D50 or D70/s?

[Fortigurn]

I'm wondering what the advantages of the D70 or D70s may or may not be over the D50, especially after reading this. The lack of a depth of field preview and backlighting on the control panel are the only two things I can imagine actually missing.

[gstark]

The absence of backlighting of the control panel may be serious: I use it a lot of the time.

Other issues might be size - the 50 is smaller and lighter. SOme might see that as a good thing; othes might not.

Storage media: the 50 uses SD, the 70 CF. Do you already have any investment in either style of media?

Both cameras are capable of helping you make very good images. It really comes down to featureset and budgets.

[losfp]

Well, my decision came down primarily to:

- I had some CF cards already.
- I had CF card readers already.
- The 2nd command dial is really useful.
- Much better kit lens.

By the time I got the D50 and the 18-70, wasn't much cheaper than the D70s.

[Mj]

There are quite a few differences... many small but all add up... apart from those already mentioned, the D70s (not the D70) allows for a shutter release cable attachment... much better to use in many situations than the wireless remote.

Keep looking and see more subtle differences... then make your decision.

[Fortigurn]

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it. If I'm honest with myself, I'd have to acknowledge that I wouldn't use all the features of the D70/s.

The lack of display backlighting is a bit of a pain, but on the other hand I don't have backlighting on my Dynax 5 and have never missed it, whilst I do have backlighting on my F80 and almost never use it. I think that in most cases if it's too dark to see my display then it will be too dark for most of my lenses.

I already have Nikon glass, so choosing between the kit lenses isn't an issue (I only want a body), and I'm not committed to either flash memory form factor. I think it's the D50 for me.