 Improvements and differences compared with D70/D70s Review created: 09/14/06(updated 09/29/06) 376 of 386 people found this review helpful.
I've played with D80 for almost half an hour at a local camera shop, and combined with the news release on Nikon, I'll list some improvements and differences of the all new D80 compared with D70/D70s:
-10.2 MP CCD Sensor,Though not a huge step foward, extra 4 mp definitely helps in define finer details. Long exposure noise control still need improvement, not suited for extended long time exposure, but definitely good enough for most night photography. - Improved image processing engine, Nikon claim it is similar to D200/D2x, faster processing speed and extended image processing power. - 3D Color matrix metering II, similar to D200/D2x but only have 420 pixel sensor instead of 1005, still, more than enough. - Awsome 11 area AF, much better AF focusing point positioning for better composition. - Mechanical shutter instead of Mech/Electronic. Max shutter speed only goes to 1/4000, flash sync only goes to 1/200 without front pannel flash unit SB-800 or SB-600. - Shorter viewfinder blackout, a bit better than D70/70s, not as good as D200. - Larger brighter viewfinder with 95% viewing area and 0.94x magnification, better than D70/70s which have a tiny viewfinder. - Support SD memory card and SD-HC(SD High Capacity, enables capacity over 2gb) - Multiple-exposure!! Very creative tool you can ultilize. - A bit smaller body size than D70/70s, good for smaller hands, might not as comfortable for larger hands, but have vertical grip available for grab. - Similar menu interface as D200, menu response speed is slower, means when you press a button there is a lag before the cursor moves to another item. - en-el3e battery, same as D200 with very accurate battery info. - Wireless flash control (Nikon Creative Lighting System, it's awsome! use your on-camera flash to trigger remote SB-800 or SB-600) - Very large and bright 2.5" LCD w/170 degree view angle. - MD-80 vertical grip for extended battery life with 2 batteries. - Programable Function button(very useful). - Shooting mode and AF mode included on top LCD panel. - longer continues shooting buff, though same FPS rate as D70/70s (3fps) - Automatic AF-s/AF-c.
Camera handling is similar to D70/D70s. Overall we see a refined model of D70/D70s. Price tag is very attractive(under $1000)! Buy it and you won't regret. Highly Recommended.
** When you are purchasing on eBay for a brandnew D80 however, make sure you are purchasing a USA model instead of Grey market. Ask seller for verification. Otherwise Nikon USA is not gonna gurantee your warranty related repaires.
Review ID: 10000000001860594  Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our guidelines, it will be posted within 24 hours. You cannot vote on the helpfulness of a review you wrote. Your request cannot be processed at this time. Please try again later.  Nikon D80 - The Camera You've Been Waiting For 329 of 336 people found this review helpful.
The Nikon D80 is one of the newest editions to Nikon's Digital SLR line-up. Im excited to write this review because so many people have been waiting for this camera. However if you are some what new to the whole digital SLR market you may be confused as what to buy. Do you go with the D200 or D80? The Nikon D200 is the bigger brother of the D80. In short the D200 is targeted to professionals or serious amateur photographers. Many professional photographers use a Nikon D2x ($4500)as their main camera and their D200($1700)as a back up. The D80 is really meant for families and amateurs who demand high image quality. It is smaller and lighter than the D200 but still has the same big lcd screen and 10 mega-pixel quality. We have finally reached the moment when image quality is not the main question from consumers. Why? Because with 10MP you can blow up poster size prints that will look just as amazing as your smaller size prints. If fact, if you dont print poster size prints I recommend shooting at 8MP or 6MP with the D80 because you will get more pictures from your memory card. With that said lets go over some of the main features of this camera.
Image Quality
The pictures from this camera are amazing. Shoot your family and get professional results. But dont take my word for it. Search the web for prints from the D80 and judge for yourself. WOW.
Auto Focus
11 area auto focusing zones, same as the D200!
Speed
3 frames per sec. This is great for stopping action. No more blurry photos of your kids playing soccer. Think about it, shoot 9 shots in 3 secs. and pick your favorite one! Specially good for young kids who never seem to stop moving.
LCD
New 2.5" screen with 230,000 pixel resolution. Ultra-brite and bigger than the 2.0" screen of the D50 or D70.
Flash
Pop-up Flash. The iTTL system allows wireless flash triggering. Buy the optional SB800 or the SB600 to enjoy the benefits of the wireless system.
Battery
Same EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery as the D200. The EL3e will work in the D70 or D50 however your old EL3 or EL3A will not work in the D80. Get 700+ shoots!
Memory
SD Cards. I recommend high-speed 1GB as the minimum.
ISO
100-3200. A great range! You used to go into camera shops and ask for 100, 200, 400, 800 speed film and now you can just set it with one button. If you dont know what ISO is then just let the camera set it for you. If you do, then you can manually adjust your exposures to get a better photo.
Everything you need comes in the box except memory, lens, and possibly a nice bag to carry it all. I personally recommend the Nikon 18-200mm Vibration Reduction(VR) lens but currently it is hard to get (back ordered 8 weeks). But think about this if you buy the D80 and the 18-200VR lens you may never need to buy a camera/lens again or atleast not for a long time. Ten mega-pixels will still be ten mega-pixels in 5 years and you will still be getting the same great quality. Like I said earlier, we have finally reached the point where we dont have to worry about quality so much.
Conclusion
This is a great camera for two types of people. First, families will love this camera. Its easy to use and has many scene selections to help you get better pictures even when you know little about photography. Second, amateur professionals will love the image quality and similar features to the D200 without the added weight. The Nikon D80 is the camera you've been waiting for so stop stalling and start shooting. =)
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