Canon EOS 30D
Encyclopedia
The Canon
EOS
30D is an 8.2-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera
, initially announced on February 21, 2006. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 20D
, and is succeeded by the EOS 40D
. It can accept EF
and EF-S
lenses, and like its predecessor, it uses an APS-C
sized image sensor, so it does not require the larger imaging circle necessary for 35 mm
film and 'full-frame' digital cameras.
crop of 1.6. Other changes include a larger 11 frame RAW
/ 30 frame JPEG
buffer, and slightly faster 0.15 second startup. The maximum frame rate is the same (5 frame/s), but a lower-speed 3 frame/s option has been added. The 30D uses the same number of autofocus
points as the 20D (nine), but has improved algorithms. The 30D can record in both JPEG and RAW .CR2 files. The 30D's file numbering system holds 9,999 images to one folder, which was introduced with the 5D.
The EOS 30D can also accept the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1/E1A for fast file transfer to a remote file server, either through an ethernet
cable or a Wi-Fi
network. This capability expands the EOS 30D's range of applications to sports and studio set ups where real-time transfer of the images is crucial.
The main competitors for the Canon EOS 30D DSLR are the Nikon D80
and Nikon D200
, with the EOS 30D marketed in between the two in terms of cost and features.
, manual exposure
, aperture
and ISO sensitivity
.
The camera features (like many others) two LCDs, one monochrome at the top, which contains all information pertinent to shooting, and a full-color one at the back, which is used for picture reviewing and menu navigation.
The Canon EOS 30D also features a large dial on its back which is used for fast scrolling over the stored pictures or over the settings in the menu. The JUMP button can also be used to reach sections of the menu easily, as well as scroll through either 10 or 100 image in playback mode. The 8 way controller above the dial is used to select one of the 9 AF points, to move around a zoomed image in playback mode, and to set custom white balance.
Its internal flash
can be set to release several consecutive strobe bursts to aid focusing in dim situations, but there is no dedicated AF assist lamp. Photographers can attach an external flash with AF assist lamp like many of Canon Speedlites
.
Canon Inc.
is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.-Origins:...
EOS
Canon EOS
The Canon EOS autofocus 35 mm film and digital SLR camera system was introduced in 1987 with the Canon EOS 650 and is still in production as Canon's current DSLR system...
30D is an 8.2-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
, initially announced on February 21, 2006. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 20D
The Canon EOS 20D is an 8.2-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera, initially announced on August 19, 2004 at a recommended retail price of US$1,499. It is the successor of the EOS 10D, and was succeeded by the EOS 30D in August 2006...
, and is succeeded by the EOS 40D
Canon EOS 40D
The Canon EOS 40D is a 10.1-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera. It was initially announced on August 20, 2007 and was released at the end of that month. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 30D, and is succeeded by the EOS 50D. It can accept EF and EF-S lenses...
. It can accept EF
Canon EF lens mount
Introduced in 1987, the EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens...
and EF-S
Canon EF-S lens mount
The EF-S lens mount is a derivative of the EF lens mount created for a subset of Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with APS-C sized image sensors. It was released in 2003. Cameras supporting the EF-S mount are backward-compatible with the EF lens mount and, as such, have a flange focal...
lenses, and like its predecessor, it uses an APS-C
APS-C
Advanced Photo System type-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System "classic" size negatives...
sized image sensor, so it does not require the larger imaging circle necessary for 35 mm
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
film and 'full-frame' digital cameras.
Improvements
Changes over the 20D include a bigger 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) LCD rear screen, improved shutter mechanism rated for 100,000 actuations, improved frame capacity, 1/3 stop increments for sensor speed and an added spot meter. This unit retains the same sensor as its predecessor; all lenses still have an angle of viewAngle of view
In photography, angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view....
crop of 1.6. Other changes include a larger 11 frame RAW
RAW image format
A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
/ 30 frame JPEG
JPEG
In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
buffer, and slightly faster 0.15 second startup. The maximum frame rate is the same (5 frame/s), but a lower-speed 3 frame/s option has been added. The 30D uses the same number of autofocus
Autofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
points as the 20D (nine), but has improved algorithms. The 30D can record in both JPEG and RAW .CR2 files. The 30D's file numbering system holds 9,999 images to one folder, which was introduced with the 5D.
The EOS 30D can also accept the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1/E1A for fast file transfer to a remote file server, either through an ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
cable or a Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
network. This capability expands the EOS 30D's range of applications to sports and studio set ups where real-time transfer of the images is crucial.
The main competitors for the Canon EOS 30D DSLR are the Nikon D80
Nikon D80
The Nikon D80 is a digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon on August 9th, 2006. The camera shipped the first week of September to US retailers. Considered by many to be an amalgam of design elements of the entry-level D50 and high-end D200 cameras, it occupied the same price...
and Nikon D200
Nikon D200
The Nikon D200 is a 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera that falls between entry-level/midrange DSLR cameras such as the Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, and D80 and high-end models such as the Nikon D2Hs and D2Xs. It was released by the Nikon Corporation in November 2005...
, with the EOS 30D marketed in between the two in terms of cost and features.
Resolution
The Canon EOS 30D has several resolution settings:- Raw CR2 format (3504 x 2336)
- Large/Fine (3504 x 2336)
- Large/Normal (3504 x 2336)
- Middle/Fine (2544 x 1696)
- Middle/Normal (2544 x 1696)
- Small/Fine (1728 x 1152)
- Small/Normal (1728 x 1152)
- (There are also six resolution settings for JPEG+Raw which are the same as the first six but which also attach a Raw file in a separate .cr2 file).
Features
The Canon EOS 30D features a Mode Dial on the top which selects the shooting mode. It is divided into two sections: Creative Zone and Basic Zone. The Creative zone provides manual and semi-manual modes; it gives access to RAW formatRAW image format
A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
, manual exposure
Exposure (photography)
In photography, exposure is the total amount of light allowed to fall on the photographic medium during the process of taking a photograph. Exposure is measured in lux seconds, and can be computed from exposure value and scene luminance over a specified area.In photographic jargon, an exposure...
, aperture
Aperture
In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture of an optical system is the opening that determines the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. The aperture determines how collimated the admitted rays are,...
and ISO sensitivity
Film speed
Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system....
.
Creative Zone
- A-DEP: The camera automatically selects the aperture and shutter speedShutter speedIn photography, shutter speed is a common term used to discuss exposure time, the effective length of time a camera's shutter is open....
to keep most of the image in focusFocus (optics)In geometrical optics, a focus, also called an image point, is the point where light rays originating from a point on the object converge. Although the focus is conceptually a point, physically the focus has a spatial extent, called the blur circle. This non-ideal focusing may be caused by...
. (Only recommended in high light conditions as the camera tends to choose smaller f/stops) - M (Manual): The camera lets you choose manually the aperture and shutter speed.
- Av (Aperture priorityAperture priorityAperture priority, often abbreviated A or Av on a camera mode dial, is a setting on some cameras that allows the user to choose a specific aperture value while the camera selects a shutter speed to match. The camera will ensure proper exposure...
): The camera lets the user choose the aperture (f/) value and then automatically adjusts the shutter speed for correct exposure. - Tv (Shutter speed priority): The camera lets the user set the shutter speed and automatically sets the aperture for correct exposure.
- P (Program AE): The camera automatically chooses an aperture and shutter combination for correct exposure and the user can change between one of these combinations.
Basic Zone
- Auto (represented with a green rectangle): Completely automatic shooting.
- Portrait: The camera attempts to create a more shallow depth of field to create more striking portraits.
- LandscapeLandscapeLandscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
: For shooting landscapes and sunsets. - Close-Up: For shooting small objects near to the camera.
- Sports: For capturing fast moving objects.
- Night Scene: Shoots with flash and with slow shutter so that the subject is illuminated by the flash and the background (e.g: a city) is also captured naturally in the night.
- No Flash: All automatic with no flash.
The camera features (like many others) two LCDs, one monochrome at the top, which contains all information pertinent to shooting, and a full-color one at the back, which is used for picture reviewing and menu navigation.
The Canon EOS 30D also features a large dial on its back which is used for fast scrolling over the stored pictures or over the settings in the menu. The JUMP button can also be used to reach sections of the menu easily, as well as scroll through either 10 or 100 image in playback mode. The 8 way controller above the dial is used to select one of the 9 AF points, to move around a zoomed image in playback mode, and to set custom white balance.
Its internal flash
Flash (photography)
A flash is a device used in photography producing a flash of artificial light at a color temperature of about 5500 K to help illuminate a scene. A major purpose of a flash is to illuminate a dark scene. Other uses are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality of light...
can be set to release several consecutive strobe bursts to aid focusing in dim situations, but there is no dedicated AF assist lamp. Photographers can attach an external flash with AF assist lamp like many of Canon Speedlites
Canon EOS flash system
Canon Inc.'s EOS flash system refers to the photographic flash mechanism used on Canon's film or digital EOS single-lens reflex cameras. The line was first introduced in 1987. It has gone through a number of revisions over the years, as new flash exposure metering systems have been introduced...
.
See also
- Canon EOSCanon EOSThe Canon EOS autofocus 35 mm film and digital SLR camera system was introduced in 1987 with the Canon EOS 650 and is still in production as Canon's current DSLR system...
- Canon EF lens mountCanon EF lens mountIntroduced in 1987, the EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens...
- Canon EF-S lens mountCanon EF-S lens mountThe EF-S lens mount is a derivative of the EF lens mount created for a subset of Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with APS-C sized image sensors. It was released in 2003. Cameras supporting the EF-S mount are backward-compatible with the EF lens mount and, as such, have a flange focal...