Compared to...
People's first reaction to the D70, especially existing D100 owners was that it doesn't appear to be a downgrade from the D100. Indeed, this is also my reaction. Yes, the D70's design is simpler than the D100 and the menus have larger type face, there are some custom functions missing and you can't add a vertical hand grip. But in all other respects the D70 is as good as and in some cases better than the D100. This then makes the naming convention a little odd. From a competition point of view the D70 was clearly aimed at nudging the EOS 300D of its perch but is also capable of taking on the EOS 10D which costs quite a bit more.
![]() Nikon D70 |
![]() Nikon D100 |
![]() Canon EOS 300D |
|
Price | $999 (body only) | $1,499 (body only) | $899 (body only) |
Body | Plastic | Metal | Plastic |
Sensor | 6 megapixel CCD (new) | 6 megapixel CCD | 6 megapixel CMOS |
FOV crop | 1.5x (Nikon DX) | 1.5x (Nikon DX) | 1.6x |
Modes | Auto, P, S, A, M, 6 scene | P, A, S, M | Auto, P, A, S, M, A-DEP, 6 scene |
Image formats | JPEG, RAW | JPEG, RAW,TIFF | JPEG, RAW |
RAW+JPEG | One RAW, One JPEG | One RAW, One JPEG | JPEG embedded in RAW |
Image params | Auto Sharpness (6 settings) Tone (6 settings) Saturation (3 settings) Hue (7 settings) 7 preset parameter sets |
Auto Sharpness (4 settings) Tone (4 settings) Hue (7 settings) |
Contast (5 settings) Sharpness (5 settings) Saturation (5 settings) Color tone (5 settings) 3 preset parameter sets |
Color | 2 x sRGB, Adobe RGB | 2 x sRGB, Adobe RGB | 1 x sRGB, Adobe RGB |
ISO | 200 - 1600 (1/3 EV steps) | 200 - 1600 (1/3 EV steps) 3200, 6400 via boost |
100 - 1600 (1 EV steps) |
Exp. compen. | +/- 5 EV 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
+/- 5 EV 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
+/- 2 EV 1/3 EV steps |
Flash exp compen. | -3 to +1 EV 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
-3 to +1 EV 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
No |
Metering | 3D matrix, 1005 pixel | 3D matrix, 10 segment | 35 zone |
Shutter | 30 - 1/8000 sec | 30 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/4000 sec |
Flash X-sync | External: up to 1/500 sec | 1/180 sec | 1/200 sec |
AF mode | Single, Continuous | Single, Continuous | Not manually selectable |
AF area mode | Single, Dynamic, Closest | Single, Dynamic, Closest | Single, Dynamic |
AF assist | White lamp | White lamp | Flash strobe, must be up |
AF system | 5-point Multi-CAM900 |
5-point Multi-CAM900 |
7-point TTL CMOS sensor |
Continuous | JPEG: 3 fps, 12 images *1 RAW: 3 fps, 4 images |
JPEG: 3 fps, 6 images RAW: 3 fps, 3 images |
JPEG: 2.5 fps, 4 images RAW: 2.5 fps, 4 images |
Self-timer | 2 - 20 sec | 2 - 20 sec | 10 sec |
WB | Auto, 6 preset, manual Can be fine tuned |
Auto, 6 preset, manual Can be fine tuned |
Auto, 6 preset, manual |
Bracketing | AE, White Balance | AE, White Balance | AE, White Balance |
i-TTL flash | Yes | No | n/a |
D-TTL flash | Yes | Yes | n/a |
Slow sync flash | 1st or 2nd Curtain | 1st or 2nd Curtain | 1st Curtain |
Viewfinder | Pentamirror Eyepoint: 18 mm (-1.6 to +0.5 m-1 dioptre) |
Pentaprism Eyepoint: 24 mm (-2.0 to +1.0 m-1 dioptre) |
Pentaprism Eyepoint: 20 mm (-3.0 to +1.0 m-1 diopter) |
LCD | 1.8", 130,000 pixels | 1.8", 118,000 pixels | 1.8", 118,000 pixels |
Orientation sensor | Yes | No | Yes |
Custom functions | 9 or 25 settings | 24 settings | None |
Memory banks | One | Two | One |
Storage | CF, FAT16/FAT32 | CF, FAT16/FAT32 | CF, FAT16/FAT32 |
Power | Lithium-Ion EN-EL3 CR2 carrier |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3 | Lithium-Ion BP-511 |
Connectivity | USB 2.0 (only 1.1 speed) | USB 1.1 | USB 1.1 |
Text comment | Yes, embedded in EXIF | Yes, embedded in EXIF | No |
PictBridge | Yes | No | Yes |
Dimensions | 140 x 111 x 78 mm | 144 x 116 x 81 mm | 142 x 99 x 72 mm |
Weight (no batt) | 595 g | 700 g | 560 g |
Remote release | Infrared (optional) | Wired (optional) | Wired (optional) Infrared (optional) |
Vertical grip | No | Yes, optional | Yes, optional |
Status LCD | Top of camera, backlit | Top of camera, backlit | Rear of camera, backlit |
Command dials | One rear, One front | One rear, One front | One top |
Power on | Virtually instant | Virtually instant | 3 seconds |
Shutter release | Very fast | Fast | Fast |
*1 The D70 buffers the final image rather than the 'RAW data' and at lower image sizes / qualities can shoot hundreds in a single burst.
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