Review: Nikon D70 specs

The Nikon D70 was first released in 2004. While its 6.1-megapixel sensor now looks rather low by today’s standards, it was the first consumer-level Nikon DSLR as well as one of Nikon’s first DX-format cameras. Alongside the sensor, the camera includes continuous shooting at up to three frames per second, ISO settings from 200-1,600, a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000sec and a 1/500sec flash sync speed.

The DX-format is Nikon’s version of the APS-C format, so that means you get a 1.5x crop factor on the D70. The benefit of this crop is that a 200mm lens on the D70 will effectively give you a focal length of 3000mm, in comparison to a full-frame camera, and thus get you ‘closer’ to subjects. This is highly useful for shooting sports action or nature, as it effectively makes far-off subjects appear larger in the frame. Capturing action is further helped by the 3fps shooting speed, which allows you to buffer up to 144 JPEGs in a single sequence—that’s 48 seconds of action.

The D70 has a five-point autofocus system, which uses phase detection, allowing for rapid focusing to lock on to moving subjects. The focusing modes are Single Servo AF (AF-S), Continuous Servo AF (AF-C) or manual (M). AF-S means the camera locks focus when you press the shutter button halfway and keeps focus on the subject in the selected focus area. In AF-C, the camera’s autofocus system will continuously change focus to keep the subject sharp, even if the subject or the photographer is moving.

The camera’s standard ISO range is from 200-1,600, which seems to pale in comparison to the huge ISO values in significantly more modern DSLRs. But, actually, ISO 1,600 is a reasonable value for shooting in low light while retaining detail. The D70 also has a configurable Auto ISO, which automatically selects ISO values when you want to shoot with specific shutter and/or aperture values.

Tucked away in the camera’s shooting specs are seven different automated Digital Vari-Program settings. These are Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait and Night Landscape, and they help to ensure accurate and crisp image results in a variety of different shooting conditions and on different subjects.

The D70 also includes a 1.8-inch [4.6cm], 134K pixel TFT LCD screen on the rear of the camera. The screen allows you to view single images, a 2x2 image grid or a 3x3 image grid. Stills can be optimised on the D70 via seven ‘Optimize Image’ settings as well as one Custom setting, which lets you choose your selected settings for Sharpening, Tone, Colour Mode, Saturation and Hue. These options are available in A, S, M and P exposure modes. But, if you’re in Auto or Scene modes, the camera will automatically do the image optimisation for you.

The D70 is a stills-only DSLR, but its price and basic specs make this a good camera to use if you’re starting to learn the rules of photography. Or, if you’re already a Nikon shooter and want a no-frills backup DSLR, the Nikon D70 is worth considering.

Thinking of upgrading? Sell or trade in your camera kit.