Canon PowerShot D30 Review | 108 Data compared

The Canon PowerShot D30 is a rugged compact camera designed specifically for deep-water diving, offering an impressive maximum waterproof depth of 82 feet. This class-leading depth rating serves as its primary selling point, outperforming competitors by a good 20 feet. The camera features a sharp 5x optical zoom lens with a 28-140mm equivalent focal range and a variable f/3.9-4.8 aperture. It includes a built-in GPS that automatically logs location data to photos. Built with large, easily accessible controls, the D30 offers reliable ergonomics for underwater environments, alongside a slow-motion video capture mode. However, the camera falls short in performance and modern connectivity, relying on an aging 12-megapixel CMOS sensor and processor setup. Notable cons include a total lack of built-in Wi-Fi, a sluggish shot-to-shot time of just over 1 frame per second, and 1080p video recording restricted to 24fps. Image quality suffers from premature noise, showing distinct smudging at ISO 400 and turning fine details into a blur by its maximum ISO 3200 sensitivity. Furthermore, the 3-inch 460k-dot rear LCD is prone to outdoor glare, and the narrow f/3.9 wide-angle...

The Canon PowerShot D30 is a robust, action-oriented compact camera offering superior waterproofing for its price, making it ideal for snorkeling and diving. Key features include a durable design, easy-to-use controls, and a high-visibility screen, along with a bright f/3.9 lens at the wide end. However, the 12.1-megapixel camera suffers from poor noise control and a lack of image sharpness. Additional drawbacks noted in the review include a spongy shutter button and difficult-to-open port latches.

The Canon PowerShot D30 is a rugged, waterproof compact camera that serves as a direct update to the older D20. Its primary upgrade is its enhanced underwater capabilities, allowing it to dive down to a deep 25-metre depth without an external housing, making it highly attractive for serious scuba divers. It retains a core 12-megapixel sensor, a 5x (28-140mm equivalent) optical zoom, and a 3-inch 461k-dot LCD screen, though it introduces a useful Sunlight mode to boost outdoor screen visibility. Additional minor improvements over its predecessor include a 300-shot battery life, manual focus capabilities, and an excellent Underwater Macro mode that can successfully lock onto subjects from just 1 cm away. However, the review highlights that the D30 suffers from major limitations, making its premium price tag hard to justify against rapidly evolving competitors. On the downside, the camera completely lacks built-in Wi-Fi and a panorama mode, features standard on rival models. The camera's f/3.9-4.8 maximum aperture is slow, hindering low-light underwater performance compared to brighter f/2.8 and f/2 options from Nikon and Olympus. Furthermore, its continuous shooting speed is...

The Canon PowerShot D30 is a rugged compact camera designed for extreme environments, distinguishing itself with a class-leading 25-metre waterproof rating and 2-metre shockproofing. It features a major external redesign over its predecessor, introducing oversized controls, a large video record button, and a prominent grip that make it exceptionally easy to handle underwater or while wearing gloves. The camera is built with a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, an older DIGIC 4 processor, and a 5x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation. Its 3.0-inch LCD screen includes a specialized Sunlight mode to ensure high visibility under harsh outdoor lighting, and the device features built-in GPS location logging along with Full HD video recording capabilities. The camera's primary advantages include its ergonomics and superior depth rating, but it also carries notable limitations. On the positive side, it delivers highly dependable waterproofing, a clear and bright screen, and acceptable image quality for its class. However, it suffers from performance drawbacks such as a narrow aperture lens, a tendency to underexpose high-contrast scenes, and noticeable image noise at higher sensitivity settings. Furthermore, it lacks several...

The Canon PowerShot D30, reviewed by What Digital Camera, is a rugged camera featuring a 25-meter waterproofing depth and improved, ergonomic chassis, but it largely reuses internal specs from the older D20 model, including a 12.1-megapixel sensor and DIGIC 4 processor. Pros include this enhanced, secure handling, fast autofocus in bright light, and effective image stabilization, making it a reliable, albeit conservative, choice for extreme conditions. However, the D30 lacks modern connectivity features like Wi-Fi and suffers from limited dynamic range, resulting in clipped highlights. Cons also include a slow one-frame-per-second continuous shooting speed and a, at times, unreliable multi-zone autofocus system that often misses the subject. Consequently, the review indicates the camera is outperformed in value and features by competitors.

The Canon PowerShot D30 is a tough, reliable, and compact camera that is highly recommended for novice and adventure-based photographers. It features a smaller and thinner body than its predecessor, the D20, offering a snug handheld grip and quick response times. Designed to withstand harsh elements, it operates flawlessly in sub-zero temperatures down to -8°C, tolerates heavy fog without any internal moisture build-up, and survives high-speed drops on ski slopes. Key pros include its exceptional durability against sand, sun, snow, chlorine, and saltwater, an easy-to-use full auto mode that delivers clear, crisp images with soft tones, and a redesigned, recessed video record button positioned next to the shutter for effortless switching. If you'd like, I can help you find alternative waterproof cameras or compare this model's detailed specifications with newer action cameras. What

The Canon PowerShot D30, featured in the DPReview roundup, is a rugged camera designed for extreme depths of up to 25 meters, featuring a 28-140mm equivalent lens, rapid sub-one-second startup, and effective underwater color correction. It offers robust physical protection against drops and delivers vibrant, punchy colors, making it a strong contender for underwater imaging. However, the model is limited by a low 1.9 fps burst rate, only one locking mechanism per door, and an LCD screen that appears washed out with a cyan tint on land. Additionally, the camera suffers from corner blurring at wide angles and, despite its strong color performance, tends to lose fine detail in images.

The Canon PowerShot D30 ($329.99 MSRP) review highlights a rugged "toughcam" that excels in physical durability but severely underperforms in image and video quality. On the positive side (pros), the camera features outstanding survival ratings, boasting the ability to withstand underwater depths of up to 82 feet and drops from 6.5 feet. It also sports a redesigned, chunky chassis with large buttons and an improved front grip that makes it easy to hold and operate when wet. Additionally, testing revealed highly accurate color reproduction with the "My Colors" feature turned off, and the device includes an on-board GPS antenna to log photo location data automatically. Conversely, the review notes heavy negative aspects (cons) centered around outdated internal hardware. The D30 recycles the 12.1-megapixel sensor and slow f/3.9-4.8 5x zoom lens from its 2012 predecessor, the D20. This narrow aperture severely limits low-light performance, leading to aggressive noise reduction that wipes out fine details and produces grainy, smartphone-quality images. Furthermore, 1080p video quality is hindered by intense oversharpening, strobing, and a mono microphone. Finally, the camera lacks modern wireless connectivity features...

Ken Rockwell's review highlights the Canon PowerShot D30 as a sturdy, waterproof camera offering superior, reliable autofocus, particularly for underwater video, compared to competitors. While praised for ease of use, the camera's drawbacks include lacklustre corner sharpness for above-water photography and a high $300 price point. Ken Rockwell The review notes the D30 lacks the better features, value, and versatility of rivals like the Olympus TG-4, which offers better flash performance, extra tools, and better image quality. Despite these limitations, it remains a dedicated, reliable, and user-friendly choice for aquatic environments.

The Trusted Reviews analysis of the Canon PowerShot D30 highlights its record-breaking 25-meter waterproof rating, robust build, and accurate GPS logging, though notes it heavily mirrors the older D20 model. Significant downsides mentioned include a lack of Wi-Fi connectivity and notoriously stiff, difficult-to-open locking flaps for the battery and memory card. Regarding performance, the camera features a quick start-up and effective auto-focus, but is hindered by a weak lens causing soft corners and chromatic aberration. Additionally, the review cites poor continuous shooting speeds of only one frame per second.