• Amazon Sales Rank: #1064 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: D80
• Released on: 2006-08-21
• Dimensions: 5.03 pounds

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Editorial Reviews

Manufacturer's Description
The D80 features a 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, providing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail. With this, however, also comes the freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon's DX Format sensor and F bayonet lens mount design assures compatibility across the comprehensive range of AF and DX Nikkor lenses.

Featuring Nikon's own high-resolution image processing engine and a new dedicated high-performance processing chip, the camera is a must have for photography enthusiasts. The processing chip has been introduced to significantly accelerate performance on all levels, while achieving lower power consumption and assuring more pictures per battery charge.

The new model inherits many advantageous qualities from Nikon's latest professional digital SLR cameras, including colour independent analog pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms. These combine to produce natural-looking images built on faithful colour and tone reproduction.

Nikon's exclusive 3D Colour Matrix Metering II ensures accurate automatic exposure control, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The system offers the added advantage of evaluating, rather than simply measuring the true content of each scene. Variable centre-weighted metering and spot metering are also available, as are exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing.

Advanced Auto White Balance (AWB) produces natural colouration by measuring the entire frame of each scene and matching white balance to the light source. For those who wish greater personal control, there is a choice of six specific manual settings: Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, and Shade.

The Refined 11-area AF System is based on Nikon's advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module to ensure consistently fast and precise focus lock in various shooting conditions. This new 11-area AF system offers effective new focusing options that will instill greater confidence for capturing the desired shot.

With a start up time of just 0.18 seconds and a shutter minimal release lag time of approx. 80 milliseconds, the D80 delivers instant response. Continuous shooting at a rapid 3 frames per second, in bursts of up to 100 JPEG makes action photography a reality.

Packing high performance and high resolution into a slimmer, more compact body, the D80 also remains true to Nikon's commitment to intuitive operation. The size, layout and operation of all controls are designed for maximum ease of use. A large, bright viewfinder with large 0.94x magnification ensures the clearest view possible and a built-in diopter adjustment control knob allows the photographer to alter the view to suit eyesight. An integrated grid display can also be activated to assist composition.

A large new 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD provides an ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle from all directions. Images can be previewed easily thanks to a new dedicated zoom button which helps assess sharpness up to 25 times magnification. A new RGB histogram display also assists when evaluating exposures with greater precision. The D80 boasts built-in Standard or Advanced Pictmotion slideshow options, including style selections that control transitions and background music.

A new user-friendly menu interface makes for easier operation and menus can be customized using the "My Menu" setting. Exclusive in-camera image editing features, such as D-Lighting and Red-eye correction, in the new Retouch menu ensure consistently satisfying results and greater creative freedom without the use of a computer. A new Multiple Exposure option creates a single image from up to 3 consecutive exposures to offer a similar effect of that produced with film.

The powerful built-in flash employs Nikon's highly robust i-TTL flash control for greater precision in flash exposure evaluation. Full support for the Advanced Wireless Lighting System allows the built-in flash function to operate as a two-group remote commander providing direct control over wireless SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlights.

Convenient and practical Total Imaging System add-ons include the new MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack, offering extended shooting potential. The Wireless ML-L3 (IR) Remote Control and MC-DC1 Remote Cord options provide necessary camera stability when using long exposures for landscape and macro photography. The D80 comes complete with PictureProject software, enabling easy image importing, editing, organisation and sharing. Design templates make it easy to produce prints, tailor images to e-mail, or layout several images on a page.

Capture NX (available for purchase separately) is Nikon's highly versatile, yet simple new photo editing solution. It is designed for those who desire more creative control over post-processing and helps achieve the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Its innovative user interface provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools.

The Nikon D80 beautifully combines the latest advances in digital technology to ensure every aspiring photographer will enjoy the Nikon digital SLR experience as much as the superb pictures produced with the D80.

Box Contents

• Nikon D80 SLR Camera
  
• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (EN-EL3e)
  
• Quick Charger
  
• Video Cable
  
• USB Cable
  
• Strap
  
• Body Cap
  
• Eyepiece Cap
  
• Rubber Eye Cup
  
• Accessory Shoe Cover
  
• PictureProject CD Rom
  
• User Manuals

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Customer Reviews

Great Camera but think before you buy
I'm fairly new to Photography but have recently upgraded from a Canon S3 IS to the Nikon D80 and am I glad I did so? You bet. The D80 can produce very high quality images, it's sturdy and well built and the controls are very sensibly placed. The rear LCD is of very good quality and a good size and the menu system is easy to use and offers a huge number of options to enable you to set the camera up just how you like it. So if you are an enthusiast then this camera should be on you short list but if you just want to take good pictures without becoming too serious then look at the D40 or D40+.

Hindsight is a great thing and there are a couple of points that I would have taken into account had I known better.

My limited experience of Canon cameras indicates that their images are generally sharper straight out of a camera than that of the D80. Also the saturation of colours straight out of a Canon is more intense than out of the D80. So if in general you want to lessen the editing burden so that you can bang out some great snaps then a Canon may make more sense.

One of the D80s advantages is its low noise levels at high sensitivities so if you are going to take a lot of photos in low light conditions or use the lower price and hence slow telephoto lenses than it may have the edge over competitors.

Any vibration reduction resides within the Nikon lenses and not within the D80 body, whereas for Canon cameras it sits within the camera body. This means that if you intend to buy third party lenses (I have a Sigma 50 -500) then you may get some vibration reduction for free from a Canon but not from a Nikon but please check this before you buy. This smacks of Nikon locking people into buying their lenses.

I am becoming aware that post processing is a great leveller when it comes to quality of images, especially if you shoot in RAW format. Therefore I would now tend to concentrate more on purchase cost, usability, reliability and cost of accessories than 'out of the camera' image quality as I don't think there is much in it. So before you buy the camera body look at the price of the accessories and lenses that you will buy with it, and in the future. Also try to handle the cameras on your short list to see which "feels" right for you.

Finally if you are still unsure if a full Digital SLR is for you then in my opinion my Canon S3 IS digital camera takes as good, if not better Jpeg images straight from the camera (even after playing with the D80's jpeg image quality) and its a third of the price of a standard D80 set up!. Therefore if you're not going to devote a lot of time to editing your images it may be worth considering a super zoom or digital prosumer model. And don't forget you can spend the money you have saved to purchase lens converters to give you more telephoto, macro and wide angle capabilities and all for less than the price of a basic D80 lens and camera bundle.

So in conclusion the D80 is a great camera, however if you require a range of lenses such as wide angle, macro and especially telephoto and you haven't robbed a bank recently then you will probably be looking at third party lenses and it may be that a Canon camera makes more sense. If you already have Nikon lenses then stick with a D80. Otherwise if you think that you may upgrade from the D80 level to a semi pro camera then it is likely that you may want to have the flexibility to choose from a range of manufacturers lenses and hence it could mean again that a Canon with its on board vibration reduction makes sense.

Whatever choice you make if you end up with the D80 you won't be disappointed.

One last piece of advice, some of the online companies are importing kit that does not have a manufacturer's warranty so make sure that if this is the case that you get a warranty from the supplier. Happy snapping.

So good it seems pointless to review it.
It does seem pointless I feel to review this camera, as if you have got this far you've already read oodles of reviews in all the magazines and they will have said how fantastic this camera is. BUT if you are thinking about buying it online, now, without going into a shop as I did, then this really is the one for you. Ignore all the fantastic features, ignore the sensor robbed from its bigger expensive brother, ignore the 11 point focusing system, (or better the movable 11 point single focus) ignore the enormous crisp LCD, the bright well laid out top mounted display, the gorgeous crisp bright viewfinder, ignore all those well placed buttons. The simple fact is, if you are toying with this or the Canon equivalents (as most will be) then buy this for the glorious build quality, the weight and the way you wonder if the Nikon designers have the same sized hands as you (and anyone you pass this camera to) as its simply the best in build quality and ergonomics, the smaller Canons (350 & 400) just feel like plastic toys, and unless you have very small hands you'll find your last finger flailing around with no-where to go, whereas the bigger ones (20 & 30) are built like a brick outhouse, but sadly look and feel like a brick outhouse.

This is what it boils down to, on spec for £ they all run a photo-finish, on build and handling this ones has got them all well and truly licked.

I have a D80 and I say NEVER EVER doubt a Nikon !!
Nikon's advantage is that it has a long history of specializing in cameras and camera equipment therefore producing only the best in optics (Nikkor) and cameras (SLR,DSLR types). As you probably know, this mesmerising DSLR functions almost exactly like the Nikon D200, but at a lower price and it is much more attractive to those of us who don't have extremely deep pockets. The buttons and switches on the D80 are the only buttons you will ever need, and the camera feels very solid and comfortable when held. It is more comfortable to hold than any Canon (believe me I know). I particularly like how it has a certain weight, that in my opinion can help stabilize a shot and make one feel as if he/she is holding a serious piece of professional equipment (which the D80 is, in every way). The image quality is flawless, as per usual from Nikon. The 18-135 mm lens is a delicious bit of kit to start off with, offering very crisp and fresh looking photos. It gives the user a choice of wide angle and telephoto zooms (18mm being the wide, 135mm being the long or telephoto). One can opt for a macro lens or specialist wide angle lens later on once you have had at least 6 months experience with the kit lens. I recommend you play around with the A,P and S and M dials as much as possible and avoid shooting in Auto(shooting programs). There are so many configurations available with the in-camera processor, more than any other camera in this price range (32 I think). The viewfinder also tells you if you have locked focus and whether or not your exposure is perfect, with 11 focusing points (again more than any camera in this price range). What more do I have to say ? Order it now! I'd also recommend you purchase a circular polarizer, a UV filter (protection against the sun's harmful rays) and a good quality microfibre cloth to clean the lens (don't forget a bag for this awesome camera, preferably a Lowepro or Tamrac). Trust me, once you get out there and take your first couple of shots, you will fall in love with the D80.