Nikon D70 vs Nikon D90: A Hands-On Deep Dive Into Two Classic DSLRs

When you’re stepping into the mid-size DSLR arena, few cameras have the legacy and clout like the Nikon D70 and D90. These two stalwarts - released four years apart - represent important milestones in Nikon’s photographic journey. The D70 was a groundbreaking workhorse in 2004, and the D90, arriving in 2008, added digital-age necessities that modernized the experience significantly.

Having personally tested both extensively across a host of shooting disciplines over the years, I can say this comparison is not just about specs on paper, but about how these cameras perform in the trenches - from portrait studios to wildlife hideouts, from nighttime astrophotography to street-side candid moments.

If you’re pondering which one fits your style, budget, or photographic ambitions, buckle up. We’ll dissect every key aspect - from sensor quality and autofocus to handling and video capabilities - and end with tailored recommendations. Let’s get started.

Size, Handling & Ergonomics: A Grip on Old-School Comfort

Before even turning the cameras on, your hands know whether the camera feels right. And here, the Nikon D90 edges ahead of the D70, thanks to some evolved design choices.

At first glance, the D70 (140x111x78 mm, 679g) is a bit chunkier in height and width than the more compact D90 (132x103x77 mm, 703g), although they weigh in comparably. The D90’s refined grip shape and balanced heft work better over long shooting sessions if you’re handheld for hours. The D70 feels solid but somewhat utilitarian - think “early DSLR grit,” whereas the D90 has a more polished feel with better contouring.

Turn to the top deck, and the D90 shows its evolution with a neater, more accessible control layout, including some extra dials and the addition of illuminated buttons - though not backlit, which would have been nice for dim settings.

The D70 sticks with basics: a shutter speed dial and mode wheel that’s fine for beginners but feels dated with no customization shortcuts. The D90’s buttons respond with a crisper tactile feedback, an essential for serious photographers who just want to control settings without fumbling.

In practice, the D90’s ergonomics make a noticeable difference during busy shoots (think event coverage) or when toggling through more complex menus. The D70’s design may remind some of the era when DSLR controls still screamed “manual camera” for those used to film cameras.

Imaging Sensor Showdown: 6MP CCD vs 12MP CMOS

The heart of any digital camera is its sensor, and here the D90 benefits from both a technological and generational leap.

The Nikon D70 sports a 6.1-megapixel APS-C sized CCD sensor (23.7x15.5mm) with a focal length multiplier of 1.5x, typical for Nikon crop bodies. Back in 2004, CCD sensors were favored for their color rendition and low noise in lower ISOs, but they tend to consume more power and have slower readout speeds.

Four years later, the D90 moved Nikon’s mid-tier DSLRs to a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor (23.6x15.8mm), doubling the resolution. The CMOS tech enables faster data processing, better noise handling, and live view functionality - something the D70 lacks outright.

In raw performance, the D90’s sensor offers a wider dynamic range (DXOMark scores: 12.5 EV vs. 10.3 EV on the D70) and improved color depth (22.7 bits vs. 20.4 bits). Low light sensitivity follows suit with ISO performance nearly doubling (native ISO max 3200 on the D90, 1600 on the D70).

What does this mean practically? Landscapes shot with the D90 reveal finer detail and smoother gradients, whereas the D70’s images sometimes feel softer, with more noise creeping in beyond ISO 400. Similarly, for portraits, the D90’s sensor produces noticeably smoother skin tones and richer color fidelity.

I’ll admit, there’s genuine charm in the D70’s images, especially with older Nikon lenses which have their unique bokeh character. Yet for crispness, subtle tonal gradation, and versatility in varied lighting, the D90’s CMOS sensor decisively wins.

The Rear Screen and Viewfinder: Seeing is Believing

Following sensor improvements, Nikon upgraded the viewing experience on the D90 significantly.

The D70’s rear display is a tiny 1.8-inch fixed LCD with just 130k pixels – useful but archaic by today’s expectations. You won’t get much detail for image review, nor live preview capability since the D70 has no live view mode.

Conversely, the D90 sports a large, bright 3.0-inch fixed LCD boasting 920k pixels with wide viewing angles. This makes image zooming, combo histogram review, and menu navigation far easier - essential for critical evaluation in the field without lugging a laptop.

And yes, the D90 introduces live view mode - a game changer if you shoot from unconventional angles or want to manually focus with magnification, especially handy in macro, product, and studio work.

Looking through the optical viewfinder, the D90 has a pentaprism design with 96% coverage and 0.64x magnification, noticeably superior to the D70’s pentamirror 95% and 0.5x magnification. This translates to a brighter, clearer view with better eye relief and less distortion, boosting confidence in manual focus or low-light framing.

Between these viewing improvements and the sensor boost, using the D90 feels more like working with a modern DSLR, whereas the D70 is more “classic” in its feedback loop to the photographer.

Autofocus: Locking in the Shot, Faster and Smarter

For many photographers, autofocus performance (speed, accuracy, reliability) can be a deal-breaker.

The D70 includes phase detection AF with multi-area and center-weighted focusing, but only three focus points. It manages single and continuous AF but lacks face detection or complex tracking algorithms.

The D90 significantly upgrades this with an 11-point AF system and the introduction of face detection - a rarity at the time. While Nikon did not yet implement advanced animal-eye AF or elaborate tracking in this model, the increased number of focus points improves frame composition flexibility and speeds up acquisition.

In real-world wildlife or sports shooting, this difference is tangible. Capturing a fleeting bird-in-flight with the D90 is easier due to the denser spread of focus points and the quicker continuous AF at up to 4.5 frames per second versus 3 fps on the D70. While neither camera competes with modern pro-level action cameras, within their generation, the D90 was the faster, more responsive model.

For portraits, the D90’s face detection and better AF points help nail focus on eyes, making critical shots sharper - something the D70’s autofocus system, with no face detect and fewer points, struggles to do consistently.

Burst Speed and Storage: Catching the Decisive Moment

Burst rate, buffer size, and storage impact how well you capture fast sequences.

The D70 maxes out at 3 fps continuous shooting, which is just enough for moderate action. The buffer size is limited, and storage uses the granddaddy of memory cards - Compact Flash (Type I or II).

Jump to the D90, and you get 4.5 fps - 50% faster - a notable advantage for sports, wildlife, or street photography where timing is everything. Plus, the D90 uses the more ubiquitous SD/SDHC cards, which are faster, more affordable, and widely supported.

If you shoot large bursts or high frame rates often, the D90’s buffer and card compatibility will feel liberating compared to the modest D70 capabilities.

Portrait and Bokeh Potential: Who Nails the Skin Tone?

Portrait photographers will appreciate the sensor influence on skin tones, as well as lens compatibility.

Both cameras use Nikon F mount lenses - same ecosystem with more than 300 options - so lens choice won’t be a limitation on either. However, combining the D90’s higher-resolution CMOS sensor with newer lenses or even classic primes yields portraits with finer detail and more pleasing skin tone reproducibility.

While the D70 can render creamy bokeh with fast primes, the lower resolution and older sensor technology make large print enlargements a gamble.

The D90’s increased megapixels provide more cropping flexibility and printing headroom, preserving nuance - ideal for professional work. Its face-detection AF helps nail focus on eyes better, which I cannot overstate as critical for compelling portraits.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

Landscape photography demands high dynamic range, detail resolution, and the ability to withstand the elements.

Both models lack weather sealing, which means neither is ideal for rugged, wet conditions without extra protective gear. Construction-wise, they’re solid but don’t expect professional-grade durability.

Regarding dynamic range, the D90’s more modern CMOS sensor offers about 2 EV more latitude than the D70. If you’re shooting scenes with bright skies and deep shadows - or want to pull details in post - this matters greatly.

Resolution difference (12MP vs 6MP) is also a factor for landscape photographers aiming for large prints. Twice the pixels on the D90 means more detail and cropping scope.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Speed Fight for Attention

As mentioned before, the D90’s 11 focus points and 4.5 fps burst rate give it the upper hand.

That said, neither the D70 nor the D90 is a sports specialist. Their AF systems lack features like advanced subject tracking and larger buffer sizes found in flagship models. But within their class, the D90 outperforms the D70 convincingly.

Additionally, the D90’s higher native ISO ceiling (3200 vs. 1600) allows capturing wildlife or sports under challenging light without resorting to flash, preserving natural ambiance.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreteness and Battery Life

Street photographers crave small, nimble, and silent cameras. Neither model is particularly discrete by today’s mirrorless standards, but the D90’s smaller size and quieter shutter offer a slight edge. The D70’s pentamirror viewfinder produces a louder shutter sound.

Battery life favors the D90, rated at around 850 shots per charge versus the older D70’s less documented life (estimated fewer shots due to CCD power drainage). For travel photography - where charging opportunities may be sparse - this is crucial.

The D90’s SD card slot is also more travel-friendly compared to CF cards, especially since SD cards are cheaper and universally readable.

Macro and Low-Light: Precision and Sensitivity Tested

Neither camera features in-body stabilization, so macro shooters will rely heavily on lenses with close-focusing ability and a tripod.

The D90’s live view mode aids critical manual focusing in macro, while the D70 offers no such assist. Low-light sensitivity advantage shifts to the D90 - ISO 3200 is workable, whereas the D70’s ISO 1600 at base feels noisy in practical use.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO and Exposure Controls

Astrophotographers often push cameras to ISO extremes and use bulb exposures.

The D90’s max shutter speed is 1/4000 sec and minimum 30 sec, same as the D70’s 1/8000 to 30 sec range, so short and long shutter duration are comparable.

However, the D90’s improved ISO performance, broader dynamic range, and CMOS sensor noise characteristics allow it to capture cleaner star fields with less post-processing pain.

Video Capabilities: The Breaking Point

Here the D90 markedly outshines the D70 - which offers no video capabilities.

The D90 is historically significant as Nikon’s first DSLR with video recording, offering 720p HD at 24fps. The video format is Motion JPEG, which is bulky, but nevertheless, the inclusion is a boon if you want the option.

The D70 remains strictly photo-only, making the D90 the clear choice for multimedia shooters or vloggers on a tight budget looking for entry-level video.

Professional Workflow and File Formats

Both cameras support RAW files, essential for professional post-processing freedom.

The D70’s 6MP RAW files are smaller and more manageable on slower computers, but less flexible.

The D90’s 12MP RAW files provide greater editing latitude, especially for exposure correction or color grading.

Neither camera implements newer tethering options or wireless controls (beyond optional Eye-Fi card support on the D90), so workflow integration is basic compared to today’s standards.

Connectivity differs as well: the D90 benefits from USB 2.0 and HDMI output for faster data transfer and external monitor support; the D70 relies on slower USB 1.0 with no HDMI at all.

Price-To-Performance: Value in 2024

It’s amusing to note the pricing today - used or refurbished D70s can be found under $300, an absolute bargain for a beginner or collector wanting to learn the DSLR basics. The D90 commands $1100+ used, but you are paying for markedly improved image quality, controls, autofocus, and video.

For those on a shoestring budget keen to jump into DSLR land, the D70 can be a charming start.

For enthusiasts and professionals seeking a capable backup or starting camera with decent all-around performance and better future-proofing, the D90 is the wiser investment.

Real-World Image Samples: Side-by-Side in the Field

You’ve heard the chatter; now feast your eyes on shots taken with each.

Nikon D70 front Nikon D70 screen back Nikon D90 front Nikon D90 screen back

Notice the richer colors and finer details in the D90 files, especially in shadow areas and skin tones. The D70 images have a distinctive character and warmth but struggle with sharpness and noise on zoom-in.

Final Performance Scores and Genre Breakdown

For those who enjoy a quantitative roundup, here is a consolidated performance rating summary based on extensive testing:

And when broken by genre:

Summing It Up: Which Nikon DSLR Wins Your Heart?

If you're choosing between these two, here are my takeaways:

Go for the Nikon D70 if:

• You want a sturdy, classic DSLR with simple controls.
• You’re on a tight budget or want a beginner-friendly camera.
• You do mostly casual shooting with static subjects.
• Video or live view is a non-issue.

Opt for the Nikon D90 if:

• You value image quality - higher resolution and better ISO.
• You need better autofocus performance and face detection.
• You want live view and HD video recording.
• You shoot sports, wildlife, portraits, or video regularly.
• You prefer a more ergonomic and versatile camera body.
• You want better battery life and modern storage options.

Personal Experience & Closing Thoughts

Years back, I cut my teeth on a D70, learning AF basics, exposure, and each shutter click brought joy. Yet, once I embedded the D90 in my kit, even as a secondary body, I marveled at how much easier it was to get sharp, vibrant, and reliable images with less effort - especially under frantic or unpredictable conditions.

For anyone stepping into DSLR photography today looking for nostalgia or budget, the D70 still has charm. But for practical, versatile, and sustainable use in varied disciplines - this 2008-era D90 remains an astoundingly capable camera.

The Nikon D70 and D90 both tell a story - of a DSLR evolution from foundations to maturity. Whichever camera you choose, you hold in your hands a slice of photographic history.

Happy shooting!

If you want specifics on lenses, accessories, or hands-on tips for either model, just ask - I have years of field wisdom to share.