EOS 5 versus 50 versus 30 versus 30V.

Comparison - the EOS 5/A2/A2E, the EOS 50/50E/Elan II/Elan IIE/EOS 55, the EOS 30/33/Elan 7/7E/EOS 7 and the EOS 30V/33V/Elan 7N/7EN/EOS 7S.

Copyright © 2002-2007 NK Guy.

http://photonotes.org/reviews/5-50-30/

When I compiled this table one of the most commonly asked questions on EOS discussions fora was “should I buy the EOS A5/2, the EOS 50/50E/Elan II/Elan IIE/EOS 55, the EOS Elan 7/EOS 30? or the EOS Elan 7N/EOS 30V?” However, I now have the Complete EOS Lookup Page which contains all this information and more and renders this page pretty well obsolete. I’m going to leave this page here, but I do recommend checking out the database if for no other reason than it contains data on all the latest products. I also recommend my online dictionary if you’re unfamiliar with any of the terms or acronyms used.

Camera versions:

I’m going to begin by clarifying the issue of naming. Canon often use different model names for certain products depending on the regional market to which they are sold. In particular, Canon USA often sell EOS cameras under different names from the rest of the world. Canon Japan also occasionally sell Japanese-only models.

In addition, versions of these cameras with date-printing backs are and were available in non-Japanese markets, sometimes under the name “QD” (quartz date) and sometimes under the name “DATE.” Japanese versions of these cameras, however, all came or come with date printing as a standard feature.

EOS 5

The international ECF (eye-control focus) equipped Canon EOS 5 is known as the EOS A2E in North America. This camera was the first camera to allow selection of focus points by having the photographer simply look at the point.
The North American market also saw a model not equipped with ECF, which was known as the EOS A2.
The EOS 5 and EOS A2E are not entirely identical. In particular the 5 has superior manual metering display capabilities over the A2E.
EOS 50
The international ECF (eye-control) equipped Canon EOS 50E is known as the EOS Elan IIE in North America.
The international non-ECF Canon EOS 50 is known as the EOS Elan II in North America.
The Japanese market saw an all-black version of the EOS 50E with date back and panorama option, known as the EOS 55.
EOS 30
The ECF-equipped Canon EOS 30 is known as the EOS Elan 7E in North America and the EOS 7 in Japan.
The non eye-control version is the EOS 33 internationally and the EOS Elan 7 in North America.
The non-ECF version is not available in Japan. As far as I know there are no functional differences between the North American and international versions of this camera.

EOS 30V

The ECF-equipped Canon EOS 30V is known as the EOS Elan 7EN in North America and the EOS 7S in Japan. All three ECF-equipped cameras have date-back functionality.
The non eye-control version is the EOS 33V internationally and the EOS Elan 7N in North America.
The non-ECF version is not available in Japan. As far as I know there are no functional differences between the North American and international versions of this camera.

Comparison table:

Here’s a table comparing the four cameras. I have marked in bold the camera or camera which has an advantage in each area. Note that I only list areas in which there are differences. Most basic features in common between all four cameras are not mentioned - this is merely a comparison and not a full-featured comparative review.

Feature EOS 5/A2/A2E EOS 50/50E/Elan II/Elan IIE/EOS 55 EOS 30/33/Elan 7/Elan 7E/EOS 7 EOS 30V/33V/Elan 7N/Elan 7EN/EOS 7S

Date introduced November 1992 September 1995 October 2000 February 2004

Date discontinued 2001
2000
February 2004 n/a (current model)

Marketing position when introduced Semi-pro model, second from top of line Advanced amateur model, third from top of line Advanced amateur model, third from top of line Advanced amateur model, third from top of line

Body type Plastic (polycarbonate). Metal lens mount Plastic with metal (aluminium) top. Metal lens mount Plastic with metal (aluminium) top. Metal lens mount Plastic with metal (aluminium) top. Posher paint job than the 30V/7N. Metal lens mount

Build quality Sturdy, sold as a semi-professional camera. However, command dial has a known design flaw and tends to break. (1) Back creaks when pressed Reasonably sturdy, but not sold as a professional camera. Reasonably sturdy, but not sold as a professional camera. However, feels tight and well-constructed Reasonably sturdy, but not sold as a professional camera. However, feels tight and well-constructed

Size Medium sized. Better for people with larger hands. 154 x 121 x 74 mm - width, height, depth Medium-small. 153 x 105 x 71 mm - width, height, depth Medium-small and lighter. People with large hands may want to add the battery pack. 147 x 103 x 69 mm - width, height, depth Medium-small and lighter. People with large hands may want to add the battery pack. 147 x 103 x 69 mm - width, height, depth

Weight 675 g without batteries 595 g without batteries 580 g without batteries 580 g without batteries

Body colour Black Black with silver top (except the Japanese EOS 55 and some European versions of the EOS 50, which were available in all-black) Black Black with more matte finish than its predecessor

Metering options Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, spot (3.5% area at centre mark) Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, partial (9.5% area, around centre or optionally linked to active focus point) Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, partial (10% area, around centre or optionally linked to active focus point) Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, partial (10% area, around centre or optionally linked to active focus point)

Evaluative metering zones 16 zones 6 zones 35 zones 35 zones

Manual exposure metering 5 - good (simulated matchneedle display). A2/A2E - poor (+/- display) (2) Good (simulated matchneedle display) Good (simulated matchneedle display) Good (simulated matchneedle display)

Metering (not autofocus) range 0-20 EV 1-20 EV 1-20 EV 1-20 EV

Basic (idiot) modes 5 5 6 (includes night mode) 6 (includes night mode)

Shiftable DEP mode Yes Yes No No

Focus points 5 (in line) 3 (in line) 7 (in a cross shape) 7 (in a cross shape)

Interchangeable focus screens Yes (3) No No No

ECF (EOS 5, A2E only) Slow. Works only in horizontal (landscape) configuration unless hacked (4) (EOS 50E, Elan IIE, EOS 55 only) Medium-fast. Works in both portrait and landscape configurations (EOS 30, Elan 7, EOS 7 only) Fast. Works in both portrait and landscape configurations (EOS 30, Elan 7, EOS 7 only) Fast. Works in both portrait and landscape configurations

Rear cursor buttons for AF point selection No No Yes Yes

Low-light autofocus abilities Good. EV 0-18, AF assist, bright viewfinder Good. EV 0-18, AF assist Poor. EV 1-18; no AF assist Presumably same as Elan 7/EOS 30. EV 1-18; no AF assist

Body-integral patterned red AF assist light Yes Yes No (pulses the internal flash) No (pulses the internal flash)

Able to use external Speedlite AF assist light No Yes Yes Yes

IS (image stabilization) compatibility Viewfinder shakes slightly after photo taken if IS is engaged; does not affect image. If custom function 4 is engaged then the * button must be held down for IS to stay on. Incompatibilities with some lenses and teleconverters No issues No issues No issues

Teleconverter (TC) compatibility Exposure compensation required when using certain long telephoto lenses (5) No issues No issues No issues

E-TTL flash support Not supported. TTL, A-TTL only Supported. Full TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL, FP (high speed sync) mode and FEL (flash exposure lock) flash Supported. Full TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL, FP (high speed sync) mode and FEL (flash exposure lock) flash Supported. Full TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL, FP (high speed sync) mode and FEL (flash exposure lock) flash

E-TTL II (6) No No No Yes (first EOS film camera to support E-TTL II)

Modelling flash Not supported Not supported Supported Supported

Wireless E-TTL Not supported Wireless E-TTL support but no wireless flash ratios Full wireless E-TTL support including wireless flash ratios Full wireless E-TTL support including wireless flash ratios

Internal flash Zooming head, guide numbers 13-17 depending on zoom position, 28mm coverage. Greater range, but zoom motor noisy Fixed head, guide number 13, 28mm coverage Fixed head, guide number 13, 28mm coverage Fixed head, guide number 13, 28mm coverage

TTL flash metering zones 3 3 3 3

Auto fill-flash can be disabled Yes (custom function 16) No No No

PC (studio flash) socket
Built-in
Not built-in Not built-in Not built-in

Maximum flash sync shutter speed (X-sync) 1/200 sec true X-sync. No support for FP mode 1/125 sec true X-sync (1/4000 sec in FP mode only) 1/125 sec true X-sync (1/4000 sec in FP mode only) 1/125 sec true X-sync (1/4000 sec in FP mode only)

Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec

Battery 1x 2CR5 (interchangeable with many other EOS models) 1x 2CR5 (interchangeable with many other EOS models) 2x CR123 (not used by many other EOS models) 2x CR123 (not used by many other EOS models)

Battery door In handgrip - no hinge to break Cheap flex-plastic hinge which will break one day (7) Cheap flex-plastic hinge which will break one day (7) Unknown

Handgrip Optional VG-10. Includes rear command dial but sadly does not contain batteries and interferes with tripod use. Includes additional shutter release Optional BP-50. Does not include rear command dial but contains batteries (either 4 AA cells or a 2CR5 lithium cell). Includes additional shutter release Optional BP-300. Does not include rear command dial but contains batteries (either 4 AA cells or 2 CR123 lithium cells). Includes additional shutter release Optional BP-300. Does not include rear command dial but contains batteries (either 4 AA cells or 2 CR123 lithium cells). Includes additional shutter release

Viewfinder quality Brighter than both the 30 and 50 Dimmer than the 5; brighter than the 30 Dimmer than both the 5 and the 50 Dimmer than both the 5 and the 50

Viewfinder coverage 92% vertical and 94% horizontal coverage. 0.73x magnification 90% vertical and 92% horizontal. 0.71x magnification 90% vertical and 92% horizontal. 0.70x magnification 90% vertical and 92% horizontal. 0.70x magnification

Built-in dioptric adjustment 5, A2E: none. A2: adjustable, -2.75 to +.75 dpt None Adjustable, -2.5 to +0.5 dpt Adjustable, -2.5 to +0.5 dpt

Depth of field preview Tied to AE lock button or preview mark in ECF-capable versions Tied to AE lock button or preview mark in ECF-capable versions Dedicated DOF button Dedicated DOF button

Motor drive speed 5 frames per second 2.5 frames per second 4 frames per second 4 frames per second

Motor drive sound Quiet Quiet Very quiet Very quiet

Remote options Awkward proprietary T3 jack for 60T3 wired remote RS60-E3 wired remote (mini phone jack), RC-1 wireless remote RS60-E3 wired remote (mini phone jack), RC-1 wireless remote RS60-E3 wired remote (mini phone jack), RC-1 wireless remote

Stop-down metering for manual-only lenses (8) Supported Supported Not fully supported Unknown

Backlit top-deck LCD No No No Yes

Both film transport and metering controls operable easily by feel (lever position) No Yes No (film transport only controlled by lever) No (film transport only controlled by lever)

Compatible with high-speed infrared film (9) No No No No

Summary:

EOS 5/A2/A2E:

Strengths:
Generally sturdy, reliable. PC socket and high flash sync speed for studio photography. Spot metering for more advanced photography. High X-sync and top shutter speed.

Weaknesses:
Badly designed command dial which easily breaks. Poor ECF performance. No support for modern E-TTL flash - no FP, FEL and wireless flash. Optional grip contains no batteries.

EOS 50/50E/55/Elan II/Elan IIE:

Strengths:
Film transport and metering controls easily operated in the dark by feel (two levers). Contains a patterned red AF assist light.

Weaknesses:
6 metering zones and 3 focus points. No wireless E-TTL flash ratios. Tends to be a bit overpriced on the used market. Slower motor drive.

EOS 30/33/7/Elan 7/Elan 7E:

Strengths:
Modern E-TTL flash, including support for wireless ratios. Lightweight and small. Fast autofocus. 35 metering zones and 7 focus points. Good ECF.

Weaknesses:
Poor low-light autofocus, no true AF assist lamp. Does not properly support stop-down focussing for manual lenses. Battery pack grip has no rear dial. Uses lithium cells that aren’t used by many other EOS models.

EOS 30V/33/7S/Elan 7N/Elan 7EN:

Strengths:
Lightly updated EOS 30/Elan 7. First EOS film camera to include E-TTL II flash technology - by far this model’s most significant change. Faster autofocus, illuminated top-deck LCD.

Weaknesses:
Same as EOS 30/Elan 7.

Notes:

1: EOS 5/A2/A2E broken dial:
The weak command dial on the EOS 5 type cameras is definitely the model’s Achilles heel. Sadly, Canon have never really admitted that there’s a problem with the design, leaving the cost of fixing broken dials to the user.

Luckily there are two options to consider. First, Horizon Electronics offer a permanent fix to the problem by replacing the vulnerable parts. Second, adventuresome folks can fix the problem themselves - EOS fan Jim Strutz has written up instructions how.

2: A2/A2E only poor manual exposure metering:
The A2 and A2E only have weak manual exposure controls, as noted. Rather than displaying the current metering setting on a sliding scale (simulated matchneedle display) like the EOS 5 they simply show whether the current setting is over or underexposed. Horizon Electronics can reprogram EOS A2 and A2E cameras with the EOS 5 firmware, however, fixing the problem.

3: EOS 5/A2/A2E interchangeable screens:
Seven interchangeable screens were made for the EOS 5/A2/A2E, but not all screens were sold in all markets. The screens are:

Ed-N: new laser matte screen with rectangular AF frames but no DOF mark. Standard for A2. (North America only)
Ed-Ne: new laser matte screen with rectangular AF frames and DOF mark. Standard for 5/A2E.
Ed-O: new laser matte screen with focus sensor shapes rather than frames. ( | | + | | )
Ed-D: new laser matte screen with grid lines.
Ed-H: new laser matte with scales for macro and microphotography.
Ed-C: new laser matte screen with no markings.
Ed-P: new laser matte screen with panorama lines. (Japan only)

Sadly no split-circle or microprism screen was ever made to facilitate manual focussing. This is an unfortunate omission. Interestingly, third party screens are available (such as the Beattie Intenscreens) but they don’t sell split-circle screens for the 5/A2/A2E either, so perhaps it’s for obscure technical reasons.

4: EOS 5/A2E ECF:
The ECF on these cameras works only in horizontal (landscape) mode. However, an intrepid Canon user, Tommy Huynh, has figured out how to get it to work in vertical (portrait) mode as well. This requires some internal modifications to the camera and is not for the faint of heart.

5: EOS 5/A2/A2E and teleconverters:
For obscure technical reasons some exposure compensation may be required when using this camera with certain long telephoto lenses and teleconverters. For more information have a look at the Photo.net thread on the topic.

6: E-TTL II:
The Elan 7N/EOS 30V is the first EOS film-based camera to support the new E-TTL II flash technology which was introduced in early 2004 with the EOS 1D mark II digital camera. E-TTL II supports what are essentially dynamic flash metering patterns and distance data information from compatible lenses.

7: Battery doors:
A number of people have pointed out that they have owned their camera for several years and the flex-plastic battery door has not, as yet, broken. This is no doubt true. My own Elan (100) still has its working hinge.

My point is just that the flex-plastic design is certainly going to break someday whereas a genuine hinge probably won’t if it isn’t abused. Most people will be lucky and they won’t have the hinge snap off during the useable lifetime of the camera. Others, particularly those who shoot in cold weather when plastic becomes more brittle, may not be so lucky. I just think that the flex-plastic doors are an unnecessarily cheap design choice on Canon’s part.

8: EOS 30/33/Elan 7/7E/EOS 7 and stop-down metering:
Though this camera is the first (and thus far only) EOS camera unable to handle stop-down metering with old manual focus-only lenses correctly there are awkward workarounds to the problem. This issue does not, of course, affect manual focussing with EOS-compatible autofocus lenses.

9: EOS cameras and high-speed infrared:
The question of whether these cameras work properly with infrared film is a complex one. I’ve written a whole other article on the subject.

Links:

Canon Camera Museum entry for the EOS 5/A2/A2E:

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/1992-1996/data/1992_eos5_qd.html

Canon Camera Museum entry for the EOS 50/50E/55/Elan II/IIE:

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/1992-1996/data/1995_eos55.html

Canon Camera Museum entry for the EOS 30/33/7/Elan 7/7E:

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/1997-/data/2000_eos7.html

Canon technical report on the EOS 30/33/7/Elan 7/7E, including a comparison table between this camera and the 5/A2/A2E and 50/50E/55/Elan II/IIE.

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/tech/report/200010/report.html

Photo.net’s Canon reviews section, which has reviews of three of the four cameras:

http://www.photo.net/canon/

My review of the Elan 7/7E/EOS 7:

http://photonotes.org/reviews/eos-elan-7/

Why I chose Canon EOS when I moved from manual-focus to autofocus cameras:

http://photonotes.org/articles/why-canon/

- NK Guy, PhotoNotes.org.

Disclaimer and copyright:

This document is copyright © 2002-2007 NK Guy, PhotoNotes.org. This information is provided with neither warranties nor claims of accuracy or completeness of any sort. Use this information at your own risk. All trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

Thanks to David Lim, Peter Langfelder, Jim Strutz and Bill Jameson for helpful corrections.

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Feature	EOS 5/A2/A2E	EOS 50/50E/Elan II/Elan IIE/EOS 55	EOS 30/33/Elan 7/Elan 7E/EOS 7	EOS 30V/33V/Elan 7N/Elan 7EN/EOS 7S
Date introduced	November 1992	September 1995	October 2000	February 2004
Date discontinued	2001	2000	February 2004	n/a (current model)
Marketing position when introduced	Semi-pro model, second from top of line	Advanced amateur model, third from top of line	Advanced amateur model, third from top of line	Advanced amateur model, third from top of line
Body type	Plastic (polycarbonate). Metal lens mount	Plastic with metal (aluminium) top. Metal lens mount	Plastic with metal (aluminium) top. Metal lens mount	Plastic with metal (aluminium) top. Posher paint job than the 30V/7N. Metal lens mount
Build quality	Sturdy, sold as a semi-professional camera. However, command dial has a known design flaw and tends to break. (1) Back creaks when pressed	Reasonably sturdy, but not sold as a professional camera.	Reasonably sturdy, but not sold as a professional camera. However, feels tight and well-constructed	Reasonably sturdy, but not sold as a professional camera. However, feels tight and well-constructed
Size	Medium sized. Better for people with larger hands. 154 x 121 x 74 mm - width, height, depth	Medium-small. 153 x 105 x 71 mm - width, height, depth	Medium-small and lighter. People with large hands may want to add the battery pack. 147 x 103 x 69 mm - width, height, depth	Medium-small and lighter. People with large hands may want to add the battery pack. 147 x 103 x 69 mm - width, height, depth
Weight	675 g without batteries	595 g without batteries	580 g without batteries	580 g without batteries
Body colour	Black	Black with silver top (except the Japanese EOS 55 and some European versions of the EOS 50, which were available in all-black)	Black	Black with more matte finish than its predecessor
Metering options	Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, spot (3.5% area at centre mark)	Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, partial (9.5% area, around centre or optionally linked to active focus point)	Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, partial (10% area, around centre or optionally linked to active focus point)	Evaluative, centre-weighted averaging, partial (10% area, around centre or optionally linked to active focus point)
Evaluative metering zones	16 zones	6 zones	35 zones	35 zones
Manual exposure metering	5 - good (simulated matchneedle display). A2/A2E - poor (+/- display) (2)	Good (simulated matchneedle display)	Good (simulated matchneedle display)	Good (simulated matchneedle display)
Metering (not autofocus) range	0-20 EV	1-20 EV	1-20 EV	1-20 EV
Basic (idiot) modes	5	5	6 (includes night mode)	6 (includes night mode)
Shiftable DEP mode	Yes	Yes	No	No
Focus points	5 (in line)	3 (in line)	7 (in a cross shape)	7 (in a cross shape)
Interchangeable focus screens	Yes (3)	No	No	No
ECF	(EOS 5, A2E only) Slow. Works only in horizontal (landscape) configuration unless hacked (4)	(EOS 50E, Elan IIE, EOS 55 only) Medium-fast. Works in both portrait and landscape configurations	(EOS 30, Elan 7, EOS 7 only) Fast. Works in both portrait and landscape configurations	(EOS 30, Elan 7, EOS 7 only) Fast. Works in both portrait and landscape configurations
Rear cursor buttons for AF point selection	No	No	Yes	Yes
Low-light autofocus abilities	Good. EV 0-18, AF assist, bright viewfinder	Good. EV 0-18, AF assist	Poor. EV 1-18; no AF assist	Presumably same as Elan 7/EOS 30. EV 1-18; no AF assist
Body-integral patterned red AF assist light	Yes	Yes	No (pulses the internal flash)	No (pulses the internal flash)
Able to use external Speedlite AF assist light	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
IS (image stabilization) compatibility	Viewfinder shakes slightly after photo taken if IS is engaged; does not affect image. If custom function 4 is engaged then the * button must be held down for IS to stay on. Incompatibilities with some lenses and teleconverters	No issues	No issues	No issues
Teleconverter (TC) compatibility	Exposure compensation required when using certain long telephoto lenses (5)	No issues	No issues	No issues
E-TTL flash support	Not supported. TTL, A-TTL only	Supported. Full TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL, FP (high speed sync) mode and FEL (flash exposure lock) flash	Supported. Full TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL, FP (high speed sync) mode and FEL (flash exposure lock) flash	Supported. Full TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL, FP (high speed sync) mode and FEL (flash exposure lock) flash
E-TTL II (6)	No	No	No	Yes (first EOS film camera to support E-TTL II)
Modelling flash	Not supported	Not supported	Supported	Supported
Wireless E-TTL	Not supported	Wireless E-TTL support but no wireless flash ratios	Full wireless E-TTL support including wireless flash ratios	Full wireless E-TTL support including wireless flash ratios
Internal flash	Zooming head, guide numbers 13-17 depending on zoom position, 28mm coverage. Greater range, but zoom motor noisy	Fixed head, guide number 13, 28mm coverage	Fixed head, guide number 13, 28mm coverage	Fixed head, guide number 13, 28mm coverage
TTL flash metering zones	3	3	3	3
Auto fill-flash can be disabled	Yes (custom function 16)	No	No	No
PC (studio flash) socket	Built-in	Not built-in	Not built-in	Not built-in
Maximum flash sync shutter speed (X-sync)	1/200 sec true X-sync. No support for FP mode	1/125 sec true X-sync (1/4000 sec in FP mode only)	1/125 sec true X-sync (1/4000 sec in FP mode only)	1/125 sec true X-sync (1/4000 sec in FP mode only)
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec	1/4000 sec	1/4000 sec	1/4000 sec
Battery	1x 2CR5 (interchangeable with many other EOS models)	1x 2CR5 (interchangeable with many other EOS models)	2x CR123 (not used by many other EOS models)	2x CR123 (not used by many other EOS models)
Battery door	In handgrip - no hinge to break	Cheap flex-plastic hinge which will break one day (7)	Cheap flex-plastic hinge which will break one day (7)	Unknown
Handgrip	Optional VG-10. Includes rear command dial but sadly does not contain batteries and interferes with tripod use. Includes additional shutter release	Optional BP-50. Does not include rear command dial but contains batteries (either 4 AA cells or a 2CR5 lithium cell). Includes additional shutter release	Optional BP-300. Does not include rear command dial but contains batteries (either 4 AA cells or 2 CR123 lithium cells). Includes additional shutter release	Optional BP-300. Does not include rear command dial but contains batteries (either 4 AA cells or 2 CR123 lithium cells). Includes additional shutter release
Viewfinder quality	Brighter than both the 30 and 50	Dimmer than the 5; brighter than the 30	Dimmer than both the 5 and the 50	Dimmer than both the 5 and the 50
Viewfinder coverage	92% vertical and 94% horizontal coverage. 0.73x magnification	90% vertical and 92% horizontal. 0.71x magnification	90% vertical and 92% horizontal. 0.70x magnification	90% vertical and 92% horizontal. 0.70x magnification
Built-in dioptric adjustment	5, A2E: none. A2: adjustable, -2.75 to +.75 dpt	None	Adjustable, -2.5 to +0.5 dpt	Adjustable, -2.5 to +0.5 dpt
Depth of field preview	Tied to AE lock button or preview mark in ECF-capable versions	Tied to AE lock button or preview mark in ECF-capable versions	Dedicated DOF button	Dedicated DOF button
Motor drive speed	5 frames per second	2.5 frames per second	4 frames per second	4 frames per second
Motor drive sound	Quiet	Quiet	Very quiet	Very quiet
Remote options	Awkward proprietary T3 jack for 60T3 wired remote	RS60-E3 wired remote (mini phone jack), RC-1 wireless remote	RS60-E3 wired remote (mini phone jack), RC-1 wireless remote	RS60-E3 wired remote (mini phone jack), RC-1 wireless remote
Stop-down metering for manual-only lenses (8)	Supported	Supported	Not fully supported	Unknown
Backlit top-deck LCD	No	No	No	Yes
Both film transport and metering controls operable easily by feel (lever position)	No	Yes	No (film transport only controlled by lever)	No (film transport only controlled by lever)
Compatible with high-speed infrared film (9)	No	No	No	No