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Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
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3 new or used available from £387.95
Average customer review:
Product Description
Realise your photographic vision with the EOS 30D. Speed and precision in a tough magnesium alloy body, with access to over 60 EF lenses and the range of EOS accessories for unlimited creativity. An 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor provides the sensitivity needed for clean, detailed images with fine colour gradation. Large sensor pixels allow for wide dynamic range and reduced noise at higher ISO speeds. The 22.5 x 15mm sensor size adds an effective 1.6x increase to the focal length of EF lenses, extending reach at the telephoto end. The camera delivers fast 5 fps shooting for continuous bursts of up to 30 large JPEG images (11 in RAW). A new 3 fps shooting mode provides greater control for variable-speed sequences. Illuminated by 6 LEDs, the bright 2.5" 230K pixel LCD is viewable from 85° in almost all directions. Picture Style pre-sets provide easy control over image processing parameters. Each style offers a different colour response - similar to the way film types are changed to achieve different effects. Sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation are adjustable within each pre-set. Spot metering allows you to base the optimal exposure value on a concentrated spot (3.5%) in the scene - useful in high-contrast scenes where precise metering control is required. Select from one of nine fixed focusing points across the scene for fast, accurate focusing even with off-centre subjects and 'rule-of-thirds' compositions. DIGIC II renders colours with precision and accuracy. Fast and efficient, DIGIC II prolongs battery life* and delivers instant 0.15 second start up time. The Digital Photo Professional software permits high-speed processing of lossless RAW images. A compact magnesium alloy body provides durability while keeping the camera's weight down to 700 grams. The EOS 30D is compatible with over 60 EF lenses (including the EF-S Series) and all EX Series Speedlite flash units. The E-TTL II flash algorithm passes key shooting data from compatible
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #85317 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: Canon
- Model: 1234B013AA
- Released on: 2006-03-13
- Dimensions: 1.54 pounds
Editorial Reviews
Manufacturer's Description
The Canon EOS 30D replaces the award-winning EOS 20D. It brings proven EOS technology to a new level, giving photographers an unbeatable photographic experience. The EOS 30D incorporates a host of new features with Canon's highly acclaimed 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC II Image Processor. The EOS 30D includes enhanced operational features such as a new 2.5-inch LCD monitor, true spot metering, a durable new shutter mechanism, and Canon's Picture Style pre-sets (Canon's in-camera image processing standard), all in an sturdy, magnesium-clad body. The maximum number of images in a folder is increased from 100 to 9,999, while the in-built flash has been upgraded to match the 100,000 shutter cycle durability, an increasingly important feature in the digital age. With all these new features the EOS 30D is truly perfection, refined.
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The EOS 30D features Canon's award winning CMOS sensor technology, with large 6.4µm2 pixels for wide dynamic range with low noise. Any remaining fixed pattern and random noise is dealt with by on-chip noise-elimination circuitry. A low-pass filter in front of the sensor reduces false color and moiré effects, while an infrared filter suppresses red fringing caused by sensor reflections and fog. The camera features Canon's DIGIC II processor now found across the digital EOS range. DIGIC II maximizes speed and image quality by processing uncompromisingly complex color rendition algorithms, clearing the buffer at high speed.
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The EOS 30D has a high-precision, 9-point wide area AF system that uses both normal and high-precision focus depending on the aperture and available light. The 9 focus points can be chosen automatically or manually-selected using the 30D's intuitive, thumb-operated multi-controller.
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The EOS 30D has a brilliant 2.5-inch LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels. Adopted from Canon's professional EOS SLRs, this monitor not only displays more information, it can also be viewed at a greater angle (170 degrees) than many conventional LCD monitors. The full-featured shot information screen not only provides an RGB histogram, it can display the AF frame used. Magnification has never been faster. Magnification zooms to the focus point rather than the center of the image to check exposure and critical focus. It is also simple to jump quickly in image intervals up to 100. Menus are accessed at the touch of a button and feature larger text that is easier to read. Whether changing color parameters, setting up custom functions, organizing folders or setting white balance, the EOS 30D helps photographers get to their information quickly, so they never miss a shot.
Every function optimized for fast RAW and JPEG capture
The EOS 30D is one of the fastest cameras Canon has ever produced. Incorporating the fast operation of the EOS 20D, the 30D allows users to specify high-speed 5 frames per second (fps) or a new low-speed 3 fps continuous shooting for more controlled shooting and/or to save space on the CF card. And it can capture up to 30 JPEG and 11 RAW (or 9 RAW + JPEG) files in one burst. Whether it's the 0.15-second startup time, the high-speed mirror drive, the nearly instant 65-millisecond shutter release lag time or the predictive AF focusing at speeds up to 5.0 frames per second, the EOS 30D will amaze and delight photographers who don't want to wait for their camera when they're ready to shoot.
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The EOS 30D lets you print beautiful photos with minimum time and effort - directly from the camera. It's compatible with Canon's SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, desktop PIXMA Photo Printers, and even third-party PictBridge-compatible printers.
EOS: The system
One of the EOS 30D's greatest advantages is the EOS system: compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, EX-series Speedlites, and EOS accessories such as the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1. (Wireless file transmitter and lenses not included--must be purchased separately.) For high-speed processing of lossless RAW images and complete capture-to-print workflow management, the EOS 30D also comes with Canon's latest Digital Photo Professional software.
Battery grip
To extend the EOS 30D's 750-shot (CIPA standard) battery life and increase handling options, the camera is compatible with the BG-E2 battery grip. (Not included; must be purchased separately.) The BG-E2 takes two Lithium-Ion battery packs for up to 2,200 frames or six AA batteries in the supplied BGM-E2 battery magazine. (Shooting capacity with AA batteries is lower when compared with the Battery Pack BP-511A.) For easy vertical shooting, the BG-E2 provides additional shutter release, main dial, AE lock/FE lock, and AF point selection controls.
Technologies Explained
Picture Style
Picture Style pre-sets simplify in-camera control over image quality. Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types--each one offering a different color response. Within each easily selectable pre-set, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, color tone, and saturation. The camera's factory default configuration is set to deliver immediately-usable JPEG images without need for additional menu settings. Picture Style presets applied to a RAW image do not degrade the image in any way and can be revised with Canon's Digital Photo Professional software.
The six pre-sets include:
The User Defined pre-set can be used to store up to three customized pre-sets, or any of the pre-sets available for download from Canon's web site.
DIGIC II
Now found across the EOS range, DIGIC II is a purpose-built, dedicated image processor responsible for the high speed calculations necessary in order to providing exceptionally accurate color reproduction in real time. Canon's second generation imaging engine, DIGIC II performs the duties of a number of separate processing units to speed processing, save space, and optimize battery life.
To avoid the trade off faced by other manufacturers between camera responsiveness and image quality, Canon has created a processor so fast it can read, process, compress, and write image data back to the buffer between exposures. This allows for longer continuous bursts at maximum frame rates before the buffer fills. Moreover, each image can be subjected to the full complex processing algorithms required in order to deliver superb image quality.
CMOS
Canon's award winning CMOS technology is one of the company's key competitive advantages. With noise reduction circuitry at each pixel site, Canon's CMOS sensors have lower noise and lower power consumption characteristics than CCD sensors.
CCD sensors use a bucket relay system to transfer each pixel's accumulated electrical charge to a corresponding gutter. The operation is time consuming and draws considerable power, which limits battery life and generates unwanted heat, further increasing noise and lowering image quality.
By contrast, signal conversion in Canon's CMOS sensors is handled by the individual amplifiers at each pixel site. Unnecessary charge transfer operations are avoided, vastly speeding up the process of getting signal to the image processor. Noise generation is reduced and power consumption limited.
Digital Photo Professional Software
Digital Photo Professional software provides high-speed processing of lossless RAW images. Processing with Digital Photo Professional allows real-time display and immediate application of image adjustments, giving control over RAW image variables such as white balance, dynamic range, exposure compensation, and color tone. The camera JPEG images can be recorded in sRGB or Adobe RGB color space, and the Digital Photo Professional application supports sRGB, Adobe RGB and Wide Gamut RGB color spaces. An ICC (International Colour Consortium) profile attaches automatically to RAW images converted to TIFF or JPEG images. This allows faithful reproduction of colors in software applications that support ICC profiles, such as Adobe Photoshop. For improved efficiency, a set of image adjustments can be saved as a recipe and applied to multiple images.
Box Contents
Canon EOS 30D Camera
Remote Controller / Switch
Power Supply & Battery Chargers
Customer Reviews
EOS 30D with 17-85mm lens
I've been using the EOS 30D for 2 months and have found that it has allowed me to produce some impressive results.
Pro's
* Picture quailty is excellent even to A3 size.
* Start - up and general speed (autofocus etc) is excellent, when using canon lenses I've experence no noticable lag.
* Read/Write time to the CF card is very quick. However that the times do depend upon the speed of the CF card used and I would recommend at least Ultra II style card.
* Battery life is very impressive, over a week period averaging 200 shots per day I did not need to recharge.
* Build quality is very robust, although LCD screen on back is a little exposed and requires film protection to prevent damage.
* User controls after a little study are well laid out and easy to use.
* User software with camera easy to use.
Con's
* LCD difficult to see in bright light.
* Viewfinder is small and with only 95% coverage, you have to frame your shots carefully.
In summary I've found this an excellent camera if a little expense. If you are wanting to use this camera as a point and shot the fully automatic system is fine, however you would not be using this camera to its full potential and be wasting your money.
This camera is well suited to the intermediate photgrapher and I would highly recommend it. Please be aware that to help get the finer quality images you must invest in good quality lenses.
Very sexy
Bought mine about 5 weeks ago and it's amazing. Stunning build quality, feels right in the hands. Great menu and software, the latter I have come to expect from Canon.
The default setting was a little cold but with a few tweaks in the menu getting some great images now.
Lovely piece of work and considering the 5D is so much more expensive and OK a full frame 24x36mm cmos and higher resolution all in all the 30D is a lovely camera I want to use.
Tried & Tested
I bought my EOS 30D in May 2006 and very few days have passed without it being used. What can I say about this amazing camera? Firstly, it is a joy to hold, feeling like it was designed specifically for my not very large hands. (I bought the 17-85mm IS lens with the camera and it has proved to be an excellent marriage.) Secondly, the controls allow you to either do it the easy way, full auto, or to become more and more creative by using the maual controls.
With the autofocus system, taking pictures is so easy, almost too easy. My last SLR was a Canon FTb with full manual everything, from exposure to focussing - which meant many a lost picture, and then you had to wait for the developed film to come back before you knew whether or not the pictures you took were good or not. Now, with the ability to see the picture moments after pressing the shutter = wow!
I won't bore you with the technical side or the jargon, suffice to say that this is one hell of a camera. I thought I had left my enthusiastic days of snapping in the past with my dark room, chemicals and hours of developing and printing, but now my enthusiasm is back with avengence - nothing is safe anymore, no tree, flower, bird, friend or indeed sunset will ever be ignored again.
If you want to awaken your inner creative genius, then this baby's for you. Buy it, it might change your life forever - is has mine.
