Canon's Media Storage M30 and M80 photo and video viewers

Well, this makes sense: Canon, like Epson (long) before them, just jumped into the digital storage game with their Media Storage M30 and M80 devices. Equipped with either a 1.8-inch 30GB or 80GB disk (we'll let you guess which model has which), each brings a biggie, 3.7-inch ultra-bright TFT screen with 160-degree viewing angle for image and video review -- just a hair smaller than that offered by Epson's lineup. Both of these rugged magnesium alloy units feature a USB 2.0 interface, slots for CF and SD cards, a password option to protect your media, and 1/8-inch audio jack to review sound. Supported formats include Canon RAW, MPEG, MP3, and WAV. And just to lock you in, this device uses the same battery as the Canon EOS 5D, 20D or 30D and WFT E1 Wireless File Transmitter unit. Price and availability? We'll just have to wait since Canon hasn't even gone live with the deets on their site yet.

[Russell @ Sep 25th 2006 10:18AM]

Very nice, would go perfect with the 1d mk2... Who wants to buy a well used P-2000? :)

[hmurchison @ Sep 25th 2006 10:21AM]

I hope the screen looks as good or better than the Epson P-2000/4000. I like the flexibility on the battery option.

[Kris @ Sep 25th 2006 11:36AM]

Will it support viewing Nikon RAW (.NEF) files? ;-)

[Mike @ Sep 25th 2006 11:50AM]

Thomas, I think you mis-read the last part about the wireless transmitter... the article is saying that these storage units share the BP511A battery with the woreless unit (and the cameras listed), NOT that the M30/80 products are compatible with it.

[Thomas Ricker @ Sep 25th 2006 12:04PM]

Mike, I think you're right after giving a re-read. Wishful thinking I guess. Post updated. Still waiting on official word from Canon with product images and detailed specs.

Thomas

[joost Van Brug @ Sep 25th 2006 12:10PM]

The EOS 20D and EOS 5D do not have the same battery. The 20/30D battery is smaller. So I doubt it's compatible.

[John @ Sep 25th 2006 12:16PM]

As long as it's competitive with the iPod. The Epson sure isn't (from a photographer's standpoint). It seems more geared towards taking your entire photo collection over to your aunt's house or something.

I'f I'm travelling (when I would actually use such a device) an 80GB iPod is by far a better option, and about half the price, and I can still load music on it, and when I'm not travelling it actually serves some purpose.

[iPodude @ Sep 25th 2006 1:02PM]

Don't go with the iPod. I can transfer a 1GB SD card on one full charge and it takes almost half an hour. As a photographer, the iPod is iUseless and I end up going with my laptop to transfer CF/SD cards. Of course, my 17" is not ideal on long hauls, so I would love a truly portable device like the newly announced Epsons. I feel the Canon will be doomed to the same fate as the Nikon Coolwalker (yah - anyone remember it? How cool (not) was that?), so I'm banking on the Archos or the Epson.

[James @ Sep 25th 2006 12:21PM]

Very nice for people who want to brand-coordinate with all their other photo gear.

[iwlp @ Sep 25th 2006 12:39PM]

The 5D, 20D and 30D do have the same battery - it is the BP-511A. The Rebels (at least the XT and up) have the smaller batteries.

[BrianK @ Sep 25th 2006 1:48PM]

Doesn't many of today's digicams already have 3" LCD? So, are you getting much more with this dedicated picture viewer that adds 0.7" to the LCD?

[Ryan @ Sep 25th 2006 2:21PM]

"Just to lock you in"? Not sure if that's supposed to be sarcastic, if not then it's a tad unfair. For people who do use said Canon cameras, it's *great* for starters to not have to lug around yet another battery charger. For people who don't use Canon cameras, they'd be "locked in" just as much as they would with the Epson P-2000 etc.

[Mojo_Yugen @ Sep 25th 2006 2:32PM]

No DNG? What a shock.

Pass.

[Jarrett Kaufman @ Sep 25th 2006 5:05PM]

I'll stick with the Epson P-3000/P-5000 for the intended purposes, which are NOT music. Much more experience, and if Canon's screens on their printers are any indication (what's their response time, 90ms?), much better screens.

[Raffi @ Oct 24th 2006 8:27AM]

Price??? how much.

[David Owens @ Dec 14th 2006 1:16PM]

With the price of CF now, I will just buy another 30Gb of CF cards to add to my 26Gb. No extra gear, chargers or batteries to lug around. More secure data.

[froggie @ Jul 23rd 2007 5:35AM]

i'm sending my 80g back, to download a 4gig card take 10-15 mins, viewing images on the unit is painfully slow.

I'm not impressed at all, it's the first time i've ever complained about a canon product.