Request a product

Nikon D70S vs Nikon D850

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD70SNikonD850
Overview
ReleasedApril 2005September 2017
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CFull frame
Sensor typeCCDBackside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP45.7 MP
Largest image3008 × 20008256 × 5504
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–160064–25600
Sensor detail6.24 million total pixels; Nikon DX-format primary-colour CCD46.89 million total pixels; no optical low-pass filter; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data. UK effective resolution rounded to 45.7 MP; Japan specifies 45.75 million, distinct from the 45.44-million-pixel largest file.
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and RAW plus Basic JPEG; no in-camera TIFF recording12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; medium/small RAW fixed at 12-bit lossless; JPEG, RGB TIFF and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailISO 200–1600 in one-third-stop increments; Auto ISOExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; Auto ISO available
Image processor–EXPEED 5
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst3 fps9 fps
Lens detailAF coupling drives compatible screw-drive AF lenses. Supported non-CPU AI lenses work in manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedCompatible F-mount lenses include G/E/D, other supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a cropped image area. Non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported.
AutofocusMulti-CAM 900 phase detection with five focus areas; single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority modes; AF assist lampViewfinder Multi-CAM 20K phase detection with 153 points, 99 cross-type and 55 user-selectable; 15 support f/8. Live view uses contrast detection with face, wide, normal, pinpoint and tracking modes. Review references to a Multi-CAM 3500 module are incorrect.
ShutterCombined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync up to 1/500 second1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; mechanical focal-plane and electronic front-curtain options; flash sync 1/250 second with compatible Auto FP support; electronic silent live-view modes
Burst detailApproximately 3 fps; four RAW frames. Nikon claims up to 144 Large Normal JPEGs using specified fast CompactFlash cards; buffer capacity depends on image settings and cardMain 9 fps requires optional MB-D18 grip, EN-EL18b battery and BL-5 cover; body with EN-EL15-series battery reaches 7 fps. Full-resolution silent Mode 1 reaches 6 fps. Brief silent Mode 2 reaches 30 fps for at most three seconds with fixed focus/exposure and 3600 × 2400 DX JPEG Normal files; this restricted mode is not the headline continuous rate.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens. Electronic movie vibration reduction available with mode restrictions.
FlashPop-up i-TTL flash covering an 18mm lens; guide number approximately 11 at ISO 100 in metres, 12 at full manual output; commander support and hot shoeNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe, ISO 519 sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M and seven automatic scene programmes; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering; ±5 EV compensationP/S/A/M; ±5 EV compensation; 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor, unlike Photography Blog's erroneous 91K-pixel narrative
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2″3.2″
Screen dots130,0002,359,000
Touchscreen–Yes
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 2-inch TFT with approximately 130000 dots; removable monitor coverTilting TFT, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; maker US announcement specifies 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentamirror, approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; selectable gridPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.75× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 17 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustment
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)500 photographs1840 photographs
Body weight600 g915 g
Release detailNikon Japan records 27 April 2005 retail availability; Nikon's original US announcement specifies early May. Main uses the earlier documented Japanese date. The announcement explicitly calls D70 its predecessorAnnounced on 24 August 2017 after a July development announcement; Nikon US states September availability and Nikon Japan specified 8 September. Main retains September because the exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.
Recording mediaOne CompactFlash Type I/II slot; Microdrive supportedCurrent maker specification supports CFexpress Type B/XQD plus UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying. Launch specification had XQD plus SD.
PortsUSB 2.0 Full Speed; NTSC/PAL analogue video output; dedicated MC-DC1 cable-release port. No HDMIUSB 3.0 Micro-B, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, 10-pin remote terminal and flash-sync socket; Ethernet requires the optional WT-7 transmitter
Wireless connectionsOptional ML-L3 infrared shutter remote; no built-in Wi-FiWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.1; SnapBridge
Battery life detailSupplied EN-EL3a. Manual claims approximately 500 shots in Nikon's single-frame test with AF-S DX 18–70mm f/3.5–4.5G IF-ED and full flash on alternate exposures; this is not labelled CIPA. Separate continuous test claims approximately 2500 shots. EN-EL3 or three CR2 cells with optional MS-D70 holder also supportedEN-EL15a/15b; maker CIPA claim approximately 1840 shots using the camera's own EN-EL15-series battery, not requiring the D5 battery as UK marketing prose could suggest. EN-EL15c may be supplied. Optional MB-D18 supports EN-EL18b, EN-EL15-series or eight AA cells.
ChargingMH-18a external charger; optional EH-5 AC adapterExternal MH-25a charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5B power connector
DimensionsApproximately 140 × 111 × 78 mmApproximately 146 × 124 × 78.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 600 g excluding battery, memory card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 915 g body only or 1005 g including battery and XQD card, excluding body cap
Materials–Weather-sealed construction; maker operating range 0–40°C
In the box–EN-EL15-series battery, MH-25a charger, HDMI/USB cable clip, UC-E22 USB cable, AN-DC18 strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-17F eyepiece; battery revision may vary
Video
Highest video resolution–3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps
Video detailNo movie recording or live viewFull-width FX or DX UHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p; Full HD up to 59.94p and cropped silent slow-motion capture at 100/119.88 fps played at 25/29.97/23.976p. H.264 MOV/MP4; recording limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. In-camera 4K time-lapse; 8K time-lapse requires still-frame assembly in external software.
Audio–Built-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone monitoring; PCM or AAC depending on file format; slow motion has no audio

More comparisons