Nikon D80 vs Nikon D70

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D80 and the Nikon D70, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D80 was introduced in September 2006 and Nikon D70 was introduced in April 2004. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D80 Highlights

      • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Nikon D70 Highlights

      • 6.1 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 1.8" 130k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D80
      4. Advantage of Nikon D70
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D80 and Nikon D70.

      PROS

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 50
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 61
      •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)
      •   Weight - 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz)

      Advantage of Nikon D80

      Nikon D80
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D80 over Nikon D70.

      Nikon D80 vs Nikon D70
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.2 Megapixel vs 6.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 3008 x 2000
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 130k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.63x vs 0.50x
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.1 vs 20.4
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.2 vs 10.3
      Higher DxO Overall Score 61 vs 50
      Interval Recording possible with optional Timer-Remote or during tethered operation vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
      Lighter 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz) vs 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D80.

      Nikon D40X
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D70s
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D60
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D90
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Nikon D50
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D40
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon Z30
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Nikon D800E
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Sony a3500
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      APS-C

      20 MP

      Sony a7 III
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Fujifilm X-H1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony a7C II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      33.0 MP

      Advantage of Nikon D70

      Nikon D70
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D70 over Nikon D80.

      Nikon D80 vs Nikon D70
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/500 sec
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 524 vs 529

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D70.

      Nikon D40
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D50
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D70s
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D90
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Nikon D60
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D40X
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D300S
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Nikon Z9
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Pentax 645Z
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      Medium format

      51.4 MP

      Sigma fp
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Nikon 1 V1
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      1-inch

      10.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D80 Nikon D70
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D80 Nikon D70
        No Video Capture
        Low Resolution Sensor10.2 Megapixel6.1 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6001,600
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot130k dot
        No Live View
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps3.0 fps
        No HDMI Output
        No Built-in Microphone
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D80 has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and Nikon D70 has a 1.8" screen with 130k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D80 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderNikon D70 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. They both have 95% coverage.

      Sensor

      Nikon D80 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Nikon D70 features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D80 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D70 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2240 x 1488, 1504 x 1000 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D80 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D70 nothing can be done. On Nikon D70 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D80 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer.


      Battery

      Nikon D80 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack and Nikon D70 comes with EN-EL3 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D80 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Nikon D70 has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D80 has Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter. Nikon D70 has Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D80, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D70. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D80 and 11.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D70. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D80 and 1/500 sec on Nikon D70.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D80 body has dimensions of 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.06 x 3.03") and Nikon D70 body has dimensions of 140 x 111 x 78 mm (5.51 x 4.37 x 3.07"). Nikon D80 weighs 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz) and Nikon D70 weighs 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz).

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      132 mm

      103 mm

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      140 mm

      111 mm

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      103 mm

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      111 mm

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      77 mm

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      78 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D80 and Nikon D70

      Nikon D80 and Nikon D70 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      POOR
      54
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      GOOD
      72
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      72
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)
      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)
      GOOD
      76
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D80 and Nikon D70 and give them scores of 55 and 53 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      OVERALL
      55
      OVERALL
      53

      Sensor

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 61
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 50

      Photo

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      POOR
      53
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

      Video

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      75
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D80

      Nikon D70

      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)
      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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