29. Conclusions

The Canon 350D and the Nikon D70s are both fine instruments for making excellent photos. Equipment with quality you could only dream of only a short time ago is now available at very reasonable prices. If you compare these two models with previous ones from their respective makers, the 350D is truly a major step forward compared to the 300D, which was unnecessarily limited.

The D70s, on the other hand, is more a matter of marketing than anything else, since the differences between it and the D70 are small, if not negligible, for most users. The D70s has slightly better battery life thanks to a battery that's a little more powerful (of little importance in practical terms), a 2" instead of a 1.8" display with the same resolution (possibly a small advantage), and a burst rate that's faster at the starting point (a real advantage). Still, those who own a D70 shouldn't even consider replacing it. It probably won't be until fall that we see any really new entry into the prosumer category from Nikon; the consumer category is represented by the new D50, which we'll be telling you about soon.

If you had to choose between our two contestants today, what should your choice be? That's a tricky question to answer, unless you already own equipment - especially lenses - from one of the two brands. The answer then becomes clear.

While the 350D probably has a superior sensor, it's also less ergonomic and also gives the impression of lower build quality. In all other areas, the two cameras are equivalent. In the final analysis, the price may be what tips the balance if you don't have a specific reason for choosing one or the other. That gives the Canon the edge when the kit lens is included, though the Nikon offering with the standard zoom is very attractive.