Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D70

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5000 and Nikon D70. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D5000 were released 2009 and Nikon D70 was released 2004. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D5000 2009
Nikon D70 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D5000 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D70 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D5000 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D70 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848
Nikon D70 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Nikon D5000 has a 103 % larger resolution than Nikon D70. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D5000 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D70. Nikon D5000 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Nikon D70 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5000 200-6400
Nikon D70 200-1600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D70 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D70

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Nikon D70 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5000 4
Nikon D70 3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D5000. Unfortunately Nikon D70 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D70 weighs 679 gr (equal to 1.5 lb) which is 15% heavier than Nikon D5000 and its 590 gr (or 1.3 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb
Nikon D70 679 gr
1.5 lb

Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D70 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5000 and Nikon D70, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Name Nikon D5000 Nikon D70
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Release Year 2009 2004
Release Date 2009-04-14 2004-01-28
MSRP 849 USD 999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4288 x 2848 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 12,3 MP 6 MP
Image Processor EXPEED Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
ISO Range 200 - 6400 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 11 5
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 2,7” 1,8”
Screen dots 230000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Frames per second 4 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters 11 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5000
Nikon D70
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 510 shots 400 shots
Width 127 mm 140 mm
Height 104 mm 111 mm
Depth 80 mm 78 mm
Weight 590 gram 679 gram