Press Release:
December 3, 2003
MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com), the worldleader in photography, today announced development of the D70, a newinterchangeable-lens digital SLR camera designed to deliver superb imagequality and hallmark Nikon SLR performance at an attractive price that a broadrange of consumers will find within reach. A new DX Zoom-Nikkor lens is beingdeveloped concurrently to match the D70, and both products are scheduled to goon sale in the spring of 2004.
Designed for a wide range of customers, from novices to serious andexperienced photo enthusiasts, the D70 will enable photographers to easilyadopt digital technology into their existing camera system. The new modelwill offer an exclusive selection of new features and exciting Nikon SLRtechnology that will surpass products within the evolving digital SLR market,and provide exceptional value at an estimated retail price of $999.00 for thecamera body.
"The D70 represents Nikon's next step in expanding the digital SLR cameramarket. Ever since the introduction of the revolutionary D1 in 1999, Nikonhas been in constant pursuit of the highest image quality and performance indigital SLRs.
This has led to the introduction of the D1X, the D1H, and most recentlythe groundbreaking D2H. The D100, introduced in June 2002, marked Nikon'sefforts in bringing digital SLR technology into the hands of enthusiastphotographers, and has since become a flagship camera for this audience," saidRichard LoPinto, vice president for SLR camera systems, Nikon Inc. "With thedevelopment of the D70, Nikon is responding to a growing interest among abroad range of photo enthusiasts who are looking for a full featured digitalSLR camera that fits within their personal budgets, and also the expandinginterest among amateurs who enjoy great pictures and want the high level ofperformance that a Nikon digital SLR can provide."
The D70 joins Nikon's current selection of digital SLR models and employsthe popular Nikon DX format sensor and Nikon F lens mount. This design willallow photographers to use high quality DX Nikkor lenses, and also maintainseamless compatibility with all AF Nikkor lenses and the D70. Designedexclusively for Nikon's D-series digital SLR cameras, DX Nikkor lenses areoptimized to achieve outstanding center-to-edge-to-corner image quality, whenused with any of Nikon's digital SLR cameras including the D1, D1X, D1H, D100,the new high-speed D2H, and the forthcoming D70. Nikon currently has three DXNikkor lenses that offer exceptional wide-angle coverage:

- AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens: 180 degree angle-of-view
- AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED: 99 degree - 61 degreeangle-of-view
- AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED: 79 degree - 28 degree 50'
angle-of-view

More information and detailed specifications about the D70 will becomeavailable at a later date.