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Nikon D50 vs Nikon D70

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD50NikonD70
Overview
Released2005March 2004
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCCD
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm23.7 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP6.1 MP
Largest image3008 × 20003008 × 2000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–1600200–1600
Sensor detailNikon DX CCD with 6.1 million effective and 6.24 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; Image Dust Off reference data for optional Nikon Capture correction6.24 million total pixels; Image Dust Off reference data for software correction
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus Basic JPEG; maximum 3008 × 2000 pixels; Image Optimisation settingsJPEG, compressed 12-bit NEF RAW and RAW plus Basic JPEG
ISO detailISO 200–1600 in whole stops–
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst2.5 fps3 fps
Lens detailBody autofocus motor supports compatible AF NIKKOR lenses, including type G and D; AF-S lenses also supported. Other AF NIKKOR lenses lose 3D matrix metering; non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; E-type lenses incompatible according to current Nikon USA specificationDX angle of view approximately 1.5× FX focal length; AF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU AI lenses permit manual exposure without metering
AutofocusMulti-CAM 900 phase-detection module; five selectable focus areas; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A and manual focus, single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority modes; AF-assist illuminator. Current US page lists Face-Priority AF, absent from the original manual specification; no face-detection capability inferredMulti-CAM 900 phase detection with five areas; AF-S and AF-C; single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject modes
ShutterCombined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in half or one-third stops, Bulb and remote long exposures; flash synchronisation up to 1/500 secondCombined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; flash sync 1/500 second
Burst detailApproximately 2.5 fps; US launch specifies up to 137 Normal Large JPEG frames on SanDisk UltraII 256 MB SD card. Original manual buffer table separately lists four RAW or nine Fine Large JPEG frames with long-exposure noise reduction off; card-dependent sustained shooting differs from buffer capacityApproximately 3 fps; DPReview measures four RAW frames before the initial rate slows, with longer JPEG bursts depending on card and quality
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation. Pictured original AF-S DX 18–55 mm ED kit lens has no VROptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in pop-up i-TTL flash; original manual guide number approximately 15 m at ISO 200 (17 manual) or 11 m at ISO 100 (12 manual); accessory shoePop-up i-TTL flash; guide number approximately 15 at ISO 200 in metres, 17 at full manual output; commander mode for compatible remote Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and six scene modes; 420-segment RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in half or one-third stops; exposure/flash and white-balance bracketingP/S/A/M, auto and scenes; 1005-pixel RGB metering; ±5 EV compensation
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2″1.8″
Screen dots130,000130,000
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2-inch low-temperature-polysilicon TFT with 130000 dots; top status LCD; contextual help and playback magnification; dots count subpixelsFixed TFT; maker rounds the resolution to approximately 130000 dots. DPReview quotes 134000
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification; original manual specifies 18 mm eyepoint, conflicting with 8 mm on current US pagePentamirror, approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; selectable grid
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)400 photographs400 photographs
Body weight540 g595 g
Release detailNikon USA original announcement dated 20 April 2005 states June US availability as a prospective schedule; actual first-sale month is unconfirmed, so year precision is retainedNikon Japan records 19 March 2004; main retains the month without assigning the Japanese day to every region
Recording mediaOne Secure Digital card slot; no SDHC compatibility inferredCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, NTSC/PAL video output and DC input; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 2.0 Full-Speed, 12 Mbps rather than Hi-Speed; analogue NTSC/PAL output; optional EH-5 AC adapter input
Battery life detailEN-EL3 lithium-ion battery; main 400 shots is original manual single-frame test with 18–55 mm ED lens, Normal Large JPEG and flash every other exposure, not labelled CIPA. Separate 2000-shot continuous test uses Basic Medium JPEG and limited monitor use; the launch announcement promotes that continuous figureEN-EL3; approximately 400 photographs in the manual's single-frame test with flash on alternate exposures, not labelled CIPA. A separate continuous test claims approximately 2000; supplied MS-D70 holder accepts three CR2 batteries
ChargingExternal MH-18a quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapterExternal MH-18 charger
DimensionsApproximately 133 × 102 × 76 mmApproximately 140 × 111 × 78 mm
Weight detailApproximately 540 g excluding battery, memory card and body capApproximately 595 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor cover
ColoursBlack or silver–
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live-view composition; NTSC/PAL output is for playback, despite the current US page labelling it Movie File FormatStill-image camera without movie recording or live view

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