Canon EOS 30D

Viewfinder
The 30D viewfinder looks like the 20D's – they share the same optical system – but adds the Precision Matte type of focusing screen that the 5D offers. Precision Matte ought to make manual focusing easier. It's easy to see the corners of the frame as well as the exposure information display, even for users who wear glasses. The viewfinder information now includes ISO, which will help users manage exposure better without having to move the camera from shooting position.

LCD Screen
For most users, the 30D's LCD is the biggest improvement over the 20D. At 2.5 inches and 230,000 pixels, it matches the 5D's display, and is twice the area of the 1.8-inch unit on the 20D. In our first look, we did not have a chance to look at the LCD under bright light, but it does not seem any brighter than the display on the 5D, which is not bright enough for daylight use. Like the 5D, it has an extraordinarily wide viewing angle, and appealing color reproduction.

Flash
The 30D includes a pop-up flash, a feature most 20D users are happy to have, if only for a little fill flash. The 30D also accepts Canon's extensive line of EX flashes. Fortunately for long-time Canon users, the EX flash system has excellent compatibility with old EX equipment. Those flashes retain their capabilities when mounted on new Canon cameras such as the 30D.

The pop-up flash on the 30D covers lenses as wide as 17mm. Canon rates it with a Guide number of 43 for feet at ISO 100, meaning it should reach about 11 feet at f/ 4 at ISO 100. Look for our full review to see how it does in our tests.

Lens
The 30D accepts both Canon's exhaustive line of EF lenses and the lower-priced EF-S series, which also mount on the Rebel XT and 20D, but not on the 5D or the 1D series cameras.

The 18 to 55 mm f/ 3.5-5.6 zoom is a standard kit lens with the 30D. It adds $100 to the list price. In previous reviews, we found that the lens was sharp, though we noticed color fringing. The lens is not very tough, and a maximum aperture of f/ 5.6 is pretty dim. Better lenses will show the 30D's potential much more clearly.

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