Clicky

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D

Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Canon EOS 50D front
Portability
57
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Introduced April 2006
  • Succeeded the Canon 20D
  • Successor is Canon 40D
Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Succeeded the Canon 40D
  • Renewed by Canon 60D
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon 30D vs Canon 50D, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are created by Canon. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and 50D (15MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The 30D was released 3 years prior to the 50D which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the 30D scores vs the 50D for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Canon 50D

 30D 50D 

Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Canon 30D

 50D 30D 
LaunchedOctober 2008April 2006More modern by 31 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon 30D and Canon 50D

 30D 50D 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon 30D features physical measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") along with a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) while the Canon 50D has sizing of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 30D vs Canon 50D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the 30D and the 50D.

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 30D and 50D is 58 and 57 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The pic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 30D and 50D.

All in all, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon 50D to result in greater detail as a result of its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged 30D will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D Portrait photography highlights
Canon 50D Portrait photography highlights
51
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (8MP)
71
focusing manually
MP count good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon 30D Street photography highlights
Canon 50D Street photography highlights
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Canon 30D Sports photography info
Canon 50D Sports photography info
44
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (800 CIPA)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon 30D Travel photography information
Canon 50D Travel photography information
42
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (8 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
environment proof
MP count good (15MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Canon 30D Landscape photography info
Canon 50D Landscape photography info
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (800 per charge)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 30D
Vlogging with Canon 50D
9
can't shoot video
9
can't record video
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon 30D vs Canon 50D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Canon 50D
 Canon EOS 30DCanon EOS 50D
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon EOS 30D Canon EOS 50D
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2006-04-04 2008-10-30
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 22.3 x 14.9mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 332.3mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3504 x 2336 4752 x 3168
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Canon EF/EF-S
Available lenses 326 326
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.6
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 6.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 13.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 784 grams (1.73 pounds) 822 grams (1.81 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 63
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 11.4
DXO Low light rating 736 696
Other
Battery life - 800 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP-511A
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $773 $996