Fast, precise 5-area AF system
Nikon's 5-area Multi-CAM900 autofocus with cross-type sensor in the Nikon D70 digital SLR, ensures a fast and precise focus lock and covers a broad area of the frame.

Low light performance is excellent (the Nikon D70's focus detection range covers -1 EV to 19 EV), and a convenient AF-assist illuminator adds additional help in dark situations.

The handy multi selector on the back of the D70 makes it easy to select a specific focus area, and the selected area can be confirmed on the top control panel as well as the focus indicator in the viewfinder display. (Active AF area is highlighted in the viewfinder).

Multi selector on back of camera

Viewfinder Display

When shooting moving subjects, predictive focus tracking and Lock-on™ help you achieve accurate focus by shifting instantly and automatically from your selected focus area to the one into which the subject has moved. The AF area modes on the Nikon D70 include; 1) Single Area AF, 2) Dynamic Area AF, 3) Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF

The D70 also provides the option of "On Demand Grid Lines" in the viewfinder to assist in composition. (Useful for architectural photography etc.)

Grid Outlines as Displayed
in the Viewfinder

Built-in pop-up Speedlight with i-TTL flash control
The built-in Speedlight automatically pops up and fires when the natural light is inadequate or to add Balanced Fill-Flash when there is strong backlighting.

A big bonus of the D70's built-in flash is that it adopts Nikon's exclusive i-TTL flash control of the Creative Lighting System. i-TTL improves the accuracy of the monitor pre-flash used by the system's 1,005-pixel RGB sensor to evaluate flash exposure and perform an automatic balanced flash.

The D70 lets you shoot at synchronized speeds up to 1/500 second for great fill effects under brighter light conditions. Another feature FV Lock, maintains the measured flash value, so while recomposing the shot you still achieve the appropriate flash output for the subject. The Nikon D70 offers flash exposure compensation as well, which allows you to increase or reduce flash output for yet finer control over results.

Also announced today, the new Nikon Speedlight SB-600 joins the SB-800 Speedlight as part of Nikon's Creative Lighting System, and looks like an ideal complement to the D70's built-in pop-up speedlight.

A new feature, the Nikon D70's built-in speedlight can be used as a remote "Commander" that controls multiple wireless SB-600 or SB-800 Speedlights. When in Commander mode, the built-in Speedlight does not fire, but instead repeats a series of small flashes to send control signals to the (optional) remote wireless Speedlights.

Alternately, you can attach an SB-800 and use it for flexible control of up to 3 remote groups of wireless speedlights, with each group consisting of any number of units.

Depth of Field Preview Button
The Depth of Field preview button aids in achieving compositional accuracy by letting you confirm the effects of aperture settings through the viewfinder. (Not available when using non-CPU lenses.)

Image Playback
Controls on the Nikon D70 are intuitively located for easy access and operation. Menus are presented clearly and in plain language on the rear 1.8" LCD monitor. In contrast to the D100 where the user presses the Monitor button to switch into playback mode, the D70 has a dedicated Playback button for the same purpose. Pressing the Playback button once again, or pressing the shutter button halfway switches the D70 back into record mode.

Nikon D70 Camera Menu System

Changes to a variety of camera settings are made through menus that appear in the camera LCD monitor (accessed by using menu button on back of camera)

Playback Menu: Contains options for managing the images stored on a memory card, and for playing pictures back in automated slide shows. Settings include;

Custom Settings Menu
A total of 25 custom settings allow you to personalize the operation of your D70 to match your shooting style or the demands of different shooting conditions. The custom settings menu is displayed on the LCD monitor in easy to understand fashion, and selections are made using the handy multi selector. You can also display help dialogs with the press of a button that describe each setting.