ProductCritic: Canon EOS 30D Reviews

PC Mag (100)

Since it is an EOS-family camera, the D30 accepts all of the more than 70 Canon EOS lenses. We tested the D30 with a variety of lenses, ranging from 20 mm all the way up to 400 mm. All performed flawlessly. Picture quality was excellent, and the D30’s auto-focus and auto-exposure systems worked well in a variety of difficult lighting situations.

Megapixel.net (98)

Positives: Excellent image quality. Starts in 0.15 sec. New 100,000 cycle shutter. True Spot metering. 1/3 EV increments to ISO settings. Burst mode of 30 frames at 5 fps. 19 Custom functions. Magnesium alloy body. Improved battery life. Negatives: New Spot metering cannot be tied to focus point. New Print/Share button should have been customizable. Design of power switch still requires the use of both hands.

The Star Online (98)

The Canon EOS 30D really is the best camera in Canon’s entire line, offering the best balance between price and performance.

Popular Photography & Imaging (96)

Given everything that this camera can do, and do well, it ranks as a near-perfect advanced amateur/semi-pro camera. Notice the “near-perfect.” In field use of the 30D, we were reintroduced to the few quirks and inconveniences of the 20D: Setting a custom white balance, for one, is unduly complex—a five-step procedure, when most other DSLRs in this class can do it in two.

Digital Camera Resource Page (96)

The Canon EOS-30D is an excellent midrange digital SLR. While its new features aren’t exciting enough to get this 20D owner to run out and upgrade, those who are moving up from point-and-shoot or entry-level D-SLRs should definitely give the 30D a look.

Imaging Resource (96)

The exceptional nature of the Canon 30D should come as no surprise though, given that it’s a refinement of an already superb digital SLR, brought up to date with a few features the market’s been wanting. The camera performs well in every respect. Color is accurate, image noise very low, resolution excellent, and the camera is very responsive, both to the shutter button, and from shot to shot. The interface is well designed and straightforward; and for current EOS owners it couldn’t be more familiar.

Shutterbug (94)

I approach many of my digital experiences these days with the knowledge that digital is a medium that incorporates, or perhaps envelops, photography rather than reinvents it. Digital is the great emulator, and the Canon 30D provides all the tools you might need to bring your skills to the fore, and even invent some new tricks along the way.

DPexpert (94)

The Canon EOS 30D with the better lens is competition for the Nikon D200 which has a 10 megapixel sensor. Choosing between the two would be difficult and a great pleasure!

Digital Photography Review (94)

Nobody should then be too surprised that the EOS 30D, despite its relatively minor range of updates still deserves our Highly Recommended rating. It’s a great camera to shoot with, image quality is excellent and the high sensitivity performance is still notably better than the competition, the EOS 30D inspires confidence and delivers shot after shot.

PC Advisor (92)

The EOS-30D offers pro handling and excellent quality. It’s a great step-up from entry-level digital SLRs, but only a modest upgrade from the EOS-20D.

Bob Atkins Photography (92)

Overall I think the EOS 30D is a great camera and I’d have no hesitation at all in recommending it to any serious photographer.

Business Week (90)

This digital SLR camera offers many more customizable settings than its brethren, but are they worth the extra expense?

The-Digital-Picture.com (90)

Many serious amateurs and professionals will be choosing this body as their primary camera. Many others will be choosing the 30D as their backup camera (I am a member of this group).

BIOS (90)

Evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but probably the best midrange D-SLR.

Steve's Digicams (89)

While there’s a lot to like about the 30D, it’s the 20D that in 2004 set a new benchmark for what an enthusiast dSLR should be. Canon’s effort with the 30D was essentially a marginal technology upgrade like the EOS 1D Mark II N was to the 1D Mark II; based on our testing results, this camera would have been more appropriately named the 20D N. That’s not to say that the 30D is not a capable camera; with 8-megapixels of resolution, excellent image quality, low noise at high ISO settings, robust shooting performance and accurate and responsive AF, it is a highly desirable enthusiast dSLR. But it has been displaced as best of breed by the Nikon D200.

Cameralabs (87)

Canon’s EOS 30D may be little more than an evolutionary step forward, but it’s crucial to remember it improves upon a camera which most agreed was already excellent. While it may have been more honest to describe it as a 20D Mark II, the 30D remains a great camera which is enjoyable and rewarding to use, while delivering lower noise levels than its rivals. There may be few existing Canon owners who’ll justify upgrading, but plenty of new digital SLR users who’ll find it ideal.

DigitalCameraInfo.com (87)

Finally, we remain puzzled by the 30D’s lack of innovation. Look at Canon’s history of cutting-edge cameras and lenses and you’ll find more ground-breaking equipment than most companies can point to. The Canon EOS 30D simply doesn’t match the advances Canon usually makes.

Let's Go Digital (86)

Even though the Canon 30D may not exactly be a revolutionary digital SLR camera, and the expectations were somewhat subdued, it is still a truly fantastic camera. The concept was already solid as could be, but with the introduction of the Canon EOS 30D, Canon have once again clearly asserted and strengthened its roots and their position. There are virtually no points that might cause any form of hindrance for the user, which, in our opinion, is an excellent performance indeed. A superb camera!

CNET (84)

The 8-megapixel Canon EOS 30D should be on your short list for a semipro dSLR camera.

PC World (83)

It might be logical to assume that Canon’s new EOS 30D digital SLR camera, successor to the company’s popular EOS 20D, would pack a higher-resolution sensor. But such is not the case. The EOS 30D ($1499 as of March 21, 2006) provides the same imaging circuitry as its predecessor, but it also includes some much-needed new features for only $100 more than the 20D.

ThinkCamera (80)

I started this review by saying that I would help you decide between the 30D and the 5D. I can’t – it’s up to you whether you prefer the full frame of the 5D or the cropped sensor of the 30D (plus the extra £750 in your pocket – the 5D is currently twice the price of the 30D).

vnunet.com (80)

A great digital camera, but the 400D looks like a better bet for many non-professional photographers

Macworld (80)

The Canon EOS 30D is a welcome upgrade to an already great camera. The larger LCD screen and new features will directly affect everyday shooting, while the lower price tag will give you an extra $100 to spend on lenses.

Digital Camera Magazine (80)

The 30D is a well-made, sophisticated camera that produces great-looking results. Some may be disappointed by the fine detail rendition, though, and may need to experiment with different sharpening settings or RAW files. And good though it is, the 30D is by no means a clear market leader.

TrustedReviews (80)

A bit of a disappointment for anyone hoping for a major upgrade, the EOS 30D is unlikely to attract anyone who already owns a 20D. However 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.