Picture Quality / Size Options (9.0)
The 30D records RAW files and JPEGs at two quality levels. JEPGs can be shot at Large, Medium and Small sizes. The sizes are: Large/Fine, about 3.6 MB (3,504 x 2,336 pixels); Large/Normal, about 1.8 MB (3,504 x 2,336 pixels); Medium/Fine, about 2.2 MB (2,544 x 1,696 pixels); Medium/Normal, about 1.1 MB (2,544 x 1,696 pixels); Small/Fine, about 1.2 MB (1,728 x 1,152 pixels); and Small/Normal, about 0.6 MB (1,728 x 1,152 pixels). The 30D's RAW files are about 8.7 MB (3,504 x 2,336 pixels). These options are the same as those on the 20D.
Picture Effects Mode (9.0)
Canon's Picture Styles system is a clear, simple, and flexible system for managing sharpening, saturation, contrast, and color tone. Users of the 5D and the current 1D series cameras will be familiar with it. Picture Styles includes 5 presets called Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, and Faithful. Each can be adjusted, the user can save two custom presets, and more presets are downloadable.
We have found that the Standard preset sharpens more than it should, enough that post-processing Standard images can produce increased artifacting. For users who do not post-process, Standard yields sharp-looking, bold images, but we prefer Neutral, which creates images that stand up to post-processing much better.
Photographers who use more than one EOS camera will find the Picture Styles system particularly attractive, as it effectively matches the output of Canon's various camera models. Standard images from the 30D, for example, match Standard images from the 5D.
