The Nikon D70, which is a 6.1 MP DSLR introduced at PMA in 2004, was Nikon’s first consumer-friendly camera. At an initial price point of $1299, it was aimed to directly compete with Canon’s $999 Digital Rebel (aka 300D). Even with the consumer-level price tag, the camera could hold its own at the time against stiffer, pro-level gear – including Nikon’s own D100.

Reviews

Ken Rockwell

A little publicized feature is that the D70 has the most accurate exposure metering system I’ve ever used. It gives me the correct exposure in almost every bizarre situation I throw at it, including fill flash and mixed light. Yes, the published meter hardware specifications are the same as the F5 and D1X, however the firmware that makes it work has clearly advanced so I almost never have to compensate the meter.

DP Review

They have improved the performance of the camera, with its instant on availability, very fast shutter release, superb continuous shooting and image processing speed and smart use of its buffer.

Photo.net

The Nikon D70 is an excellent camera, built on their experience with the D100. It appears that many of the suggestions for improvement around the software, features and user interface with the D100 have been incorporated into the D70. Leaving a relatively short wish list of remaining improvements.

Thom Hogan

The D70 takes beautiful photos when used well, and can give almost any digital SLR on the market a run for the money in image quality. We may quibble about slight differences in color, or noise, or aliasing between different models, but these discussions are no different than the Provia versus Ektachrome type of debate. In short, expect to produce darn good results out of this camera.

Steve’s Digicams

It offers excellent shooting performance and image quality, while providing the photographer with fully-functional auto exposure and auto focusing controls. Users of consumer digicams will find that the D70’s responsiveness, viewfinder clarity, and image quality at high ISO settings overcome the limitations of their current equipment.

Digital Camera Resource Page

In terms of performance, the D70 is truly amazing. It starts up instantly, focus quickly (even in low light), has no shutter lag, and an impressive 3 frames/second burst mode. Even playback mode is fast. The camera has more manual controls than the Canon Digital Rebel, including a bunch of custom options that let you choose how your camera functions.

DC Views

The Nikon D70 is a terrific camera with excellent build quality that delivers near perfect images at a price that is superb value for money. Its specifications and performance are much more advanced than Canon’s EOS 300D and even Nikon’s own D100 will have a hard time competing against the Nikon D70.

Imaging Resource

It’s a tremendously capable d-SLR that noticeably advances the state of the art for cameras anywhere close to its price point. The lens it ships with is first-rate, with a wider focal-length range and faster maximum aperture than the Canon equivalent, and the camera itself just feels good in the hand. It’s also remarkably responsive, with true instant-on availability, a responsive shutter, and truly exceptional continuous-shooting ability.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site. You can still find some used a refurbished and used D70 bodies popping up on these sites.

[tags]nikon, d70, review, dslr, digital camera[/tags]

The Nikon D2Xs is a professional grade 12.2 MP DX format DSLR. It is Nikon’s flagship DSLR and was announced on June 1, 2006 as the successor to the Nikon D2X. The D2Xs was more of an incremental upgrade to the D2X, which includes the following upgrades:

• Automatic viewfinder masking in High-Speed Crop mode
• Increased buffer capacity to 60 frames in continuous shooting
• Additional ISO steps between 800 and 1600
• Improved metering for High Speed Crop
• More Autofocus options
• An AF system that can now detect focus at lower contrast and in lower light, higher capacity
• Battery rated to 3,800 exposures per charge
• Improved Auto-ISO features
• Image verification
• Ability to save and load camera settings from a memory card
• 2.5 inch (64 mm) 230,000 pixel LCD with 170 degree viewing angle (same as D200)
• Menu look ported from the D200
• Black and White mode
• Additional color mode selections
• Locking USB connector
• Support for multiple custom curves
• A lockable recent settings menu
• Improved GPS data recording
• AF and VR mode recording in shooting data
• In-camera cropping

The D2Xs is the predecessor to the Nikon D3, which was announced on August 23, 2007.

Reviews

Shutterbug

For the working professional who can use its many attributes and who is tapped into the Nikon system of lenses and accessories it is state of the art, and should remain so for some time to come.

Thom Hogan

12mp is a lot of data, and puts us into the realm of “that might be all we need.” Acuity is good, color is excellent, and noise performance is excellent at low ISO values and acceptable at higher ISO values. With the right settings and discipline, this camera performs at the state-of-the-art.

Let’s Go Digital

The introduction of the Nikon D2xs gives professional photographers yet again the choice of upgrading their digital workflow with the latest Nikon technology. The Nikon D2x already proved itself as a professional tool for the Pro and was awarded with diverse Award recognizing the importance of the top model of Nikon’s assortment of digital SLR cameras.

Cnet

Nikon’s flagship dSLR ranks among the best 35mm-format cameras currently made, but some pros may take umbrage with its less-than-full-frame sensor.

Imaging Resource

The Nikon D2Xs’ performance was impressive overall, starting with a startup time that was really faster than our human reflexes. Shutter lag was excellent regardless of lens position or “prefocus” (halfway pressing and holding the Shutter button before firing the shutter) status. Shot-to-shot cycle times were very good, at about 0.2 seconds for large/fine JPEGs, and the camera captured as many as 18 frames at this rate before it needs to slow down and clear the buffer.

Popular Photography

The D2Xs is a minor upgrade to Nikon’s D2X. Among the D2Xs’s notable features are 11 selectable autofocus points, nine of which are cross-type sensors; excellent tracking autofocus modes; interchangeable focusing screens; both TIFF and RAW capture; an advanced battery meter; a time lapse mode; an advanced multiple exposure mode; voice annotation; numerous color options; and 40 custom settings.

Ken Rockwell

If you earn your living with your camera you’ll want one of these. If you want a camera to take with you for fun, relaxation and vacation this isn’t it: it’s a huge, hulking beast of a pro camera.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.
[tags]nikon, d2xs, review, dslr, digital camera[/tags]

The Nikon D80 is a 10.2 MP DX format DSLR which was introduced in August 2006. It is slotted above the Nikon D40/D40x and below the D200/D300 in Nikon’s lineup. The D80 uses an SD memory card, rather than the CF card storage used in the D70, D70s and D200. The higher storage capacity SDHC standard is also supported by the D80. The D80 body retails at $1000 and is available in a kit with the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens at a retail price of $1300. The D80 can be found at a significant discount, however, on the street.

Reviews

DPReview.com

It’s one of those cameras which just feels ‘right and sorted’ from the moment you pick it up. Things just get better the more you use the camera, you will begin to discover the usefulness of major features like the customizable automatic ISO and the subtle touches like being able to tap the DELETE button twice to delete an image (sounds insignificant, but in use things like this make the D80 far more usable than other cameras).

Thom Hogan

10mp is a lot of data, and the D80 in some ways does it better than the D200 (at least for JPEGs). Acuity is very good with careful sharpening, color is excellent, and noise performance is excellent at low ISO values and more than acceptable at higher ISO values. With the right settings and discipline, this camera performs near the state-of-the-art.

Digital Camera Resource Page

This is a heck of a camera, and one that should be at the top of your list if you’re buying your first D-SLR. If you have a D50 or D70 then I’d strongly consider upgrading. And, unless you need a faster burst rate and even more custom functions, then you can save hundreds by skipping the D200 and getting the D80 instead.

Ken Rockwell

My D80 has the same great image sensor, LCD and viewfinder of my D200 jammed inside a smaller, lighter body like a D50. It’s the same price as the D70 was in 2004: $999. This makes the D80 a screaming deal if you want the most pixels.

Imaging Resource

Shooting with the Nikon D80, we found it to be a very responsive camera in all respects. Startup was quick enough that you’re never likely to notice, shutter lag was low, and shot to shot cycle times in both single-shot and continuous mode were very good. It falls short of its big brother the D200 in several areas, but that’s to be expected, given the substantial price difference between the two models.

Photography Blog

Existing Nikon users won’t be disappointed with this new model as the company have more than met the challenge of producing a camera with suitable features coupled with fantastic image quality for the enthusiast and beginner DSLR user. The Nikon D80 is now part of a crowded market place and there is even plenty of crossover between this model and Nikon’s own 10 megapixel D200 model.

Cnet

With the D80, Nikon has proven that it is very much still pushing ahead strongly. With 10.2 megapixels, lightning-fast performance, high-quality images with very low noise, and a heaping pile of convenience features, Nikon’s D80 will not disappoint.

Nikonians

In short – it’s a mixed bag of goodies. A lot will appeal to the prosumer, and a lot will also appeal to the first-time DSLR buyer or upsell customer.

Camera Labs

The Nikon D80 is without a doubt a very classy camera. It feels great, handles well, performs superbly and has one of the best viewfinders around. At times when rivals struggled with various lighting conditions, the D80’s metering remained unfazed and quite simply delivered great-looking images every time.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.

[tags]nikon, d80, review, dslr, digital, camera[/tags]

The Nikon D50 is a 6.1MP DX format DSLR. When introduced, the camera carried a retail price of $799 for the body only or $899 with a new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G AF-S DX lens. The D50 was also available in a kit containing both the 18–55mm and a 55–200mm f/4-5.6 G AF-S DX lens. The D50 was replaced by the Nikon D40 in 2006. You can still find this camera in used and refurbished condition at a variety of photo equipment sellers.

Reviews

DPReview.com

The nicest thing about the D50 however is that it just feels right, build wise it’s a step above the Canon EOS 350D and Pentax *ist DS, it’s also not too small, I’m all for making cameras lighter but there’s a limit as to how small you can make an SLR before the hand grip feels cramped and controls begin to get in the way. The D50 feels as responsive as any film camera and is a pleasure to shoot with. The only change I would make would probably be a larger viewfinder view (like that of the Pentax *ist DS).

Ken Rockwell

Back in 2006, the Nikon D50 was a great camera for basic photographers, non-photographers or backup. Image quality is identical to the D70 and D70s, which means brilliant 12 x 18″ prints that many people confuse with prints from a medium format film camera.

Digital Camera Resource Page

Camera performance is superb: just flip the power switch and the D50 is ready to go. The camera focuses quickly and takes pictures without any noticeable shutter lag. Autofocus speeds were impressive, even in low light. While battery life isn’t as good as the D70s, it’s still excellent (and you can buy a higher capacity battery if you need to). Transferring photos is actually faster on the “cheap model” because it supports USB 2.0 High Speed, unlike the D70s.

DC Views

If you are serious about expanding your hobby though but are in doubt about which one to go for, take a good look at which functions you would really need, as the differences between the D50 and D70s are fairly minimal. The D50 may be lighter and more compact but some more advanced functions are less accessible. The D70s is definitely more bulky but feels more professional, while offering instant access to functions like metering or bracketing. It has white balance and ISO fine-tuning, a top shutter speed of 1/8000, DOF preview and the option for wireless flash control. If you feel that you would never use these functions anyway, go for the D50 and you will live happily ever after.

Steve’s Digicams

The D50’s image quality was excellent. Its exposure and autofocus system complemented each other, producing sharp, well-exposed images. The 5-point AF system is fast and accurate, and its predictive focus tracking is able to keep up with moving subjects. Image noise was not an issue with the D50. At ISO 200 and 400 noise was essentially absent. Shadow noise is detectable in images captured at ISO 800, and noticeable at ISO 1600, but highlight noise is remarkably low even at ISO 1600.

Thom Hogan

The drawbacks are all minor compared to the pluses. The D50 takes beautiful photos when used well, and can give almost any low-cost digital SLR on the market a run for the money in image quality. In short, expect to produce darn good results out of this camera.

Imaging Resource

The latest result of this process is the new Nikon D50 digital SLR, delivering most of the features that made the D70 such an exceptional product, but at a lower price point and with the camera’s size and user interface retooled somewhat to better match the needs of the “family photographer.” – Or anyone else who wants a feature-rich, easy-to-use, compact (but not too much so) digital SLR for a bargain price. What was most surprising to me about the D50 though, was that its image sensor and some aspects of its image quality (notably noise levels) are actually superior to those of the higher-priced D70S.

Let’s Go Digital

All in all the Nikon D50 is an excellent digital SLR camera. Ideal for those who have outgrown their compact camera or for those who want to take their first steps into digital photography. The Nikon D50 may be a so-called entry level model; nevertheless it offers the user almost everything.

Nikonians

This is a great little camera and a fine choice for a new photographer. It has a very agreeable personality that makes photography a pleasure. More advanced photographers might want to step up to the Nikon D70s for some of the additional features and greater media compatibility that camera offers, but many might be satisfied with the Nikon D50.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.
[tags]nikon, d50, review, dslr, digital, camera[/tags]