BIOS: Technology Means Business

Canon is rosy-cheeked with the announcement of its new baby, the EOS 30D.

Replacing the popular EOS 20D, the new digital camera retaining the 5fps, 8.2-Megapixel performance of its predecessor, but enjoys a larger, wider viewing angle 2.5-inch LCD, extended 100,000 shutter cycle durability, spot metering, and a variety of refinements designed to enhance the photographic experience.

Targeted at an increasingly discerning population of serious creative photographers, the EOS 30D (144x106x74mm, 700g) replaces a camera that already claims a significant share of the Western Europe D-SLR market, which grew by 120 per cent in the past 12 months.

Canon says many improvements on the EOS 20D are made in response to EOS 20D owner feedback. Along with the larger screen, improved durability and 3.5 per cent area spot metering, these include Canon’s Picture Style pre-sets, Canon’s in-camera image processing standard.

Picture Styles can be likened to selectable film types for different photographic expression. Frame rate is selectable between 5- and 3fps and photographers are given finer control over exposure, with ISO settings now adjustable by 1/3 stop increments rather than whole stops.

A Print/Share button is included and the camera features new advanced PictBridge functionality. The maximum number of images in a folder is increased from 100 to 9999, while the in-built flash has been upgraded to match the 100,000 shutter cycle durability, an increasingly important feature in the digital age.

The EOS 30D features Canon’s excellent CMOS sensor technology, with large 6.4µm2 pixels for wide dynamic range with low noise. Any remaining fixed pattern and random noise is dealt with by on-chip noise elimination circuitry. A low-pass filter in front of the sensor reduces false colour and moiré effects, while an infrared filter suppresses red fringing caused by sensor reflections and fog.

The camera features Canon’s DIGIC II processor now found across the digital EOS range. DIGIC II maximises speed and image quality by processing uncompromisingly complex colour rendition algorithms, clearing the buffer at high speed.

One of the EOS 30D’s greatest advantages is the EOS system, ensuring compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, EX-series Speedlites and EOS accessories such as the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1. The EOS 30D’s EF-S lens mount allows connection to Canon’s range of lighter and wider angle lenses, including the new wide aperture EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM standard zoom lens.

Indicative of Canon’s commitment to lens development is the release of the exceptionally fast EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, for low light and extremely narrow depth of field photography. For high-speed processing of lossless RAW images and complete capture-to-print workflow management, the EOS 30D also comes with Canon’s latest Digital Photo Professional software.

To extend the EOS 30D’s 750 shot battery life and increase handling options, the camera is compatible with the BG-E2 battery grip. The BG-E2 takes two Lithium-Ion battery packs for up to 2200 frames or six AA batteries in the supplied BGM-E2 battery magazine. For easy vertical shooting, the BG-E2 provides additional shutter release, main dial, AE lock/FE lock and AF point selection controls.

As well as the latest Digital Photo Professional RAW image processing software, the EOS 30D comes with Canon EOS Solution Disk, containing the new EOS Utility (integrating remote capture software), plus the latest versions of ZoomBrowser/ImageBrowser and PhotoStitch. The EOS 30D includes membership of Canon’s online photo album, CANON iMAGE GATEWAY with 100MB of space for image uploads and photo sharing.

The EOS 30D will be available from March 2006, priced at £1099.

[Best Digital Camera Pricing UK]
[Best Digital Camera Pricing US]

Got this product? Got a camcorder/mic? Let us post YOUR video/podcast review!