Nikon D50 vs Nikon D70s — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D50
28
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6.1 MP · APS-C
Nikon D70s
29
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D50 and the Nikon D70s are APS-C DSLRs announced on the same day, 20 April 2005, making them sibling choices rather than different generations. The D50 is the smaller and lighter carry at 133 x 102 x 76 mm and 620 g, against 140 x 111 x 78 mm and 679 g for the D70s, a 59 g difference. For travel or walking photography, the D50 is the easier body to pack. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2005 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 20, 2005 | April 20, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 133 x 102 x 76 mm | 140 x 111 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 620 g | 679 g |
| Optics | 34/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D70s is the stronger choice for action and bright-light shooting, because it shoots at 3 fps instead of the D50's 2.5 fps and offers a 1/8000 second top shutter speed instead of 1/4000. That shorter exposure gives you twice the headroom to use wide apertures in strong daylight, for example when photographing a runner at f/2 on a sunny afternoon. Both cameras pair an APS-C CCD sensor design with the Nikon F DX mount, five autofocus points and a 200 to 1600 ISO range, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. Resolution differs by just 0.1 MP, 6 on the D50 against 6.1 on the D70s, too small to matter for cropping. The viewfinders differ too, with a pentaprism in the D70s against a pentamirror in the D50. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
6 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. |
3008 x 2000 | 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. |
CCD | 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. |
16 x 24 | 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. |
2.5 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. |
Nikon F DX | 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. |
Nikon Image processing engine | 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. |
20030200 | 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. |
16003003280000 | 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. |
20030200 | 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. |
16003003280000 | 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. |
400080032000 | 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. |
50300 | 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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera is an option for moving pictures: the D50 and D70s are stills-only DSLRs with no video recording and no built-in timelapse function. Anyone who wants to capture clips of family events or build interval sequences must look elsewhere. | ||
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 | 10/100 | 10/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesControls and connectivity are closely matched here. Both cameras offer a built-in flash as well as support for an external flash unit, so a flash for portraits or indoor family shots works on either body. Both also offer Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, while neither provides Bluetooth. The rear displays are a match: both use a fixed 2-inch, 130,000-dot LCD with no touch input, no live view and no articulation. Composing happens through the optical viewfinder on both, so neither suits screen-framed tripod work. GPS and weather sealing are absent from both bodies, so travel photos carry no location data. | ||
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" | 2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
1300001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D50 is the stronger choice for long shooting days, rating 2000 shots per charge against 950 for the D70s, a 1050-shot difference. The bodies also take different battery packs, the EN-EL3 in the D50 and the EN-EL3a in the D70s, so spares are not interchangeable. Card formats differ: the D50 records to SD while the D70s takes CompactFlash Type I or II. If you already own SD cards, the D50 uses them directly. Both cameras have a single card slot, and neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL3 | EN-EL3a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2000 shots1505000 | 950 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D70s for motion and bright light: its 3 fps burst and 1/8000 second shutter suit sports and wide-aperture work in strong daylight. Choose the Nikon D50 for endurance and portability: its 2000-shot battery rating, smaller body and SD card support favour travel and all-day events. Both share the Nikon F DX mount and external flash support, so your lenses and flash gear carry across.