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Nikon D70 The Nikon D70 is an "entry-level" SLR loaded with features at a sub-$1,000 price. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet D70 Sample Images D70 Photo Gallery! --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Comparison with other models 3. Executive Overview 4. Design 5. Viewfinder 6. Optics 7. Exposure 8. Flash 9. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 10. Operation & User Interface 11. Camera Modes & Menus 12. Image Storage & Interface 13. Video, Power, Software 14. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on D70 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 12:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 04/14/2004

Image Storage and Interface

The D70 uses CompactFlash memory cards for image storage, accommodating Type I and II sizes, as well as the Hitachi Microdrive. Interestingly, the memory card slot on the D70 is canted at about a 15 degree angle relative to the back of the camera, apparently to provide clearance for the battery compartment, making for a more compact hand grip, while allowing for a large battery. The D70 does not come with a memory card, so you'll need to purchase one separately. The D70 utilizes a folder arrangement that lets you organize images in the camera and a sequential frame counter option to avoid problems with overwriting files when copying them to a computer.

Captured images can be individually write-protected via the Protect button on the back panel. Files can also be "hidden," preventing their display during normal playback operation. (Sounds like a handy thing for those photos from last weekend's party. ;-) Hidden files are protected from accidental deletion in the same way that write-protected ones are. Note though, that both write-protected and "hidden" files are only immune to accidental deletion, not card reformatting.

Three image sizes are available: Large (3,008 x 2,000 pixels), Medium (2,240 x 1,488 pixels), and Small (1,504 x 1,000 pixels). File formats include several levels of JPEG compression, as well NEF (RAW) data mode. The latter file format stores the data exactly as it comes from the CCD array, in a losslessly compressed format. Since the NEF format is completely proprietary though, you need Nikon's "Picture Project" or "Nikon Capture" software to read it, or any of several third-party RAW-format converters. As noted, the compressed RAW format is a "lossless" compression, making it difficult to determine the actual amount of compression that will be used for any given file. Nikon estimates that compression saves roughly 50 or 60 percent of card space relative to the uncompressed RAW format seen on Nikon's higher-end d-SLRs and the original D100, but which isn't offered on the D70. 

Below are the approximate number of images and their compression ratios for a 256 MB CompactFlash card. Third-party cards are available as large as 8 GB for both solid-state memory and MicroDrives. I highly recommend that you consider a 256 MB card as the bare minimum for this camera: If you own one of these, you're going to want to take a lot of pictures without having to stop and download them to your computer. (Really, a 1GB card makes a nice size in my experience, especially if you want to work with NEF files much.)

The D70 connects to the host computer via a USB port, as either a Mass Storage or PTP device. The PTP protocol allows Mac OS X and Windows XP to recognize the D70 as a camera, so they can launch camera-specific operating system software. The Mass Storage option lets the camera appear as a standard removable disk device. I personally find the Mass Storage option to be more convenient, as it doesn't force me through the clunky OS software, and is faster to boot.

Connected to my 2.4 GHz Pentium IV-equipped Sony VAIO desktop computer running Windows XP, I measured the D70's download speed at 971 KB/second in Mass Storage mode and 759 KB/second in PTP mode. Both times were measured with a Lexar 40x 4GB memory card, adjust your expectations up or down depending on the speed of your memory cards.

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Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...