Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D vs Canon EOS 30D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D
29
SCORE
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Canon · DSLR · 8.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 30D
33
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D are both digital SLRs. Announced in February 2006, a year after the Rebel XT, the 30D measures 144 x 106 x 74 mm and weighs 784 g, against the Rebel XT's 127 x 94 x 64 mm and 540 g. The Rebel XT is the smaller, lighter body for travel and small bags. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2005 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 17, 2005 | February 21, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 64 mm | 144 x 106 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 540 g | 784 g |
| Optics | 39/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 30D is the stronger choice for action and sport, shooting at 5 fps against the Rebel XT's 2.8 fps. It also stops fast motion more decisively with a 1/8000 second top shutter speed, twice as short as the Rebel XT's 1/4000. In fading light the 30D offers a 3200 ISO setting against the Rebel XT's 1600 ISO, doubling available sensitivity. Both use the Canon EF-S mount, so a lens bought for one body fits the other. Framing differs in finder design: the 30D uses a pentaprism viewfinder, the Rebel XT a pentamirror. Resolution barely separates them, the 30D's 8.2 MP holding just 2.5 percent more pixels than the Rebel XT's 8 MP. Both share the Digic II processor, nine autofocus points and no in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8 MP050 | 8.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3456 x 2304 | 3504 x 2336 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 15 x 22.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2.8 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic II | Digic II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoIf you need movie clips, neither of these DSLRs will do the job: the 30D and the Rebel XT are stills-only cameras. Both also lack a built-in timelapse function, so interval shooting calls for an external remote or assembling stills afterwards. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 8/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 30D is the better camera for reviewing images on the spot. Its 2.5-inch LCD carries twice the dots of the Rebel XT's 1.8-inch panel, 230,000 against 115,000, and the larger screen makes focus and histogram checks easier to read after each shot. The flash arrangements match: each camera has a built-in flash plus a hot shoe for external units. Neither offers live view, a touchscreen, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so both frame through the optical finder. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 1.8" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
1150001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryYour Compact Flash cards work in either camera: both take Type I or II cards in a single slot, with no backup slot and no USB charging on either body. The Rebel XT holds the battery rating: 600 shots per charge of its NB-2LH pack against 400 from the 30D's BP-511A. That 200-shot rated gap gives the smaller body more margin on a long day with one battery, though the different pack types mean spares are not shared. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-2LH | BP-511A |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
600 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Canon EOS 30D is the better buy for photographing moving subjects, from children's sports to birds in flight, thanks to its 5 fps drive. Its 1/8000 second shutter keeps wide apertures usable in bright daylight, and its 3200 ISO setting and pentaprism finder support evening events and careful composition.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D if a smaller, lighter kit matters most, for travel or everyday carry, or if you want the longer rated battery life for a full day of shooting on one charge. Because both use the same Canon EF-S mount, your lenses move with you if you start on the Rebel XT and later step up to a faster body.