Nikon D70s

The Nikon D70s is a 6.1-megapixel APS-C CCD DSLR with a Nikon F mount, 5-point autofocus, ISO 200–1600, a 1/8000s maximum shutter speed, and a 130,000-pixel 2-inch LCD — a compact, capable second-generation enthusiast DSLR that shoots JPEG and RAW, accepts CompactFlash cards, and runs on the EN-EL3a battery with up to 500 shots per charge.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 6.1 MP APS-C CCD, 23.7 × 15.6 mm, 7.85 µm pixel pitch
• Crop factor: 1.5×, so a 50mm lens frames like 75mm full-frame
• Autofocus: 5-point optical viewfinder AF (95% coverage, 0.50× magnification)
• ISO range: 200–1600 native
• Shutter: 30s–1/8000s mechanical shutter, rated to 100,000 actuations
• Burst rate: 3 frames per second
• Storage: CompactFlash (CF) card slot — one slot
• Flash: Built-in pop-up flash with Nikon i-TTL compatibility and hot shoe for external speedlights
• Lens mount: Nikon F, compatible with the vast range of Nikon F lenses produced over decades
• Body: 140 × 111 × 78 mm, 679 g

What makes the Nikon D70s special?

The D70s was Nikon's refresh of the original D70, and the key upgrade was the larger 2-inch LCD — a meaningful improvement for reviewing shots in the field. It also bumped battery life slightly over the D70, rated at 500 shots with flash every other frame compared to around 400 for its predecessor.

The D70s uses a CCD sensor, which produces a distinctive character of colour and tonal rendering — often described as film-like — that differs from the CMOS chips that replaced it. The sensor has a 7.85 µm pixel pitch, which is notably large for its class and contributes to respectable performance in daylight and portrait work.

Compared to the Nikon D80 that followed it, the D70s is simpler and lighter — making it a popular choice as a teaching camera or backup body. The Nikon D90 came later with video recording and a higher-resolution sensor, but the D70s remains a focused, straightforward DSLR. For vintage CCD colour science in a manageable body, the D70s occupies its own space. The Nikon D200 offered more resolution and weather sealing for demanding users, while contemporaries like the Canon EOS 350D competed in the same entry-level market — but the D70s distinguished itself with its i-TTL flash system and robust lens compatibility.