$30 DSLR Review - Canon 300D (The Original Rebel!)

Check eBay deals for this camera: ebay.us/N1mTPG
Summary: people are giving these old DSLRs for almost nothing on the used market. I picked up a Canon 300D, threw a recent 18-55mm kit lens on it, and took pictures to see how it holds up today. Lots of fun in good light, and not so fun when the light starts dropping. For $30, what more can you ask for? :)
DISCLAIMER:
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[@deeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

I remember once seeing concert photographer using 300d in the photo pit. Even 10 years ago this camera was considered extremely outdated. Later I found pictures from that concert and those from 300d were one of the best. Grainy black&white pictures had individual expressiveness and stood out among colourful lookalikes.

[@lensvana]

This brings back memories of when I used to do some concert photography with the 300D (it's the only camera I had 20 years ago). I didn't mind the grain!

[@isingbass]

Just inherited one of these as a first proper camera. With this introduction, I'm pretty stoked to learn photography, possibly pick up some new lenses, and maybe trade-up to one of those higher-resolution bodies in the future!

[@lensvana]

That's a great first camera to learn on! And the used market is flooded with cheap great Canon lenses and bodies, so upgrading will be affordable down the line too.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

It took Canon 2 decades to realize the ON/OFF switch of the 300D is the best. I hope all the camera from R6II onwards can put it there.

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

After some years away I recently got back into photography. I was not familiar with digital and just intended to go back to film, but I soon found that the sensible way to go was digital and initially, not wanting to spend too much, I bought a bridge camera. This I found was fine, but of course a bit limited by some standards. It then occurred to me that if I could use my now redundant SLR film lenses in some way this would give me a bit more scope. A bit of research showed me that with the necessary adapters I could use them on a DSLR body, and the 300D seeming to be a prime candidate for this, I bought one on e-Bay. The lenses work fine and are giving good results, so, old as it is, it is still a very usable camera.

[@lensvana]

Thanks for sharing Edward. In some ways the 300D is an "in between" camera, sitting in between the last of the Canon film SLRs and the new digital bodies. If you ever want to spoil yourself try picking up a used 18-55mm STM kit lens, it pairs very nicely with the 300D and represents considerable optical improvements over older glass--not to mention that stabilization. Happy shooting!

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

@@lensvana Thanks - yes I have that in mind, because.apart from anything else the old lenses require manual focusing. Unlike the old film camera viewfinders, the one on the 300D has no focusing assistance, and I'm beginning to think that my old eyes aren't exactly getting the sharpness right every time - a connected lens will obviously be easier. Still, having said that I'm still enjoying it and getting some pretty good results.

[@normapadro420]

I bought one a few years ago. I spent 45 dollars used. It is a great investment, because I couldn't afford an expensive camera back then. The photographs are very nice too.

[@sore5246]

Great outcall to 300D, I used to take my first digital photos with A85, still have it but the screen died many years ago (manufactor issue), looking this review as I saw 300D on market.

[@GSi16vrs]

I bought one today with kit lens 18-55 in MINT condition for 6 dollars

[@lensvana]

Well, sir, you win...

[@GSi16vrs]

@@lensvana Thank you for this review! I will come back with samples 🙂

[@CarmineTavernaPhotography]

Bravo..great content..because of your video, I found a LOT of 3 of these babies, for $16 on ebay...that's $5.50 each...thank you sir :)

[@lensvana]

Thanks for watching! And hey, 3 DSLRs for the price of lunch isn't bad at all eh :)

[@justspaztik]

I really enjoyed this video. I still have a 300D. I haven't used it in years because it's so slow, but somehow I've been getting back into photography again and I just purchased an SL3. Can't wait to get it in the mail.

[@lensvana]

Thanks Jayson! Yeah it really does feel slow compared to almost any future DSLR, I was amazed that it's still working after all these years. That SL3 is going to be great!

[@justspaztik]

@@lensvana Yeah I've been researching a lot about the SL3 and it seems like most people only fault it for it's video capabilities. I'm not really too interested in shooting videos, so that doesn't matter much to me. I'm not going to be making any movies any time soon.

[@lensvana]

@@justspaztik Yea I don't think you can really go wrong with an SL3 for regular photography. And honestly it should be better for video than the majority of DSLRs because of Canon's dual pixel autofocus technology built-in. In any case, put some good lenses on it and you're good to go!

[@lensvana]

Who has 300D pics to share? It's the 6 megapixel challenge!

[@WiseGuy02]

My 300d grip turned to goo. So did the rubber on the other side. Had to clean it off with alcohol. Now it's just plastic. So if you see one for sale, look at the grip. If it's shiny, the rubber is gone.

[@Petars24]

If you match this camera with a very fast lens like a Canon 50mm 1.4 or a Sigma it becomes a portrait beast. I have just returned from a photoshoot where I used it for laughs. :D The result were visually better than my m50 or 750d if you reduced their photos to 6megapixle and at iso 100.

[@lensvana]

Haha, that's awesome Petar - I like those "budget camera + great glass" combos. Put a proper lens on a 300D and it sings! 300D + Sigma Art :D

[@M1ha_12]

Alo brateeee mojjjjj

[@robertvanvaals2677]

Lovely review. I picked up an Canon EOS 300D body last week for Eur. 25,00 and this morning I took some shots with the Canon EF 40mm. f/2.8 attached to it. Really a fun and stealth set-up, very portable, I like this little cam a lot.

[@lensvana]

That's a great combo! I really need to try that pancake lens... not sure how I made it this far without ever shooting with it.

[@sergiipryshchepa8580]

Just bought this camera for my 14 years old daugther, interested in photography, for about 33 $ with kit lens, card and camera bag. Canon 300d was my first camera wich i bought after wedding more than 16 years ago, so, when my child asked for DSLR camera i knowed what to do)))

[@lensvana]

33$, great deal for a great camera! :)

[@podhoncisty]

Great video, thank you for tips and informations 👍

[@thatpeskyswan]

Great video! I'm now a fellow subscriber! I mostly use my dslr eos250d , a g2 power shot or a Canon AE1 for the most part n was given a 300d as part of a bundle for some lenses I've just purchased so found this great vid, I can't wait to get hold of it and finally put it to use!

[@lensvana]

Thank you for your support, Charlie! That 250D of yours is a fine camera, but the 300D might be lots of fun :) Ironically the 300D is probably why the 250D couldn't be called the 300D... Canon have gone "full circle" with their numbering!

[@thatpeskyswan]

@@lensvana thank you very much! I agree canons naming system is rather bamboozling! Can't wait to put the 300 to good use, I'm hoping it'll be easier than constantly swapping lenses all day on the 250... Photographer problems!

[@flesz_]

Amazing camera I had it 10y ago I bought 50mm lens for it I recently checked my photos and miss the quality . Nowadays i can't be bothered and use phone camera, but I'm thinking of getting DSLR again Which one would you recommend now to give at least the same quality?

[@lensvana]

Pretty much any DSLR you can find will be at least as good as this one. If you already have Canon lenses, try one of the T3i/T4i/T5i models (assuming you're buying a used one)

[@Chroxity3]

5:52 "possibly better value than this $30 APS-C DSLR"... basil plant: + food - slightly increased water bill +/- you need to take care of it $30 APS-C DSLR: + takes photos + nobody cares about it + can be used as a weapon with a strap attached + blends in with a railroad ballast + can get you into photography

[@lensvana]

Great breakdown! :) Update: basil plant did not survive the winter, looking into getting another one. 300D will probably keep going for a long time

[@Chroxity3]

@@lensvana if only one of those videos that has a stupid girl holding a mirrorless camera and gets splashed used a 300D...

[@Chroxity3]

@@lensvana I also like how its really, really basic. Small megabytes. No video, besides cards at the time couldn't keep up with 5mbps, and you'd see people with big dvd and minidv camcorders going to their dentist and stuff. Like you said, it's just a SLR that got a screen and sensor shoved down it's throat. It's the camera you would get your daughter that talks back. It's the camera that's too useful. It's the camera that could have it's lens mount ripped off then magically fix the next morning. It's the camera that was made for your teenage daughter to destroy because she wanted a mirrorless. It's the camera that killed the basil plant with its red eye reduction lamp.

[@grantgauvreau2744]

Hey there, just found your channel! Super informative. Would you ever consider doing a challenge like this with Nikon?

[@lensvana]

Thank you Grant! Funny you ask--I have a similar video for Nikon coming up soon :)

[@grantgauvreau2744]

@@lensvana sweet! Thank you👍🏼

[@hussainalam4977]

please give me idea i will buy canon 300d

[@zydiz]

what a great review, i think the grain/chromatic noise looks amazing on those night shots. where those edited in any way? or straight outta the cam (8:45 for example)?

[@lensvana]

Thanks! I always shoot in RAW and do some very basic adjustments in Lightroom. For that shot I think it was basic Curves adjustment to get a contrasty look. Otherwise that's how the street looked at dusk (got lucky with the lights on the storefronts etc)

[@zydiz]

@@lensvana gotta have it then, thanks!

[@TBN1]

I was tempted to buy one as I saw one going cheap but I think I will stick with my Olympus E1 for my retro camera as this one sound more of an aquired taste.

[@lensvana]

Olympus E-1, now that's a cool camera :) Never tried one myself, looks very ergonomic judging from product photos

[@TBN1]

@@lensvana it's a great camera. It's built like a tank. With really nice Kodak CCD Colours.However as the four thirds system was only around for a short period of time the lens options are quite. limited

[@Tritiumfusion]

that was so hilarious, I was laughing nearly the whole way through,! Thank you for the greast review, and I'll look into the herb gardening for sure XD

[@lensvana]

Glad you enjoyed it! :) Herbs all the way

[@kuku9543]

Still have one

[@michaeloutdoorspodcast]

what is the third party firmware i dont see it in discription

[@lensvana]

satinfo.narod.ru/en/index.html Use at your own risk :) Worked for me

[@richardharkness6777]

I still have mine!

[@lensvana]

Excellent!

[@paulocuento9949]

brother if i may ask... if youre not hooting in continous mode, will the camera still display the "busy" sign, in case youre shooting about two second-gaps per shot on a JPEG setting? thank you brother

[@lensvana]

Hey, this camera really likes to stay busy! I would not rely on it for two second gaps, no. 10 second gaps... yes :)

[@xmaurora8298]

Is it good to make a daily vlog?

[@marcusjohnson6342]

It doesn't have video, so if you're into flip books then yes.

[@xmaurora8298]

@@marcusjohnson6342 thanks

[@anupbiswal]

Liked the Ganesh idol

[@bledderr]

RAW in 2003??? Is that normal?

[@soljafon]

Yes

[@carchoicetach.2547]

I have camera DS 6041 300 d I want change 18-55 Mm which now batter Lance's

[@lensvana]

Try the new 18-55 IS STM lenses. Or the 50mm 1.8 STM. 10-18mm STM is great for wide angles!

[@carchoicetach.2547]

Thanks brother please give me no

[@lensvana]

Check eBay deals for this camera: ebay.us/N1mTPG (AFFILIATE LINK)

[@dbuc4671]

lol

[@anotherstupidchannel777]

Be nice if I could find one for $30 on ebay right now. I just purchased myself a T3i which I absolutely love but I want the 300D for my son.... and for me to play with of course. Lil' boy wants to be just like daddy.

[@lensvana]

Prices have been all over the place! Check also your local classifieds, anything "Canon Rebel". Sometimes the 400D/450D (XT / XTi) are also available for very cheap, bundled with a 18-55

[@anotherstupidchannel777]

@@lensvana Thank you very much. Appreciate it