Nikon D50 vs D70s?

me | March 22, 2006 | me

[rampage8]

I about to purchase a digital SLR camera, and I was hoping to get some input from fellow Freepers. I've heard that Nikon makes the best DSLR's, but I can't really decide between the D50 and the D70s. They seem pretty similar from what I've read, but there is a $450 price difference.(I've also looked into the Canon Rebel, but I didn't like the body of the camera.) The price is important to me, but since I plan on owning this camera for years, it is not my biggest priority. I am more concerned with great shots, fast response, and ease of use.

I'm not a pro by any stretch, but I am completely frustrated with my point & shoot digital. By the time it decides to snap a picture, the moment is usually gone (especially with little kids!). I need something that actually takes the picture as soon as I press the button, so SLR is the only way to go. That's the main reason I want to switch, along with getting better close ups.

I basically just want to ask anyone who has either of these cameras: What made you chose the one you have? Are you happy with the camera and the images it produces? Is there any significant difference between the 2 models that makes one better than the other? Are you happy with the lens that came in the kit (18-70mm) or did you need to buy additional lenses? Any drawbacks?

Although I took a photography class about 5 years ago, I still get overwhelmed by all lingo in the reviews I've read. I just thought maybe some of you might be familiar with these two cameras and offer some insight.

[rampage8]

Thanks and I look forward to your input!

[CarrotAndStick]

Did you try reading the reviews and seeing the sample pictures from here? :

http://www.dpreview.com/

[CarrotAndStick]

Nikon D70s:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d70s.asp


Nikon D50s:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d50.asp

[Publius6961]

Having used Nikon SLRs most of my life, I had a tough choice to make when I replaced my old digital camera for exactly the reasons you list.

I did not choose Nikon, because the value for the money was simply beyond my reach for the features I wanted.
I settled for a Panasonic with a Leica 12X optical zoom, and 8 Mb raw image capability. It is not the perfect camera but, for the price, it is unbeatable.
After three months I am slowly learning its complex 80-page instruction manual.

Check out the DMZ FZ-30.

[kingu]

I'm a Kodak guy, so I can't give a hands on opinion between the two cameras. http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/000738.html gives a good rundown between the D50 vs the D70 - with the introduction of the D70s, you should find the D70 dropping in price a bit.

IMHO, I'd probably go with the D50. The D70's compact flash is a temptation though - the CF hard drives out there make for vast amounts of storage for relatively low cost, but the SD cards are getting cheaper every day. (And as to SD cards, I highly recommend the Kingston Elite Pro 1gb SD card - made my camera into a new piece of equipment.

[wildehunt]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

This compares them head to head.

I have the D50.. I love it, but it was a Christmas gift so the comparison shopping was done by someone else. I trust his judgement and research skills like I trust Jack Bauer's.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Now WHY did I think of the two of you..........????

[rampage8]

I hadn't been to that site yet, so thanks for linking me. Looks like I have lots more homework to do!

[Samwise]

I feel your pain. I have a Nikon Coolpix. It is great for posed pictures. But I can't get it to take a decent action shot at all. All of my pictures from the Hobbit Lass's meets are just blurs. If anyone has any suggestions for stopping action, please let me know. No, I can't just run out and spend hundreds of dollars on another camera.

[Freedom is eternally right]

After three months I am slowly learning its complex 80-page instruction manual.

There is a learning curve, especially after using a point and shoot camera. Which ever camera you decide on, have fun experimenting with it. (I have a Fuji S9000, so can't help with the Nikon comparison).

[CarrotAndStick]

You're welcome!

[rampage8]

One of the features that caught my attention on the D50 is the "Child" setting. Have you used this much? It's almost as if they're luring me to that camera with a magic setting that promises good shots of my wiggly kids! Some genius is marketing must have come up with that one!

Also, thanks for the link to the comparison. It is very helpful.

[CarrotAndStick]

Haven't you had a look at Sony's F828?

The Carl Zeiss/ Vario-Sonner lenses are worth it.

I have an F717, and it's one neat camera. F828 has features to kill for, though.

See the review for that also, before you take the plunge.

[CarrotAndStick]

Those "Child" settings may seem easy, but most other cameras have the equivalent too. And you rarely get you the best pictures in that mode. The "computer" decides for you, and that is not always a great thing, especially in photography.

[HairOfTheDog]

I've done pretty well capturing action on my horses with my Nikon Coolpix. There is a half-press on the button that pre-focuses and gives you better trigger response time when you do click.. Do that, and then pan with the action when you take the picture, don't stay stationary. This will help keep the subject crisp, while blurring the background which helps capture the motion.

The bad thing, that might be causing your blurriness, is using the zoom to zoom in too much. Better for focus to take the picture in wider frame and crop it on your computer to bring the action in. Even when my horses are all the way across the pasture, I don't zoom more than 2X. Not with that zoom. And because of the delay... take LOTS of pictures and expect to throw out lots of them. It's just too hard to perfectly time something that's running to get the right moment in their stride. You just have to take lots and get lucky. But I took these pics with a Coolpix.

[JimSEA]

I have been very happy with my D-50. I am nowhere near a pro but it's an enjoyable hobby and the tech factor wasn't that bad at all. My N70 lenses are, of course, a big factor in my going with a Nikon. I also like to looks of the Cannon high end digital SLRs.

The biggest improvement in my photos has been the ability to take some 500 shots and wade through them on the computer as opposed to cursing my decision on a limited number of film shots. A lot of the time my "just for the heck of it" turns out to be the better one. On a recent trip to Taipei, I took some 600 pictures and cam up with some great shots.

[Samwise]

I am impressed. As I suspected, half of the problem is the photographer. :^) I will try your suggestions. Thanks!

[HairOfTheDog]

I have a new camera that actually doesn't capture action as well as the Coolpix. I had that camera figured out, and this one is higher resolution, but actually has slower response.

[dickmc]

Firstly:

1. Both the D70 or Cannon are fine cameras. I have a D70 but if the Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT had existed at the time, I would have bought the Cannon Digital Rebel XT because of its 8 million vs 6 million pixels. The D70 tends to shoot a little dark and you will probably want to build in at least a 1/3 F stop over exposure. Cannon does I think do a bit better with greens if you do a lot of landscape shooting.

2. Definitely stick with an SLR type camera for the reasons that you mentioned in terms of seeing what you are shooting. Also if you use a polarizing filter for outdoor shots, an SLR is pretty essential to get the polarizing filter oriented properly.

3. For ordinary use, a built-in flash is almost a necessity.

4. Not all SLR viewfinders are alike in terms of apparent size and brightness. Go to a camera shop that has both and look through both the Nikon and Cannon before you buy!

5. As recommended by others, DPReview at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs.asp is by far the best and most comprehensive review site. It has extensive reviews of both cameras that you should read.

6. It is also important that you go to Imaging Resource at http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EXT/EXTPICS.HTM and download the "house" pictures for both cameras. Then, spend a lot of time comparing them at various blowup levels.

7. Whichever you buy, go the DXO site at http://www.dxo.com/en/photo/dxo_optics_pro/product_comparison.php and get the standard version. It is essentially automatic and will compensate for zoom lens nonuniformities and light falloff giving significant photo quality increase with no work on your part.

8. For lens and related information, the following are very good sites:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm
http://www.ai.sri.com/~luong/photography/35mm/nikon-neuman.html
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html
http://www.normankoren.com/Tutorials/MTF7.html
http://www.users.qwest.net/~rnclark/scandetail.htm#realtoprint
and most particularly the articles (Cannon, etc) on
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/index.shtml


Good luck.

[Samwise]

but actually has slower response

It must wait until the next day. :^)

[js1138]

My favorite review site.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_digpro.html


Right now, Canon is tops in low light photography. Fastes ISO and lowest noise. I have a Nikon F bought in 1968 that still works, and have bought half a dozen Coolpix cameras for myself and family. They are slow.

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh - yeah - it does :~D

Good luck :~D It's not a bad little camera really.

[kdot]

I have a D70 and wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm sure the D50 is sweet, too. Never used a Canon. Here's a good setup to get started:

D70s or D50
50mm F1.8 (portraits)
Speedlight SB-800 (absolute must - commander mode rocks!)
Kit lens 18-70 (walking around)
70-300 (good outside at a soccer game)

Also, spend the $$$ for Nikon capture.

Get the Nikon and don't look back. If you understand SLRs, you'll have the flexibility to do just about anything.

[Diddley Squat]

I have the D70, and it's wonderful. No regrets. In fact, I've spent even more than the initial purchase price on additional lenses and peripherals. Also, if you use the Nikon photo file ("RAW" or .nef) for shooting, you'll get pictures with amazing quality.

[rampage8]

Do you think I'll need the 55-200 mm lens in addition to the kit one? I love nice closeups and my kids are just getting started in sports, dance recitals, etc. I would just prefer to have one lens that does it all rather than lug around a couple of them, but whatever will get me the best shots is what I'll get.

[kdot]

The 55-200mm lens sounds like a great all-around lens. If that's the one that comes with the D50, I would say you're set. I like the 18-70 for those wide-angle shots and also use it for my walking-around lens. I also like the fixed 50mm for portrait shots and low-light shots when I don't want to use the flash. It can be stopped at F1.8 which is really fast! Start with the kit lens, but get ready for lens lust!

Have fun!!!!

[glock rocks]

Also, spend the $$$ for Nikon capture.

Wait for Capture NX due out in May...

I'm happy with the D-50. I spent eight times more on lenses.

[kdot]

I didn't know there was an upgrade to Capture. Thanks for the info. BTW, when you buy the Nikon, you'll get a 30 day free trial. You might also like Nikon View which comes on the same install disk.

[rampage8]

I probably should know, but what is Capture? Is it the software I'd use to touch up my pix once they're on my PC? If so, is it fairly easy to learn?

[glock rocks]

Yes, it's used to post process your pix. I don't have time or inclination to spend $600 bucks to buy, then learn photoshop. I have photoshop elements, about $70. Capture DX may (or not) be just the thing for photo processing Nikon pix. Dunno. I'll wait till May.

What's RAW format? It's what the sensor in the camera sees before your camera's computer gets ahold of it. If you have a good sized memory SD card (a gig sansdisk II is about $55 at costco) you can store over a hundred RAW pics plus a jpeg. The jpeg is flavored by your camera's computer, but the RAW file has everything the sensor picked up... soooo, if you want to post process the RAW file, you can do miracles with it even when the jpeg is kinda raunchy. It will not correct for serious over/under exposure, but color correction, sharpness, brightness, contrast, etc. can be manipulated. The D50 saves RAW pix.
That's what I use.

[glock rocks]

Oh, btw, I bought the D-50 without a lens. I have my collection of old auto-focus Nikon glass over the years, but the kit lenses aren't the finest. Check out these reviews on the 50 and 70...

http://www.estiasis.com/total_main.php?tid=22

http://www.estiasis.com/total_main.php?tid=9

...then check out the reviews on Nikkor lenses.

[kdot]

Capture is similar to Photoshop but I think it is easier to use and has some great features. A few features that I use all the time are:
- ev, exposure compensation value
- wb, white balance adjustment
- curve, change the color balances
- dee, find lost details in shadows

Example: I shot about 100 exposures of my daughter's soccer game. I realized later that I left the WB (white balance) on flourescent and all the pictures came out green! With Capture, I picked the white balance it should have been (daylight) and applied it to all the pictures. With one click, all the pictures were adjusted and amazingly accurate. (It could have been incandescent, I can't remember)

The other feature I couldn't live without is Digital DEE. Imagine you just shot a picture outside in full sunlight. The subject is exposed correctly, but the trees in the background are so dark, they look like deep shadows. Use DEE to automatically lighten up the details in the shadows without modifying the correctly exposed subject. You'll be amazed.

Capture is great. Photoshop is great. But each has features that the other doesn't.

Nikon View has the Transfer wizard to get the pictures off your camera and display them. You can organize them, tag the ones you want to keep/delete/modify, launch Capture, and easily view your shooting data.

One word of caution: DSLRs are great and I love my D70. But expect a learning curve, unless you shoot on Auto or the other presets. In my opinion, if you just want to use your DSLR as a point-and-shoot, buy a Coolpix and save some cash. If you really want to develop a hobby and learn about photography, buy the Nikon DSLR, put it on Manual mode, and experiment like crazy. I have both because sometimes I just want a quick picture and don't want to fool around with lenses, settings, etc. Get the books by Bryan Peterson and you will learn a great deal.

I, like the other posters, have spent more on accessories (incl. printers) than the original camera.

Hope this helps! It all depends on what you want to do. Sometimes I want to capture the moment and other times I want to be an artist.

[glock rocks]

Excellent advice!

[rampage8]

Thank you both so much for all of your helpful input. I just placed my order for the D50. I decided to get the kit plus the 55-200 mm lens since I know I'm going to be at dance recitals and sporting events for the next few years. I'm really excited to get it and learn how to use all the features. I'll probably sign up for a photography class at the local university in town just to refresh my memory. Thanks again!!!

jtd

[kdot]

You're welcome. Don't forget the Nikon forum in dPreview. Have a blast - you'll love the D50. k.