Super accurate 8 segment 3D Matrix metering.
Real fast Focus Tracking w/Lock-On... fast enough to capture my M&M fueled 3 and 5 year olds. Accurate too- very little hunting even in low light/contrast.
Date imprint very handy- worth the extra $30. Just have to remember to turn it off when not needed.
Built-in speedlight perfect for shadow fill and those occasional unexpected indoor shots.

No Depth of Field Preview.
No backlighting for the LCD panel makes it difficult to change settings in low light.
No interchangeable focusing screens- I live for the E-screen.
Rewind doesn't automatically kick in at end of roll- a minor quibble but shouldn't have been overlooked on an intermediate Nikon.

This little baby does everything my old trusty FE/MD11 combo does in a MUCH smaller and lighter package. The built-in winder is even faster than the 8 AA powered MD11's 3.5fps. Add the fast and accurate AF servo, built-in speed light, date back and suddenly the FE/MD11 is history.
I used to shuffle around with a huge backbreaking bag loaded with the FE/MD11, a 21-35, a 35-70, a 70-210, and a Vivitar 285.
Now I'm highly mobile with my F70, a 28-200 Tamron, and a Sunpak 4000, which all fits neatly in a handy Lowe Pro PhotoRunner waist pack.
The N90s is sweet but more expensive, heavier, and not as versatile without a built-in speedlight.
The N80 looked promising with its 10 segment 3D Matrix metering, focusing screen with On-demand grid lines and DOF preview but seems to have taken a few steps back in certain key areas:
- the Focus Tracking with Lock-On works up to 2.5 fps vs. the N70's 3.1 fps.
- the built-in speedlight guide number is 39 vs the N70's 46 AND yet the number of 36 exp rolls per set of batteries is only 60 w/o flash and 17 w/flash vs. the N70's 115 and 25. They both use a pair of CR123A's so what's up with that? Must be that dreaded new AF Assist Illuminator sapping up all the juice from those $6 batteries
- winder speed of 2.5 fps vs N70's 3.7 fps.
- film rewind speed 36 exp. (reg/silent): 15s/23s vs N70's 12s/22s
Maybe it should have been named the N65!?!
The N70/F70 isn't perfect but for $450 it is definitely the way to go for most folks.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FE, FE2, F3; Canon Rebel G

Well built camera.

Whassup with the re-wind? Could have a LCD on the back for night shooting. Also you could be lost with out the manual!

I love the camera. Could have been more user friendly. Compare to the N90 it has a good price value.

Customer Service

So far evrything is great.

Similar Products Used:

N90

Well built, 3D Flash, 3D Matrix metering, built in flash.

No DOF, Flash sync to use with studio flash and no MLU. Baterries are not "AA" size baterries.

This is my first AF camera body. Very beautiful and reliable. Program function need time to get used to it. Metering is excellent and the focusing speed is above par. With the intro of the N80, expect a drop in price for this camera. Go get it. It will give you great value for the money spend.

Customer Service

None needed so far

Similar Products Used:

N90s, F5, F3

Incredibly flexible, built-in flash, vast array of lenses, best starter camera for those who are planning to be serious

No depth-of-field preview, no vertical grip

Granted, the fan-shaped user interface is somewhat complex, but once you underastand the logic of how the settings are grouped, making changes is very fast. Having 3 user-programable set-ups is also a bonus. Overall, I'd say that this is the perfect camera for those who are seriously starting photography, as in time it will make a flexible 2nd body, and still offers just about all the features you REALLY need, like a flexible flash, 3 selectable metering patterns (with 3D Matrix), AF-S / AF-C, exposure/flash compensation (you can use both at once), and bracketing.

Side note: Minolta's focusing is SO haphazard, it's actually quite amusing! And if Canon didn't change the lens mounts so often they'd be a closer contender - but alas, for flexibility and lack-of-obsolecence (sp?), the Nikon's can't be beat.

'Nuff said.

Customer Service

So far only 1 problem (I'm cursed - anything electronic that I buy will ALWAYS develop ONE problem, but never more) - taken care of quickly

Similar Products Used:

N50 (too limiting), N60, N90x

Excellent build quality
Consistent performance
Great features
Spot metering
The quick recall function is very useful for those commonly used settings.

Not user friendly
No depth of field preview
No multiple exposure
I wish these cameras had lcd screens that could be read in the dark!!

An excellent camera for an amateur to start off with and the camera then grows along with. Excellent Nikon accessories to boot too...

Customer Service

Not needed it yet

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan II (this doesnt have the sturdy build of the Nikon, has the features though except spot metering..)

Spot Meter
1/3 Stop Metering
Full Manual Control
Fill Flash
Multiple Flash

No DOF Preview
Slow Flash Synch
Easy to accidentally turn date on.
Very slow autofocus.

Same as N70, but with date/time stamp feature and panorama mode. I never intionally use either. I recently ruined a roll of film because the stamp got turned on accidentally (bumped in bag?) and I didn't notice.
Lack of DOF Preview is a pain.
I actually own the F70, which is a European version of the N70QD.
I shoot it in full manual most of the time and find the interface more intuitive than the rest of the Nikon autofocus line.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70
Nikon FE2

Spot Meter
1/3 Stop Metering
Full Manual Control
Fill Flash
Multiple Flash
Autowind

No Depth of Field Preview
Slow Flash Synch (1/125th)
Very slow autofocus (I don't use AF because of it)

I don't use all of the available modes, as I normally shoot it full manual so I control what's happening. I ruined a few rolls of film because I left the camera in a 2 stop over-exposure mode after shooting portraits in a studio. I won't do that again!
Unscrewing the lens to get Depth of Field Preview is a pain.
I find the interface much more intuitive than the rest of the Nikon autofocus cameras.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F70
Nikon FE2

Fast Autofocus
Great Metering
Great Flash Control
Very Easy Interface (once you've read the manual several times)

DOF If you need it (I don't)
Fairly expensive Remote Cord

I have owned this camera for about 6 months, with about 50 rolls shot so far. Lighting situations ranged from the florida beaches & sunsets to fireworks, all types of indoor opportunities. To be quite frank, this camera is fun to use and delivered some truly great pictures in spite of myself. The bottom line for me is fun. For me, the user interface, after reading the manual, was very logical. I can understand why some posters were disgusted with the user interface. It takes a little patience. The reward however out ways the complexities. So I guess this camera is not for people who don't want to put in the up front time.

I really don't care much for the "canned" programs. One big problem is for the vari-programs to work correctly, you need the "right" lens. Mainly, I like to meter my exposures manually, then use aperature priority.

After alot of thought, I'm giving this camera 5 stars. Its not perfect and there are a few things that I dislike about the N-70. For me though, I think its a great camera, is fun to use and with patience delivers great pictures. Before buying this camera, check it out in your local camera shop to see if its right for you.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N2000
Nikon 5005
Nikon 6006
Nikon N-60

1) 3D matrix metering
2) 3D matrix balanced fill flash
3) solid construction
4) custom programming options

1) no depth-of-field preview
2) no mirror lock-up
3) expensive cable release

I got this camera because I wanted one with somewhat advanced features and flexibility. I am very satisfied with it so far, but I've only used it a couple of weeks. The user interface, although often criticized by others, seems logical and easy to use for me! Overall, the N-70 is a great camera for the intermediate photographer who wants the ability to use almost all current and past Nikkor lenses.

Customer Service

not applicable, but the 3-year warranty is assuring

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N-60
Pentax K-1000
Pentax ZX-M

Good shots with Program Mode most of the time. The exposure mode system is very flexible. Camera gives you different exposure and autofocus modes. Flash gives very good results including fill in. Relatively easy to use in automatic program mode.

Not as easy to learn how you use all of the features - bought book on camera and am still learning all of the features after having the camera for about a year. Camera requires quite a learning curve for all of the features on the camera. Battery cover for date back came off - cannot find replacement. As others have noted before, does not have Depth of Field Preview.

Program exposure modes will give you the flexibility and correct exposure that you will need - but does not still eliminate the need to think about the exposure before hand. Metering system is quite good and I believe all of the propaganda about the precision of this system.
System is not fool proof though, I know because I am the fool that has wasted the shots!
I believe you should go for the successor the N80
because it is more advanced and has DOF Preview.

Customer Service

have not used it.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Me Super