Field-test of the Canon EOS D30 Digital SLR. When I took delivery of the Canon EOS D30 digital SLR camera for this field-test, it reminded me of how history had been repeating itself where technology was concerned. Back in 1976, Cano launched the AE-1, the world's first 35mm SLR camera to feature Shutter-priority AE mode as well as being controlled totally by a built-in micro CPU. Prior to the AE-1's debut, most other 35mm SLR cameras feature the Aperture-priority AE mode instead. Then in 1987, Canon debut its EOS System of AF 35mm SLR cameras and EF lenses. While other manufacturers have adopted the body-integral design of driving the autofocus system, Canon - with its EOS System - opted for lens-integral AF where the motor was built into the EF lenses. In addition to that, the AF sensor chip used in many of the EOS models were of the Canon-developed and designed BASIS version as opposed to the CCD type adopted by others. It was only recently that Canon had replaced the BASIS chip with the CMOS version for some of the latest EOS models - EOS 300, EOS 30/33, EOS-3 and EOS-1V. The use of CMOS chip is not confined only to these EOS models as Canon's first* digital SLR camera, the D30, also uses a slightly different version with its image sensor. This is as opposed to other manufacturers which opted for the usual CCD sensor for image rendering, including the joint venture between Kodak and Canon in developing the DCS 520/Canon EOS D2000 digital SLR cameras. *Canon's own developed and designed version Canon EOS D30 digital SLR camera Fitted with its Battery Grip BG-ED3     Its CMOS sensor is about the size of APS film Built-in flash uses E-TTL flash metering     Top view of the D30 D30's LCD panel The EOS D30 is also the world's lightest and smallest digital SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, weighing at only 780 grams without battery and CF card. Its body dimension is also smaller than the analog EOS 50/50E SLR cameras. The 1.8-inch LCD screen shows the Menu Aside from showing the images already shot     Either Type I or II CompactFlash card can be used Battery Pack BP-511 is the D30's power source     This is where the D30's USB connection is located The BG-ED3 also has a vertical shutter and Main Dial << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 .