Canon refreshes the EOS 20D By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource (Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 06:00 EST)Camera giant Canon Inc. has today announced the much-rumored EOS 30D digital camera, a closely related sibling of the existing EOS 20D model, but with a number of notable changes.
The most outwardly notable change is the replacement of the 20D's 1.8" LCD display with a 2.5" LCD that offers double the resolution, and is said to offer a wide angle of view and improved visibility. Canon has also added its Picture Style controls as previously seen on the EOS-1D Mark IIN and the EOS 5D, which aim to tweak the camera's sharpness, contrast, saturation, and tone to match specific needs. ISO sensitivity can now be adjusted in 1/3 step increments, with a viewfinder readout to allow you to adjust sensitivity without removing your eye from the camera, and a new spot metering function likewise improves the camera's versatility. Battery life is said to be improved by 10% and can now be seen indicated in four steps, and folder management has been changed to allow up to 9,999 images per folder. The burst mode now allows more images than previously, up to a maximum of 11 RAW or 30 large / fine JPEG frames. A range of other changes are aimed at fixing common grievances in the EOS 20D. Courtesy of Canon, we have specifications and product photos for the EOS 30D, as well as a bulleted list of changes including those we've highlighted here:
New 2.5-inch LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 pixels, wide viewing angle and substantially improved visibility
New direct printing capabilities, unique to Canon
Picture Style controls make it easier to get what you want
ISO settings in 1/3-stop increments with readout in viewfinder
Reduced energy consumption for roughly 10% more shots per battery charge
New 4-step battery level display
New spot metering, same as EOS-1 Series and EOS 5D
New, professional-quality shutter rated to approximately 100,000 cycles
Workflow improvement with upgraded software package, including (at no extra charge). ZoomBrowser/ImageBrowser, and Digital Photo Professional, backwards compatible to D2000 and D6000 of 1998
Improved folder management with up to 9,999 images in each folder and file numbering with manual reset
0.15-second startup time, fastest of any EOS camera*
30-frame Large/Fine JPEG burst, up from 23 frames**
11 RAW frame burst, up from 6**
Improved image playback functions, including new enlarge function in Quick Review as well as Playback, software-only auto rotate, and an improved jump function
Enhanced Info screen with new, switchable RGB histogram as well as AF frame and File Size displays
New auto noise reduction for long exposures with new Custom Function 02
New magnified view with Custom Function 17
Error code readout on back screen together with countermeasures help
New display for image transfer failure using the WFT-E1A
Improved recovery from Auto Power Off
Single-shot AE/AF lock retained for subsequent shots
Separate flash exposure (FE) lock icon displayed in the viewfinder
Canon EOS 30D
General
Camera Type
SLR
Manufacturer
Canon
Model Number
EOS 30D
Dimensions
5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9" 144.0 x 105.5 x 73.5mm
Weight
700.0 g 24.5 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type
APS-C Canon CMOS CMOS 8.20 megapixels (effective)
Focal Length Multiplier
1.60
Aspect Ratio
3:2
Image Dimensions
3504 x 2336 (8.2 megapixels) 2544 x 1696 (4.3 megapixels) 1728 x 1152 (2.0 megapixels)
Capture Speed
Continuous: 5.0 frames per second for 30 frames
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder
Yes, TTL 95% field of view
LCD
2.5", 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom
10.0x max
Lens
Lens Type
Interchangeable Lens
Focusing System
9-point CT-SIR Type CMOS Sensor Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity
Auto, 100 - 1600, 3200 via custom function
Shutter Speed
30 - 1/8000 second
Exposure Modes
Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes
35-zone evaluative, 9% partial, 3.5% spot, center-weighted average
Canon refreshes the EOS 20D
