Nikon D70 Review

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Nikon D70
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 3 ratings and 19 reviews

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ccc3's Review of Nikon D70

10th Jun 2005

Overall Rating

4.5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Image Quality
    5 stars
  • Features
    4 stars
  • Time Digital Camera Owned
    1 - 6 Months
  • Battery Life
    4 stars
  • Ease of Use
    3.5 stars

The Nikon D70 is a great camera, but not for everybody

To put it bluntly, this is one of those devices where you have to go through a rather lengthy learning curve to use, compared to a general point-and-shoot digital camera. Until you learn the ins and outs of how to use it, and how to use the many settings it offers, you may be dissapointed in your photos. But, I hear this is fairly normal with most digital SLR cameras.

I'm a bit upset that Nikon makes you pay extra for imaging software that should have come free with the camera, and they don't even give you a memory card -- even a small one.

On the plus side, it's great to be able to play with all the settings and really get creative. Even better, if you already have a Nikon 35mm camera with some lenses, you can use those lenses with your new D70. Even if your lenses are quite old, most can be converted to work with your D70, but you must use the camera in fully manual mode.

I went ahead and got the entire kit, that comes with the Nikon zoom lens. That lens covers (based on a 35mm camera) around 27mm to 105mm, probably what most amateurs and pros will use the most. And, with 6 megapixels to work with, you've got plenty of room to crop your photos without losing much detail.

As others have said, the battery in this camera lasts forever and a day, until you hook it up directly to your computer or TV, then it sucks the life out of them. Get a card reader for your computer and you can probably get by with just one battery, as Nikon provides a CR-2 cartridge for emergencies. This holds three CR-2 batteries, and fits in the same compartment as the rechargeable battery.

The camera has an incredible feel to it. Just pick it up and it feels like it's worth the price, and the extra weight and great balance also helps you hold the camera steady. No, you can't whip this one out of your shirt pocket at a party, but that's not what it's for.

To sum up, this is a great camera. Just don't get discouraged when you see the size of the manual (it comes with a quick start guide, too), and just Google your way to all kinds of info on how to get great photos with your new camera.

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