Why to buy a Nikon D70 / D70s
The D70/D70s is a terrific DSLR designed for the amateur user, but with enough professional features to step up to serious professional use.
The D70/D70s is capable of providing some of the sharpest images in the Nikon line. This is partially attributed to a weak anti-alias filter, which causes less intentional image blurring than other Nikon DSLR’s. The downside is occasional moiré artifacts which may appear on fabrics or other situations involving series of tightly concentrated patterns or parallel lines.
The D70 supports all varieties of Nikon Autofocus lenses.
The D70 has quick buttons for setting ISO, White Balance, and Image Quality. These can also be set within camera menus.
The D70 inherited its 1005 segment matrix metering from the legendary Nikon F5 film SLR.
The D70 has an amazing flash sync speed of 1/500 sec.
Compared to its predecessor – the D100
Although the D70 was introduced ‘below’ the D100 in the Nikon lineup, it is a newer camera, providing a better interface and superior image quality. The D70 essentially obsoleted the D100 in a lighter and more user-efficient package. The only distinguishing features of the D100 versus the D70 are AF-C/AF-S selected on a hard switch on the camera body (similar to D200 and D2x) and the availability of a Nikon brand vertical grip for the D100 while none was made available for the D70. The D100 had a cumbersome method for selecting ISO, WB, and JPEG/RAW quality far outclassed by the D70’s button and command dial methods.
Up the line… the D80 has…
11 focus sensors versus 5
Enhanced flash commander mode
2.5 inch LCD screen versus 1.8 and 2.0 for D70/D70s respectively
Trick in-camera editing modes for red-eye, cropping, filters, and B&W effects
Hi-1 ISO mode
Configurable Function button
Mirror pre-fire
10.2 megapixel sensor versus 6.1 on D70
‘Smart’ EN-EL3e battery compatibility, which provides better battery life estimation
Customize the entire Menu
Available Nikon battery grip with vertical shooting controls
D70 advantages over D80
1/500 sec flash sync speed (although D80 has FP mode for faster sync with SB-600/800)
1/8000 max shutter speed versus 1/4000
1005 segment matrix meter versus 420
Generally more consistent matrix metering, less likely to blow highlights than D80.
Same features on D70/D70s and D80
Metering Mode choices
Bracketing options for exposure and white balance
Ability to load custom curves
Compressed RAW
3 Frames per second
Compatible with MC-DC1 remote cord (D70s and D80)
Compatible with ML-L3 wireless remote