Canon EOS 30D vs Nikon D50 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 30D
33
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D50
28
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D50 are both APS-C DSLRs, so wide lenses frame the same way on either body. The 30D arrived in 2006, a year after the D50. The native lens systems differ: the 30D uses the Canon EF-S mount and the D50 uses the Nikon F DX mount, so lenses bought for one will not fit the other. Existing lenses can therefore decide the body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 21, 2006 | April 20, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 106 x 74 mm | 133 x 102 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 784 g | 620 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 30D is the stronger choice for moving subjects, with 5 fps continuous shooting and 9 autofocus points against 2.5 fps and 5 points on the D50. That suits photographing children, pets or sport, where a denser burst and more AF areas improve the odds of a sharp peak moment. It also reaches a 1/8000 second setting, half the D50's shortest exposure time, keeping large apertures usable in bright daylight. For dim light, the 30D offers more ISO headroom, with a standard ceiling of 3200 against the D50's 1600. Its 8.2 megapixels give more room to crop a distant subject than the D50's 6, and its viewfinder is a pentaprism rather than the D50's pentamirror. Neither body offers in-body stabilisation, so shutter speeds must be fast enough on either. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8.2 MP050 | 6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3504 x 2336 | 3008 x 2000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
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. |
15 x 22.5 | 16 x 24 |
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. |
5 fps045 | 2.5 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 | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic II | Nikon Image processing engine |
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 | 20030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
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 | 20030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
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. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
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 | 50300 |
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 (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in timelapse function, so clips of any kind are not part of this choice. If occasional motion capture matters alongside stills, a different body is needed. | ||
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 | 17/100 | 10/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 30D has the more usable rear screen: 2.5 inches with 230,000 dots against 2 inches with 130,000 dots on the D50. Reviewing focus and checking shadow detail is easier on the larger, denser display. The D50 offers wireless transfer where the 30D does not. Both have a built-in flash for quick fill light and support an external flash, so a flash-lit portrait setup works on either body. Both lack live view, a flip screen, touch control, weather sealing and GPS, so neither suits screen composition or geotagging without accessories. | ||
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 | 2.5" | 2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 1300001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D50's battery rating is its standout practical advantage: 2000 shots on a single EN-EL3 charge against 400 shots from the 30D's BP-511A, under their rated test conditions. Storage also differs: the D50 takes small SD cards, while the 30D takes CompactFlash Type I or II. The 30D is the heavier, larger carry at 784 g and 144 x 106 x 74 mm, against 620 g and 133 x 102 x 76 mm for the D50. Neither offers dual card slots or USB charging, so both rely on a single card and an external charger. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511A | EN-EL3 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 2000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sport, wildlife or fast-moving family scenes, the EOS 30D is the better pick. Its 5 fps burst, 9 AF points, 1/8000 second shutter and ISO 3200 give more headroom for action and dim light than the D50 offers.
Choose the D50 if portability and stamina lead your shooting: it is 164 g lighter, runs to 2000 rated shots per charge and uses SD cards. The lens system you already own or prefer will settle the rest.