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Details at a glance
Megapixels: 6.1
Lens Mount: Nikon AF
FPS: 3
LCD screen: 2.0 inch
Storage: SD/MMC (8.3mb int)
Size: 140 x 111 x 78mm
Weight: 600g
(full details at bottom of the page)
We clicked with
Exceptional feature list, program modes which really work, solid build
Shots in the dark
Very little to complain about, perhaps a slightly small viewfinder
Links
More Nikon information
www.nikon.co.uk
Price Comparison:
Nikon D70s
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The Nikon D70s is a high quality camera at a keen price. It is firmly aimed at 2 groups - those upgrading from digital point-and-shoot cameras to something more substantial, and more serious photographers. It's a highly competent camera which still retains some mass appeal.
Appearance and Features
There is a standard set of SLR features belonging to most film and digital cameras produced in the last 20 years. These include electronically controlled aperture and shutter speed, plus easily set mode options. The Nikon D70s is no exception: it has all of these. The basic ones are called “digital vari-program modes” and the more advanced features are handled through manual modes.
However, this camera raises the bar slightly and it makes sense to talk about these features with reference to the improvements introduced here. The shutter speed range on the Nikon D70s is between 30 seconds and 1/8000th second, which is superbly flexible. It is the very fast processing and the excellent range of bracketing features that really allows one to take better photos. Likewise, the new and improved “intelligent through the lens” (i-TTL) flash works in tandem with the lens, Nikon DX format sensor and pre-flash, to measure the distance to the subject and adjust colours and tones.
The digital vari-program modes not only adjust aperture and shutter speed . They also adjust white balance, sharpening, tone and contrast to get the best results for the type of photograph you wish to take.
The overall layout of the camera buttons is good and intuitive. Specifically, I am thinking about the flash mode button, which is beside the (you guessed it!) built-in flash and the auto-focus / auto-exposure lock, which sits beside the viewfinder. The polycarbonate body feels solid without adding weight. The new and improved larger-font menu is better than the D70S' predecessors too.
A good mix of features includes:
- Sensitivity ISO 200-1600
- 3D colour matrix metering, producing a wide latitude of colours
- Accurate auto focus (which I understand was a problem on the Nikon D100)
- Intuitive help dialogs on the LCD menu
Advanced Features
The advanced features which I found worked really well or were well implemented included the following:
Image enhancement options - these offer advanced users a quick fix when using one of the manual modes: vivid, portrait, landscape and other custom options
AF area modes - include 3 different focusing modes, which when used with continuous shooting (AF-C) make the D70s a really accomplished camera - able to take sharp pictures quickly of moving or still subjects. Note that auto focus has been improved on D70s, so expect more accurate and better tracking than that on the D70.
Excellent write and buffering speeds - you might not even notice these, but they make the camera very quick to use.
Bracketing - this feature is really well implemented in the Nikon D70s using the LSI processor.
Flash exposure compensation - if you automatically expect washed out skin tones when using the flash, Nikon has the answer. Positive compensation can be used if the main subject is darker than the background. Negative compensation can be used if the main subject is lighter than the background.
Extras and software included in the kit
The D70s kit includes the Nikkor f3.5-4.5 /18-70mm lens. You also get a comfortable wide neck strap, body and lens caps, a hard plastic cover to protect the LCD monitor (if only pocket digital cameras came with this!) and a large rubber DK-20 eye-cup. The camera also comes with an easily digestible 208 page manual and the free Nikon Picture Project 1.5 software, which allows for image transfer and some very basic editing. For more advanced users a trial version of Nikon Capture 4.2 is included. This software allows more advanced solutions for editing your images. It offers functions like automatic dodge and burn control, removal of image dust and particle shades and the ability to control your camera directly via the USB connection.
The kit also includes an improved battery and charger. The battery is the more powerful Li-ion rated at 1500 Milliamps. Its capacity has been increased and you should now be able to take 2500 pictures per charge as opposed to 2000 on the old D70.
Against
If this is your first digital SLR and you are a beginner it can be daunting learning how to get the best from the D70S. Using the vari-programs on their own will compromise results for pros. Therefore, due mostly to the true sophistication of the D70s, you will need to read the manual a few times.
The body and standard lens, which comes with the kit, have a heavy combined weight and there are cheaper cameras out there which are a lot lighter- but far less technically sophisticated. One downside: ideally, if money were no object I would want the Nikon D70s to have a bigger and brighter viewfinder.
However, this is a great piece of equipment for the money. I am sure that technically, there are better cameras on the market, but realistically; one would expect them to cost a lot more than the price of the D70s. While there are some of the age old problems which every “prosumer” camera gives its users (i.e. automatic features that seem superfluous to the needs of professionals and the more advanced features that will be superfluous to the needs of those who are less technical) it is still a really good camera. It is fast, in a way that digital cameras were incapable of even 2 years ago. It looks imposing and attractive and due to its solid build and practical features it gives users confidence - and with all the add-ins mentioned above this is a great camera kit.
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This camera meets the needs of many. The digital vari-programs will suit those who still prefer a method of photography closer to point and shoot; on top of which, if you don't want to get your hands dirty with exposure, there's always Program mode. This sparks up bracketing and other ways to optimise image quality. Professionals and anoraks will revel in the plethora of options (only some of which I have covered). However, both beginners and advanced users will benefit from this camera's main strengths - build quality, great design and great image processing.
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Nikon D70 specs
| Mega-pixels: | 6 |
Photo: | JPEG, RAW |
| Lens Mount: | Nikon AF |
RAW: | Yes (Nef) |
| LCD: | 2.2 inch |
FPS: | 3 |
| Dimensions: | 140 x 111 x 78mm |
Shutter: | 30 sec to 1/8000 |
| Weight: | 600g |
Exposure: | ISO 200 to 1600 |
| Storage: | CF |
Movie: | No |
| Battery: | Li-Ion EN-EL3 |
Microphone: | No |
| Interface: | USB 2.0, AV |
PictBridge: | No |
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Included accessories:
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3a, Quick Charger MH-18a, Video Cable, USB Cable UC-E4, Strap, Body cap, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-20, LCD monitor cover BM-5, PictureProject CD-ROM
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