In the digital AF SLR market, Canon has concentrated on high-end professional cameras based on the EOS-1 series cameras. In order to respond to the demands of the time and the requirements of more users, we have developed a revolutionary new model, the EOS D30. In our report this month, we provide the general information (Part 1) on this newly developed affordably priced model. The EOS D30 can use all the Canon EF lenses, so that EOS users can take advantage of their valuable assets.
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| Photo 1 Appearance of EOS D30 (with EF24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens) |
Photo 2 Appearance of EOS D30 when its built-in flash is raised |
The Purpose of Development
Responding to the increasing demand for "an affordable digital SLR camera using EF lenses," Canon developed the EOS D30. The new model fulfills the concept of "a popularly priced basic standard digital SLR cameras," that satisfy both the existing EOS users and potential users who want to input their images into computers. The major features of the EOS D30 are:
| High-precision and high-performance imaging element | |
| • | 22.7 x 15.1mm large-area CMOS imaging sensor with approximately 3.25 megapixels |
| • | Classic aspect ratio of 2:3 (the same as the 35mm film format) |
Uses all Canon EF lenses and many EOS series accessories |
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| • | All EF lenses can be used (the actual angle of view is equivalent to a lens having 1.6 times longer focal length on a 35mm format camera) |
| • | E-TTL autoflash compatible EX series flash, and other EOS system accessories can be used |
The world's smallest, lightest, ultra-compact digital SLR body |
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| • | Optimized layout for digital functionality, based on the EOS design concept |
| • | Outstanding operability brought by assigning top priority to picture taking, while retaining the proven quality of the EOS series |
Large recording capacity |
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| • | Compatible with CompactFlash (CF) cards (Types I and II), and the IBM Microdrive |
| • | Powerful lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack |
Specifications befitting the "basic standard digital SLR camera" as follows:
• High-speed, high-performance AF with 3 selectable focusing points
• 35-zone evaluative metering sensor linked to the active focusing point
• 11 picture shooting modes
• Built-in E-TTL autoflash system
• 7 white balance modes
• Long-time exposure with noise reduction function
• 1.8" LCD color monitor for instant shooting image confirmation
• USB interface
Affordable price
In the following section, features of EOS D30 are described individually.
Major Features of EOS D30
Major features of EOS D30 are listed first, and then the details of each item are listed in this and next months issue.
| [1] | Newly developed large-area CMOS imaging sensor |
| [2] | Highly rigid body - the world's smallest, lightest digital SLR |
| [3] | "Shooting priority" design for outstanding performance, while retaining the proven operability of the EOS system. |
| [4] | Compatible with all Canon EF lenses |
| [5] | Excellent visibility viewfinder |
| [6] | High-speed and high-performance AF with 3 selectable focusing points |
| [7] | 35-zone evaluative metering sensor linked to active focusing poin |
| [8] | Versatile shooting modes |
| [9] | Complete compatibility with the E-TTL autoflash system |
| [10] | Shooting approximately 8 continuous frames at approximately 3 frames per second |
| [11] | 1.8" TFT color LCD monitor for instant image confirmation |
| [12] | CompactFlash (CF) cards with large recording capacity to store shooting images |
| [13] | File format conforming to the industry standard |
| [14] | Powerful lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack |
| [15] | 7 selectable white balance modes including manual operation |
| [16] | 13 Custom Functions |
| [17] | USB interface incorporated as standard |
| [18] | NTSC/PAL switching function to allow the video output any place in the world |
| [19] Compatible with the full family of EOS series accessories [20] Bundled with a comprehensive set of application programs |
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Canon incorporated the newly developed CMOS imaging sensor in the EOS D30. While the CMOS technology has attracted attention for its lower power consumption and cost, shortcomings such as low sensitivity and increased noise have been pointed out. Canon has overcome these shortcomings with its unique technologies such as the on-chip noise elimination technology, complete internal pixel charge transport technology and on-chip analog processing circuits, and has finally succeeded in applying the large CMOS sensor to the EOS D30.
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| Photo 3 Large-area CMOS imaging sensor |
This sensor has a total of about 3.25 million pixels (approximately 3.11 million effective pixels), with the effective sensor size of 22.7 x 15.1 mm (equivalent to APS "C" size) and the classic 35mm aspect ratio of 2:3. EOS users will feel right at home composing with the EOS D30. The RGB primary color filters give precise and bright color reproduction. The dynamic sensitivity range can be set for the levels corresponding to ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600.
[Note] CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, which may also be written the "C-MOS".
Feature 2: Highly rigid body -- the world's smallest, lightest digital SLR
The layout is optimized for functions peculiar to digital cameras, while retaining the basic style of an AF SLR resulting in the smallest and lightest AF SLR digital camera in the world. It measures 149.5mm (width) x 106.5mm (height) and 75.0mm (depth), and weighs 780g (see Photo 4). The body size and weight are almost the same as those of EOS 55. The chassis is made of stainless steel alloy to ensure sufficient strength.
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| Photo 4 Size comparison among the EOS D2000, EOS D30, and EOS 55 |
Feature 3: "Shooting priority" design for outstanding performance, while retaining the proven operability of the EOS series
| Fig. 1 Overall view of external display panel |
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| Photo 5 Top view of EOS D30 |
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| Photo 6 Rear view of EOS D30 |
The EOS D30 eliminates the traditional concept of switching between the shooting and viewing modes, which is normal on digital cameras. Even while viewing pictures or performing menu operations, users can return immediately to shooting mode simply by pressing the shutter button down halfway. This "shooting priority" camera design ensures excellent operability without missing a single shooting opportunity.
Feature 4: The full range of EF lenses can be used
Since the EOS D30 employs the fully electronic EF mount system of other EOS series cameras, all of the more than 50 EF lenses, ranging from the 14 mm super-wide lens to the 1200mm telephoto lens can be used. Because the image size of the CMOS sensor is smaller than that of the 35mm film camera, the actual angle of view of the EOS D30 is equivalent to the field of a lens having approximately 1.6 times the indicated focal length. For example, 50mm lens coverage is equivalent to that of a 80mm lens.
Feature 5: Viewfinder with excellent visibility
The EOS D30 has a bright, clear reflex viewfinder (see Fig. 2) with approximately 95% coverage (both horizontal and vertical), 0.88X magnification (-1 dpt, 50mm, and infinity), and a 20mm eyepoint. It also has the built-in eyesight adjustment mechanism (-3 ~ +1 dpt), a full digital information display, and fixed focusing screen. Depth-of-field can be confirmed by pressing the depth-of-field preview button.
| Fig. 2 Comparison of viewfinder's field of view | ||
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| EOS D2000 | EOS D30 | EOS 55 |
Feature 6: High-speed, high-performance AF with 3 selectable focusing points
The EOS D30 uses the Multi-BASIS sensor with vertical sensors on each side of the central cross sensor (the same as used in the EOS Kiss, EOS New Kiss, EOS 55, and EOS IX E cameras). The wide area 3-point focusing system has AF frames (focusing points) located at the left, middle, and right side of the viewfinder. The focusing points can be selected either manually or automatically, and the selection result is shown in an LCD below the viewfinder field of view. Three focusing modes are available (One Shot AF, Al Servo AF, and Al Focus AF), the same as those of the EOS 55, as is the focusing speed.
The moving subject predictive AF system incorporated in the EOS D30 allows tracking an approaching subject at the speed of 50km/h up to a point 12m in front of the camera, using an EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens.
Feature 7: 35-zone evaluative metering sensors linked to the focusing points
The AE sensor of the EOS D30 is the state-of-the-art 35-zone evaluative metering sensor, which was first introduced in the EOS Kiss III. With the development of a new algorithm to link these sensors to the 3-point autofocusing system, it gives exposure control optimized for finely tuned images. The metering modes consist of
| [1] | evaluative metering (linked to active focusing points) |
| [2] | partial metering (approximately 9.5% of the viewfinder screen) |
| [3] | centerweighted averaging (set automatically when shooting with an E-TTL autoflash) |
| [4] pre-flash instantaneous metering. | |
Feature 8: Versatile shooting modes
There are ten AE modes and manual exposure mode (see Fig. 3). In the applied shooting zones such as the P, Tv, and Av, the users can activate the AE, FE lock, exposure compensation, AEB, or the flash compensation at will. EOS D30 employs the same type of shutter unit as that of EOS IX E. The shutter unit is electronically controlled and the speed range is 1/4000 to 30 seconds. The shutter operates in 1/2 stop increments normally, but can be modified to the 1/3 stop increment using a custom function. The maximum flash (X) sync speed is 1/200 second. A "Bulb" setting is provided for long exposure.
(Continue in the next issue)
Fig. 3 Mode dial and its functions |
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| Photo 7 Contents of the EOS D30 Kit The availability of the EOS D30 kit shown above was announced on May 17, 2000 and the kit is scheduled for release at the beginning of September 2000 at a price of 358,000yen (excluding tax). EOS D30 camera / CompactFlash card (16MB recording capacity) / Battery pack, BP-511 (rechargeable) / DC coupler, DR-400 / Compact Power Adapter, CA-PS400 (charger) / Interface cable, IFC-200PCU / Video cable, VC-100 / CD-ROM including application and driver software / Neck strap, L-3 |