Canon 30D vs 50D

The Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS 50D are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2006 and August 2008. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 30D has a resolution of 8.2 megapixels, whereas the 50D provides 15.1 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon 30D		Canon 50D
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
8.2 MP, APS-C Sensor		15.1 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		no Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
2.5 LCD, 230k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		6.3 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
750 shots per battery charge		800 shots per battery charge
144 x 106 x 74 mm, 785 g		146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS 50D? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 30D and the Canon 50D is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth 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 50D is somewhat larger (3 percent) than the Canon 30D. Moreover, the 50D is markedly heavier (5 percent) than the 30D. It is noteworthy in this context that the 50D is splash and dust-proof, while the 30D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life 1	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch 2	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399
	Canon 50D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	800	Y	Aug 2008	1,299
	Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199
	Canon 70D	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199
	Canon 60D	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399
	Canon 7D	148 mm	111 mm	74 mm	860 g	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699
	Canon 40D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299
	Canon 400D	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	799
	Canon 350D	127 mm	94 mm	64 mm	540 g	400	n	Feb 2005	899
	Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499
	Nikon D80	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	668 g	600	n	Aug 2006	999
	Nikon D200	147 mm	113 mm	74 mm	920 g	400	Y	Nov 2005	1,699
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement.

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon 50D
Canon 80D
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

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 50D was somewhat cheaper (by 7 percent) than the 30D at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels 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, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 50D is 2 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the 50D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 4) than the 30D (DIGIC 2), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the 50D offers a higher resolution of 15.1 megapixels, compared with 8.2 MP of the 30D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.69μm versus 6.42μm for the 30D). However, it should be noted that the 50D is much more recent (by 2 years and 6 months) than the 30D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 50D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 50D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23.8 x 15.8 inches or 60.4 x 40.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19 x 12.7 inches or 48.3 x 32.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.8 x 10.6 inches or 40.2 x 26.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 30D are 17.5 x 11.7 inches or 44.5 x 29.7 cm for good quality, 14 x 9.3 inches or 35.6 x 23.7 cm for very good quality, and 11.7 x 7.8 inches or 29.7 x 19.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 30D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 50D are ISO 100 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 50D has a markedly higher DXO score than the 30D (overall score 4 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.3 bits higher color depth, 0.6 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.1 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
	Canon 50D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	none	21.8	11.4	696	63
	Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
	Canon 70D	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	22.5	11.6	926	68
	Canon 60D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.5	813	66
	Canon 7D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	854	66
	Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
	Canon 400D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
	Canon 350D	APS-C	8.0	3456	2304	none	21.8	10.8	637	60
	Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
	Nikon D80	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.1	11.2	524	61
	Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon 50D
Canon 80D
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 30D and the 50D 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%), but the viewfinder of the 50D has a higher magnification than the one of the 30D (0.59x vs 0.56x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 30D and Canon 50D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon 50D	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.3	Y	n
	Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
	Canon 70D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
	Canon 60D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.3	Y	n
	Canon 7D	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
	Canon 40D	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5	Y	n
	Canon 400D	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 350D	optical	n	1.8	115	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D80	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon 50D
Canon 80D
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 30D and the 50D 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 30D and Canon EOS 50D 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 Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon 30D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 50D	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 80D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 70D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
	Canon 60D	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 7D	Y	mono	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 40D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 400D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 350D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 20D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
	Nikon D80	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D200	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon 50D
Canon 80D
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the 30D and the 50D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 30D was replaced by the Canon 40D, while the 50D was followed by the Canon 60D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon website.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 30D or the Canon 50D – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 30D:

• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2006).

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 50D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (15.1 vs 8.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 36%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.6 EV of extra DR).
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 4 vs DIGIC 2).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.56x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.3 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 6 months of technical progress since the 30D launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 50D is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 1 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 30D and the Canon 50D 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 30D or the 50D. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 30D	+ +	+ +	o	o	..	Feb 2006	1,399
	Canon 50D	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299
	Canon 80D	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199
	Canon 70D	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199
	Canon 60D	+	79/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399
	Canon 7D	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699
	Canon 40D	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299
	Canon 400D	+ +	+ +	o	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2006	799
	Canon 350D	80/100	+ +	o	o	..	Feb 2005	899
	Canon 20D	..	+ +	..	o	..	Aug 2004	1,499
	Nikon D80	+	+ +	o	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2006	999
	Nikon D200	+ +	+ +	o	5/5	..	Nov 2005	1,699
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Camera Model
Canon 30D
Canon 50D
Canon 80D
Canon 70D
Canon 60D
Canon 7D
Canon 40D
Canon 400D
Canon 350D
Canon 20D
Nikon D80
Nikon D200

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Canon 30D vs Canon 50D

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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