Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS Rebel T2i

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS Rebel T2i. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 30D were released 2006 and Canon EOS Rebel T2i was released 2010. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 30D 2006
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 30D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 30D has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel T2i has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 30D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a 119 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 30D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS Rebel T2i has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 30D. Canon EOS Rebel T2i has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 30D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 30D 100-3200
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 30D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 30D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel T2i can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 30D 5
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 3,7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS Rebel T2i. Sadly, the Canon EOS 30D does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 30D weighs 784 gr (equal to 1.73 lb) which is 54% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel T2i and its 510 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 30D 784 gr
1.73 lb
Canon EOS Rebel T2i 510 gr
1.12 lb

Canon EOS 30D vs Canon EOS Rebel T2i Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS Rebel T2i, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Name Canon EOS 30D Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Release Year 2006 2010
Release Date 2006-02-21 2010-02-08
MSRP 1499 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 3504 x 2336 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 8,2 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 DIGIC 4
Image
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.) 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Frames per second 5 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) with TC-80N3 remote controller
Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details BP-511A
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 750 shots N/A
Width 144 mm 129 mm
Height 106 mm 98 mm
Depth 74 mm 62 mm
Weight 784 gram 510 gram