D40 or D70

[ruggles]

hi guys

i was offered both camera body at the same price, any suggestion.

i was contemplating to buy those newer model with live view?

any suggestion?

i just need a good camera for taking daily photos.

prefer dslr.

Thanks.

[geraldkhoo]

Originally Posted by ruggles hi guys i was offered both camera body at the same price, any suggestion. i was contemplating to buy those newer model with live view? any suggestion? i just need a good camera for taking daily photos. prefer dslr. Thanks.

Between D40/x or D60 vs D70/s, I'll go with the D70/s

[yyD70S]

As below:

Originally Posted by ruggles hi guys i was offered both camera body at the same price, any suggestion. D70 mostly. D40 can only AF with AFS lenses (may not matter to you) but have a bigger LCD screen and better high ISO "noise". i was contemplating to buy those newer model with live view? Only one model = D90 any suggestion? i just need a good camera for taking daily photos. prefer dslr. Your choice really. Buy into a system. Not just the camera. Thanks.

[AMediaLuz]

The D70 is about 5-6 Megapixes, the D40 is higher right?

[Weili80]

Originally Posted by AMediaLuz The D70 is about 5-6 Megapixes, the D40 is higher right?

D40 is 6 megapixes. If you are printing 4R photos, 6 megapixes is more than enough

[Simon_84]

Originally Posted by AMediaLuz The D70 is about 5-6 Megapixes, the D40 is higher right?

both the same mp, is just that d40 has slightly better iso performance only.

[Legoz]

Always get the newest and cheapest available.
in this case, both are decent cameras but my money is on the D40 because it ought to outperform D70 at higher ISO (and this is important)

Regards

[Blur Shadow]

Would you consider yourself as an ameteur that's just starting-out or a hobbist with some experience and know-how? If you're the former, take the D40. It's probably a little easier and more user-friendly. If you're the latter, either one is fine really... Just pick the one that you like... I mean, D40 is smaller & lighter and has a larger screen, for instance.

As for the lack of lenses, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Nikon has plenty of AF-S lenses, and 3rd party manufacturers Tamron and Sigma can easily fill the void left by Nikon.

[gymak90]

I would go for the D70. I don't subscribe to the idea that the newest ought to be the best.

Look into Nikon's history. They downgraded lens before. AF-S 80-200 f2.8 was first manufactured, then later productions were downgraded to AF-D 80-200 f2.8.

D40 may have slightly better noise control, but that seems to be all. With D70, you get a top lcd info screen for fast reading of your settings. You can also autofocus on non AF-S lenses. D70 consumes very little battery power, so your battery lasts longer.

But if size and weight is of concern to you, then get d40. I have big palms and find d40 too small for me. But the choice is yours. Take the one that suits your needs and your hands.

[lexus]

If you go for D40, good to take note at the range of ~1m, the following lens may block the AF-assist illuminator and interfere with auto focus when lighting is poor.

AF-S VR ED 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G
AF-S DX IF ED 17-55mm f/2.8 G
AF-S ED 17-35mm f/2.8 D
AS-S ED 28-70mm f/2.8 D

Lenses that block the subject view of the AF assist illuminator can interfere with red eye reduction.This is my 2cent worth of opinion..

[YSLee]

Originally Posted by gymak90 I would go for the D70. I don't subscribe to the idea that the newest ought to be the best. Look into Nikon's history. They downgraded lens before. AF-S 80-200 f2.8 was first manufactured, then later productions were downgraded to AF-D 80-200 f2.8.

Please read up on Nikon history before posting stuff like that.

Not sure about the D40, but the D60 does have a nicer viewfinder than the D70.

[whkoh]

To set the record straight, the two touch (ring) 80-200 AF-D was introduced first, in 1997. It is still available new today.

The 80-200 AF-S was introduced in 1999 but has since been replaced by the 70-200 VR.

[ZerocoolAstra]

Originally Posted by Blur Shadow Would you consider yourself as an ameteur that's just starting-out or a hobbist with some experience and know-how? If you're the former, take the D40. It's probably a little easier and more user-friendly. If you're the latter, either one is fine really... Just pick the one that you like... I mean, D40 is smaller & lighter and has a larger screen, for instance. As for the lack of lenses, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Nikon has plenty of AF-S lenses, and 3rd party manufacturers Tamron and Sigma can easily fill the void left by Nikon.

I agree with this suggestion...!
Ulitimately the D70 and D40 are mainly different in the size and weight department. The rest of the features are quite close. Here's my summary:

D40
- smaller and lighter
- bigger LCD screen
- improved high ISO performance
- newer model

D70
- larger, heavier and more solidly-built
- has a secondary LCD on the top, to view all the critical settings
- has a screw-drive to allow auto-focus with a wider variety of lenses
- has 2 dials (front and rear) to allow quicker setting (eg 1 for aperture, 1 for shutter speed in M mode)

[jpgutierrez18]

Based on my limited use of D40 (1 whole day as secondary cam), listed below are the things I like in D40 compared to D70/s:

1. Lighter.
2. Better LCD.
3. JPEG straight from the cam are livelier and crisper (although you can tweak D70/s settings or curves to match this).
4. Better noise handling.
5. Better handling of shadows/highlight (dynamic range).

To be fair, here is the list of features I like in D70/s compared to D40:

1. Ability to use AF on non AF-S lenses. It's very important to me since I use AF-D 85mm F1.4. Although I can manually focus even at F1.2 when I still had my classic 55mm, I prefer to use AF now since my eyesight is not that good anymore.
2. As stated above, 2 dials for fast operation (no need to take your sight off the viewfinder while changing exposure setting).
3. More rugged than the D40.
4. Battery charge lasts longer since you don't need to use the LCD very often.

[gymak90]

Originally Posted by YSLee Please read up on Nikon history before posting stuff like that. Not sure about the D40, but the D60 does have a nicer viewfinder than the D70.

Originally Posted by whkoh To set the record straight, the two touch (ring) 80-200 AF-D was introduced first, in 1997. It is still available new today. The 80-200 AF-S was introduced in 1999 but has since been replaced by the 70-200 VR.

Oh really it's the other way round? Oops paiseh. When I typed, I remembered AF-S being before AF-D. Ok shall check again, thanks.

Personally I find the viewfinder of D70 slightly dark. Maybe it's old technology. But it doesn't really affect me.