Sony a57 vs Canon EOS D30

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Canon EOS D30. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS D30 is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Canon EOS D30 was released 2000. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Canon EOS D30 2000

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS D30 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS D30 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS D30 has 3,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS D30 3,1 MP
3110400 pixels
2160 x 1440

Sony a57 has a 415 % larger resolution than Canon EOS D30. 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

Sony a57 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS D30. Sony a57 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Canon EOS D30 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Canon EOS D30 100-1600

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.
Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS D30 do not work with Canon EF-S lenses but this is also shown at our compatibility charts.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a57
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS D30

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS D30 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Canon EOS D30 3

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a57. Unfortunately Canon EOS D30 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D30 weighs 855 gr (equal to 1.88 lb) which is 38% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Canon EOS D30 855 gr
1.88 lb

Sony a57 vs Canon EOS D30 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Canon EOS D30, 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
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Name Sony a57 Canon EOS D30
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Release Year 2012 2000
Release Date 2012-03-13 2000-05-17
MSRP 699 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 2160 x 1440 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 3,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz Digital Signal Processing LSI (Image Engine)
Image
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 1600
White Balance Presets 9 5
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 15 3
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 1.8”
Screen dots 921000 120000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) 0.88× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Frames per second 12 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Canon EOS D30
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
BP-511
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots N/A
Width 132 mm 150 mm
Height 98 mm 107 mm
Depth 81 mm 75 mm
Weight 618 gram 855 gram