Nikon D70 Software (Windows)

The D70 is supplied with Nikon's new PictureProject software which is designed to make managing images easier, simplifying workflow and providing rudimentary RAW conversion. Alternatively you can also use the 'last' version of Nikon View (6.2.1, a free download) and optionally purchase Nikon Capture 4.1 for more advanced RAW conversion. A full review of Nikon View (6.1) and Nikon Capture (4.0) are available in our Nikon D2H review, nothing has changed in these minor upgrades other than the addition of D70 support.

Nikon PictureProject 1.0

PictureProject is clearly aimed at the first time digital camera user, it installs tray applications which monitor for connection of digital cameras via USB or cards inserted into card readers and then provides automatic transfer of images to the hard disk, cataloging them as it does so. You can also have the application catalog images already on your hard disk. It provides basic image editing including Brightness, Color, Sharpness and Photo Effects (B&W/Sepia).

In use I found PictureProject to feel a little awkward and incomplete, for example you double-click on an RAW to go into Edit mode where you can apply adjustments such as brightness (although not specifically digital exposure compensation) you then have to save the NEF go back to Organize mode select the image then do File -> Export as JPEG to convert the RAW file to JPEG. It doesn't support output to TIFF and doesn't provide adjustment of white balance or digital exposure compensation. PictureProject simply felt like a half finished solution and several steps back from Nikon View.

PictureProject in Organize mode (film strip view)
PictureProject in Edit mode, Brightness and Sharpening adjusted
File menu in Organize mode	File menu in Edit mode (what no Export?)

PictureProject Transfer

More Information page

Print feature has a good range of options

Export RAW as JPEG, but only from Organize mode

While the interface looks nicer* than Nikon View it certainly offers nothing over that application for the anyone above complete novice level and I am personally very surprised to see such an incomplete application bundled with a digital SLR like the D70. One step forward, three back. (The 'film strip' thumbnails across the top of the frame, image at the bottom looks very familiar).

* Although I'm not sure about the mixed grey / Windows default color backgrounds.