Nikon D80 v D70s

[Ian T]

Can anybody tell me what the main differences between these two bodies are? If I'm going to upgrade from a D50, would I be best buying a D80 over the D70s?

Thanks.

[Wile E. coyote]

First of all whats your budget? If you can afford the D80 I personally would go for that. Its basicly a cut down D200 with more megapixels than the D70s plus your cards from the D50 will work in the D80, as the D70 uses CF. Hope this helps :)

[Kev M]

The only thing I prefer from the D70 specs is the electronic shutter.

[cwinhall]

Never judge your decision on megapixels!

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

[King_Boru]

As already mentioned you will have to buy new memory cards for the D70s as it takes Compact Flash over the SD your D50 and the D80 takes. It makes more sense to go for the D80 in this sense.

cwinhall is right. Its not about the megapixels, it goes far beyond that. Many users can make do with 6.1 and a lot of the time 10 is overkill.

In the latest Photography Monthly magazine they briefly cover this in the Pentax K100 review. This camera is a 6.1 megapixel entry level (but far exeeds it) and is capable of printing up to and beyond A3 without any interpolation etc.

I personally would look into your requirements prior to purchasing. The electronic shutter of the D70s for outdoor daylight flash portraits is superb.

Good luck.

King.

[Kev M]

I wouldn't let the card tyoe put you off either given the constantly falling prices of CF cards. It really comes down to what features you will use.

[Joe T]

The D80 has:

- better AF (iirc it has a newer AF module, the same one thats in the D200)
- more pixels (good for cropping)
- SD cards (smaller)
- larger screen (2.5" compared to 1.8") - this is really useful

If you can afford the D80, then go for it!

[King_Boru]

- better AF (iirc it has a newer AF module, the same one thats in the D200) More or less

It utlizes the same 11 point auto focus system but lacks quite a few of the D200's advanced autofocus settings/features.

One thing to consider is that the D80 has a genuine nikon grip for it. Which is really great for portraits and extended battery life.

King.

[Wile E. coyote]

One thing to consider is that the D80 has a genuine nikon grip for it. Which is really great for portraits and extended battery life.

King.

That a good point, I wish there was one for the D50, could get one but it would be without the shutter button etc so whats the point :shrug:

[TomB]

Whats the difference between the electronic/semi-mechanical shutters other than a higher maximum speed?

[Kev M]

Long story as to how it works which you don't really want me to go into. The only advantage is it allows you to use full power flash off camera at migh higher sync speeds. Unless you're into off camera flash I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's probably a little more succeptible(sp) to dust than traditional mechanical design but that's not a problem you just send you camera to Janice for cleaning ;)

[DaveW]

See for yourself here Ian, I have set them up both side by side:-

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d70s%2Cnikon_d80&show=all

The D80 has a newer autofocus system and is the more modern camera, but with a slower top shutter speed, but few ever use their highest shutter speeds anyway.

DaveW

[antonroland]

would I be best buying a D80 over the D70s?

Thanks.

Short answer:YES!!!