Canon PowerShot EOS 30D digital SLR camera review

The Canon 20D has, in many ways, defined the mid-level DSLR market for the past two years. With an 8.2MP CMOS sensor, award-winning DIGIC II image processing engine and robust magnesium-alloy body, it was clearly a winning formula. So much so in fact, that Canon has barely changed it at all for the new model. As product upgrades go the new EOS 30D is something of a disappointment.

The 30D gets a larger and sharper 230,000 pixel 2.5in LCD monitor, a larger selection of ISO settings at 1/3-EV intervals, and spot metering. Other additions include a slightly larger image buffer, an RGB histogram function, a second lower speed continuous shooting setting (3 fps as well as 5fps), and a new more durable shutter mechanism that is supposedly good for 100,000 shots. Changes to the ISO setting are now shown in the viewfinder, and file sizes are shown in playback mode. I’ll pause here for your pulse to stop racing…

Arguably the best mid-range DSLR on the market… Newcomers to the mid-level DSLR market will find a superbly specified camera with the usual Canon hallmarks of reliability, design and outstanding image quality. For the serious amateur or semi-pro it is the ideal camera.

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