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Canon 30D

 
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43

Canon 30D summary

Canon 30D is Canon's Advanced DSLR digital camera first introduced on April of 2006. The camera features a 8MP, CMOS APS-C sized sensor and has a max resolution of 3504 x 2336.

Canon introduced this model as a way to update the older Canon 20D (Read Full Comparison) & afterwards launched the newer Canon 40D (Read Full Comparison) to replace this model.

The 30D stands at #69 out of 92 in Advanced DSLR cameras & overall #606 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. You should test our Advanced camera filter to get camera ratings based on your custom requirements.

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Here is a chart of specific factors used in the rating system.

Canon 30D history

The Canon 30D is part of a family of products. You can read the complete range underneath.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
30D vs 90D
33MPAPS-C11.0 fps2019
Canon-EOS-80D front thumbnailCanon 80D
30D vs 80D
24MPAPS-C7.0 fps2016
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Canon-EOS-70D front thumbnailCanon 70D
30D vs 70D
20MPAPS-C7.0 fps2013
Canon-EOS-60D front thumbnailCanon 60D
30D vs 60D
18MPAPS-C5.0 fps2010
Canon-EOS-50D front thumbnailCanon 50D
30D vs 50D
15MPAPS-C6.3 fps2008
Canon-EOS-40D front thumbnailCanon 40D
30D vs 40D
10MPAPS-C6.5 fps2007
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Canon-EOS-30D front thumbnailCanon 30D8MPAPS-C5.0 fps2006
Canon-EOS-20D front thumbnailCanon 20D
30D vs 20D
8MPAPS-C5.0 fps2004
Canon-EOS-10D front thumbnailCanon 10D
30D vs 10D
6MPAPS-C3.0 fps2003

Canon 30D Pros and Cons

Below is a collection of pros and cons of the Canon 30D based on things which are normally considered important in a digital camera.

above average minimum ISO (100)
built-in flash
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
comes with phase detect auto focus
focusing manually
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
includes Top LCD screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
can't record video
lack of external mic socket
lack of HDMI socket
lack of headphone socket
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (8MP)
low resolution screen (230 k dots)
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
screen is fixed
screen isn't selfie friendly
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
Photography Glossary

Canon 30D Sensor details

The sensor size on the Canon 30D is 22.5mm x 15mm (APS-C). The 338 mm² sensor can capture 3504 x 2336 pixels and aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CMOS sensor has 8MP and includes a standard ISO range of 100 to 1600. This ISO can be increased electronically to a high of 3200. RAW photos are supported therefore the user has wider margin for error.

The graphic underneath illustrates the 30D's sensor dimensions in comparison to other popular sizes. The 30D sensor has a crop factor of 1.6 and is highlighted in green.

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To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Canon 30D dimensions

Canon 30D weighs in at 1.73 lbs (784g or 27.65 ounces) & has outer proportions of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9"). The weight of typical Advanced DSLR camera is 776g and the Canon 30D is very much the same compared to other competitors.

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Here is a picture of the Canon 30D next to a soft drink to help you to get a sense of its scale.

Canon EOS 30D dimensions scale

The top view just below will illustrate the button design on the 30D.

Canon EOS 30D topview buttons dials

Canon 30D Lens specs

The 30D uses the Canon EF/EF-S mount and has 331 lenses available for purchase. Below is a few of the lenses we have in our collection which will work with the 30D.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Sigma-300-800mm-F5.6-EX-DG-HSM-Canon-EF lensSigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM300-800mmf/5.6 5880g
Canon-EF-20mm-f2.8-USM lensCanon EF 20mm f2.8 USM20mmf/2.8 405g
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Canon-EF-50mm-f1.2L-USM lensCanon EF 50mm f1.2L USM50mmf/1.2 580g
Canon-EF-500mm-f4.0L-IS-II-USM lensCanon EF 500mm f4.0L IS II USM500mmf/4.0 3190g
Tamron-SP-AF-180mm-F3.5-Di-LD-IF-Macro-Canon-EF lensTamron SP AF 180mm F3.5 Di LD IF Macro180mmf/3.5 920g
Canon-EF-14mm-f2.8L-II-USM lensCanon EF 14mm f2.8L II USM14mmf/2.8 645g
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Samyang-135mm-F2.0-ED-UMC-Canon-EF lensSamyang 135mm F2.0 ED UMC135mmf/2830g
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Canon 30D Connectivity

The 30D has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that consist of NFC and / or Bluetooth connectivity can easily be controlled wirelessly via smartphones. You are able to copy images and at times alter settings without connecting directly to the camera.

Many applications even allow a Liveview and hit the shutter when you are not near the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it could be attached to an external monitor. Most cameras enable you to recharge the battery pack through the USB port.

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Canon 30D Video specs

Canon 30D does not capture video. If you are wanting a digital camera to take only photos, this might not be an issue.

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Canon 30D Weather Sealing

There is no environment sealing on the Canon 30D so you need to be careful in wet and dusty conditions.

Canon 30D Screen and Viewfinder

The Canon 30D features a 2.5" fixed display screen supporting a resolution of 230k dots.

Please be aware that the display has no touch support. The 30D also comes with a Top LCD screen allowing you to instantly checkout the camera's settings.

Canon EOS 30D screen and viewfinder Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The ViewFinder details for Canon 30D are as follows:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentaprism)
  • Coverage 95 percent
  • Magnification 0.56x

For sunny outdoor conditions which make the camera displays washed out and tough to see, viewfinders will be rather useful.

Canon 30D Shutter specs

Canon 30D can shoot continuously at 5.0 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/8000s.

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Canon 30D Flash and Hot shoe specs

Canon 30D features both in-built flash together with external flash support. The highest flash sync is 1/250s.

Canon 30D Autofocusing specs

Canon 30D features both Phase Detect AF plus Contrast Detect AF. Phase Detection focusing is a lot quicker and exact in comparison with Contrast Detect focusing.

It features 9 focus points to pick from. Canon 30D has manual focus in case it is needed in low light occasions or you want to have more precise focus control.

Photography Glossary

Canon 30D Battery life

The usual Advanced DSLR camera battery life is 909. Nikon D780 has got the maximum (2260) battery life in this range of cameras.

Following is a listing of Advanced DSLR cameras that have the best battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Nikon-D780 front thumbnailNikon D780
30D vs D780
2260 yesnoyes
Nikon-D850 front thumbnailNikon D850
30D vs D850
1840 yesyesyes
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Nikon-Df front thumbnailNikon Df
30D vs Df
1400 yesnono
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
30D vs 90D
1300 yesnoyes
Nikon-D500 front thumbnailNikon D500
30D vs D500
1240 yesyesyes

Canon 30D for varying kinds of photography

The following bar chart gives a summary of the Canon 30D for varying kinds of photography. To look at more, visit the specific paragraph underneath.

Canon 30D as a Portrait photography camera

The Canon 30D gets a points tally of 51 which is average, and means the camera is somewhat acceptable for portraits. Shooting portrait images favors greatly towards sensor resolution, RAW support and ability to utilize off-camera lighting.

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manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)

Canon 30D Street photography info

Coming in at a modest rating of 52, the Canon 30D is somewhat acceptable to use in street photography. A good street photography camera gives a good balance of picture quality plus portability.

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decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization

Canon 30D Sports photography highlights

A lousy sports photography score of 44 suggests the Canon 30D is simply not appropriate for taking photos of sports. A camera needs to have fantastic tracking and fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)

Canon 30D Travel photography features

Weight is very critical when picking a travel camera. All round, the Canon 30D gets a lousy 42 as a travel camera which is simply not appropriate to take with you on your holidays.

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built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (8MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen

Landscape photography with Canon 30D

If you are looking to purchase a camera for landscape photography, the most significant aspect will be image quality. The Canon 30D and it's average grade of 46 as a landscape camera is relatively suitable in the current market.

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has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
no Timelapse mode

Canon 30D Vlogging information

A vlogging camera really should offer a moving screen, mic input and preferably IBIS. Considering all things, the Canon 30D is simply not appropriate as a vlog camera as it gets a lousy rating of 9.

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can't record video

Canon 30D Alternatives

If you are trying to find replacements to the 30D, below is a range of the top rated cameras which fall in to the class of Advanced DSLR.

The line chart listed below shows you an overview of the 30D versus it's highest rated rivals mentioned previously.

These are some more cameras you might look into as alternatives. To review a comprehensive comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Canon
Model
Canon EOS 30D
Type
Advanced DSLR
Launched
2006-04-04
Physical type
Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
22.5 x 15mm
Sensor surface area
337.5mm²
Sensor resolution
8 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Max resolution
3504 x 2336
RAW support
Max native ISO
1600
Max enhanced ISO
3200
Min native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points
9
Lens
Lens mount
Canon EF/EF-S
Number of lenses
326
Focal length multiplier
1.6
Screen
Type of screen
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
2.5 inches
Resolution of screen
230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
95 percent
Viewfinder magnification
0.56x
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
59
DXO Color Depth score
21.5
DXO Dynamic range score
10.8
DXO Low light score
736
Features
Min shutter speed
30 seconds
Max shutter speed
1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate
5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range
12.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash options
Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize
1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution
None
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
784g (1.73 lbs)
Physical dimensions
144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9")
Other
Self timer
Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up))
Time lapse feature
Storage type
Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Card slots
One
Price at release
$773