 20D and 5D, sharing plenty of features with both the Rebels and the 1D series.

Users new to Canons typically have an easy time learning how to use the Quick Control dial, and will be pleased to see the small four-way controller, which allows navigation the same way most compact cameras do.

The 30D's size and shape is large enough to help the user hold it steadily. It lacks the vertical grip and controls that add bulk to most pro cameras; there's a large market that prefers to do without both.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size

The tested layout of the 20D and 5D has proved very popular. Canon has left it unchanged, except that it has combined each camera's minor advantages in the 30D. The 30D has the print button that the 5D introduced, but retains the scene settings on its mode dial – settings the 20D has, but the 5D lacks.

The combination of the Quick dial on the back and the control dial near the shutter release allow for quick exposure changes. Direct access buttons for autofocus zones, exposure compensation, white balance and other major parameters speed up handling as well.

The 30D has the fit and finish of the 20D and 5D – a significant notch up from the Rebel and Rebel XT, but without quite the seals and robust build of the 1D series.

**Menu **

The 30D menus follow the pattern of other Canon DSLRs, with a long, color-coded, scrolling list of menu entries. The 30D's Jump button skips between menu categories, which speeds up access to specific settings.  

Ease of Use

The 30D's major controls and layout create a simple and quick interface for most photographic functions. Its menu-based features are also well executed. They're powerful and clearly designed.

Canon includes ease-of-use features from its more expensive cameras and its entry level models in the 30D. The Picture Style system, an interface for setting multiple image parameters, and save sets of settings, trickled down from the 1D series to the 5D and now the 30D. The 20D didn't have it, and users who customized the 20D – or other DSLRs – will be impressed with how easy it can be.

For beginners, the 30D retains the scene mode function from the 20D and cheaper cameras. These set exposure and metering settings for users who aren't sure of how to handle them.

Modes

**Auto Mode **

The 30D features a full auto mode that essentially turns it into a point-and-shoot camera. It also includes a Program mode, which controls aperture and shutter speed, but leaves other controls to the user. We found that the 20D's auto mode worked well in typical lighting situations. Look for our full review to see if the 30D performs as well.

**Movie Mode **

The 30D does not offer a movie mode. DSLRs typically can't create the continuous view needed to make movies.

**Drive / Burst Mode **

The 30D's burst mode shows how similar it is to the 20D: It shoots its 8 megapixel images at 5 frames per second, just as the 20D does. 5 fps is a useful rate for most shooters. Wedding and portrait photographers do fine at that rate, as do commercial shooters using higher-megapixel cameras. The 30D apparently has a larger buffer than the 20D, because it is spec'd to have a maximum burst of 30 Large/Fine JPEGs, up from 23 on the 20D.

The 30D includes a "Low-Speed continuous" burst mode, which shoots up to 3 frames per second with a maximum burst of 37 Large/Fine JPEGs. Canon also says that the 30D can hit 5 fps even with slower-focusing non-USM lenses in AI Servo AF mode, something the 20D could not do.

Given the 18 months that has passed since the 20D was introduced, and the fact that Canon markets the 30D as a new camera rather than an update, we're puzzled and disappointed that the 30D's frame rate, among many other specs, is exactly the same as the 20D’s.

Playback Mode

The 30D offers image review with both luminance and RGB histograms, display of shooting data including the active autofocus zone, magnification, a thumbnail view, the option to navigate through large numbers of images with a skip function, a slide show mode and PictBridge and DPOF printing. We didn't have the chance to explore the print and editing options fully, but will have more information in our full review.

Custom Image Presets

The 30D offers custom image presets that optimize settings for various types of scenes. The 20D included presets, while the 5D dropped them. They are: Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, No Flash and Closeup. Each mode adjusts exposure and other parameters in generally the same way an experienced photographer would in the shooting situation – shallow depth of field for portraits, deep depth of field for landscapes, fast shutter speeds for sports, and so on.

Control Options

**Manual Control Options
**The 30D offers a full suite of manual controls for aperture, shutter speed, white balance and ISO. In a significant upgrade from the 20D, the 30D allows setting ISO in 1/3-EV increments. Aperture and shutter speed also step in 1/3-stop increments.

**Focus
***Auto Focus* 

The 30D offers apparently the same 9-point autofocus that the 20D has. It's accurate and quick, and sensitive in low light, though the high-end Canons and Nikons do much better. Though we'll have a firmer judgment after doing a full review, we had hoped to see advances in autofocus in a major camera upgrade, particularly given the fact that Canon produces an improved AF system for the 5D. Canon says only that the 30D incorporates "further fine-tuning" over the 20D.

Manual Focus

The Precision Matte focusing screen is a significant improvement over the previous screen. The 30D snaps into focus, even in low light. The relatively slow 18-55mm zoom lens demands good focusing technology, and the new screen takes a bit of the pain out of using that lens.

Metering

Canon added spot metering to the 30D, addressing one of the few frustrations many 20D owners had. The 3.5 percent spot measures the center of the frame. The 30D retains the 20D's other patterns: the Partial setting, for a 9 percent spot; center-weighted averaging and Canon's evaluative system. The evaluative system takes several readings across the frame, and settles on a proper exposure based on a system that can recognizes backlighting and other problematic lighting conditions. The 20D and other Canons have typically performed well in evaluative mode, which is the default setting in full automatic and preset modes.

Exposure

The 30D offers the typical manual settings for exposure: full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority and program, which can be shifted to bias for higher or lower shutter speeds without change the exposure value. Exposure value can also be biased up or down 2 stops, in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments. The 30D also offers a "Depth-of-field AE" setting, which maximizes depth of field.

White Balance

The 30D implements Canon's excellent white balance system from the 20D and the 5D, offering presets for Daylight, Shade, Cloudy/Twilight/Sunset, Tungsten, Fluorescent and Flash. It can create custom settings from saved images with a patch of something white in the middle, and the user can dial in settings in degrees Kelvin. The 30D can be set to shoot white balance brackets.

Canon's unique, two-axis fine tune control for white balance is a big advantage for the 30D, allowing the user to tweak color on both green-magenta and blue-amber ranges.

ISO

The 30D's ISO ranges from 100 to 1600 in 1/3-EV steps, with an expanded setting up to 3200. Many photographers find 1/3-stop increments very useful, and they are a standard feature of flagship cameras. For times when a user wants to hit a certain minimum shutter speed without boosting image noise too much, it's useful to have the same increment of control for ISO as for shutter speed and aperture. The ISO is now displayed in the viewfinder as well as on the top-side LCD.

Shutter Speed

The 30D has a new, more durable shutter, according to Canon. The company predicts that it will last "approximately 100,000 cycles," which is supposed to be much better than the 20D.

The shutter speed range runs from 30 seconds to 1/8000, with flash sync up to 1/250. It can be set in either 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments. The 20D has exactly the same specs. However, the 30D does not improve on the 20D's mirror lockup function, which requires a trip to the custom menu to activate. For photographers who go for maximum sharpness while shooting long exposures on a tripod, that's a disappointment.

Aperture

The 30D electronically controls the aperture of EOS lenses, allowing settings in 1/3-stop increments.

Image Parameters

**Picture Quality / Size Options
**The 30D records RAW files and JPEGs at two quality levels. JEPGs can be shot at Large, Medium and Small sizes. The sizes are: Large/Fine, about 3.6 MB (3,504 x 2,336 pixels); Large/Normal, about 1.8 MB (3,504 x 2,336 pixels); Medium/Fine, about 2.2 MB (2,544 x 1,696 pixels); Medium/Normal, about 1.1 MB (2,544 x 1,696 pixels); Small/Fine, about 1.2 MB (1,728 x 1,152 pixels); and Small/Normal, about 0.6 MB (1,728 x 1,152 pixels). The 30D's RAW files are about 8.7 MB (3,504 x 2,336 pixels). These options are the same as the 20D.

Picture Effects Mode

The 30D includes Canon's powerful, convenient Picture Styles system, which also appears on the 5D and the 1D series camera. It includes 5 presets called Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral and Faithful. Each has a separate setting for 4 parameter settings – Sharpening, Saturation, Contrast and Color Tone. Each preset can be adjusted, the user can save two custom presets and more presets are downloadable. In our full review of the camera, we will look into the styles and how to use them.

Connectivity / Extras

***

Connectivity
**Software
*The 30D is packaged with the EOS Digital Solution Disk Version 12, a full suite of applications for asset management, editing and connectivity, including using Canon's separate wireless transmitter for the 30D. Look for our evaluation of the software in our full review.

*Jacks, Ports, Plugs *

The 30D has a USB 2.0 jack, analog video out, a DC power input jack, a standard PC flash sync terminal, and a hot shoe for dedicated or conventional flash.

*Direct Print Options *

Canon says the 30D has new and powerful direct printing features beyond its PictBridge and

DPOF compatibility. Listed features include adjustment for paper sizes up to 13 x 19 inches, face brightening and other image parameter settings. Look for our full review for an evaluation.

*Battery *

Canon says the 30D will last longer on a charged battery than the 20D, even with its larger and more power-hungery LCD, because the 30D incorporates microprocessor-controlled power management. The 30D is compatible with several Canon Lithium-ion rechargeable packs. The listed ones are: BP-511A/514/511/512. We're glad to see backward compatibility, and Canon users who add the 30D to a system that includes older cameras will benefit from this interchangeable system.

*Memory *

The 30D accepts CompactFlash cards, the most common memory format for DSLRs. CompactFlash is a reliable, relatively cheap and robust memory format.

**Other Features **
*Image Storage - *The 30D stores up to 9,999 images in a folder, up from 100 on the 20D, simplifying manual file transfer and improving organization on longer shoots.

*Battery Power Display - *Battery power is displayed in 4 steps, which is better than the 20D's 3-step display. It should give users a better idea of how much battery life remains.

*Auto Noise Reduction - *The 30D offers auto noise reduction for long exposures, and does not double the exposure time to accomplish it.

*Flash Exposure Lock Set - *When flash exposure lock is set, an icon shows up in viewfinder.

Overall Impressions

Value

The 30D, like the 20D, is an 8 megapixel, 5-frame-per-second DSLR that mounts one of the finest selections of lenses available. It's capable of producing excellent color, and is quick and easy to use. It's built to be durable. At $1399, it's a very capable camera.

We had expected more improvements, but that disappointment really doesn't detract from the camera's value – we don't think there is a better way to spend $1400 on a DSLR body.

Conclusion

**Conclusion
**Canon's EOS 30D is numbered as if it were a major upgrade to the popular and excellent EOS 20D, and Canon marketing plumps it up even higher than that – the line is that it really has more in common with the 5D than the 20D. Really? With the same 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the same DIGIC II image processor, the same 9-point autofocus system and the same 5 fps burst rate as the 20D, the 30D seems more like a respectable update of the 20D than anything else. When Canon put a bigger LCD and picture styles on the 1D Mark II, they changed the name to the 1D Mark II n. This new camera shows comparable improvements. We'd call it the "20D n," if it were up to us.