Nikon D80

September 23, 2006 11:08

4.5/5
Since this camera just hit the streets less than 2 weeks ago, I obviously haven't had this for a super long time, but I moved to the D80 as an upgrade from the terrific D50, and the D80 takes care of every single minor nitpick I had with the D50, and then takes it even beyond that. Moreover, since I moved from the D50 and not a D70-series, I was thrilled that the D80 uses Secure Digital (SD) flash cards.

As with the D50, the D80 just feels terrific in my hand. I was concerned initially because the ergonomics of the grip have been ever so slightly modified (more like that of the D70s than the D50), and I really liked the feel of the D50. However, once I got the D80 and actually started using it and shooting with it, the concern evaporated quickly. The D80 is a complete success ergonomically.

This camera is blindingly fast. It's senseless to really even try to quantify it because the numbers (less than 0.1 second to start up) just don't convey how instantaneous shooting with this camera is. There's no discernible shutter lag, and shot-to-shot time is as fast as you need it to be. The D80 can fire up to 3 frames per second, up to 100 JPEGs deep. Amazing for a sub-$1,000 camera.

The things missing from the D50 that the D80 addresses? Backlit LCD, superimposable gridlines in the finder, depth of field preview, one-button bracketing, bright and large viewfinder, one-touch zooming on picture playback, and a snap-on clear plastic cover for the monitor.

As a bonus, some of the in-camera retouching options are fantastic. You can take a color shot, then convert it to B&W with a red filter (still preserving your original image). You can utilize red-eye reduction (in the uncommon instances when it occurs at all), and Nikon's D-lighting is the digital equivalent of dodging and burning, and I love it.

The autofocusing on the camera is staggeringly fast when coupled with the right lens. Like other Nikon dSLRs, the D80 has an independent AF-assist light (some other cameras rely on the flash unit for this). For AF lenses utilizing the screw-driven focusing mechanism, there is a noticeable increase in focusing speed over the D50. You can also employ an 11-segment dynamic AF grid and select which segment will be used for the point of focus.

A word about the pop-up flash: It's brilliant. Rarely does a camera with a built-in flash get it right so often. I took numerous flash photos in sometimes varying and difficult lighting situations, and the D80 nailed it every single time.

The LCD is the best I've seen to date on any camera. Plenty of cameras have 2.5" monitors now, but this one has 230,000 pixels and is so sharp and detailed. You can view it from any angle in a 170-degree arc. Similarly, the viewfinder is a major improvement over both the D50 and the D70 series. Rather than utilizing a cheaper pentamirror like some of the competition, Nikon elects to use a genuine pentaprism which allows the finder to be nice and bright. Additionally, the diopter control knob with detents for each setting is a welcome change from the slider on the D50.

Image quality is suberb, as one would expect from a 10.2 MP dSLR. I like sharp, vivid pictures, and the D80 delivers. I haven't had any of my photos from the D80 printed out yet; only viewed them on a 19" monitor, but they look terrific.

The D80 is highly recommended as the perfect camera for the advanced amateur or enthusiast photographer. It bridges the gap between the D50 and the D200 perfectly. Pair this camera up with a high-quality lens, and a good photographer will have a tool with which stunning images can be made.

- chadley25

November 29, 2007 12:43
Spectacular
2.5/5
I have been involved is DSLR photography for many years and shoot part time. Here is my take on why you shouldn't buy a D80:

I would assume that most people who are looking at the D80 are probably entry level shooters. I own a D80, but I recently used the bought the excellent D40 and would completely recommend the D40 over the D80.

Why would I recommend Nikons entry level DSLR over the D80?; a camera that would appear more advanced? Read on....

Firstly, the D40 uses exactly the same sensor as the D80. Same technology for almost half the price.

The D40 is much more sensitive to light because it defaults to ISO 200 unlike the D80 & D40x which default to ISO 100. This makes for sharper images. Even the overpriced D40x can't compete with the D40 because of it's sensitivity to light (the most important part of photography).

The D40 flash sync speed (ask any pro photographer how important this is) is 1/500 second whereas the D80 is 1/250 second (may not sound like much, but it makes huge difference when shooting with a flash)

Worried about 6 Megapixels versus higher? Don't be sold on the camera manufacturers claims that bigger is better when it comes to MP's. Large Megapixel sizes don't mean a thing. Megapixel size is targeted towards the average uninformed consumer and is a way for corporations to get people to upgrade to newer cameras. Unless you are shooting large poster size prints you don't need anything bigger than 6MP's. At 6 MP's you can makes great prints up to 12 x 18 inches. Personally I have never printed anything bigger than that.

The flash on the D40 is the same as the D80. If you want to create great indoor photo's, I recommend buying the SB400 speedlight for the bounce feature. Bounce flash is the holy grail of indoor flash photography because direct flash ruins photo's and washes out the colors.

The lens on the D40 (18 - 55mm) is a jewell of a lens. It is one of the best Nikon lenses I have used (I have some expensive lenses). It also weighs next to nothing so along with the camera, it makes for a very comfortable carrying experience. My D40 + lense weighs the same as my D80 body with no lens! Other DSLR's I have owned become tiresome because they are so big and heavy. The D40 is really a joy to use; hard to explain but one in your hands and you will understand. It just feels so comfortable in your hands!

The LCD on the D40 is so sharp and clear (same LCD as D80), only the D300 is better.

Some of the more technical aspects the D40 offers are full RGB histogram (through the well hidden Color Balance option), full auto ISO (it really works, you can even shoot at 3200!), 3 point Auto Focus (3 is enough, don't buy into the hype of needing more), battery life is excellent (I have gotten over 1,000 shots off one charge).

Most importantly, you can get fantastic colors using the saturation feature in the menu options. Colors are vibrant using this along with the Color III mode.

Bottom line, the D40 will take as good if not better quality photo's than the D80. I don't even use my D80 anymore since the D40 takes great photo's and is so light to carry around.

I would purchase a D40 vs a D80 (next step up is really the pro D300) any day of the week. The extra money you save can be spent on the excellent SB400 Speedlight flash and the excellent Nikor 18-200mm VR II zoom lens!

At the end of the day, remember having a more expensive camera will not make any better shots than a cheap camera (google photo's people have taken on camera phones if you don't believe it).

You can pick up the D40's now for about $479, lens included with shipping. Just make sure you visit www.resellerratings.com and research the company you are purchasing from. There are a lot of scam sites out there. I buy most of my camera equipment from buydig.com and beachcamera.com (no I don't work for them).

Hope that helps.

- yesmate

October 11, 2006 01:52

4.5/5
This is one fabulous Digital SLR. I've always been a Canon fan but once I saw the lovely big viewfinder, the perfect-sized LCD, the great 18-135 lens, and its perfect size, I just had to switch brands. Canon's on-board flashes have never had the same metering as the add-on external flashes, whereas with the D80, the built-in flash gave absolutely perfect exposures.
I recommend this camera very highly!
Note: I bought a Sandisk 2 GB Ultra II card, and it does take about half to one second for the picture to show on the LCD. I think this is no fault of the camera; its just that for such a huge card, the card's memory size is too large I think. With a normal JPEG and large file size, which is the ideal setting, the camera can take 500 photos on the 2 GB card. I'm glad I got that size.

- Raja Bhat

September 19, 2006 06:01

5.0/5
I am more than a beginner, but not close to being professional. If you cannot take good pictures with this camera, give it up. I researched and researched and looked at Canons, Olympus, and Sony. The Canon Rebel XTI was a close second, but when you hold and shoot these two cameras --- side by side, the quality and solid feel of the Nikon is obvious. It is like the difference between a chevy and a Lexus. The LCD is big and bright. If you are looking for a digital SLR, and you look at the D80, you will buy it.

- FrederickWHill

September 19, 2006 12:27

4.5/5
Well, 1st things 1st. How does she feel holding her. GREAT! The D80 has a real solid feel to her. It's not like the D200, which I think is heavy, so I prefer the lightness it offers. I hate boat anchors! The responsiveness is impressive from the second you turn it on and start playing. The camera is quick. Pictures? Great! They really look good, balanced and well saturated. Also, keep in mind that you can change these settings in the custom menu. The screen is a dream and the flash works well. I have an SB-800, and the camera can control it as a slave, no need to use an 800 as a master as the D80 does it! Ohh...flash sync. Well, if you use the right Nikon speedlight the camera/flash combo lets you sync at the full shutter range...so up to 1/4000th. Don't buy an aftermaket flash...the nikon works that much better. An SB600 is reasonable and a great flash unit. What else...I like the SD card slot. I had an issue where I bent the pins inside a camera with a CF card. No prob. here. Also, the SD slot supports the 'new' SDHD standard...basically, up to 32 gigs on a card. However, the largest I've seen is 8GB. I guess you can tell by now I really like the camera...I've used the Canon 10D and 20D. All great cameras, but I like this one more...it just moves. The camera can also edit pictures and remove 'red eye' and do other things automatically. Nice features.

What I don't like is the simple stuff...the Nikon software is poor and I have to spend $150 or so for 'better' software. I'm trying to shoot RAW but Nikon makes that difficult as the support is not yet avalable in Adobe or Bibble labs...however, that's soon to come. I wish the camera had some environmental seals...for rain. That's really it. It's a great camera that should last for years. It's a winner.

- tgrick

September 5, 2006 08:43

4.5/5
Taking photos as part of my profession (medical) for over twenty five years I can assure this is one of the best cameras I have ever owned. Nikon optics are without question among the worlds best and Nikon has a SLR digital camera to match at a reasonable price. The only draw back is the size when taking family photos, but on the other hand it is lightning fast--No more missed shots.

- DrZ1525

September 12, 2006 12:39

4.5/5
My first digital camera was the D70s, I bought it a year ago and have a few thousand shots on it, but I was a little dissapointed by the 6.1 megapixel. But then comes the D80 with almost everything I loved about the D70s and at 10.2 megapixel how could I say no. I have had it for 2 days and am extatic to see that it simulates iso 100 whereas my D70s only did iso 200. It's extremely powerful and with that new func. button and all those D200 features I am in love with this thing. My D70s has just become a backup.

- tennesseebob

September 22, 2006 10:55

4.5/5
The D80 is an incredible camera with one of the easiest Digital menus in an SLR today. In addition, the built in editing function is unique and very useful. I just recently moved from an Nikon F100 to a D80 and this is not a step down. I have taken several photos with the camera and I can't believe the clarity-near film/better. Built in help menu is a HUGE plus, no more seeking out the manual. In addition, the D80 has many customizable menus that allow such things as on demand grid lines via FUNC (custom button). Sure Canon has the same MP, but you may miss the shot thumbing through cumbersome menus. Entrants like Sony/Pentax are good, but lenses? If you add an 18-200 VR Nikkor, you don't have to worry much about dust vibration. Nikon is definately putting out good product these days.

- MMCNET

September 10, 2006 07:50

4.5/5
I have been waiting for several years to buy my first dSLR, and this is the camera that I was waiting for. Having had 2 35mm SLRs, I knew what I was looking for, but no dSLR to date had it all. The D80 does. Combining the size and quality with the kit lens and then the price is what led me to make my decision. That, and the fact that it takes about 4x the number of shots per charge than the Canon 400D, made it a dealbreaker.

- ptm725

November 18, 2006 12:39

5.0/5
My story is that I bought a D80 with the 18 - 55mm kit lens... I heard great things about the Canon Xti... So I decided to give it a try as well... I was disappointed, I shot some photos of my girlfriend with both cameras, compared the quality, D80 beat the XTI by far on MY opinion... I returned the XTI and the 18 - 55mm lens, I got 2 different Nikkor lenses: 28 - 80mm and 70 - 300mm. The camera is beautiful, the body is just awesome, I thought I was going to like the xti being a little smaller, but it felt like a cheap toy, I didn't feel right with it, the D80's got to be the best purchase I've in a while.

- jxdx