Light Camera, very quite, on "paper" well designed, easy to use from the start and full of features inc 4 FPS.

See Summary.

On " paper " compared to the EOS 3, the EOS 30 looks like a grate "state of the art" bargin, but after using it for around 24 hrs I feel that the camera is a expensive load of kak. With a Tamron F4 - F5.6 28-105 mm zoom lens it cant Auto focus in a normally lit rooms with out a flash gun, it cant auto focus on dull days with a Teleplus Canon EOS fitting x 2 - 7 element teleconverter with the Tamron F4 - F5.6 28-105 mm zoom lens bolted on to it + UV filter, if the picture was under exposed in any mode apart from Manual the EOS 30 would not allow me to take any pictures, the camera kept on blinking the solid green dot in the view finder until the batteries where taken out and put back in. The EOS 30 cant auto focus on dull days because it tried to take picture of the Canary Wharf tower''s glass pyramid with the same lens set-up but the EOS 30 refused to take the picture and kept on Auto focusing in and out of focus all the time (what a waste of money), it only auto focus''s on bright days. My Canon AE1 Program is 15-16 years old, that camera (although) manual focus does what I want it to do and I often got to Heathrow airport and stand on the plane spotting area on Terminal 2 and take pictures of Concorde with Teleplus Canon FD x 2 7 element teleconverter + Vivitar 70-300 mm zoom lens + ASA 400 film + 2 frames per second power winder (see enclosed attachments of the pictures I have taken with the AE1 Program) that camera is bullet proof. But I decided to " upgrade " to a Canon EOS 30 and pay arm and a leg because the EOS 30 was said to be the " state of the art " technology, I thought it would be very powerful and I thought it would allow me to take pictures of Concord clearer and better than I could ever do with the AE1 Program, but after spending 24 hrs with the EOS 30, I have decided to give it back to the shop as its the biggest load of CRAP i have ever used and will be UPGRADING to the EOS 3 which although double the price., compared to the EOS 30, The EOS 3 IS a REAL camera which takes pictures in ANY where, in ANY conditions. EOS 30 is just a toy for sunny days and cant catch the EOS 3 in ANY WAY at all. If you want to take seriouse pictures using teleconverters and big zoom lenses dont bother buying the EOS 30 as it wont let you do these things, its a load of KAK.

Customer Service

Where grate and they said the EOS 30 can only take pictures with lenses with max apperature of F5.6 They said the EOS 3 and EOS 1v can take pictures with lenses with max apperature of F8. So the

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE1 Program, EOS 3

Built-in flash, E-ttl autoflash with EX series speedlights, Depth of Field Preview, Very, very light weight/compact, Ultra-quiet (great for photojournalism! maybe 1/4 of the EOS 1V mirror slap)Built in Diopteric correction, 4fps rear dial for second function manipulation (for me aperture)VERY BRIGHT viewfinder (probably 1/2 stop more than EOS 3) Compared to the Nikon N series, I think this unit excels save a few items listed below.

No PC socket- WHY WOULDN''T YOU PUT ONE IN??? It''s not like it''s a high tech feature. Easy to accidentally turn dials, especially if you are reaching for yor camera quickly like during photojournalism, when the decisive moment is key.

A nice balance of affordability with features. Unlike it''s pro brothers 1N, IV, and Eos 3, however, the controls are very awkward with the multiple dials that need to be manipulated as opposed to simply memorizing a sequence of buttons. I''ve learned to manipulate the Canon pro layout without much thought and sometimes while I''m looking through the viewfinder. However, I use this body as a second while I''m on assignment usually to use with the lesser used telephoto lens (70-200 2.8L) Having just broken into the field, it''s really all I need and all I could afford. But It definately could easily meet the needs of amatuers and vacationers with it''s compact size and simplistic, yet awkward layout.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

N65 (*) N80 (***), N90 (**), EOS 3(****), F100(*****), Eos 1N (***)1V (******)

Ergonomics, picture quality, versatility.

No spot-metering.

It''s an almost perfect and very versatile camera and nicely priced. Especially metering is spot-on even in some difficult situations. Get the 28-105 zoom lens if you find L-series lenses too expensive. (Do not buy plastic-mount EF lenses).

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

Canon T90, AE-1, AE-1P, AT-1, AV-1, A-1, Canonet.

There are some ''strengths and weaknesses'' that I don''t mention here as many other reviewers list the same features over and over again, so by reading those you''ll get a comprehensive list. E.g. lack of spot metering - well I almost exclusively use centre or evaluative so it''s lack is not the end of the world to me. What I mention below is what makes a difference to me day to day. A good weight in the hands - my 500 is way too light and gets easily buffeted. BTW I''m suprised of all the international reviewers mentioning the battery pack as It''s never seen on 30s out and about in the UK. Mid roll rewind with leader out. I''ve used this far more times than the mirror lock feature which most other reviewers bang on about. Depth of field preview. As I said my eyes aren''t too good so I don''t really get a good idea of DOF through the viewfinder, but it makes up for not having the DOF scale on my cheap Canon lenses. (I think lovingly back to my manual camera days when I checked the scale on the lens - a great thing for a beginner BTW). 4 FPS. The 1 FPS on my 500 was often just too slow to capture fleeting moments. I can manually select one shot or AI focus. I curse

AF assist. Who thought of this idea? Shoot them (and not with the camera). In the absence of IR AF assist (nice and discreet, available on the 50) the 30 pops it''s flash up and blasts the surrounding area with a blinding strobe. Now maybe if you''re taking a formal fixed portrait it''s not too bad (you can warn them) but for anything else, all spontanaity is lost, subjects look at the camera shocked and surprised, large animals run for their lives and small animals just die of fear. As I said earlier, I would like to get some natural available light shots with say 1600 ASA, but I''ve lost all chance of blending into the background with this light pollution. Why aren''t the eye focusing points on the ''rule of thirds'' intesections?

Overall I''m very pleased with the 30. It''s got some features I don''t like and lacks some others, but it''s a great camera with other features that more than compensate for these and I can see I''ll be using it for years. It''s a bit expensive for a beginners camera, but if you think you are going to be serious about photography I think it''s worth getting. The higher cameras such as the various incarnations of the 1 are really for those who know what they''re doing already and the 3 is twice the price of the 30 because of it''s ruggedness. Having already invested in Canon lenses I stuck to Canon to match my EOS 500 (therefore no tedious Canon v. Nikon arguments). I wanted a camera for my new found interest in B+W (the EOS being kept for colour). The features I wanted over my EOS 500 were: better build faster no. of frames per sec. mid roll rewind with leader out a brighter viewfinder (although this is largely dependent on lens) My choice was between the 30 and the 3 (the 5 was just too unreliable - all the newsgroups and reviews reported that the thumbwheel thingy kept breaking, with a ridiculous repair price). However, much as I liked the idea of all those 45 eye focusing points and the superior water/junk resistance, I couldn''t justify twice the price for the 3. The one feature I would have absolutely adored is the interchangeable mirror. In low light and without a decent AF assist (more later) I would love to manual focus. The problem is that my eyes are so bad, that without the old split ring focus aid on the mirror I find it difficult to focus in dim light through a viewfinder as I did on my old OM10. Looks like those moody available light portraits are gonna be difficult. Everyone in reviews says don''t buy it with the kit lens and I agree that the 50mm 1.8 lens is a much better buy, but as I already have this fixed lens and the difference between body and kit was only £40 I got the kit. Maybe the domestic Canon zoom lenses are no great shakes but I''ve taken some great shots with them. Of course the nice thing about a fixed lens is that it makes you think more. Eye focusing is something I have not really used to date. O.k. I could have got a 33 without eye control but I''m going to give it a go when I''m settled with the 30''s trad. focusing. BTW the price I paid at top is in pounds sterling!

Customer Service

Not needed Canon''s cust service, but I used a third party warrenty on my 500 when the mode selector wouldn''t work and the battery was drained in a couple of weeks.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 500 Canon EOS 1000F Olympus OM10

Depth of field preview button, mirror lock up and it''s a lightweight camera perfect for backpacking.

I don''t care to much for the eye control. Maybe Canon can apply eye control to other features in the future.

I''m writing this review to share with you my experience with Canon''s outstanding customer service! I love this camera and I was upset when it feel four feet out of my backpack and onto the ground. There was no visible damange, but I later found out that my eye control would not disengage when it was turned off. After a few attempts by Canon to fix the problem, they decided it would be best to replace my camera with a new one. What''s amazing to me was I never pressured Canon into giving me a new camera. I was at fault for the camera''s malfunction and they replaced it. Chirs the customer service representative was very professional and was very apologetic about the problem. Canon stands behind there products 110% and I am with them for life. By the way, I droped my camera with the 70-200 mm F4 lense attached to it and absolutely nothing happened to the lense.

Customer Service

See above!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N80 Canon Rebel G

Ergonomic design Light weight Autofocus speed (with "L" lenses)

No AF assist light (strobe flash annoying) Interal flash is worthless

This camera is a fantastic buy. I am a photojournalist for my University Newspaper and I routinely shoot 15-20 rolls a week. You can argue Canon vs. Nikon till you''re blue in the face but Canon has mastered the art of ergonomics. Everything''s where it needs to be...at your fingertips. This camera is meant to be adjusted on the fly. Meter is always dead on, even with lack of spot. Servo AF slows the motor drive down, often much more then the specs say. But honestly, 4 fps isn''t THAT fast, it''ll never save you. I use it with Canon "L" lenses, and the results are remarkable. Get the battery pack and the leather hand strap, they''re worth it. Don''t bother with the cheap zoom kit, if you can''t afford more just get the 50mm 1.8 II, it''s a far superior lens and a deal at $90. Also, this camera is far tougher then most people think. I''ve shot it in torrential downpours (football games) and dropped it several times (hit by football players). No need for repairs.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N-90s, EOS Elan,

Fast, quiet, responsive. ECF is fantastic. Good ergo design. I particularly like the feel of the camera with the BP300 attached. Range of lenses and accessories is excellent, and prices are reasonable.

Sometimes hard to autofocus on relatively "flat" subjects. Coming from a less technologically complex camera system (Olympus OM), there''s a steep learning curve -- I review the manual regularly to reinforce how to take advantage of the features. A "quick reference card" would be a good add-on.

After being involved with the Olypmus OM system for 25 years, I decided it was time to move on to a more modern camera, particularly one with autofocus (7E). What a treat to use this camera! While ECF was not a major feature when making a purchasing decision, it has proven to be a very powerful tool. The camera has intensified my interest in photography and I am blowing through film like nobody''s business.

Customer Service

Haven''t had a problem with the camera, but have had to call Canon for (a) an extra copy of the manual and (b) tracking down the rebate check. They are very responsive and polite on the phone.

Similar Products Used:

None

A lot of features for the money, I am not currently capable to judge how good and usful they are.

Within the first 3 rolls I have noted a worse than RebelX expousure metering performance when taking pictures of people in the dark with external Canon 420 EX flash.I have used P-mode and portrait mode with EYE control. Approximately 50 percent of the pictures are overexposed.It almost never has happened with Rebel X using internal and external flash neither. Another -unpleasant thing -is, that even if internal flash poped up, the camera do not prevent you from shooting untill the flash is fully recharged.

Everything good has been already told and I prefere to listen to more experienced people.But compare to my old Rebel x, this camera showed some problem in a dark surrounding.

Customer Service

n/a yet

Similar Products Used:

Rebel X , Mamia-Secor, Zenit E

A lot of features for the money, I am not currently capable to judge how good and usful they are.

Within the first 3 rolls I have noted a worse than RebelX expousure metering performance when taking pictures of people in the dark with external Canon 420 EX flash.I have used P-mode and portrait mode with EYE control. Approximately 50 percent of the pictures are overexposed.It almost never has happened with Rebel X using internal and external flash neither. Another -unpleasant thing -is, that even if internal flash poped up, the camera do not prevent you from shooting untill the flash is fully recharged.

Everything good has been already told and I prefere to listen to more experienced people.But compare to my old Rebel x, this camera showed some problem in a dark surrounding.

Customer Service

n/a yet

Similar Products Used:

Rebel X , Mamia-Secor, Zenit E

Autofocus: Compared to the Nikon the CANON ELAN autofocus respond quicker and better. Mirror Lock-Up 4 fps easy to use. Wide array of lenses available. Quality Build. Intuitive LCD display: Just read the manual couple of times and you already find your way easy. Excellent Shooting Modes Wheel: You can select various shooting modes like no other camera can. Great USM Lens Available from CANON Ergonomics: Excellent

It does not have the the NIKON Logo on his body.

I''ve been shooting 100 pictures within a month since I bought my Canon Elan 7e. The Pictures look great. I also checked the Nikon N80 but comparing the 2 Canon was definitely my choice.

Customer Service

Buy at Adorama for the best Service and overnight shipping.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N80