Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1740 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Nikon
• Model: D80
• Released on: 2006-08-21
• Dimensions: 5.03 pounds

Features

• 10.2 megapixels
• 18-55mm lens size
• 2.5 inch LCD screen size
• 3.0 frames per second
• SD memory format

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

Customer Reviews

Versatile Performer
I have always been a Nikon fan having owned two previous film Nikon SLRs. I've had my digital D80 for about a year and a half and it has revolutionised and reinvigorated my hobby. Its main strengths is its ability to shoot in RAW format and apply corrections through software and then undo them if necessary without affecting the original image. At 10 megapixels it will allow sizable enlargements to be made that are pin sharp. I've done travel photography, architecture, indoor, nature, night and motor sport shooting which all require different techniques - the D80 performs in all fields.

Really Great Camera for Beginners and Pros!
I've recently taken up photography in a serious way ( before it was always a couple of snap shots here and a couple there with my digital camera on holidays). After loads and loads of research, I was told that my best bet was to go with a Nikon; and choose either the D40x or the D80. I went with the D80 because my photographer friend told me that it was ideal for beginners, but it also was a great camera if i decided to go further on with my hobby.

It's easy to use if you have even the tiniest of background info on DSLRs and it makes taking photos an immensely fun activity.

If you're unsure about what to get and think you might want to progress to more proffesional photography I definitely reccoment the nikon D80!

D80 kit with 18-135
It has taken me more than 15 years to commit to a new system and a new manufacturer. Previously I was a pro using the old FD and later auto focus ranges by Canon. I absolutely loved the old T-90 (still the best camera ever made in my book)and EOS 1's. I had therefore become so reliant on the EOS system that when it came to change I avoided any other brand.

The thing I liked about the EOS system is that once you have learnt it it is intuitive and simple to use. On the other hand Nikon was always a bit of a hassle for me and even though I loved the way they were so adaptable I just couldn't justify spending thousands on a new rig. So I stuck to my guns and in the end most of the rest of the press corp followed and now Canon are a ubiquitous as Nikon used to be.

So now it is a decade later and I have finally given in long after digital became de-rigeur. Last week I bought my first Nikon (D80)in fact it is my first digital SLR.

I didn't want to spend a fortune in case it was a disaster and I wanted a decent performer with all the functions I was used to but when it came down to it I guess I just fancied a change. So now I own a D80 with the most basic lens that has any chance of portraiture use (18 - 135) and do you know what? It is great.

Everything is backwards compared to the Canons - rotation of focus and zoom, thumb wheels etc and that is proving to be an issue but I will get over it. The viewfinder is superb and the focus and exposure meter are top notch. Best of all it actually deliver in AF and Auto mode so all those years of taking spot readings and re-framing are over. It even feels nice. Not weak and plasticy but solid. My only issue is that the lag between pressing the trigger and hearing the (fake I assume) mirror trip is still there. Physical film cameras have that one in the bag even now. Otherwise only one thing remains outstanding..

Why didn't I do this before?