Nikon D70s Write Speed (Firmware Version A: 1.00 B: 1.00)
This page was last updated on July 21, 2006

The Nikon D70s' method of buffering photos before writing them to the CompactFlash card means that the card's write speed directly impacts the number of frames that can be recorded in an extended sequence.

For example, in photographing the detailed, difficult-to-compress scene we use when benchmarking cards for this database, slower CF cards in the D70s limit the number of JPEG Fine frames shot sequentially to 9. Insert one of the fastest CF cards, shoot the same scene, and the sequence limit jumps to 13-14 frames before the camera stops firing briefly. Switch to JPEG Normal with the same quick card inserted and the D70s will shoot continuously until the card is full.

Set to RAW .NEF, the camera will pause noticeably after 4 frames (the D70s' NEF buffer limit) with a slower card loaded. With a faster card, the pause after frame 4 is reduced to more of a hiccup before the camera fires again to record a 5th frame. Using our test scene again as an example, the D70 is ready to shoot an additional RAW frame after about a 1/2 second wait when the card inside is one of the fastest in the table below. This wait time extends to over 4 seconds when the card is one of the slowest. The wait time will vary with the ISO and scene content as well, since these factors impact the size of the compressed NEF being written to the card. All other things being equal, however, a faster card equals a shorter pause after frame 4.

Another RAW NEF example: squeezing off 3-4 frames, quickly recomposing, shooting 2-3 more frames, recomposing again, then shooting another 3-4 frames is possible almost perpetually when the D70 is loaded up with any of the fastest cards.

The data in the table below was derived by timing how long it took the Nikon D70s to write out 9 JPEG Fine and 4 compressed RAW .NEF photos to the CompactFlash card. Timing commenced when the camera's card status light illuminated, and stopped when the light went out. Each test cycle was performed 3 times (if the card's capacity allowed for that) to ensure accurate results. All cards were first secure erased, then formatted in the camera, prior to testing. The same test scene was photographed, under the same illumination, for all tests. The identical camera settings and lens were also used for all tests.

The results are arranged in the table from fastest to slowest (based on RAW write speed). The top 10% (based on RAW write speed) are marked in blue.