Canon EOS 50D vs Canon EOS 30D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 50D and Canon EOS 30D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

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.

** 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 50D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 30D has 8,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS 50D has a 84 % 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 50D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 30D. Canon EOS 50D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 30D has 100 to 3200.

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 50D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 30D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 30D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Canon EOS 50D or Canon EOS 30D can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 5% heavier than Canon EOS 30D and its 784 gr (or 1.73 lb).

Canon EOS 50D vs Canon EOS 30D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 50D and Canon EOS 30D, 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 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Name	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Manufacturer	Canon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Release Year	2008	2006
Release Date	2008-08-26	2006-02-21
MSRP	1399 USD	1499 USD
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Camera Type	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
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	4752 x 3168 pixels	3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels	15,1 MP	8,2 MP
Image Processor	DIGIC 4	DIGIC 2
Image	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
ISO Range	100 - 12800	100 - 3200
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 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous
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 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	2,5”
Screen dots	920000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT liquid-crystal color LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)	0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Frames per second	6,3 fps	5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	13 meters	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Video recording	No	No
Video format	N/A	N/A
Video resolution	N/A	N/A
Built-in Microphone	No	No
Built-in Speakers	No	No
Storage	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Memory Card	Compact Flash	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	No
Remote Control	Yes (N3 connector)	Yes (N3 connector) with TC-80N3 remote controller
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 30D
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger	BP-511A
Battery Life (CIPA)	800 shots	750 shots
Width	146 mm	144 mm
Height	108 mm	106 mm
Depth	74 mm	74 mm
Weight	822 gram	784 gram