Nikon D70

Value (8.0)
The Nikon D70 was built for value, and is a great deal for someone entering the world of digital SLR photography. It’s a great investment in terms of gaining experience with a high-end camera without limiting your shooting or breaking your bank account. Compared to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel, the Nikon D70 might feel a bit expensive, but in the world of high-end digital SLRs, a sub-$1000 price is a great deal.

Comparisons
Nikon D100-- The Nikon D70 ($999 body only) is very similar to its predecessor, the Nikon D100 ($1499 body only), with competitive features at a cheaper price. Although the two cameras look almost identical, the Nikon D100 is a very substantial camera with a metal body, as opposed to the plastic body of the Nikon D70. The Nikon D70’s lighter and more compact body (140 x 111 x 78 mm, 595g, 1,212,120 mm³) is much more portable than the Nikon D100 (measuring approximately 144 x 116 x 81 mm, 700g, and 1,353,024 mm³). The two digital SLR cameras have identical settings for a number of features: 6 megapixels, AF mode, self-timer, exposure compensation, white balance, and bracketing. That said, there are many features that have been added or improved upon in the Nikon D70. Nikon added an auto shooting mode, 6 scene modes, higher shutter speeds, higher resolution LCD screen, PictBridge compatibility, increased image parameters, and a pentamirror viewfinder. The features that the Nikon D70 did not inherit were TIFF format and higher ISO settings.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel-- Since its introduction to the market, the Nikon D70 has been heavily compared to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel ($899 body only). The two are both aimed at the sub-$1000 SLR market and offer many of the same features. The two cameras are roughly the same size: the Canon EOS Digital Rebel comes in at 142 x 99 x 72.9 mm, 560g, 1,024,828 mm³; and the Nikon D70 measures 140 x 111 x 78 mm, 595g, 1,212,120 mm³. The Canon and Nikon offerings both have lightweight bodies, 6 megapixels, similar white balance options, exposure and white balance bracketing, pentamirror viewfinders, compact flash use, and PictBridge compatibility. According to our testing, the areas in which the Canon EOS Digital Rebel excels are: color and resolution performance, lower ISO capability, 35 zone metering system (as opposed to the Nikon D70’s 3D matrix system), 7-point AF system (as opposed to Nikon’s 5-point), and the ability to fine-tune white balance settings. The Nikon D70 excels with its higher LCD screen resolution, increased preset parameters (7 compared to Canon’s 5), increased exposure compensation, adjustable AF mode, fast start-up time, 3 frames per second capture rate (the Canon EOS Digital Rebel only has 2.5 fps), 2-20 adjustable second self-timer options (Canon only gives you one 10 second option!), and AF Assist white lamp (the flash must be up on the Canon EOS Digital Rebel for AF assistance). The slightly larger body and increased price may be a deterrent for some, but in my opinion the slight price jump is justified by delivering a more substantial camera with better flexibility.

Who It's For
Point-and-Shooters-- The Nikon D70 is not a point-and-shoot digital camera and would not be suitable for someone who doesn’t want to deal with multiple options. It has too many bells and whistles and would confuse anyone who is clueless about photography.

Budget Consumers--If you know you want a higher-end camera, but you don’t want to take out a second mortgage to do it, I would suggest the Nikon D70 or the Canon EOS Digital Rebel. Although these two cameras differ somewhat in make-up and options, they are both quality cameras for a really low price. Nikon and Canon, two of the leading digital camera manufacturers in the industry, have made a commitment to producing quality product for rock bottom prices.

Gadget Freaks-- Gadget freaks, come on down! This Nikon D70 has enough bits and bobs to keep you happy until the next hot digital camera comes out. Just when you think you’ve found them all, there are more settings to mess around with.

Manual Control Freaks--I have a feeling the manual control junkies will be pleased with this camera as well. The Nikon D70 offers a host of options to surpass the Canon EOS Digital Rebel and even the Canon EOS 10D on a number of occasions. Whether you’re a technical genius or a wild and crazy artist, the flexibility that the Nikon D70 offers won’t disappoint.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists-- The Nikon D70 is not the first camera that I would suggest for someone turning pro, but it will definitely suffice for someone who is serious about photography. Compared to some of the digital cameras in the more professional line, 6.1 megapixels may fall a little short, but it’s not what I would call a limiting camera.