Canon EOS 30D (Body Only)
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"_FINALLY_ ..." on by FL Guy
Pros: Spot metering
Cons: Hmm.. if forced to find one, the mid-sized SLR (+ lenses, accessories) is not the most compact for carrying, esp for travelling. It has other advantages of course. And not unique to this camera.
Summary: An otherwise very good camera FINALLY gets updated with true spot metering – an extremely useful/important feature which has been in every mid-range Nikon camera, and every $ 300 digicam for several years now. (Even Canon's old mid-range film series, the A2E, had this feature over 10 years ago).
Anyway, for the outdoor photographer in particular spot meter is more than an ‘incremental’ addition – it’s a very welcome addition to what is now a well rounded advanced amateur/'pro-sumer' dSLR camera.
I do find that for casual travel I often take a mid sized digicam rather than this camera plus the assortment of (large/long) lenses and accessories (which can quickly add up to a lot of space & weight). That is a function of the SLR format as whole though, and not unique to this camera.
The 10x and 12x digicams while not (yet) _quite_ offering the same image quality, are starting to offer more zoom length than most people can afford for their SLRs, and more features (e.g. optical stabilization in the body) than SLRs, and are starting to present alternative worth considering for any but the most serious amateur and even some traveling pros.
That choice/tradeoff aside, the 30D is a fine, and finally mature and fully featured, SLR – it offers very good to excellent image quality, controls and usability. -
"Canon's EOS-30D is a new affordable masterpiece. WOW" on by FAU
Pros: This camera has pro features found in Canon top of the line Cameras
Cons: None whatsoever.
Summary: Canon EOS-30D Serial No. 03203xxxxx: One of the reasons that Canon as an enterprise excels in this new world of Digital Single Reflex Cameras, is that they move the technology that has been refined in their flagship professional equipment, to the semi-pro or consumer gear. The 30D is an excellent example of Canon bringing several very important Pro features. The most obvious is the large, clear, high resolution LCD display; the same display used in Canon’s $4000 pro equipment. The Picture Styles color feature is also present on this model. Many of the reviews I have read recently do not give full credit or understanding of this dramatic utility for Color management. Read the manual packed with the camera and experiment with this feature; you will be surprised at how powerful and easy to use this feature is. For those that want to know all about the features and menus go to Phil Askey’s dpreview.com. For those that desire to see a variety of real images right out of the camera and unvarnished go to our site at:
http://www.416-1100.com/gallery/1314786.
This camera has unbelievable WOW factor for any class of user. I have used and/or own the best Canon digitals and this camera adds to a great line-up of cameras. As a teaching Pro, I for one like the pop-up flash, and wish Canon's flagship camera had a built-in flash. Sometimes, for candid work, you just don’t want to carry so much equipment, including the 580EX flash. Another feature I like is the Auto ISO feature. This is like committing heresy for a supposed Pro, wanting any AUTO features. Well too bad; sometimes, yes infrequently, I want to spend ALL my attention on the subject, and do not want any distractions with all these settings. I am a technology “kindaguy” and read all the documentation two or three times. No matter sometimes I go for the big GREEN box and go full auto… It works well too. The images shown are not fancy, hand picked ones. They are straight from the camera with no editing whatsoever. Over the next several weeks I will continue to add shots (and coments)with differing composition and venues. Look at the EXIF data for camera settings, shutter speed and f-stops. The lens used was Canon's new 24mm-105mm IS "L" zoom with the IS on. JimWilson/29MAR2006//9pm/EST. -
"Great Camera but a little cheesy with that print button!" on by richardk0108
Pros: spot metering, iso setting visible in viewfinder, 100,000 shutter cycles, 2.5" LCD screen, great picture quality, build quality
Cons: 3.5% spot metering (d70 has 1%), direct print button (it is only for new canon printers! Quite distracting presence if you don't plan to buy canon pixma pro9500 or 9000 printers!)
Summary: Great effort in including 3.5% spot metering. Perhaps canon's spot metering technology could not keep up with nikon's d70. It would have been excellent if they had come up with at least 2%. One way to deal with this is of course get one of the higher power zoon lens, like 24-105mm.
Why put direct print button? Especially when it only works with Canon Pixma Pro9500 or 9000? Might as well put "Buy our new printers" message under LCD screen! Plus I don't find such a button especially necessary since I normally would have to do some post work on my computer before I decide to print it. -
"Get the facts right" on by erikscanon
Pros: Better camera for the same price
Cons: None as far as I can see untested
Summary: Lori, when you write a "review", get the facts right! IT HAS A 2.5" LCD rewiew area, a 92% increase over the 20D. That's a significant improvement. Other significant improvements vs. 20D, can be found in the tech sheet. Very good improvements at a price that's the same as the 20D, a month ago.
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"A must-have upgrade to the 20D" on by Defender2
Pros: Spot metering, Larger LCD display, picture styles
Cons: The print button not very useful
Summary: Though the 30D is basically a 20D with improvements, the improvements are noteworthy for those considering purchasing a mid-range DSLR.
Spot metering is a welcome addition and can make a huge difference on those shots that require the right exposure and can save the photographer time in the post-editing process. This camera has the same user interfaces as the new 5D, which makes it an attractive choice for semi-pro or even pro photographers. Image quality is always superb (though please get good lenses for this camera!) and the camera is a delight to operate. Superb build quality and very fast write times to the CF card.
The camera also has the handy picture sytle feature (same as the 5D) which allows the photographer to custom set the camera for their desired sharpness, contrast and color saturation.
For those considering an upgrade from a 10D or 20D, the enhanced features make this a camera worth serious consideration.
Overall, this is yet another great product from Canon and is highly recommended.
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