I am frequently reminded of how quick technology evolves whenever I handle any of the newer DSLRs. My Nikon D70s feels like a dinosaur in comparison. I’ve had the opportunity to work with both the D60 and D90 covering events. The difference between either camera compared to mine is huge! Back in the days of film, things didn’t change much. When a new film camera was introduced, things that improved were mainly to do with the motor-drive and the autofocus.
The D70s and the D60 are just 3 years apart in terms of release dates. Features that were considered mid-range in 2005 are suddenly in the realm of the entry level in 2008. Take a look:
| Year |
Camera |
Category |
Sensor |
Resolution (megapixels) |
Frames per second |
| 2001 |
Nikon D1X |
High-end (professional) |
CCD |
5.3 |
3 |
| 2002 |
Nikon D100 |
High-end (prosumer) |
CCD |
6 |
3 |
| 2003 |
Nikon D2H |
High-end (professional) |
LBCAST |
4.1 |
8 |
| 2004 |
Nikon D70 |
Midrange |
CCD |
6 |
3 |
| 2004 |
Nikon D2X |
High-end (professional) |
CMOS |
12.2 |
5 |
| 2005 |
Nikon D70s |
Midrange |
CCD |
6 |
3 |
| 2005 |
Nikon D50 |
Upper entry level |
CCD |
6.1 |
2.5 |
| 2005 |
Nikon D200 |
High-end (prosumer) |
CCD |
10 |
5 |
| 2006 |
Nikon D40 |
Entry level (consumer) |
CCD |
6.1 |
2.5 |
| 2006 |
Nikon D80 |
Midrange |
CCD |
10.2 |
3 |
| 2007 |
Nikon D40X |
Entry level (consumer) |
CCD |
10.2 |
3 |
| 2007 |
Nikon D300 |
High-end (prosumer) |
CMOS |
12.3 |
6 |
| 2008 |
Nikon D60 |
Entry level (consumer) |
CCD |
10.2 |
3 |
| 2008 |
Nikon D90 |
Midrange |
CMOS |
12.3 |
4.5 |
| 2009 |
Nikon D3000 |
Entry level (consumer) |
CCD |
10.2 |
3 |
| 2009 |
Nikon D300s |
High-end (prosumer) |
CMOS |
12.3 |
7 |
| 2009 |
Nikon D5000 |
Upper entry level |
CMOS |
12.3 |
4 |
| 2010 |
Nikon D3100 |
Entry level (consumer) |
CMOS |
14.2 |
3 |
| 2010 |
Nikon D7000 |
Midrange |
CMOS |
16.2 |
6 |
| 2011 |
Nikon D5100 |
Upper entry level |
CMOS |
16.2 |
4 |
* Table information compiled from Wikipedia.org.
** All cameras listed are DX format
It’s not just a matter of the sensors and megapixels, the processing engines and the dynamic range has also improved. My D70s would totally punish me if I made a mistake, but with the D90 and D60, your mistakes would have to be huge. Most underexposed images coming out of the D90 and D60 are totally salvageable, especially when shooting in RAW.
Then there’s the debate of sensor technology and Moore’s Law. Although Thom Hogan thinks that 24 megapixels is about all we’ll need for DX format DSLRs owing to diffraction limits.
6 megapixels or not, I love my D70s because it has taught me so much, but the D90 is great too because it’s so forgiving. How about the D7000 with its superb high ISO performance? Isn’t technology great?
Jul 17
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Technology marches on
Comment, Links, Photography, Technology
July 17, 2011
I am frequently reminded of how quick technology evolves whenever I handle any of the newer DSLRs. My Nikon D70s feels like a dinosaur in comparison. I’ve had the opportunity to work with both the D60 and D90 covering events. The difference between either camera compared to mine is huge! Back in the days of film, things didn’t change much. When a new film camera was introduced, things that improved were mainly to do with the motor-drive and the autofocus.
The D70s and the D60 are just 3 years apart in terms of release dates. Features that were considered mid-range in 2005 are suddenly in the realm of the entry level in 2008. Take a look:
* Table information compiled from Wikipedia.org.
** All cameras listed are DX format
It’s not just a matter of the sensors and megapixels, the processing engines and the dynamic range has also improved. My D70s would totally punish me if I made a mistake, but with the D90 and D60, your mistakes would have to be huge. Most underexposed images coming out of the D90 and D60 are totally salvageable, especially when shooting in RAW.
Then there’s the debate of sensor technology and Moore’s Law. Although Thom Hogan thinks that 24 megapixels is about all we’ll need for DX format DSLRs owing to diffraction limits.
6 megapixels or not, I love my D70s because it has taught me so much, but the D90 is great too because it’s so forgiving. How about the D7000 with its superb high ISO performance? Isn’t technology great?
Tags: camera, CCD, CMOS, comment, D60, D70s, D90, LBCAST, Nikon, sensors, Thom Hogan