For Canon EOS system users it's a "right out of the box" camera. I had the first image on my computer about three minutes after I charged the batteries. It uses the EOS system lenses and other equipment. It is light and the battery consumption is terrific, unlike most digital cameras thanks to the CMOS sensor.

Focus is a little tricky. I use L lenses and the camera definately works at finding the correct focus. I would very much like to see more than three focusing points...and eye controlled focus would have been a definate plus. Even so, the images are perfect...so it's more a matter of adapting to a different focusing scheme. Just takes some getting used to. I wish Canon would have come out with this camera sooner...the wait was just too much!

I'm going to buy another D-30. I always use two camera bodies to allow better utilization of my lenses. This camera is TERRIFIC! For the first time, I can see myself going completely digital for 35mm type photos. (I will keep my hassy for some studio shots.) It's simple, EVERYTHING we do is about the image. The images from this camera are actually superior to 35mm film...and if you don't believe me, check out http://www.luminous-landscape.com/d30_vs_film.htm where there is an extensive review of the camera and a truly remarkable comparison of the D-30 images as opposed to (transparancy) film. I have done extensive research on this camera and, without a doubt, it is truly remarkable...one of the few cameras that will go down in history as a milestone image capture device.

A word about color: the D-30 renders colors absolutely perfect...and I'm a sticker for that sort of thing! And the images themselves have a "buttery" look to them. The D-30 leaves them a bit soft...which is good. I can sharpen them in Photoshop to the level I desire and, frankly, (I know this is heresy to some people) I prefer slightly soft photos...they look better to most people. It seems as if Canon actually built this camera with actual PHOTOGRAPHY in mind!

This tool captures images as I see them...I would highly recommend it to anyone photographer looking for a digital weapon for their photographic arsenal! Great job, Canon!

Customer Service

Not yet!

Similar Products Used:

Kodak/Nikon DCS 315. (although, this is truly not that similar, the 315 was clearly a hybrid camera and it wasn't worth the hassle...I traded it in partial payment for the D-30)

Easy to use for Canon shooters. Light weight. lens compatibility

focus system lacking

The move to digital provides incredible advantages. You learn quickly, see your work instantly and have instant access to digital darkroom without bother of scanning

Customer Service

Canon phone support has been very good in the past

Similar Products Used:

tried Kodak point and shoot 2 years ago... no comparison. Have Elans, 100-400IS, 28-105,24-85

This camera is brilliant! Extremely easy to use, Fantastic quality. Interchangable lenses and night time focusing are the prime features I use. EOS Lenses are a direct fit. The Size is the best I have seen for a digital SLR. (No built in battery base, it is OPTIONAL)

No custom camera case available, comes without a recommended lens. I ended up with a 24-85 USM to start with and am experimenting with others.

If you want digital do not cut corners, buy this Camera! I tried over 4 other digitals and was NEVER happy with the overall performance. there was always a niggly little thing that impeeded my casual photography experience, from poor evening, or subdued lighting conditions to never having the correct focal length lens. I just love this unit. It is exactly the same size as the EOS 3 35mm and does not hve the bulky power winders of the 35mm cameras or the bulky Fuji or Nikon pros. and I can get 750 hi res shots with my 1gb microdrive.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D1, Olympus 500, 600, 620 and numerous 35mm slr's

The most amazing, filmlike images I've ever seen. Also, virtually no noise up to ISO 400 - ISO 800 still VERY usable.

Not the fastest focusing. Worse focus than my Nikon F5, about the same as my Nikon N90s.

1.6 focal length multiplier sucks...It tuff to shot wide.

The best Digital SLR you can buy today (of course that will change soon) It produces wonderful results and prints up to 20x30 look great. You can't go wrong with this camera.

Customer Service

Haven't need it

Similar Products Used:

coolpix 990

The finest image quality of ANY digital camera presently on the market.

Easy and intuitive to use, especially if you have EOS film cameras

Lowest noise level (in
Built in noise reduction for long exposures of over 1 second.

Uses exsisting EOS lenses.

Twin battery charger and long lasting battery life. Flash cards of microdive compatible.

Price is very fair.

RAW format isn't a big file hog. At only about 2.5 mb per image.

You can enter your name/phone or copyright msg into the cameras software and download it to the camera. Then all your pictures will have this info in the exif info located in ALL YOUR IMAGES.

Software is HORRIBLE lots of fluff and no substance. But it's not necessary. I use a compact flash card reader rather than the software/usb port interface.

WORST THING - not enough magnification when reviewing pictures. So images always look razor sharp in review, but can show focus errors or motion blur later on the PC when it's to late!!!!!

No smooth pan around on images when reviewing them and. You get a choice of 9 part sectional. Adequate IF the sections zoomed in more.

Many complain of focus, I haven't had much problem with this. Sure it sometimes picks the wrong subject to focus on - but it's a stupid camera! how does it know what my subject is. If worried - use manual.

Only 1/200th max flash sync. (is ok, but faster would have been better).

media cover is cheap plastic and creeks when using the camear. As it's right under your right hand that is gripping the camera tightly (especially with long heavy lens).

Manual White Balance is really funky - and is illogical. It can't be accurate. But I've always managed so far in horrible (gym) settings.

As a pro and studio owner, I've been a digital hold out. I got a couple other cameras to play witb but they were toys. Or fun but didnt' deliver the quality. The quality is top priority to me. I shoot medium format (RZ6x7s) at the studio all day and this is the only digital camera that can begin to compare. Some say the images are a little soft - but as a pro, I love quality soft images. (not out of focus images there is a difference!) You can sharpen in photoshop if you're into unrealistic sharp images. You can always sharpen, but you can't unsharpen if a camera over does it. (ie: D1)

I did some studio tests and it was great fun.
sample:
http://pcphotoreview.com/gallery/cameras/real.cfm?ImageID=29143

Other samples at:
http://pcphotoreview.com/gallery/cameras/searchbydigicam.cfm?ProductID=446

To answer your question (I get asked this at least twice a day in email) NO I do not plan on using it for studio portrait work. I will possibly be suitable for rush/business portrait work (small images) but I don't for see it over taking my 6x7 cameras for portrait work where we sell 8x10 - 30x40 images frequently.

THIS IS A AWESOME CAMERA -Canon will be releasing a superior pro model within the year - can't wait to see what it offers!

Customer Service

Hope won't need it. There are some bugs in present cameras. The auto shut off turns the camera back up after a bit of time passes. I hear this is a problem in 50% of the cameras. (Canon will announce a recall-fix shortly).

Similar Products Used:

Olympus E10 IMAGES ARE NOISEY!

Sony CD1000 (CDR is great)

Oly 3030 (junk)

others not worth mentioning.

I purchased the 8x 128mb CF card for it and 1 gig microdrive.

I own Canon EOS Elan and EOS A2e which have become obsoluete to me. (wanna buy em?)

Ultra-high image quality with low noise. Images prove to be EXCELLENT input to digital darkroom tools, such as Photoshop and Genuine Fractals.

Getting correct E-TTL flash exposure still eludes me. Fortunately, the image data is so accurate underexposed images can be saved in the digital darkroom.

Add at least $1500 to the $3000 camera price for accessories.

The difference between this high quality camera and the next in line prosumer digitals is subtle but very significant. It's well worth the money.

Customer Service

Never needed them.

Similar Products Used:

I owned Olympus C-2500L and D-500L digital cameras, preceded by a nice Canon A1 setup I had used for years and years.

Great Camera for the money. Images are fantastic and if you already own a small fortune in Lenses this is the camera to add to your collection.

No major problems. AF could use an extra sensor or two.

You will not go wrong with this camera. Great pictures and the best value for the features. You gotta love this Camera!

Customer Service

Hope to never need them!!

Similar Products Used:

Olympus C3000Z, Fuji S1, 28-105mm 3.5 works very well.

software exceptionally easy to work with(just drag and drop),Better location of screen than D1(no nose grease),Very simple menu operation,

Images are a little"soft"but once the custom parameters have been set on your p.c.and transferred to the body,things improve enormously!Supplied puny 16mb card!(complete waste ot time and money),USB cable is fiddly to withdraw from body as rubber cover gets in way of thumb

After using Minolta gear for years(dynax 9 up til D30)I hassled Minolta about a digital body(none forthcoming)so I tried the D1,S1 and the D30...the D1 fell to bits after only 3 months(press use)panels fell off,screen in wrong position(nose grease) The S1..too slow,too"lightweight",so I tried the D30 and after 3 months hard use,I am well happy!Sure it can focus on the wrong thing on occasions(but how is it supposed to know what I want to focus on?)....Best accessory...BG-ED3 grip,550EX flashgun

Customer Service

Fingers crossed(shhhh)

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D1
Fuji S1
Minolta RD-175(ha ha ha)

Quality build, solid pro feel. Well laid out, easy to use controls. OUTSTANDING image quality. Mode-less operation is a big plus. Tons of lenses, flashes and other 35mm class accessories. Got over 400 shots out of a single battery charge - even with a MicroDrive. 1.6x focal length multiplier is GREAT for telephoto shots. Built in USB and the accompanying drivers work great

Uses proprietary Canon batteries. (Same batteries as their camcorders). Viewfinder is a bit small. Focus assist light is visible white instead of infared. 1.6x focal length multiplier requires expensive lenses if you want real wide angle capability. Built-in flash seems a bit marginal - I'd just as soon they left it off. Dealer pricing. There is clearly a lot of margin in this camera since list price is $3499, most dealers charge $2999 and I've seen prices as low as $2200 from mail order

I LOVE this camera. The results are beautiful and have a continous tone photographic quality to them. The resoluton is astounding and despite a slightly lower pixel count than the E-10, the descernable detail is much greater than the E-10. The range of accessories (lenses, flashes, etc) available have allowed me to take some truly astounding photos that have left my friends and family (and me) in awe. The fact that I don't have to throw away all my lenses when Canon comes out with a new model (if I buy it) is a very strong attraction. In the end though, the image quality made me take back my E-10 and buy the D30 even though I have EVERY Olympus accessory and a boatload of SmartMedia. I found it at a dealer that sold it with a 340mb microdrive (normally $299), and the dual battery camera grip ($299) for $2999. So I really only paid $2300 for the camera. It was worth it!

Customer Service

Unknown - not yet had any problems

Similar Products Used:

Olympus E-10, C-3000, C-600L, C-2500L, Nikon D1

Image quality, allaround usability, good batteries, a familiar Canon camera

Not enough zooming for review, extremely immature software on Win. Mac software has the same features but is more stable and tolerant.

Exceptional piece of gear! Very good image quality when used with top lences, do not even try the low-end pieces of plastic. I haven't shot a single frame on film ever since. And I won't!

Customer Service

very ok.

Similar Products Used:

comparable digitals,