Canon EOS 30D vs Nikon D70s — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 30D
33
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6.1 MP · APS-C
Nikon D70s
29
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 30D and the Nikon D70s are DSLRs from the mid-2000s, arriving a year apart. Nikon launched the D70s in April 2005, and Canon followed with the 30D in February 2006. Their bodies measure 144 x 106 x 74 mm for the Canon and 140 x 111 x 78 mm for the Nikon, a near match in footprint. The D70s is the lighter body at 679 g, 105 g less than the 30D's 784 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 21, 2006 | April 20, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 106 x 74 mm | 140 x 111 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 784 g | 679 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 30D is the stronger choice for cropping and action shooting. Its 8.2 megapixel sensor gives you more pixels to work with than the D70s's 6.1, which helps when you tighten a landscape or wildlife frame in editing. It also shoots at 5 frames per second against the Nikon's 3, and its 9 autofocus points outnumber the D70s's 5 for tracking a moving subject. The Canon also reaches 3200 ISO at its top standard setting, twice the D70s's 1600 ISO ceiling, giving more flexibility in dim interiors or evening light. A shared 1/8000 second maximum shutter suits both for freezing motion or shooting wide in bright sun. The 30D uses Canon EF-S lenses and the D70s takes Nikon F DX glass, so your existing system matters here. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8.2 MP050 | 6.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3504 x 2336 | 3008 x 2000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15 x 22.5 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic II | Nikon Image processing engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 50300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so this choice is entirely photographic. Decide between them on resolution, speed, battery and weight instead. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 10/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 30D is the better camera for reviewing images on the spot. Its 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 dots shows finer detail when you check focus or composition after a shot, while the D70s's 2-inch screen with 130,000 dots leaves less room to judge sharpness. Neither screen is touch-sensitive, and neither tilts or flips. The D70s supports WiFi for wireless image transfer, a convenience the 30D lacks. Both cameras carry a built-in flash for fill light and accept external flash units for stronger illumination. Neither offers GPS tagging, weather sealing or live view. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 1300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon D70s is the stronger pick for a long day away from a charger. Its EN-EL3a battery is rated at 950 shots, against 400 shots for the 30D's BP-511A, a gap of 550 shots in the rating. Storage is a shared story: both cameras write to a single Compact Flash Type I or II card, with no second slot for backup. Neither charges over USB, so both need their dedicated chargers and a spare battery makes sense for either body. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511A | EN-EL3a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 950 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 30D for bigger files and faster shooting: 8.2 megapixels for cropping, 5 fps for children, sport or wildlife, and a sharper rear screen for checking focus.
Choose the Nikon D70s if endurance and portability matter more: 105 g less weight, a 950-shot battery rating for long days out, and WiFi for wireless transfer. Existing Nikon F DX lenses are a practical reason to stay with the D70s.