Canon 10D vs 300D

The Canon EOS 10D and the Canon EOS 300D (labelled Canon Rebel in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2003 and August 2003. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 6.3 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 10D		Canon 300D
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
6.3 MP – APS-C sensor		6.3 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video		no Video
ISO 100-3,200		ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
1.8" LCD – 118k dots		1.8" LCD – 118k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second		2.5 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
150 x 107 x 75 mm, 850 g		142 x 99 x 72 mm, 649 g

Check 10D offers at
ebay.com
Check 300D offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 10D and the Canon EOS 300D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 10D and the Canon 300D are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 300D is notably smaller (12 percent) than the Canon 10D. Moreover, the 300D is markedly lighter (24 percent) than the 10D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 10D nor the 300D are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 10D	150 mm	107 mm	75 mm	850 g	500	n	Feb 2003	1,999	ebay.com
2.		Canon 300D	142 mm	99 mm	72 mm	649 g	400	n	Aug 2003	899	ebay.com
3.		Canon T5	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
4.		Canon SL1	117 mm	91 mm	69 mm	407 g	380	n	Mar 2013	549	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
6.		Canon T4i	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
7.		Canon 7D	148 mm	111 mm	74 mm	860 g	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699	ebay.com
8.		Canon 40D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299	ebay.com
9.		Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399	ebay.com
10.		Canon 400D	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	799	ebay.com
11.		Canon 350D	127 mm	94 mm	64 mm	540 g	400	n	Feb 2005	899	ebay.com
12.		Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499	ebay.com
13.		Canon Rebel	142 mm	99 mm	72 mm	649 g	400	n	Aug 2003	899	ebay.com
14.		Canon D60	150 mm	107 mm	75 mm	855 g	620	n	Feb 2002	2,999	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D100	144 mm	116 mm	81 mm	780 g	370	n	Feb 2002	1,999	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The 300D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 55 percent) than the 10D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 6.3 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the 10D and the 300D have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the 300D is a somewhat more recent model (by 5 months) than the 10D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Canon EOS 10D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 300D are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 10D	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	21.1	10.9	571	57
2.		Canon 300D	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	21.0	10.8	544	55
3.		Canon T5	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
4.		Canon SL1	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.8	11.3	843	63
5.		Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
6.		Canon T4i	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
7.		Canon 7D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	854	66
8.		Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
9.		Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
10.		Canon 400D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
11.		Canon 350D	APS-C	8.0	3456	2304	none	21.8	10.8	637	60
12.		Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
13.		Canon Rebel	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	21.0	10.8	544	55
14.		Canon D60	APS-C	6.3	3072	2048	none	20.3	9.8	301	47
15.		Nikon D100	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	20.4	9.9	394	48
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 10D and the 300D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), as well as the same magnification (0.55x). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 10D and Canon 300D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 10D	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
2.		Canon 300D	optical	n	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
3.		Canon T5	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon SL1	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.9/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon T4i	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon 7D	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon 40D	optical	Y	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5/s	Y	n
9.		Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
10.		Canon 400D	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon 350D	optical	n	1.8 / 115	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
13.		Canon Rebel	optical	n	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
14.		Canon D60	optical	Y	1.8 / 114	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
15.		Nikon D100	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the 10D, but is missing on the 300D is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 10D and the 300D write their files to Compact Flash cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 10D and Canon EOS 300D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 10D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
2.		Canon 300D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
3.		Canon T5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon SL1	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 650D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon T4i	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 7D	Y	mono / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon 40D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon 30D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 400D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 350D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon 20D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
13.		Canon Rebel	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
14.		Canon D60	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
15.		Nikon D100	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 10D (unlike the 300D) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 10D and the 300D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 10D was replaced by the Canon 20D, while the 300D was followed by the Canon 350D. Further information on the features and operation of the 10D and 300D can be found, respectively, in the Canon 10D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 300D Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon 10D better than the Canon 300D or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 10D:

• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2003).

Advantages of the Canon EOS 300D:

• More compact: Is smaller (142x99mm vs 150x107mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 201g or 24 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (55 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (5 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 10D comes out slightly ahead of the 300D (5 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 10D and the Canon 300D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 10D or the 300D. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 10D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Feb 2003	1,999	ebay.com
2.		Canon 300D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2003	899	ebay.com
3.		Canon T5	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
4.		Canon SL1	4/5	+	..	78/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	549	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
6.		Canon T4i	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
7.		Canon 7D	5/5	+ +	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699	ebay.com
8.		Canon 40D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299	ebay.com
9.		Canon 30D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2006	1,399	ebay.com
10.		Canon 400D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	4/5	Aug 2006	799	ebay.com
11.		Canon 350D	..	80/100	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2005	899	ebay.com
12.		Canon 20D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2004	1,499	ebay.com
13.		Canon Rebel	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2003	899	ebay.com
14.		Canon D60	..	..	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2002	2,999	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D100	..	..	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2002	1,999	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Check 10D offers at
ebay.com
Check 300D offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~

Check 10D offers at
ebay.com
Check 300D offers at
ebay.com

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.