Bought the D-50 with the 18-70 lens. If I was to do it again, I would get
the D-70 with the same lens. I would not buy the D-70 with the 18-55 lens.

In particular, the extra features I would like are the top LCD illumination,
the DOF preview and the nose grease guard. I can live with the tiny SD card.

Do go with the better glass.  I've got the D50 and three lenses: the
18-70, the f/1.8 50 mm lens (great portrait lens and really sharp) and
the VR 105 macro (still new to me, very sharp).  What's missing on the
D50 is wired shutter release (add-on), depth of field preview, and
some button control rather than menu control, and some additional
white balance control.  The D50 has a somewhat newer sensor and is
supposedly better in low light.

If the two bodies are only $100 difference in price, I'd go for the
D70s, but with either the f/1.8 50 mm lens or with the 18-70.  The kit
lens for the D50 has a plastic lens mount.  The 18-70 has rubber
gaskets and a steel lens mount.

If you're not interested in manual controls that much and if you never
missed a depth of field preview on your earlier cameras, the D50 is a
fine camera.  The f/1.8 50mm is well worth having as a cheap, good
low-light portrait lens:

http://pics.livejournal.com/mouseworks/pic/0005aqke/g14

What do you plan to do with the camera?  In my opinion, the extra control
wheel is worth the extra cash alone with the D70s (I own the D70 and love it
... I am avoiding looking at the D200 to avoid temptation).  Also, do NOT get
the 18-55mm lens ... it is no where near the image or build quality of the
18-70 AF-S lens (true AF-S).

I have the 18-70 lens on my D70.  I highly recommend it.  I have handled the
18-55 in a store and found it to be noisy and cheap feeling.  I have read
about the image quality, but have no evaluated the results first hand.

Here is a nice image I took with my D70 and 18-70mm lens over the weekend :-)
Lake Superior near Split Rock Lighthouse.

http://www.veldy.net/~veldy/pics/water.jpg

It depends what you want. I am a first time SLR user, and I bought a D50
with the 18-70mm lens. It would have been another $100 or so to get a
D70s, but I spent that and a bit more on a longer zoom to go with it.
There are by far enough options on the D50 to confuse me, but if you're
more experienced then you might prefer the extra control of the D70s.
Don't get the 18-55mm lens though, it is considered rather poor. If you
get a D70s kit, it should come with the 18-70mm.

I think the other posts cover most of what I would have said - make sure
you get the 18-70mm lense with either body. It's definitely the better
lense with a wider zoom range, true AF-S motor offering full-time manual
focus, and great optics.

As for the body, the D50 is just as good as the D70s. The difference is
a few features and controls.

If you're new to SLR, then perhaps save your money and get the D50. But
if you have some experience and want more control, then the D70s has
more in this regard.

Of course, this is a loaded question since there are "amateurs" and
then there are "Amateurs".  Since money is always an issue for someone
who asks this question, the question should be rephrased according to
your level of expertise already achieved, what you expect to produce as
pictures compared to previous digital or film cameras and what your
future plans are.

If you are a neophyte, relatively speaking of course, the D50 is more
than enough to give you superior images than what most point and shoots
will provide.  (If you take 20-25 rolls for 36 per year, or atleast had
done so in the past, you most likely will have more demanding tastes
and will be able to take advantage of the D70 or D200.  If you take 3-5
rolls per year, the D50 is probably enough to satisfy you.)  The most
improvement in picture quality however, IMHO will occur when you
purchase an SB600 or SB800 with these cameras.  If you are more
demanding, you will want the SB800 but then, you should probably get
the D70s or D200 if you are thinking about the SB800.  The big
difference apparently between the D50 and D70s is the finer white
balance control and commander function built-in found in the D70s, but
I have never used the D70s.  I got the D50 and swapped it in for a D200
after 10 days.  If you are a quick learner, you won`t be disappointed
with the D70s or D200 and I don`t think they are "too much camera" to
handle for an enthousiast.

Tien

PS:  Sorry, I can`t help you with the lens selection since I use an old
20-35 mm but if you are a neophyte, a traditionalist like me would not
hesistate to recommend the trusty 50mm f1.8 as one of the essential
lenses.  It is very sharp and great for full-lenth portraits.

I'd think you would be happy with either camera.  The D70s has some
advantages, but would you need or use them?  That said, definitely get the
18~70 lens.  It's a great lens my anybody's standards, and it also gets
great reviews.  Only drawback is it would be nice if the lens was a little
"faster."  But, that would make it bigger and heavier, so the 18~70 on any
Nikon DSLR is a great package.  As far as other lenses for your camera that
depends on what you like to take pictures of, but that 18~70 is an
incredible bargain and great all-around lens.  If I had to walk out the door
with only one lens that would be it.