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Nikon D70 SLR Digital Camera

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Design: Very Good: 80

Find out how these scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Performance
Battery Life (minutes)	273.5
Image Quality, Color	55
Image Quality, Color--Adjusted	70
Image Quality, Color--Auto	40
Image Quality, Distortion	47.6
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise	61.4
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction	84
Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation	27
Image Quality, Exposure	39.4
Image Quality, Exposure--Flash	52
Image Quality, Exposure--Normal	34
Image Quality, Overall	51.3
Image Quality, Sharpness	35
Number of Batteries	1
Number of Shots	500

Performance
Image quality: To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at 640 by 480 resolution and at the camera's highest resolution. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle colorings such as skin tones. A panel of judges reviews the on-screen and printed photos and assigns image-quality scores; we then average those scores.	Fair
Ease of use	Good
Features	Outstanding
Maximum effective pixels/resolution	6.1 megapixels at 3008 by 2000
Bundled media	CompactFlash slot (media not included)
Optical zoom/Focal range (35mm equivalent)	Interchangeable lenses
Aperture range	Varies with lens
Shutter speed range (seconds)	30 seconds to 1/8000 second
Viewfinders	Through-the-lens optical viewfinder
Video and audio recording	No video or audio
Semi-automatic/manual modes	Six scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, and manual modes; manual focus
Continous shooting speed (at highest JPEG setting)	Up to 3 frames per second for a maximum of 144 frames
Optional lenses	Full-range of interchangeable lenses
Software	Nikon PictureProject
Battery score	Outstanding
Battery life: Battery life testing cut off at 500 shots	Over 500 shots
Battery number and type	One rechargeable lithium ion
Dimensions (w/d/h) and weight	5.5 by 3.1 by 4.4 inches; 23.7 ounces (body only)
Support policy score	Very Good
Support policies	One-year parts and labor warranty; 24-hour daily toll-free support

User Reviews for Nikon D70 SLR Digital Camera

Reviewed by: miyata

Duration of ownership: 3 Years

Strengths: Battery last 3 times longer than a friends Canon XT's. 1/500th flash sync. Durable. Color is alot better than some other cameras I've played with. With Firmware 2.0 buffer is seriously increased over the original firmware. In manual its real easy to adjust aperature and shutter while looking through the veiwfinder. Menu easy to navigate. Buttons well placed.

Weaknesses: Lack of wired remote. Issue fixed on D70s. Lack of mirror lock up for astronomy. Nikon Capture full version should come FREE with any of their DSLR's for how much the body costs. Lack of vertical grip. Aftermarket ones are more of a joke.

Overall Evaluation: Bought it new in May 04. No problems with it. No BSOD problem. Had a tough choice between the Eos Rebel Digital (300D) and the D70. D70 fit me more than the 300D did. Plus why Canon makes silver DSLRs is a mystery to me. Really looks like a cheesy P&S in silver. Just a personal preference. Compared it to a 10D a guy I know has and the D70 smoked it in our little tests. Even with my Tamron lenses pics came out ALOT better than his 10D with Canon lenses. When I heard the D80 was coming out I was gonna get one to replace this one and make it my back up. But after seeing how Nikon dropped the ball by dropping shutter speed down (I do airshows and 1/8000 does ome in handy at times. better to have it and not need it) and switching to SD memory. Some of us have 16-20GB of CF memory cards (mainly 1GB nothing bigger than 2GB) and having to get all new cards no matter how cheap memory is right now is just plain retarded. Now if they did a dual memory slot (CF/SD), I could care less. Another issue that makes me think about switching back to Canon (used Canon film SLRs for 25yrs before I got the D70) is Nikons apparent LACK of keeping their products in production. If you want a F2.8 Nikkor lens, you will have to wait. Most places are 'out of stock' and the shops have no idea IF Nikon is gonna start getting them out. I want a 50mm 1.8D but no one has them and may have to buy one used. (I'd rather buy new and at a store. I like to inpsect the lens before I buy) One thing I get a laugh out of is how preoccupied people are about how many megapixels a camera has. I've made 24X30" posters just fine with the D70. Local pro does BILLBOARDS with his D70. You cant tell the difference between a 6MP and 10MP 8X10 done from a DSLR. The D2H(s) is a 4mp and makes 8X10's just fine. Not bad for a $3500 4MP camera.
Reviewed by: iampest

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Small, great pictures, many features for size of camera, good flash, 2" lcd screen, great movie mode.

Weaknesses: Minimal manaul settings (normal for camera this small.

Overall Evaluation: This is the best camera that I have owned. I'm upgrading from a Canon a95 5.0 mp camera and this takes far better pictures hands down. The camera is small, but not too small. It has a nice solid feel to it because the majority of the body is metal. I absolutely love this camera! It is so compact yet it has a lot of features. 9 scene modes makes shooting portrait, indoors, beach, snow, foliage, etc. scenes so much easier. The SD500 also has a neat movie mode that can shoot up to 60 fps, but you may need a "high speed" sd memory card for that. If you're considering getting this camera, don't hesitate as you will not be disappointed!