I started this review by saying that I would help you decide between the Canon EOS 30D and the Canon EOS-5D. I can’t - it’s up to you whether you prefer the full frame of the 5D or the cropped sensor of the 30D.
With the right lenses the 5D delivers better images with slightly lower noise but the 30D is really so good that I wouldn’t expect most users to grumble about it in the slightest. As for comparing the 30D with other manufacturers - well, it’s pretty much what you would expect. Taking everything into account I’d rate it as better than cheaper cameras by other manufacturers and not as good as much more expensive ones. That may sound like a cop out but it reinforces the advice on buying a DSLR we stick by here at ThinkCamera: read the reviews to find any shortcomings and rule out any lemons, choose the price band you feel comfortable with and then try the resulting cameras until you find the one you like the best.
For about £800 body only you’d expect a pretty good camera - and that’s exactly what you get with the Canon 30D.