D100 or D70s

[superlightr]

Umm whats the main difference - which is 'better'?

considering the D100 instead of the D70s as the D100 is in Stock.

[_dobbo_]

D100 has an optional vertical grip - D70s doesn't.

Apart from that don't know - but at the price you can get a D100 for now, I have to say I'd be tempted to go that way and get an 18-70 lens as well.

[simpo two]

D100 looks more 'pro' but it's older technology than the D70s - if that's important?

[imperialism2024]

Then again, make sure not to equivocate "older" with "worse"...

I had to argue with a customer the other day that the Olymus Evolte E300's "new technology" does not make it better than the 350D, 20D, and D70s. I'll be laughing though when he can't get any more lenses in 5 years. Then again he said that he didn't want to get any more lenses, and the he just wanted to keep one lens on the camera all the time... But so I rant...

[beano500]

There's not a great deal of difference, mostly subtle things. IIRC, fastest shutter speed is only 1/4000 on the '100 and flash syncro only to 1/180 instead of 1/500. The D70 also uses the iTTL system for flash.

The focus system is, I believe, supposed to be a little faster on the latest software/hardware combination for the '70/'70s, but I beliebve it uses the same focus unit and metering system. The body of the D100 has the three focus modes whereas AF-S and AF-C is lost in the depths of the menu system.

The buffer, is improved on the D70s so that the 3fps is a bit more useable.

Biggest noticeable difference is that some Nip designer thought it would be nice to have some pretty pictures on the mode command dial for the D70 (God knows what they do!) and forgot to provide a vertical grip and extra battery space for the D70. They crammed a crummy little flash over the pentaprism too, which is nice. (Actually, that's quite handy.)

I was originally looking to get a D100 myself. I think what swayed me was that if you search enough sites and find some user reviews you'll come across a few where people have been a D100 user for a few years and got a D70 as a "back up" only to find they used the '70 all the time. I guess sometimes the paper specifications don't translate into how easy or good the unit is to use.....

[406]

D70 or D100? Well, I have both. The D100 feels better in your hand, but with the MB-D100 grip and the 80-400 VR, it's a bit of a monster. The D70 on the otherhand focus's quicker, is slightly lighter and more user friendly - the D100 is a "Pro" unit - the D70 a "Prosumer" unit. I prefer the D70 and really only have the D100 as a backup - although it has the 80-400VR on it most of the time. The 80-400 seems to "Hunt" more on the D100 than on the D70, as does the 18-70 kit lens. The nice thing about the D100 is it has 2 memory banks - A & B - where you can store profiles i.e. the point and shoot profile on bank A, and any other profile you have on bank B. Also, firmware updates on the D100 can only be applied by a Nikon Service Agent and for a fee, the D70 can be updated by the user so no extra to pay there. Given the choice, I would go for the D70 every time unless you want the "Qudos" of having a "Pro" camera although, the difference in price is hardly anything now.

dave

[simpo two]

imperialism2024 said:

Then again, make sure not to equivocate "older" with "worse"...

You're quite right, and the D100 started from a higher point. But I was thinking of not of marketing stunts but more useful developments (possibly) such as focus speed, metering accuracy and internal electronics which might allow the D70 to do the same thing faster, or more accurately. Maybe we're comparing a new Mondeo with a 5-year old BMW? Both have their benefits.

NB The built-in flash on the D70 isn't very powerful but is very handy for quick fill-flash. If you've ever tried it in a very dark room and wondered why the result is underexposed, it's because it's set to 'fill' by default, not do the full exposure. A bit alarming the first time you try it and wonder why your 3Mp compact does better!

[superlightr]

Many thanks for the replies,

I was dissapointed not to be able to get a D70s within 2 weeks of an order and before a holiday despite being told by the shop it would be in after 1 week.

I could not see much difference in the paper specs from the D100 to D70s and apart from one being a newer model I could not see if this meant it was actually better.

It sounds like the weight of the PH massive is towards the D70s. Hopefully it will be here before xmas.

[beano500]

simpo two said:

....wondered why the result is underexposed, it's because it's set to 'fill' by default, not do the full exposure.

Well you learn something new everyday! And I even claim to have read the manual.....