It seems that metering is very reliable. As I haven't missed spot metering with my EOS 50E I think I will be well off with the same partial metering capability. I am very pleased with my decision to buy an EOS 30. For me, this seems to be very much the camera that I always wanted. Generally I am very pleased over my previous A2.
Quality seems better, The program dial is sturdier and focus is faster.
I am not convinced of the need of AI servo vs AI Focus, Perhaps basketball is a hard subject for predictive autofocus. The downside is that it seems to be a BIG battery hog. I used 4-AAs in the battery holder and the batteries pooped out after 7 36ex rolls. No on camera flash was used and I covered about 6 games. Spot metering is missed as well as a control dial on the ertical grip.