Canon EOS 30D First Impressions Review

Picture Quality / Size Options
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 the 20D.

Picture Effects Mode
The 30D includes Canon's powerful, convenient Picture Styles system, which also appears on the 5D and the 1D series camera. It includes 5 presets called Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral and Faithful. Each has a separate setting for 4 parameter settings – Sharpening, Saturation, Contrast and Color Tone. Each preset can be adjusted, the user can save two custom presets and more presets are downloadable. In our full review of the camera, we will look into the styles and how to use them.