Nikon D70SNikon updates its midrange SLR with improved focusing, larger LCD, a new menu interface, and more.<<Intro and Highlights :(Previous) | (Next): Nikon D70S - Comparison with other Nikon "prosumer" SLRs>> Page 2:Nikon D70S - Comparison with other modelsReview 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 |
|
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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