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D50 vs. D70s vs. D80

C

cube

Suspended
Original poster
What do you think would be a better deal for casual use?

- Used D50: $300
- Used D70s: $300
- Used D80: $450

Those are the prices here.

As a reference, I think the D70 has good IQ.

I'm in the Nikon system. Those are the options.

Thanks
 
cube said:
What do you think would be a better deal for casual use?

- Used D50: $300
- Used D80: $450

Those are the prices here.

As a reference, I think the D70 has good IQ.

I'm in the Nikon system. Those are the options.

Thanks
Click to expand...

What lenses do you already have? Sounds like maybe you have only a film based system now. If so then none of your lenses are wide angles in the DX format. You'd need another lens that reaches down into the 18mm range.

If you like the D70 you will like the D50. It's low light images are slightly better. The D50 is a slightly newer body but it has only the one control wheel and I think the D80 has better AF.

I'd say to look at your total budget if getting the D80 forces you to skimp on a lens then go for the D50 and the better glass. But if you can afford the D80 and the lens you want then get the D80.

Some people think the D80 over exposes but a little EV compensation would fix that.
 
cube said:
What do you think would be a better deal for casual use?

- Used D50: $300
- Used D80: $450

Those are the prices here.

As a reference, I think the D70 has good IQ.

I'm in the Nikon system. Those are the options.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Can you take better pictures by spending 50% more? It depends on your subjects- the D80 will have better AF, but the IQ will be reasonably similar unless you're going to print very large prints.
 
Hmm... Used D70s also at $300.

BTW, these are brick and mortar prices with at least 4 weeks warranty.
 
Well, DxO supports quite a few less lenses with the D50, although it does work with the 18-55, which is what the D70s lacks (and the D70 which I don't consider anymore).
 
The D70(s) is a fine camera. I still have one. Its main problems are, in my opinion, its small viewfinder and to a lesser extent the size of the screen. It actually produces pretty nice images but just 0.5" of screen and a bunch more resolution can make a good difference. Compare them in hand, look at the screens and viewfinders. I personally would get a D70 over the D50 because of the control wheel thing.

Then again - you say 'casual use' how casual? I just skimmed through some of your old posts and you seem to know quite a lot on paper so I guess you're looking for user advice?
 
after googling a bit it really looks like a D80 would offer you a lot more actuations without letting you down, I'd find this important considering you're buying used, of course they'll all take wonderful pictures, but still, 150$ is not supposed to be too much of a difference,for something better built,and maybe better in a lot more aspects. I also remember somebody suggesting to always buy something newer, as there still is a lot of developing in this department.
so,I say D80,if the money is really a problem,D70s,which the second one considering new tech,right?
 
- The LCD seems to be much better on the D80. I think this would be the main point
- Second point would be the greater magnification of the D80 viewfinder.
- Third would be that with DxO it works with more lenses AND the 18-55
- Fourth would be Multi-CAM 1000 instead of the ancient Multi-CAM 900
- Fifth would be that it takes SDHC (compared to the D50, which can only format 2GB SD in-camera)
 
SKIP THE D70.

A "CHA" error is endemic to the camera and unsolvable. Nikon pretty much replaced everything but the sensor on the insides of my camera (at the price of $200+) and it still has the problem…
 
termina3 said:
SKIP THE D70.

A "CHA" error is endemic to the camera and unsolvable. Nikon pretty much replaced everything but the sensor on the insides of my camera (at the price of $200+) and it still has the problem…
Click to expand...

I'm not considering the D70, but the D70s.
 
termina3 said:
Sorry, it's the same camera. Once you update the D70's firmware it's they're identical, just one has an "s" on the nameplate.
Click to expand...

It's not the same camera. I know at least of these differences:

- The D70 can die with BGLOD, while the D70s can't.
- The D70 has a 1.8" LCD, while the D70s is 2.0"
 
Well, someone DID suggest the D70s could be considered better than the D80, but I did not know about this other CHA error.
 
Haven't used the D50, but D80 is much better than D70 and D70s. Better contrast, larger viewfinder, larger LCD screen. Photos need less adjustment straight out from camera. These points make it a winner if the $100 is not too much of a burden. I used it to shoot weddings along side my D300 and D700. Performed very well.
 
I thought the important advantages of the D80 were the LCD and the viewfinder, but I also see now that the D50 does not have customizable Auto-ISO and grid lines.
 
I have a D50, and I like it quite a bit... but if you already have lenses, I'd definitely go for the D80 as it's a whole generation newer than the other cameras mentioned, has a much better viewfinder and AF, and I think the histogram display is actually useful. The D50 can make some really nice images, though, but it's an older design.

On the other hand... if you're just going to put it on "A" and point and shoot, just get a D50. Although, you'd be better off shooting aperture preferred to get higher shutter speeds with the kids and be able to control the depth of field better.
 
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