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Nikon D70S

Nikon updates its midrange SLR with improved focusing, larger LCD, a new menu interface, and more.

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Page 2:Nikon D70S - Comparison with other models

Review First Posted: 06/30/2005

Nikon D70S - Comparison with other models

The market for affordable, fully-featured digital SLR cameras has really taken off in the last year or so, with offerings from several of the big names in photography. This being the case, I thought it would be helpful to readers to compare the D70S' features against those of the competition - Canon's EOS Digital Rebel XT, Olympus' eVolt E-300, Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, and Pentax's *ist Ds. Here's the results of my poring through the spec sheets for the various cameras, as well as my own previous tests and reviews:

Nikon D70S vs. Canon Digital Rebel XT, Olympus eVolt, and Pentax *ist Ds
Manufacturer
Nikon
Canon
Olympus
Konica Minolta
Pentax
Model
D70S
EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT
EVOLT E-300
Maxxum 7 Digital
*ist Ds
Imaging System Sensor Manufacturer Sony Canon Kodak Unknown Sony
Sensor Type CCD CMOS CCD CCD CCD
Color Filter Array RGB RGB RGB RGB RGB
Total Megapixels
6.24
8.2
8.9
6.3
6.31
Effective Megapixels 6.1 8.0 8.15 6.1 6.1
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
23.7 x 15.6
22.2 x 14.8
17.3 x 13.0
23.7 x 15.6
23.7 x 15.6
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
1.5x
1.6x
2.0x
1.5x
1.5x
Image Processor
Not stated
DIGIC II
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Viewfinder
Type
Eye-level pentamirror
Eye-level pentamirror
Eye-level Porro Mirror system
Eye-level pentaprism
Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage
95%
95%
94%
95%
95%
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
0.75x
0.8x
1.0x
0.9x
0.95x
Eyepoint (mm)
18
21
20
25
Unknown
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
-1.6 to +0.5
-3.0 to +1.0
-3.0 to +1.0
-3.0 to +1.0
-2.5 to +1.5
Focusing Screen
B-type BriteView clear matte screen V, with on-demand grid lines
Fixed, precision matte screen
Fixed (Matte with AF/Metering marks)
Spherical Acute Matte (G-type as standard)
Interchangeable Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen (AF Frame Matte screen included as standard; AF Split-Image Matte and AF Scale Matte screens available as optional accessories)
Viewfinder
Info Display
AF information (AF points, focus confirmation, AF area mode, AE/AF lock indicator), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE/AF lock indicator, exposure level, flash exposure compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator), flash-ready indicator, shots remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording/PC mode, battery level
AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture value, manual exposure, AE lock, exposure level, AEB in progress, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, red-eye reduction lamp on, high-speed sync, FE lock, flash exposure compensation), maximum burst, CF card information
AF information (AF frame, focus confirmation), aperture value, shutter speed, exposure compensation amount, flash indicator, AE lock, white balance, metering mode, battery check, exposure mode, number of "storable sequential pictures" (not seen on prototype)
(sorry, don't have the list for this one)
Flash information, Picture mode (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night scene portrait), In-focus, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation factor, Manual white balance, Manual focus, ISO sensitivity warning, Auto exposure lock signal
Depth of Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview position on power switch
Recording System
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
Secure Digital card
Compatible File System
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
Recording Formats
RAW (NEF), JPEG
RAW (CR2), JPEG
RAW (ORF), JPEG, TIFF
RAW (MRW), JPEG
RAW (PEF), JPEG, TIFF
Maximum Resolution
3008 x 2000
3456 x 2304
3,264 x 2,448
3008 x 2000
3008 x 2008
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only)
2240 x 1488; 1504 x 1000
2496 x 1664; 1728 x 1152
3,200 x 2,400, 2,560 x 1,920, 1,600 x 1,200 1,280 x 960 1,024 x 768 640 x 480
2256 x 1496; 1504 x 1000
2400 x 1600; 1536 x 1024
RAW + JPEG Recording
Yes, basic JPEG only
Yes, any resolution
Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution (fine compression only)
No
Color Space & White Balance
User-Selectable Color Space
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Tone) / # of Increments
7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 3 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs preset various processing parameters as well, and color space III boosts saturation somewhat, particularly in greens.
5
(Same as original Digital Rebel, but with the addition of a Black and White mode that includes tone and contrast adjustments.)
5 options each for sharpness, saturation, and contrast. Normal/Low/High-key Gradation adjustment
5
3 options each for contrast, sharpness and saturation
Preset WB settings
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
14 (Auto, Custom, plus 12 Kelvin Temperature settings correlated with common light sources, such as incandescent, various types of fluorescent, etc.)
6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash)
9 (Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy,Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light [White, Daylight, Neutral], Manual)
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
(No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB range)
None
2,000 ~ 10,000K (16 settings, varying increments)
2500 ~ 9900K in 100K increments
None
WB Adjustment Range
±3 steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step
±9 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step
±7 steps in 1-step increments, unknown step size
±3 steps in 1-step increments
Arbitrary step size (approx. 10 mireds per step in most modes)
Not available
Autofocus System
Type
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module
TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
(TTL secondary image registration, phase detection)
TTL phase detection
TTL phase detection with CCD line sensors
TTL phase-matching by SAFOX VIII
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
5 points
7 points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 4 vertical-type)
3 points
9 points, 8 lines with center cross-hair sensor
11 points
Superimposed Focus Point Display Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
AF Working Range
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
EV 0.5 ~ 18
EV 0 ~ 19
EV-1 ~ EV18 (ISO 100)
EV0 to EV19 (ISO 200)
AF-assist Beam
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0 m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting.
Yes, stroboscopic flash (Range: Approx. 4.0m / 13.1ft. at center, approx. 3.5m/11.5ft. off-center)
With built-in flash unit, and on dedicated Olympus external flash units. Note: Only available when flash is enabled.
Yes, stroboscopic flash
Yes, stroboscopic flash
One-shot AF
Available in all modes
Enabled in Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Night Portrait, and A-DEP modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
Locked by first position of Shutter Button / OK Button (Customizable)
Available in all modes
Unknown
AI Servo (Tracking) AF
Available in all modes (D70S adds all-area search priority function, compared to D70).
Enabled in Sports mode.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes.
Available in Continuous AF Mode
Available in all modes
Unknown
AI Focus AF
Slightly different, but closest-subject focus priority available in all modes
Enabled in Full Auto and Flash Off modes.
Selectable in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual modes.
Predictive AF for moving subjects, but doesn't appear to track across AF areas.
Available in all modes
Unknown
Exposure Control
Shooting Modes
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait.
12 - Program AE (Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off, Program), shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, depth-of-field AE, manual exposure, ETTL autoflash
9 - Program, aperture-priority AE, shutter-priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, plus:

14 Scene modes (Landscape, Landscape+Portrait, Night Scene, Night+Portrait, Fireworks, Sunset, Portrait, High Key, Macro, Documents, Museum, Sport, Beach & Snow, and Candle)

8 - Full Auto, Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual, three memory register settings
13 - Auto, Programmed AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Metered Manual, Bulb, Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Flash Off
Metering Zones
1,005
35
Not stated
14
16
Metering Modes
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor. (2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame. (3) Spot: Meters 2.3 mm dia. circle (about 1% of frame) centered on active focus area
Evaluative (linked to any AF point), center weighted average, 9% partial
Digital ESP (evaluative), center-weighted, spot
14-segment honeycomb-pattern metering, Center-weighted, Spot
Multi, Center-Weighted, and Spot
Metering System Working Range
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering)
(ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
EV 1 ~ 20
1) Digital ESP/Center Weighted Average; EV 1 ~ 20
2) Spot; EV 3 ~ 17 (50mm F2, ISO 100)
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (14-segment honeycomb-pattern or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 3 ~ 20 (spot metering)
(ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)
EV 1 ~ 21.5
ISO Range / Extended
200 ~ 1600 / --
100 ~ 1600 / --
100 ~ 400 / 1600
100 ~ 1600 / 3200
200 ~ 1600 / 3200
Exposure Compensation
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
+/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
+/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
+/- 3EV in 1/2EV increments, or +/- 2EV in 1/3EV increments
±2 EV in 1/2EV or 1/3EV increments
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
+/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
3 shots in +/- 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps
+/- 2EV in 1/2 increments
3 shots within range of ±0.5EV, ±1.0EV, ±1.5EV (0.5EV steps) or ±0.3EV, ±0.7EV, ±1.0EV (0.3EV steps)
Shutter Speeds, Frame Rate, Shutter Lag
Shutter Type
Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter
Mechanical, all speeds electronically controlled
Mechanical Focal Plane, electronically controlled
Mechanical (?)
Mechanical Focal Plane, electronically controlled
Shutter Speed Range
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. (1/2 or 1/3EV increments) and bulb
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. , 1/3, 1/2, 1EV step selectable, bulb
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. and bulb
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
3.05 fps / 15 frames
3 fps / 14 frames
2.58 fps / 4 frames
2.75 fps / 15 frames
2.8 fps / 8 frames (manufacturer spec)
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.)
0.29-0.32
0.20-0.24
0.37
0.266
(Not tested yet)
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.)
0.106
0.095
0.1
0.117
(Not tested yet)
Startup time (sec.)
~ 0.4
0.25
2.1
1.4
(Not tested yet)
Flash
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
Yes (13 meters / 43 feet)
Unknown
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
Yes (15.6 meters / 51 feet) @ ISO 200
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
1/500 (!)
1/200
1/180
1/160 (anti-shake off) / 1/125 (anti-shake on)
1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
+/- 2EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
+/- 2 EV in each 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps
+/- 2EV in 1/2EV increments
-2 to +1 EV (1/2 EV steps)
Slow-sync flash
1st or 2nd curtain
1st or 2nd curtain
1st or 2nd curtain
1st or 2nd curtain
Unknown
PC Sync Terminal
Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Playback System
LCD Size / Pixel Count
2.0 in LCD / 130,000 pixels
1.8 in. LCD / 115,000 pixels
1.8 in LCD / 134,000 pixels
2.5 in LCD / 207,000 pixels
2.0 in. LCD / 210,000 pixels
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
1.1 - 4.7x in 10 steps / Yes
1.5~10x in 15 steps / Yes
2, 3, 4, 10x / Yes
4.7x max / Yes
12x max. / Yes
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
5 steps
5 steps
7 steps
11 steps
Unknown
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Unknown
Other Features
Computer Connection
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v1.1 speed)
Yes, USB 2.0, PTP-compliant
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v1.1 max speed)
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v2.0 speed)
USB 2.0 High Speed (PTP compliance unknown)
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Menu Languages
10 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, French, Korean, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Swedish)
15 (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Traditional Chinese, Korean,and Japanese.)
2 (English, Japanese) - More coming in production models?
8 (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese.)
9 (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese)
Camera Default Reset
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Custom Functions (Quantity / Settings)
Yes (9 / 25)
Yes (9 / 24)
No
Yes (20 / 44)
Yes (18)
Remote Control
Optional, compatible with MC-DC1 or ML-L3
Compatible with Remote Switch RS-60E3, Remote Controller RC-5 / RC-1
Optional IR
Optional, compatible with RC-1000S or RC-1000L
Yes, details unknown
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
Yes / Yes (dedicated button)
No / n/a
No / N/A
Unknown
Ultrasonic CCD dust-removal function
No
No
Yes
No
No
Body Structure
Body Cover/Chassis
Largely Plastic
Largely plastic, aluminum frame
Metal Alloy
Magnesium Alloy (front) / Plastic (rear)
Largely plastic / Stainless Steel frame
Power System
Battery Compatibility
EN-EL3,
EN-EL3a
(Ships with EN-EL3a, 1500 mAh vs 1400 mAh for EN-EL3)
CR2 pack is an added-cost accessory
Main: NB-2LH
Backup: CR2016
BLM-1
NP-400
2 x CR-V3 or 4 x AA
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20C/68F
100% AE: 2500
50% Flash: 500
100% AE: 600
50% Flash: 400
Unknown
100% AE: 600
50% Flash: 400
Unknown
Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
140 x 111 x 78
126.5 x 94 x 64
146 x 85 x 64
150 x 106 x 77.5
125 x 92.5 x 66
Weight (body only)
600 g / 21 oz.
485 g / 17.1 oz.
580g / 20.5 oz
760 g / 26.81 oz
505 g / 17.8 oz.
Operational Environment
Operating Temperature Range
0 ~ 40C / 32 ~ 104F
0 ~ 40C / 32 ~ 104F
0 ~ 40C / 32 ~ 104F
0 ~ 40C / 32 ~ 104F
Not stated
Operating Humidity Range
< 85%
< 85%
30 - 90%
Not Stated
Not stated
Kit Lens
Focal length/aperture
18-70mm
f/3.5-4.5G ED
-
14 – 45mm
f3.5 – f5.6
-
-
Lens Compatibility
Lens Mount / Compatibility
  1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported;
  2. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported;
  3. Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes;
  4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR;
  5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus;
  6. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
  7. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.
EF / All EOS lenses, plus EF-S lenses
Zuiko Digital, Four Thirds System Lens
A-type / All A-type lenses except MD and MC series manual focus lenses. AF Macro 3x - 1x f/1.7-2.8 lens cannot be used with Anti-Shake, nor does Anti-Shake work with any lens with a macro release.
KAF / compatible with PENTAX KAF2-, KAF- and KA-mount lenses.
Power zoom function not available.
K-mount lenses usable with restrictions.
S-mount lenses usable with adapter and restrictions.
67/645 lenses usable adapter and restrictions.

 

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