We are sure a lot of Nikon users will have looked to Canon when it released its groundbreaking digital SLR for the masses in the second half of 2003. The dilemma for many Nikon photographers then must surely have been to switch over to Canon and sell off their collection of Nikon optics or wait it out and see what Nikon would come up with eventually. History has shown that Nikon is not usually the first to break open the market with innovative camera design but when they then release a new model, they frequently go one better than the competition by offering a better set of specifications.
From our first impressions with the new Nikon D70 we can surely say that the waiting has paid off. What we have here is a truly excellent six-megapixel digital SLR with a full set of advanced features. It is certainly not a downgrade from the D100 as speculations lead us to believe and although the design is somewhat simpler than the D100 and some custom functions are missing, the D70 is as good as the D100 and in some cases even better. We are sure this new Nikon will satisfy many enthusiasts and will certainly be looked at by professional photographers as well. Have a look at our overview of all Nikon and compatible lenses for the Nikon D70.
The D70 incorporates a next-generation 6.1-effective megapixel DX format CCD image sensor that produces 3008 x 2000-pixel images, and is optimized to deliver a wide dynamic range and superbly sharp details. It also has 2240 x 1488 and 1504 x 1000 resolution modes.Nikon programmed the D70's advanced system LSI processor for improved performance to produce vivid colors and clarity, optimized auto white balance, auto tone and color control, and to run real-time processes that diminish digital noise in long exposure shots for cleaner overall results.
The Nikon D70 has been designed to offer faster operation at nearly every level of performance, with the camera ready to shoot the instant it's turned on. Compressed NEF (RAW) files are processed and stored exponentially faster, making shooting in compressed NEF mode easier and more convenient than ever. It can shoot a rapid 3 frames per second for a continuous burst of 144 pictures (using the JPEG Normal/Large setting and a 256 MB CompactFlash card) due to improved buffer memory handling, faster image processing, increased memory card access speed, and greater system bus bandwidth.
