Nikon today announced that it is "working on" a new budget priced digital SLR, the D70 and a new complementary DX lens. From the hints given in the 'development press releases' it's fairly easy to come to the conclusion that this camera will be fully announced at PMA 2004 and should hit the stores shortly afterwards.

NIKON® ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF D70™ DIGITAL SLR CAMERA

New Nikon D70 Poised to Expand Digital SLR Camera Market by Delivering Excellent Performance and Superb Image Quality at an Attractive Price

MELVILLE, NY, DECEMBER 03, 2003 - Nikon (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today announced development of the D70, a new interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera designed to deliver superb image quality and hallmark Nikon SLR performance at an attractive price that a broad range of consumers will find within reach. A new DX Zoom-Nikkor lens is being developed concurrently to match the D70, and both products are scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2004.

Designed for a wide range of customers, from novices to serious and experienced photo enthusiasts, the D70 will enable photographers to easily adopt digital technology into their existing camera system. The new model will offer an exclusive selection of new features and exciting Nikon SLR technology that will surpass products within the evolving digital SLR market, and provide exceptional value at an estimated retail price of $999.00 for the camera body.

"The D70 represents Nikon's next step in expanding the digital SLR camera market. Ever since the introduction of the revolutionary D1 in 1999, Nikon has been in constant pursuit of the highest image quality and performance in digital SLRs.

This has led to the introduction of the D1X, the D1H, and most recently the groundbreaking D2H. The D100, introduced in June 2002, marked Nikon's efforts in bringing digital SLR technology into the hands of enthusiast photographers, and has since become a flagship camera for this audience," said Richard LoPinto, vice president for SLR camera systems, Nikon Inc. "With the development of the D70, Nikon is responding to a growing interest among a broad range of photo enthusiasts who are looking for a full featured digital SLR camera that fits within their personal budgets, and also the expanding interest among amateurs who enjoy great pictures and want the high level of performance that a Nikon digital SLR can provide."

The D70 joins Nikon's current selection of digital SLR models and employs the popular Nikon DX format sensor and Nikon F lens mount. This design will allow photographers to use high quality DX Nikkor lenses, and also maintain seamless compatibility with all AF Nikkor lenses and the D70. Designed exclusively for Nikon's D-series digital SLR cameras, DX Nikkor lenses are optimized to achieve outstanding center-to-edge-to-corner image quality, when used 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 DX Nikkor lenses that offer exceptional wide-angle coverage:

AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens: 180º angle-of-view

AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED: 99º - 61º angle-of-view

AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED: 79º - 28º50' angle-of-view

More information and detailed specifications about the D70 will become available at a later date. Please log on to www.nikonslr.com for more information about Nikon digital SLR photography and products.