For the money, which would you reach for?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

The Nikon D70 or the Nikon Coolpix 8800? The obvious answer is the
8800, but being a relative newbie to the digi world with the budget to
purchase either two, I am curious for some feedback/experiences. FWIW,
I am an amateur 35mm user with eyes on getting some digi prints into a
gallery or two around town.

Regards,

Ben

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:
> kombi45@yahoo.com writes:
> > The Nikon D70 or the Nikon Coolpix 8800? The obvious answer is the
> > 8800, but being a relative newbie to the digi world with the budget to
> > purchase either two, I am curious for some feedback/experiences. FWIW,
> > I am an amateur 35mm user with eyes on getting some digi prints into a
> > gallery or two around town.
>
> Between those two choices I'd definitely go for the D70. You will get
> much cleaner prints from the large sensor.

That seems to be the word - the Coolpix is a bit of a...gilded turd, if
you will. The much lower priced D70 gets killer reviews at B&H while
the 8800 leaves alot to be desired from a user review standpoint.
Common themes are that it is bad in low light, trouble with manual
focus, etc.

Seems like the B&H kit doesn't tell you what lens it comes with. Looks
like the "off the rack" lens is a 18-70mm Nikkor. This is my only
reservation with this camera - The 8800 rolls from 18-350, I believe.
What's the fix for this minor snafu?

Ben

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In terms of image quality the difference between the two D70 and the 8800 is
vastly over-rated. The Sony imaging sensor in the 8800 is maligned by
everyone except people who have actually used these cameras extensively and
have had the opportunity to compare their images with the D70: the D70 is
not the hands down winner for resolution or color fidelity or low noise and
other distortions.
The fixed lens of the 8800 is more than good enough for most uses, although
the wide angle end is somewhat limited (equivalent to 35mm lens on a 35mm
camera).
The interchangeable lenses of a dSLR is technically a superior option but
may be not so superior in practical terms depending on what you are looking
for.
Since I use both types of cameras regularly I can assure you the dSLR form
factor is much easier and faster to handle than the electronic viewfinder
8800. In truth viewing in bright daylight with an EVF can be very difficult.
Still I like these cameras for what they are: good all in one solutions for
many advanced users.
On the other hand the 8800 is much lighter to carry around and may be more
usable for you in particular. Usability can be a more important
consideration than other technical issues.
The D70 also has a wealth of sophisticated control options which also
distinguishes it from the 8800--if you want to learn to use all the options.
Doubtless future Nikon dSLRs will have higher megapixel counts, increased
latitude and lower noise but they have done a really good job with the
control set built into the D70.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

<kombi45@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1117147056.524147.9810@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> The Nikon D70 or the Nikon Coolpix 8800? The obvious answer is the
> 8800, but being a relative newbie to the digi world with the budget to
> purchase either two, I am curious for some feedback/experiences. FWIW,
> I am an amateur 35mm user with eyes on getting some digi prints into a
> gallery or two around town.
There are no "obvious answers" in photography. Which one you select depends
on how you intend to use it.
The 8800 has a smaller and hence noisier CCD (or whatever they are using).
The 8800 is rather limited in the wide angle end unless you spend even more
money on an adapter.
On the other hand, the D70 preserves my investment in lenses.
Jim
>
> Regards,
>
> Ben
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:
> kombi45@yahoo.com writes:
>> Seems like the B&H kit doesn't tell you what lens it comes with.
>> Looks like the "off the rack" lens is a 18-70mm Nikkor. This is my
>> only reservation with this camera - The 8800 rolls from 18-350, I
>> believe. What's the fix for this minor snafu?
>
> The 8800 has the equivalent of a 35-350 in 35mm terms. The D70 kit
> lens is more like a 28-105. You can add a 70-210 to the D70 which
> would give you the same telephoto coverage as the 8800.

Except that the 8800 includes image stabilisation, which vastly increases
the usability of its 350mm maximum.

David

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"David J Taylor" <david-taylor@blueyonder.co.not-this-bit.nor-this-part.uk> writes:
> > The 8800 has the equivalent of a 35-350 in 35mm terms. The D70 kit
> > lens is more like a 28-105. You can add a 70-210 to the D70 which
> > would give you the same telephoto coverage as the 8800.
>
> Except that the 8800 includes image stabilisation, which vastly increases
> the usability of its 350mm maximum.

Yes. There is a 70-200 VR which is fast, but very big and expensive.