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Nikon S70

 
Nikon Coolpix S70 front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
  • 160g - 97 x 61 x 20mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31

Nikon S70 overview

Nikon S70 is Nikon's Ultracompact camera originally revealed on August of 2009. It features a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The S70 is rated #92 out of 151 in Ultracompact cameras and all around #1088 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. Remember to check out our Advanced camera finder to get camera results based on your personalized criteria.

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Here is a diagram of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Nikon S70 family

The Nikon S70 is part of a family of digital cameras. You can read the full list below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Nikon-Coolpix-S6900 front thumbnailNikon S6900
S70 vs S6900
25-300mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S7000 front thumbnailNikon S7000
S70 vs S7000
25-500mm
F3.4-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2015
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Nikon-Coolpix-S2900 front thumbnailNikon S2900
S70 vs S2900
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
20MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S3700 front thumbnailNikon S3700
S70 vs S3700
25-200mm
F3.7-6.6
20MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S6400 front thumbnailNikon S6400
S70 vs S6400
25-300mm
F3.1-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S1200pj front thumbnailNikon S1200pj
S70 vs S1200pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
14MP1/2.3"2011
Photography Glossary
Nikon-Coolpix-S4100 front thumbnailNikon S4100
S70 vs S4100
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S3100 front thumbnailNikon S3100
S70 vs S3100
26-130mm
F3.2-6.5
14MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S80 front thumbnailNikon S80
S70 vs S80
35-175mm
F3.6-4.8
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S1100pj front thumbnailNikon S1100pj
S70 vs S1100pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S4000 front thumbnailNikon S4000
S70 vs S4000
27-108mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
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Nikon-Coolpix-S3000 front thumbnailNikon S3000
S70 vs S3000
27-108mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S70 front thumbnailNikon S7028-140mm
F3.9-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S220 front thumbnailNikon S220
S70 vs S220
35-105mm
F3.1-5.9
10MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S230 front thumbnailNikon S230
S70 vs S230
35-105mm
F3.1-5.9
10MP1/2.3"2009

Nikon S70 Pros and Cons

Here is a checklist of pros and cons of the Nikon S70 based on features that are oftentimes viewed as useful in a camera.

built-in flash
built in lens has zoom (28-140mm 5.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quite wide (28mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
touchscreen
very good min ISO (80)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
cannot use external flash
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have phase detect autofocus
does not have RAW format
manual focus not available
missing HDMI port
missing headphone port
missing microphone port
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (160g)
no aperture priority
no articulating screen
no manual control
no shutter priority mode
screen has low resolution (288 thousand dot)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
sluggish at long end (f5.8)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Nikon S70 Sensor information

The Nikon S70 features the Expeed chip. The measurement of the sensor in the Nikon S70 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to resolve 4000 x 3000 pixels using aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera boasts Image Stabilization (Optical). Sensor stabilization is superior than digital stabilization as the latter can easily produce cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 12MP and includes a native ISO range of 80 - 1600. The ISO can also be expanded digitally to a maximum of 6400. Unfortunately, RAW format is not saved so the user has less margin for error.

The graphic below displays the S70's sensor size when compared to other common sizes. The S70 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is outlined in green.

Nikon Coolpix S70 sensor size Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

To get an understanding of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon S70 dimensions

Nikon S70 weighs around 0.35 lbs (160g / 5.64 oz) and the dimensions of the camera is 97mm x 61mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8"). The weight of normal Ultracompact camera is 121g so the Nikon S70 is more heavy as compared to other competitors.

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Listed below is a pic of the Nikon S70 alongside a softdrink so you can have a sense of its size.

Nikon Coolpix S70 dimensions scale

The top view below will provide the button arrangement on the S70.

Nikon Coolpix S70 topview buttons dials

Nikon S70 Lens information

The S70 houses a built-in lens offering a focal range of 28-140mm making it a 5.0 x zoom which is not great nevertheless it is likely to be invaluable in some cases.

At it's widest 28mm, the lens will have an aperture of f3.9 which will be rather sluggish and not the best in low light events and you will likely find it hard to capture good bokeh. You will likely also have to boost your ISO setting leading to noisy photographs. Towards the long end, 140mm comes at f5.8 which is fairly slow and you may have to apply slow shutter speeds.

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Nikon S70 Connectivity

The S70 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras that feature NFC and Bluetooth compatibility are able to be used wirelessly through smartphones. You are able to send pictures and at times adjust camera settings without the hassle of connecting physically with the camera.

Many apps also stream a Liveview and click the shutter whenever you aren't near the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it can easily be connected to an external display. Virtually all cameras will allow you to recharge the battery through the USB socket.

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Nikon S70 Video information

The maximum video resolution in the Nikon S70 is 1280 x 720 and it can record in Motion JPEG format. 720p is low by today's requirements. You should really go for at least FUll HD resolution for video. The body doesn't feature a mic and headphone jack so you have absolutely no control over your sound. It is perhaps best to have a look at an alternative camera should you want better sound in your video clips.

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Nikon S70 Weather Sealing

Nikon S70 doesn't have weather sealing so damp conditions can ruin the camera.

Nikon S70 Display and Viewfinder

The Nikon S70 features a 3.5 inch fixed display having a resolution of 288 thousand dots.

Moreover the display is touch friendly so you can easily set focus point plus adjust settings using your fingers.

Nikon Coolpix S70 screen and viewfinder Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The View Finder specifications regarding Nikon S70 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders are rather handy for bright outdoor situations which can make the camera display washed out and very difficult to view.

Nikon S70 Shutter information

The maximum shutter speed is 1/8000 sec.

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Nikon S70 Flash and Hot shoe information

Nikon S70 boasts just integrated flash with no external flash ability.

Nikon S70 Autofocus information

Nikon S70 boasts only Contrast Based Auto Focus and lacks Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot snappier & exact as compared to Contrast Based focusing.

Nikon S70 doesn't have manual focusing. Manual focusing option is good for low light conditions or you want more exact control on focus.

Photography Glossary

Nikon S70 Battery life

The general Ultracompact camera battery life is 214. Nikon L32 offers the highest possible (320) battery life for this range of cameras.

Following is a list of Ultracompact cameras having the highest battery life:

Nikon S70 for different forms of photography

The following chart provides a overview of the Nikon S70 for different forms of photography. To understand more, check out the specific section below.

Portrait photography with Nikon S70

The Nikon S70 receives a score of 21 which is really bad, meaning that it is not really acceptable to use for portrait photography. Shooting portraits favors heavily to sensor size, RAW support together with the option to use off-camera lighting.

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no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format

Nikon S70 Street photography features

Coming in at a modest points total of 55, the Nikon S70 is relatively acceptable for street photography. A decent street photography camera gives a perfect balance of image quality plus portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than average in class (160 grams)

Nikon S70 as a Sports photography camera

A really bad sports photography points tally of 34 suggests the Nikon S70 is not really acceptable for shooting sports. A camera should have very good focusing and shutter speeds for sports photography.

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max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus

Travel photography with Nikon S70

Portability is very crucial when getting a travel camera. On the whole, the Nikon S70 gets a decent 56 as a travelling camera which is reasonably appropriate to take on your holidays.

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has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (160g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)

Nikon S70 Landscape photography advice

For anybody who is planning to pick a camera for landscape photographs, the biggest aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Nikon S70 and it's really bad score of 37 as a landscape camera is not really acceptable within the current market.

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fairly wide (28mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording

Nikon S70 Vlogging info

A vlogging camera preferably should come with a moving display, mic port and ideally image stabilization. Taking everything into account, the Nikon S70 is not really acceptable for vlogging as it comes to a really bad rating of 30.

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pretty wide (28mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (160 grams)

Nikon S70 Alternatives

If you are trying to find alternatives to the S70, here is a number of the highest placed cameras that fall under the family of Ultracompact.

The graph followed below will give you a bird's eye view of the S70 compared to it's highest ranking rivals shown earlier.

Here are a few more cameras you may have a look at as alternative options. To see a extensive comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand
Nikon
Model type
Nikon Coolpix S70
Class
Ultracompact
Announced
2009-08-04
Body design
Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor
Expeed
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW photos
Highest native ISO
1600
Highest boosted ISO
6400
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens support
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture
f/3.9-5.8
Macro focusing distance
3cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display sizing
3.5 inches
Display resolution
288 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/8000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video format
Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
160g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions
97 x 61 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8")
Other
Battery ID
EN-EL12
Self timer
Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media
SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots
Single
Retail price
$290