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Canon 450D vs D30

The Canon EOS 450D (called Canon XSi in some regions) and the Canon EOS-D30 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2008 and May 2000. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 450D has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the D30 provides 3.1 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Canon 450D
versus
Canon D30
Canon 450D   Canon D30
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor 3.1 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 230k dots 1.8" LCD – 114k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3.5 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge540 shots per battery charge
129 x 98 x 62 mm, 524 g 150 x 107 x 75 mm, 750 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 450D and the Canon EOS-D30? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 450D and the Canon D30 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 450D vs Canon D30
Compare 450D versus D30 top
Comparison 450D or D30 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon D30 is notably larger (27 percent) than the Canon 450D. Moreover, the D30 is substantially heavier (43 percent) than the 450D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 450D nor the D30 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.

Concerning battery life, the 450D gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E5 battery, while the D30 can take 540 images on a single charge of its Canon BP-511 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 450D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon D30 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 750 g 540 n May 2000 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
4.
 
Canon T7i 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
8.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 116 mm 74 mm 66 mm 553 g 240 n Feb 2014 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
10.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1100D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 500D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 1000D 126 mm 98 mm 65 mm 502 g 500 n Jun 2008 449ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 400D 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
16.
 
Canon D60 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 855 g 620 n Feb 2002 2,999ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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 450D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 73 percent) than the D30, 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. 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.

Canon 450D and Canon D30 sensor measures

With 12.2MP, the 450D offers a higher resolution than the D30 (3.1MP), but the 450D has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.19μm versus 10.29μm for the D30). However, the 450D is a much more recent model (by 7 years and 8 months) than the D30, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 450D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 450D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon D30 are 10.8 x 7.2 inches or 27.4 x 18.3 cm for good quality, 8.6 x 5.8 inches or 21.9 x 14.6 cm for very good quality, and 7.2 x 4.8 inches or 18.3 x 12.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 450D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The Canon EOS-D30 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

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.

450D versus D30 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 450D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
2.
 
Canon D30 APS-C 3.1 2160 1440none........
3.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
4.
 
Canon T7i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
5.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
6.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
7.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
8.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 1.5-inch 13.0 4160 31201080/30p21.510.858158
9.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
10.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
11.
 
Canon 1100D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
12.
 
Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
13.
 
Canon 1000D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.010.971962
14.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
15.
 
Canon 400D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
16.
 
Canon D60 APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none20.39.830147
17.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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The 450D offers Live View, so that it can project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen for framing. The D30 lacks this capability. Both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 450D and the D30 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 (0.54x). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 450D and Canon D30 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image 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 450Doptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
2.
 
Canon D30optical Y1.8 / 114 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon T7ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 5.2/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
11.
 
Canon 1100Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
13.
 
Canon 1000Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
15.
 
Canon 400Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Canon D60optical Y1.8 / 114 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One feature that is present on the D30, but is missing on the 450D 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.

The 450D writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the D30 uses Compact Flash cards.

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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 450D and Canon EOS-D30 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 450DY- / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon D30Y- / ----1.0---
3.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
4.
 
Canon T7iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Canon 1100DYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Canon 1000DY- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Canon 400DY- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Canon D60Y- / ----1.1---
17.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
padding

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon D30 (unlike the 450D) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 450D and the D30 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D30 was replaced by the Canon D60, while the 450D was followed by the Canon 500D. Further information on the features and operation of the 450D and D30 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 450D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon D30 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 450D better than the Canon D30 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Advantages of the Canon EOS 450D:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (12.2 vs 3.1MP) with a 98% higher linear resolution.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (230k vs 114k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More compact: Is smaller (129x98mm vs 150x107mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 226g or 30 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.0).
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (73 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years and 8 months of technical progress since the D30 launch.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-D30:

  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in May 2000).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 450D is the clear winner of the match-up (9 : 3 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision 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.

450D 09:03 D30

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 450D and the Canon D30 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 450D and the D30 in practical situations. 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 why hands-on reviews by experts 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 450D..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon D30......+ +.... May 2000 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
4.
 
Canon T7i4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
8.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II3/5+..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2014 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
10.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 1100D..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 500D..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 1000D..82/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Jun 2008 449ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
15.
 
Canon 400D..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
16.
 
Canon D60......+ +o.. Feb 2002 2,999ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time 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.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon 450D vs Canon D30

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 450D Canon D30
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date January 2008 May 2000
    Launch Price USD 799 USD 2,999
    Sensor Specs Canon 450D Canon D30
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.2 x 14.8 mm 22.0 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 328.56 mm2 327.8 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.7 mm 26.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 3.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 2160 x 1440 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.19 μm 10.29 μm
    Pixel Density 3.70 MP/cm2 0.95 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 61 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.9 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.8 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 692 ..
    Screen Specs Canon 450D Canon D30
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.54x 0.54x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 1.8inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 114k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 450D Canon D30
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3.5 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon 450D Canon D30
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 1.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon 450D Canon D30
    Battery Type Canon LP-E5 Canon BP-511
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge540 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 129 x 98 x 62 mm
    (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)
    150 x 107 x 75 mm
    (5.9 x 4.2 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 524 g (18.5 oz) 750 g (26.5 oz)
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