Product Description

Nikon proudly presents the long-awaited successor to the D70: the D80! The D80 has a new 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor and an improved response time of just 18 ms instead of 20 ms, and uses image processing technology that operates at 12 bits per channel instead of 8. It?s compatible with SD cards instead of CompactFlash and has a 10.2-megapixel image sensor, as well as a new image processor for capturing even the tiniest details. It accelerates performances on all levels, ensuring low energy consumption so you can take more photos on a fully charged battery, and comes with a 2.5? LCD screen and 0.94x zoom so you can focus easily. The D80 includes a host of advanced features such as the built-in flash control mode, the image touch-up menu and slideshow creation programmes with different music transition and fader effects (Pictmotion), so you can make your creations your very own. In short, the Nikon D80 has been specially designed for photo fans, traditional SLR camera owners or anyone looking to start out in the world of compact or bridge digital photography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9196 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: D80
• Released on: 2006-08-21
• Dimensions: 1.76 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Nikons D80 is a high performance digital SLR camera incorporating Nikon's latest digital and photographic technologies.

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

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.

Nikon's 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 images (FINE M-size or smaller) makes action photography a reality.

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.

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

Customer Reviews

Excellent Prosumer Digital SLR
In short, an excellent choice if you're an enthusiatic amatuer who can't justify the cost of a professional DSLR.

I bought this camera to replace my ageing Minolta film SLR, having promised myself that I'd wait until good quality DSLRs broke the 10 mega-pixel barrier at a reasonable price before parting with my cash. Minolta stopped producing SLRs a few years ago (replaced by Sony I think, which is an unknown quantity to me), so I decided to look at other brands. I've had a Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot digital for some years which I've been very pleased with, so I plumped for a Nikon DSLR.

As an amatuer, I wanted a camera that is versatile, reasonably portable and of high quality. I also wanted something that would allow me to explore Digital SLR fully (point-and-shoot digital isn't the same of course, and the fast feedback you get with DSLR compared to film is wonderful). Given my budget and the current Nikon range, this came down to either the D80 or the D200. The D200 is very impressive, but I just couldn't justify the extra £300 or so that it costs and decided this was best spent on a better lense. Not only that, but the D80 is very close in specification to the D200. For me, the additional features of the D200 were just not worth the extra £300 given what I will use the camera for. So I went with the D80 and the excellent Nikon 18-200 VR lense and have not been disappointed. Nikon don't offer this body/lense combination as a kit, so I had to buy separately which of course ups the cost somewhat, but it's worth it I think.

Most of my images stay on the PC and the exceptional ones get printed up to A3 format for display. Resolution wise, the D80 seems to handle this with ease. The camera is a dream to use, and in the short time that I've had it I've had excellent results. As others have said, the camera oozes good quality, and this applies not only to the finish/controls but also under the hood as well. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I love this camera!
I love this camera, having had it for almost one year. Yes, it is a bit heavier than similar offerings from Canon, Sony and Olympus but this is due to it's build quality! Dslrs are not pocket cameras! They will have to take some rough and tumble and the extra weight helps the camera balance when used with larger lenses. I particularly like the extra bright viewfinder, very important and much superior to the Canon Eos 400D.

I bought this camera with the excellent 18-200vr and really love this lens. This is not a lens review but remember, when you buy a Dslr, you are buying into a camera range. It's essential to look at what accessories are available and Nikon do not disappoint in this area.
There are 11 autofocus points which should be enough for anyone.
Noise control at 400 iso is excellent and is available up to 3200 but is very noisy, so only for emergencies. The D80 has a whole host of in-camera adjustments for adjusting images although I prefer to do this in Photoshop.

I think I will be happy with this camera for a few years yet. This does everything I want it to (takes sharp, low noise, well exposed pictures) and of course, reading the manual is essential to make the best use of all the features but it still isn't difficult for someone used to film SLRs to pick this camera up and start shooting straight away.
I have bought the SB600 flash which is superb and the 50mm 1.8 lens which is superb for low light. The camera has reduced in price and the weight is not an issue unless you're a total wimp!

I bought this instead of the Canon 400D as it has better build quality, a better viewfinder and spot metering, Canons usually only have a partial metering option. It is very comfortable to hold, whereas it's competitors can feel too small and plasticky. And then there is the 18-200VR lens. Canon have nothing like this and as most people have concerns about lugging lenses around, this is an almost do-it-all solution! The Canon 40D has great build quality but in reviews appears to have no better image quality than the 400D and comes with a hefty price tag.

So good its pointless reviewing 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 a DSLR 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.