Canon EOS D30: 23 years later! RETRO review

Trying out Canon's first home-grown DSLR, the EOS D30, 23 years after it was launched!
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[@DinoBytes]

Trying out Canon's first home-grown DSLR, the EOS D30, 23 years after it was launched! Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Check eBay to find vintage gear: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=1&pub=5574908462&toolid=10001&campid=5338329149&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg Check MPB to buy and sell used gear: bit.ly/3ULU9yL Lost photos? I recover mine with: www.dpbolvw.net/click-100568658-13808570?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stellarinfo.com%2Fphoto-recovery-software.php Equipment used for producing my videos Panasonic Lumix S5 II: amzn.to/3Hf5IcI Sony A6400: prf.hn/l/pRO0wp5 Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF MacBook Pro 14in (16GB / 1TB): bhpho.to/3HiafJL Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@JFW5358]

My digital camera line-up started with the Power Shot G5, then 20D, 40D (2007), 7D in 2010 and 5DmkIII in 2014 which I still use today.

[@DinoBytes]

Nice series of cameras there!

[@TheHumanPalindrome]

Thanks Gordon. Your channels are fast becoming my kind of comfort viewing.

[@DinoBytes]

Happy to play that role!

[@philipmode]

It all looks so familiar until you see the tiny screen on the back

[@DinoBytes]

Yep, the screens have become much larger - and brighter too.

[@ivaniliev2272]

​@@DinoBytesbut the whole point of having DSLR in my opinion is to use the viewfinder, so I consider it not crucially important feature , just enough to do settings , which this one is Okey .

[@Augnos]

Whoa what is this channel?? Would love to see you review more old cameras like this!

[@DinoBytes]

Glad you found it, I've been reviewing loads of vintage digitals on this channel for a few years now, so lots to check out!

[@d53101]

Great camera history lesson. My first DSLR was a Digital Rebel. I broke the battery door on it and then bought a T3i. Some years later I bought an 80D and now have a 90D. Taking the 80D and 90D on a shoot is so convenient. Switching between them is so seamless. Occasionally I take the 3Ti out, but sadly the Digital Rebel has been retired. Some of my best ever Airshow pictures were taken with my T3i and a Sigma 18-250 lens.

[@Pixel_400_Photography]

Cool! I'm shooting with a 400D and sigma 18-250 now!

[@SinaFarhat]

Interesting how canon kept that familiar design to the point that you can pick up a old DSLR and know how to use it! I used to own a canon 30d and that horribly small and blurry back screen is no fun to use anymore! Keep up the good work!

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks, and yes, the screens have evolved massively.

[@stevenclark2188]

The T-90 industrial design payed out over a very long timeline.

[@thissidetowardscreen4553]

Brilliant video as always Gordon! Love to see the history of digital cameras explored and given a second chance! My first DSLR was the Pentax K10d, lasted nearly 14 years before I upgraded and yes I still have it!

[@DinoBytes]

Glad you like them! I remember the K10D and K20D, coincidentally the last Pentax cameras they sent me to review, and some of the first I covered on my main camera labs channel!

[@patriotbarrow]

​@@DinoBytesI watched the reviews as they came out! Ended up owning a K20D for a number of years.

[@DinoBytes]

@@patriotbarrow thanks for sticking with me for so long!

[@danmiddle2]

Great video, thanks Gordon. It was around 2000 that I purchased my first digital camera. DSLR's were cost prohibitive for me at the time, but I got myself an Olympus Camedia C-960 Zoom as my first outing into digital photography and carried on shooting film DSLR's in parallel until the Nikon D50 came out a good 4 or 5 years later.

[@DinoBytes]

Nice!

[@chris_b101]

I picked up a museum quality sample of this camera a few years back, and only recently parted with it for a tidy profit. It’s honestly still a great camera to use today, and kudos to Canon for putting out such a well thought out DSLR for essentially their first attempt, that things have barely changed in the layout today! If memory serves me correctly though, this was the VERY FIRST camera to use a multi-megapixel CMOS. All other CMOS cameras were sub 1 megapixel, and only CCD’s were available in multi-megapixel arrangements. So Canon deserves some recognition for this “worlds first”.

[@DinoBytes]

Yep, I talk about CMOS in the video.

[@nomadben]

Nice video Gordon. I bought a D30 on eBay a couple years ago as well, just to have some fun and see what I could do with such an old camera. I found the images are still quite usable, and the noise even at ISO 1600 is quite film-like and doesn't look unpleasant, although I shot RAW almost exclusively. It's funny how, in a way, a camera like this has become even more relevant over the years, since its 3-megapixel resolution is more than enough for posting online or to social media.

[@DinoBytes]

Yep, the RAW files can look pretty good. The JPEGs back then, less so!

[@bfs5113]

Bought one when it came out, and it was my first DSLR and Canon camera. It was a great out of the box experience to be able to shoot with a digital SLR body back then but not good enough until upgraded it to the 5D & 5D Mk II. Luckily, the Nikon D3 came out and I was able to become a Nikonian again. Now, I only see my D30 when I refresh the battery periodically.

[@DinoBytes]

Yes, they matured very quickly!

[@johnhaynes9910]

I bought the D30 at Christmas 2000 and about 5 years later I passed it on to someone when I got a 350D. However it did make a return when I picked up a pristine example, complete with battery pack/grip on Ebay about 5 years ago and I still use it from time to time alongside my G5 when I fancy a "bit of retro shooting' :)

[@DinoBytes]

Nice!

[@cameraexplorations]

Wow! I just bought a Canon 30D for 60 USD and was surprised to stumble upon your video about the D30! Great presentation, just like the ones from you main channel, Gordon! Thank you!

[@DinoBytes]

Glad you found this channel! That's a good deal on the 30D - it just predated my main review channel, but you can find my original review of the 40D on there if you look back far enough!

[@cameraexplorations]

@@DinoBytes Thank you, Gordon!

[@mwigle]

We shot on a Nikon D2X at work that was pretty wild at the time. It wasn't until I purchased a Canon Rebel XTi (400D) for myself, did I make the leap into digital. Later on, picking up the original Canon EOS R to use as a backup body to my EOS 5mk4 is when I started my mirrorless transition. Thanks for the quality breakdown on this classic!

[@ronjenkins4257]

We shot Nikon D1 at work, my first DSLR was a Rebel XTi, my next was Rebel T7i, then mirrorless Canon R8. Very similar story.

[@SteveMorton]

I still enjoy lugging my Canon EOS 20D from 2004 around and taking photos with it. Mine is still fine, but the rubber connector flap is starting to fall apart, but I've not managed yet to find a replacement. Thank you again for another in-depth review of the D30

[@DinoBytes]

Cheers! If you find a rubber flap replacement, let me know! Maybe we need 3D rubber printers!

[@SteveMorton]

@@DinoBytes Worth investigating. May be someone with a 3D scanner could create the mould. But I'm no expert!

[@8moments]

Thank you Gordon for this review. I bought this camera back in 2001, and used a lot for a few years before I went to compact cameras and then smart phone cameras. I still keep it and came back to the world of full frame cameras. I wonder what to do with this ancient D30^^

[@DinoBytes]

I hope you can try it again!

[@disphoto]

Thanks, this brings back memories. I bought a D30 (which I still have) soon after it came out. I got (and still have someplace) an IBM 340 megabyte hard drive that I used with it (which, last I checked, still works). My second DSLR was a 10D (I skipped the D60). I now shoot with an R5. A few of the lenses I tried with the D30 (EF 100-400 IS mk.1 and EF 80mm F1.8) with the R5, and they still work, but I have bought RF lenses (to replace them).

[@DinoBytes]

Glad to being back memories, hopefully some fond ones! Gotta love that old MicroDrive!

[@MichaelJazayeriMD]

My first digital camera was the Canon 20D. Honestly, I always enjoyed using it. However, the 8 megapixel and the small 1.8 inch back LCD made me upgrade to the 80D, also a very solid performer. When it came out in 2004, the 20D made a lot of noise and was revered almost like a professional camera. Ah, the good old days!

[@CoachOta]

I jumped onto DSLRs with the Canon 10D in early 2004. I had used different digital cameras the previous years, mostly settling with Sony CyberShots. What pushed me over the edge was a vacation to Mexico where I had screw on wide and tele adapters for my CyberShot P-Series camera and realized that I should just get an interchangeable camera as they had been dropping in price. I stayed with Canon DSLRs upgrading to the 40D and then the 60D until 2012 when I switched backed to Sony cameras for their better video recording functionality. Those 8 years with Canon DSLRs were a time of experimentation as I bought and sold lenses to figure out what worked best for the kinds of places I traveled to and my own shooting style.

[@goranandersson3544]

It wouldn't be the genuine experience without the missing eyecup. I didn't get the D30, I got the D60 in 2003. I took more than 13000 photos with it until I got a 5D in 2007.

[@DinoBytes]

The third party eyecup doesn't feel anywhere near as nice as the original!

[@brendanfr]

i love that color science, its very much the colors of that time period.

[@classic.cameras]

Looking at this camera AGAIN in 2024. All I can say is what a work of art. The GenZ shooters have inspired me to go out ant shoot my D30 and its amazing fun even if the photos are about the same size of a postage stamp. Re-Watching this review. Again great Gordon!

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it - and thanks for all your support! I'm posting my 300D / Rebel video later today, and plan my one on the EOS 10D towards the end of July.

[@bkc1965]

This was my second digital camera, and my first dslr back in 2001. My second dslr, the EOS D60 was a wonderful camera and had a very nice look to the colors and contrast.

[@LiveLoveLaugh102310]

It has that nostalgic film look.

[@zachswy]

My first DSLR was the Nikon D60 - a somewhat different animal than the Canon camera of the same model name. I got it mostly to use, albeit in guess-it metering mode, the lenses I already had for the F2 my grandpa had given me 5 years prior when I was taking an intro to photography course my freshman year at university.

[@DinoBytes]

Yeah, I think Canon swapped their numbers and letters to avoid confusion with Nikon. The D40, D40x and D60 all had really nice image quality.

[@benharveyphotography]

2003 - that’s when i jumped on the Canon band wagon, getting a 300D. It was still in use until around 2015 when unfortunately the rain got into it. RIP 300D. The D0 looks very familiar, almost the same layout on the rear as the 5D mark 2, probably the screen size being the biggest indicator that this is an older model.

[@DinoBytes]

Yeah, the screens have become a lot bigger - and brighter!

[@LE672AJ]

My first was the D60. Bought it from a friend who wanted to put that money towards a 1D for his college newspaper work, and he gave me a very good price. It was insanely mind-blowing at the time!

[@siebevranken581]

I still own and use the canon eos 40d to this day, I use this camera for wildlife and sports photography together with a tamron 150-600mm and it is still an awesome experience if you have enough light, the 9 autofocuspoints is the only big complaint that I have about it.

[@bcostin]

The D30 was my first DSLR. I bought mine in 2001 as a kit with the EF 28-135mm IS lens and one of those 1GB microdrives. It was a very usable camera and I took it everywhere. A few years later I upgraded to a refurbished 10D, mostly for the higher resolution.

[@DinoBytes]

Ah yes, the 28-135 - a bit long for APSC, but still a good range!

[@ronjenkins4257]

Canon got a lot right with this camera and set the pattern for many DSLRs to follow. I still have my Rebel XTi, the entry level camera from about 2008, and it's an extremely close lineal descendant. My next, the Canon T7i, continues in the line. Some divergence now with my mirrorless EOS R8, but still the same Canon DNA.

[@DinoBytes]

Yes, it's interesting how much has remained consistent...

[@piyastudios]

Canon Digital Rebel!! It was my faithful buddy all through art school and accompanied me on vacation in Germany and Thailand. When are you going to cover the Rebel? 😊

[@DinoBytes]

I will be doing it at some point, but I have a large backlog to get through first!

[@tomperry9034]

This review is showing me how great the 50mm 1.8 STM is again - the bargain in EF lenses for me. The D30 is struggling to resolve fine detail but the Canon colours seem to be there. Good pictures! Am going through a CCD phase now (Olympus E-500 and Sony A200). Didn't know the first 1D was CCD, will have to seek one out.

[@DinoBytes]

You need to add the Nikon D80 and Olympus E400 to your CCD collection!

[@OfficialSushiSystemAmbassador]

One of the best Dino Bytes episodes so far! ❤

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks!

[@headwerkn]

Canon 20D was the camera that finally convinced me digital was as good as film for quality, and to sell my Nikon FM. Of course 10 years later I regretted that decision and got another FM ;-) I still have many of the shots taken with the 20D and despite the relatively low 8MP sensor that could only handle ISO400 before it got quite noisy, they look really quite remarkable. For some reason I always thought the 20D used a CCD sensor (it doesn't) and was surprised that my subsequent 400D didn't quite have the same 'quality' to its images despite being higher resolution. Amazing how consistent Canon have been with their UIs over the years. On the desk here I have my old 6D and a EOS620 from 1987 (when the EOS line was first released, technically the EOS650 was the first model though) and considering the 25 year age difference they're remarkably alike. An EOS-1 from 1989 is even more similar (back wheel etc.).

[@DinoBytes]

They definitely got their ui right early on

[@ericplatt6884]

I tried a Canon 5D Mark II yesterday that a friend is selling, looked at the images (50mm 1.2 lens) and was shocked at the high quality of them: big, detailed, sharp edge to edge, beautiful photos with nice, accurate colors. From a 2009 camera! Who needs a multi-thousand dollar mirrorless with over-amped and processed RAWs! :)

[@DinoBytes]

The 5DII was a classic definitely. I filmed a review back in NZ with it and the 50 1.2 and people still comment on how good it looks!

[@ericplatt6884]

@@DinoBytes I'd like to watch that review!

[@DinoBytes]

@@ericplatt6884 it's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKSvpIKgmreed8k

[@frugalfilmmakers]

300D was my first Canon DSLR. My previous digital camera was the Sony F-707. I had an Olympus E-300 & E-1 after the 300D. I also had a Canon 7D and 60D after them. Then in 2012 I sold everything bought a Lumix GH2 mirrorless. Been Lumix ever since.

[@DinoBytes]

Hope you saw my Sony F707 video!

[@deangawler9727]

I still miss my 300D - it was basic and a bit clunky, but I still like the look of the images that it captured.

[@DinoBytes]

It was surprisingly chunky and hollow feeling!

[@ekristensen]

My (d)SLR "career" started with a 20D in 2004, then 5D Mk II in 2008 (I still have it and it is fully functional). February 2022 I bought the R5, which I lug around. I also bought the adapter with control ring to use with my older EF lenses.

[@wizard1515]

i just want to say thank you to you Gordon to producing bunch of good contents for us along these years. I would like to know you more Gordon. about back to late , early 2000's what is your job and how does it work to review tech and products back then. the process is it different from now? , mindset of early digital cameras when it try to compete film. would you kindly make some video about your life back then with your camera? thank you 🎉🎉

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks for your support! Yes, that might make an interesting video! Just briefly, I've been a tech reviewer for just over 30 years now, starting on magazines, then websites, and now mostly KZbin. The testing process is similar - a mix of technical controlled tests coupled with real life experience, but the presentation is different. In magazines you may only have 300-800 words for a review and it's a strict count. On websites you can write as much as you like, and it can be corrected after publishing too. On KZbin you can talk as much as you like, but like magazines, you can't correct it once published. In the early days of digital, they weren't trying to compete with film cameras for everything - only specific tasks or conditions. A bit like early electric cars - great for around town, but not so good for long distances or cold weather. So early digital with very low res was terrible for prints let alone billboards, BUT were great for small images in adverts, listings, school / club newsletters etc. Things with low budgets, low expectations and crucially fast turnarounds. As time went on, the quality could match or exceed film, but it took a while.

[@CEEPMDEE]

I really enjoy this content, Gordon. I purchased a Canon 1d Classic in mint condition and I loved it so much, I later purchased a 1Dc.

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks! I must acquire a 1D for a future video, as well as a battery for that D2000

[@pixelpeter3883]

Yup, the Canon D30 was my first DSLR. At the time, as a photo-journalist, it was a massive upgrade for me from the Olympus Camedia C2500L, which I used combined with film cameras. 'Problem' was the 1.6X crop-factor when it came to wide-angle lenses. No kit-lenses or more 'Pro' standardzooms like the 17-55mm f2.8 existed. To keep things affordable I resorted to Sigma, with lenses like their first 14mm f2.8 and later the 15-30mm zoom. Aah, the memories! :-)

[@DinoBytes]

Yeah, wide-angle was a challenge back then!

[@CaviteTechnology]

I've got the M50 for my Studio work but bought a used Rebel T3 for $100! Paired up with my 24mm Pancake, it becomes an X100V alternative, love using this little gems of old cameras and I loved the vid :D

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks!

[@vic_the_roman]

Shot a wedding with a borrowed one way back in the day. Still love the look from this sensor. ❤ However, my 1st DSLR was a Conon EOS 10D ( which I loved ) . I no longer own it but I put that camera to WORK 😅.

[@DinoBytes]

Should I make a video about the 10D? I'm tempted...

[@vic_the_roman]

@@DinoBytes I think you should. 💯

[@oc2phish07]

Very interesting video, Gordon. My first DSLR was a Nikon D90 with 28-80mm lens. Bought from John Lewis in Southampton in April 2009 for £779.00. I later added a battery grip and still use it now from time to time. I keep charged batteries in it.

[@DinoBytes]

The D90 was a classic - have you seen my original review of it when it came out on my main camera labs channel?

[@PaulAmyes]

My father-in-law bought the d30 when it first came out. I must say I was a bit skeptical as I felt it was very expensive and my scanned 35mm transparencies were perhaps a little better. I'd just switched from my OM4 (I could no longer get it repaired) to the EOS3 which was an amazing camera. I bought the 300d when it first came out as it was "affordable" at $2000 Australian. I still have it and still use it it occasionally. What really converted me solely to digital was the arrival of the 5d. That was a fantastic camera which formed the backbone of my professional career. I've still got it and use it. The images out of it were and still are a bit special.

[@DinoBytes]

I agree, I was getting far better results from scanned film than early digital, but the 5D changed that.I'm going to revisit the 5D in the future, as I remember it being very good at the time, but I'll need to be re-convinced!

[@PaulAmyes]

@@DinoBytes It’s certainly worth giving it another go. The image quality is very good if you keep it below 400 ISO and ETTR

[@neochaseusa]

My first digital camera was Fuji FinePix 2650. Now I shoot with a Canon 60D

[@fuzzytalz]

For me, the camera that lured me to DSLRs was the Canon EOS 10D which, at the time, seemed to have it all. Indeed, while I ultimately adopted the 20D when launched, I could have stuck with the 10D for work and personal use and not have suffered very much at all in terms of image quality. Instead, it was the constant UI and ergonomic refinements which had me upgrading through the 30D, after which meaningful improvements slowed to a trickle.

[@DinoBytes]

Loved the 10D to 40D

[@tylerdoestech]

In about 2013-ish I owned an original Canon 1D. I had sold a 60D and found a great deal on the 1D with some lenses that I wanted. The camera proved to be the real treat for me though! It had been owned by a press photographer, and it was an early, 4-digit serial number model that had an earlier serial number than the camera that provided the official sample images to the world from Japan. There was a learning curve to using that camera, but it was the camera that got people asking the most questions about what newspaper or magazine I worked for (when I never have worked for either one) despite the fact that I have owned and carried 5D Mark II, III, IV, 5DS, and 1DX Mark I and II bodies for almost a decade now besides that early 1D. The CCD sensor in that camera had beautiful rendering, and I do believe it was produced for Canon by Kodak. It used Ni-MH batteries, however, which were quite finicky all those years later, but they did still work when I owned them. If I charged them for 8 hours, they would last probably three or four straight hours for shooting. It was the most fun camera I have ever owned and was the camera that taught me that megapixel numbers are not the be all end all specification for any camera.

[@DinoBytes]

I'm hoping to track down an original D1, but those batteries are hard to get - the D2000 you see in the video has the same issue.

[@lefturn99]

Thanks for posting this. Brings back great memories, although I got my first "real" camera, a 30D, in 2006. It had EIGHT megapixels!

[@DinoBytes]

I remember the 30D, a fine camera!

[@johnpickett5561]

I started with a 350D, and am now using a 200DmkII. Even though it's a lowly DSLR, it's amazing the difference between them in how they 'see' the picture in RAW files. I find the 350D is very saturated while the 200DmkII is very flat in comparison. I guess that's what 10+ years of image processing technology does. The 350D still gets used by my 7yr old daughter, and I reckon she's taken better photos with it than I ever did haha!

[@DinoBytes]

The kids are the future!

[@hanns1401]

That brings back some memories. This was my first DSLR. Prior to that I was shooting film, but I really wanted to be able to process my own images conveniently at home. I learned so much with this camera!

[@DinoBytes]

Do you still have it?

[@hanns1401]

@@DinoBytes No, I sold it for a 10D back in the day, which I held on to until maybe 3 or 4 years ago. I gave that one away to my sister in law who wanted to try getting into photography.

[@AkilanKamarajan]

My first DSLR was a Canon EOS 350D, still have it as a second camera. Besides the autofocus, I still find it pretty enjoyable to use.

[@DinoBytes]

I also had a 350D back in the day - so much smaller and nicer than the 300D

[@Rnder72]

Nice review! I picked up the 2003 Olympus E-1 (5MP Kodak CCD) in 2017. I liked the non-film camera look (lens pushed over to one side) no retro look for this one. I still use it from time to time, I really like its ergonomics (e.g. the rear scroll wheel is kicked off at an angle to suit the arc of the thumb, LCD top panel tilted back - to name a couple of small things). While it does not have IBIS it does have the ultrasonic dust function at start-up along with a cover for the sensor when the camera is off. It also uses a Compact Flash, surprisingly a 32GB works fine. Other than the stretched rubber grip it is flawless to use, puts a smile on my face every time I am out with it.

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks! I'm actually trying to get an E-1 as we speak, but they keep going for over £150, and I can't bring myself to spend more than £100 on this tech. We'll see if I fold! I do have a 10MP CCD E410 on its way though!

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

It was a very good first try, just a bit early to be really worthwhile. It was a wild time.

[@UdoKrawallo]

Thanks for another history video! The pics don´t look bad even today, I like the classic Canon colours. I used Canon some years ago, but sold everything in 2010 for m4/3. My oldest Canon I ever used was the 20D. Never liked this shut-off feature of the battery door TBH - as you can see, here is a good reason why. It basically can brick the camera under bad circumstances.

[@DinoBytes]

Exactly, the battery door thing is most annoying!

[@oldman4827]

Oh yes! Bought it new Christmas 2000. Came with a whopping 16 mb card. 😂 Disappointed with the glass I had then. The reviews back was done with L glass, so I held on to it. Still working. Use it with a 2gb card with no issues. Now I got good glass and it takes great pictures. A little slow in use and quirky.

[@DinoBytes]

Excellent! Glad you're still using it!

[@Durio_zibethinus]

My first DSLR was Nikon D3100, but I have quite experience meddling with Canon cameras. I think D30 single autofocus speed is more than enough for seasoned photographers, also it made me realize that I don't need more than 300 bucks for my hobby, except that sigma 150-600mm for EF mount 😅

[@DinoBytes]

Everyone needs a 150-600!

[@pembridgehouse]

I thought about buying this for weddings when it first came out but I thought the price as a bit high and the 3m pixels didn'tbexcite me. I waited until the Pentax*istD came out. I did swap to canon later on.thanks for the video.

[@DinoBytes]

Glad you enjoyed it! I remember that Pentax

[@pembridgehouse]

you're welcome. @@DinoBytes

[@stevenclark2188]

Like sure this might not print very large but on a 1440p screen I can't tell the difference between this and anything newer. It's like the Ford model A or something: fully incorporating features and image quality you expect and nothing else. PS. I want a recent camera with that UI.

[@AS-oz6ep]

The Digital Rebel XT was my first "real" digital camera. I had owned and used a couple of earlier point and shoot digicams, but they were inexpensive consumer models that didn't work terribly well (blame the photographer, too, I'm sure!) In fact.. it was the only DSLR I ever bought.. I made the jump to mirrorless next.

[@DinoBytes]

That's a big step!

[@steenaagenielsen8798]

My first digital camera was eos300D later 30D, 5D, R and R5

[@bigbigsquid]

Excellent! 🙏🏼😃

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks!

[@TBGTOMPHOTO]

Excellent review. I have this camera in my collection. I also have the first Canon digital full frame, the 1DS. Can you do a retro review on that one also? :)

[@DinoBytes]

I am thinking of, but I have lots of others to squeeze in first!

[@JikoMuskato]

I used the 300D my brother had for quite a bit but then my own first DLSR was the 500D, followed by the 5D Mark III, which is still my main camera. As I was sure I wanted a full frame camera I already only bought good EF lenses with my 500D and the image quality was awesome with the combination of like the 500D + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM. I just replaced the 500D with the 90D as the "final" APS-C Canon DSLR. Now I feel a bit stuck with my 5D Mark III on the full frame side of things and with my high-end setup of EF lenses it's hard to choose my future path. Getting a used 5D Mark IV? Getting a used 1DX? Or maybe going for a mirrorless camera, either Canon or Sony, with a fitting adaptor for the lenses? But it was nice to see the D30, which is more often confused with the 30D than with the Powershot D30 though. :D It still looks usable butseeing more modern cameras for a similar price it doesn't make much sense to use it on a regular basis. I could see myself using one in situations I wouldn't dare to bring my more expensive stuff to use.

[@dubment]

eos 300d was my 1st dslr 🦖

[@DinoBytes]

I will be covering it!

[@NoelDelPilar]

I still have mine!

[@DinoBytes]

Do you use it?

[@matthewsinger]

Nope. When Canon released the D60, I was upgrading my Elan IIe to an EOS 3, still one of my favorite cameras of all time. Back then, $800 seemed like a lot for a camera. Funny how 6 years later I'd spend twice that on a 50D.

[@paulengle5784]

Apologies if your video addressed it and I overlooked it: did the D30 shoot raw? You mentioned that the sample images were Large Fine JPEGs, and this camera predated video, so I’m curious if the canon raw format for stills was a few years away.

[@DinoBytes]

No, you missed it! It does shoot RAW and I talk about it in the video and even demo it in the latest ACR! Now go back an rewatch it! (it was a fairly new format though as I explain)

[@NerdyThrowbackTech]

Among the first digital SLR cameras to be released at a relatively affordable price

[@DinoBytes]

It was at the time...

[@brianmckeever5280]

My digital path so far: Canon G2, 10D, 30D, 80D, M3, M5, M6ii, Lumix G9 soon to be G9ii. I sure wish that was an exhaustive list -- I have the occasional touch of GAS -- but those are the main ones. I still have the G2 and 10D. Both worked last I tried them. A friend of mine still uses the 30D. I tried it out again in Aug.of 2023. What a blast from the past. I was just thinking, with the style of the D30 on, you are probably not going to get the stares in Brighton during your tests like you get with the more atypical styles. Another fun trip down memory lane. Cheers!

[@DinoBytes]

I've got some very strange cameras coming up, so the stares will return!

[@metalgear1288]

Still using Canon 20D during free time

[@gohumberto]

If you're going for vintage Canons then skip the crop-sensors entirely and get a 5D mk1. £200 for a genuinely great camera. Great then. Great now.

[@DinoBytes]

I'll be retesting that one in the future as I also owned one back in the day. But £200 vs about £30 for a 10D is still quite a premium for the lowest budgets.

[@dtibor5903]

Looks very familiar to my 5d classic 😀

[@DinoBytes]

It does!

[@heiner71]

The D30 was my first DSLR. It was already fairly old when I bought it though. The 30D had just arrived at the time, so I was able to pick up the D30 for around $350. I was not very impressed with the image quality and quickly moved on to the 10D and then the 20D.

[@DinoBytes]

Nice progression!

[@Scyth3934]

3:33 What is a "portrait grip"? I've never heard that term. Battery grip???

[@DinoBytes]

Yes a battery grip with portrait controls - when you're holding the camera turned by 90 degrees.

[@swisselle]

sheesh... that was the first dslr I had.

[@liebeg]

i really apriciete your videos. WAS THE D30 released after the Pro70?

[@DinoBytes]

Thanks! According to the Canon Camera Museum, the Pro70 came in November 1998 and the D30 in October 2000, so even given regional variations and supply, the D30 arrived AFTER the Pro70. PS - here's the camera museum link global.canon/en/c-museum/index.html

[@liebeg]

@@DinoBytes didnt remeber when i watched that video. but thanks for the anwser

[@johnjacobroberto4499]

Can you also show us sony cyber shot dsc f828, i have one but i don't have much of a knowledge about it

[@DinoBytes]

I have an 828 and will be making a video about it next year! I'm working through that series in order, so it's the 717 next.

[@classic.cameras]

I find the worst thing about this camera is you need to find "antique" CF cards from the 00's as newer ones wont work. They need to be small. I bought a lot of old ones off eBay, out of 10. One worked. The rest would not work. Something people should know about this camera.

[@DinoBytes]

Yeah I know what you mean - did you find a cut-off on card size or type for it? My 1GB cards work fine, but I've not tried bigger.

[@classic.cameras]

All I could find is a 512mb that would work. Tried like 13 different cards as I have a small but growing collection of everything (old camera junk). Then was reading around online and discovered that the camera wont use certain cards due to compatibility or something. I'd say this is common as I know another guy who had the same problem. Sounds like you lucked out with that gem of a test card. @@DinoBytes

[@DinoBytes]

@@classic.cameras I'm never letting that SanDisk card go anywhere!

[@frstesiste7670]

Looked at D30, but D60 was the first I found really interesting. In the end I waited until 20D before switching to dSLR. Had a bit more money then and the feature set had improved a lot compared to the earliest models. It was interesting times with model updates almost every year and significant improvements between each generation.

[@DinoBytes]

Yep, some important progressions with each

[@ProEditingLooks]

👍