Search
Related Topics
If you Google...
Categories
Resources
Syndication
Archives
Links
About
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.
A highly competent camera which still retains some mass appeal.
The Nikon D70 has been out for a bit over a year now, and has been considered by many to be one of the best low-to-mid range digital SLR cameras on the market. Despite how well it performs, Nikon decided to improve upon it with the release of the D70s. This isn’t a total remake or an entirely new camera, but rather a D70 which has been notably improved upon.
While the 6.1 megapixel CCD doesn’t exactly offer the most pixels for the price range this camera falls under, the image quality offered and the fact that the camera is a very fast performer are enough to justify the lower pixel count of the camera. For image compression, the D70s can take pictures in JPEG normal, fine, NEF (12 bit raw), and NEF+JPEG Normal with image sizes going as high as 3008×2000 pixels. The image size is one of the first things most people coming in from point-and-shoot cameras will notice. The camera doesn’t use the 4:3 aspect ratios of most point-and-shoot cameras. Instead, you will be using the standard 3:2 ratio used by film cameras. This is due to the fact that the D70s relies on lenses that were originally meant for film cameras. This serves the additional purpose of not requiring you to crop your images if you want to output to a standard print size. For image sensitivity, you have the choice of 10 ISO settings ranging from ISO200 to ISO1600. The camera performs incredibly well in each of them as you will see later in the test samples.
The D70s also features one of the most powerful continuous shooting modes in its price segment. In theory, the camera is capable of 144 pictures at 3 shots per second. Granted, the number of shots and the speed at which you shoot is dependant on the image compression you use and the speed of your CF card. While I never really needed to fill the camera with this many shots, it did manage around 2.5 shots per second in jpeg fine. Sports photographers will find this to be an excellent feature since it’ll allow you to take action shots of extended sequences. It might be just enough to get a shot of a critical moment in a football play.
We gave the original D70 five stars for value when we reviewed it in the August 2004 issue. Now Nikon has upgraded this excellent digital SLR, creating the D70s. Improvements include better AF performance with fast-moving subjects, a larger LCD monitor (2.0” vs. 1.8”) with color-coded menus and larger type, a wider angle of coverage for the built-in Speedlight (18mm lens vs. 20mm), a higher-capacity battery (providing up to 2500 shots vs. 2000 for the original D70), and a new remote port for the optional MC-DC1 electronic cable release.
Like the original D70, the new D70s can record images in JPEG format at several resolutions and compression levels, or in NEF (Nikon Electronic Format)—Nikon’s version of raw. You can also record in NEF and highest-compression JPEG formats simultaneously. Images are recorded on CompactFlash cards or Microdrives. The NEF format provides optimum image quality and allows much post-shooting adjustment, but requires processing with the easy-to-use PictureProject software supplied with the camera, or the more versatile but optional Nikon Capture 4 software.
With the introduction of the D70s, Nikon has refined its most popular dSLR. There is no increase in resolution or responsiveness, usually hallmarks of new models, over the D70 we reviewed in 2004, but you’ll find several improvements that add to its appeal, including a larger 2-inch LCD monitor, a higher capacity battery, faster image recording, improved autofocus system and the ability to attach a remote shutter release; while not revolutionary, Nikon’s efforts have made an already good camera even better. With introduction of the entry-level D50, the D70s occupies the mid-range of Nikon’s amateur dSLR line, competing directly with Canon’s Digital Rebel XT.
With the Nikon D70s, Nikon upgrades its popular D70 consumer digital SLR. The improvements are minor, but they should be sufficient to keep this camera, already one of the best in the sub-$1,000 class, competitive with smaller rivals, such as the Pentax *ist DS, and ones with higher pixel counts, such as the Canon Digital Rebel XT. This tweaked 6-megapixel model retains the solid design, the impressive performance, and the excellent image quality we liked in the original, while repairing a few of the more frustrating shortcomings. Current D70 owners won’t be clamoring to replace their cameras with this one, but potential new buyers will appreciate the fine-tuning.