Nikon D80 Digital Camera
Nikon D80 Review:
The Nikon D80 is a serious overhaul of the earlier D70s, with the new features like the new 10.2 mega pixel image sensor, larger 2.5 inches LCD screen and better camera editing functions. Ideally, these improvements have made the Nikon D80 a good choice for newbies and enthusiasts who want more powerful cameras.
Despite many improvements over the previous models, it seems that Nikon has neglected the shutter speed and the flash sync. Unlike the earlier models that boast of a top shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds, the D80 has a shutter speed of only 1/4000 seconds. In addition the D80’s flash sync rate is 1/2000 seconds which is way slower than the D70s’s 1/500 seconds. Not much of a problem to the ordinary photographer, these can still pose a problem to sports shooters who need faster shutter speeds.
The size of the D80 is slightly smaller than that of the D70s. However, most of the buttons are exactly at the same place and there are dedicated buttons for many functions. If you are migrating from the D70s to the D80, you would still be accustomed to use it. On the body of the camera, there are three dials that let you control the mode, aperture and shutter speed. It is really very convenient to shoot using the D80 thanks to these buttons.
The Nikon D80’s menu system is quite straight forward and all you need is one look at it to know how to operate it. The D80 comes with an option to hide some of the menu items by choosing either the Simple menu, which shows only the most commonly changed menu items or My menu, which shows custom settings and retouch menus. The new retouch
menu feature lets you edit images in your camera. With the retouch menu, you can resize, crop and rotate images very easily. Other operations include red-eye reduction, filtering and monochrome. The overlay function lets you superimpose images and then combine them.
The Nikon D80 has both plus and minus points. On the plus side, the D80 has support for SD-HC, so you can use SD cards that have capacities more than 2GB. On the minus side, Nikon is still charging extra money for its Capture NX software. Though PictureProject is included with the camera, it does not offer all the required functions and so you have to spend money on Capture NX.
The Nikon D80 accepts only Nikon’s official EN-EL3e batteries. However, these batteries let you get much more detailed information about the amount of charge. You can know about the amount of battery life left by looking in the setup menu.
The Nikon D80 is definitely worth the money. With this camera, Nikon has proved it again that when it comes to digital cameras, it is the best. With plenty of features like the 10.2 mega pixel image sensor and its lightening fast operation, it is definitely worth buying.
Nikon's original camera for this prosumer category, the D70, was my personal benchmark for superb balance in an SLR. It had just the right weight distribution, even after attaching a lens. Most of the weight rested in the grip, and the camera didn't tend to twist away as 
do some other digital SLRs. That has been maintained, with the exception that the camera feels more dense in the middle, with less of a hollow feel to the body. Instead, it's a tighter, more solid package. I suspect this is due to how Nikon trimmed its outer dimensions as well as the addition of an actual pentaprism in substitution for the D70's pentamirror arrangement. Certainly the LCD also weighs a little more, but overall the camera has lost weight, coming in at 20.6 ounces (585 grams sans battery and card; based on pre-release information) versus the D70's 21.1 ounces (600 grams).
The Nikon D80 is an affordable 'enthusiast' level dSLR, offering the same stunning quality that the beloved D70 had, with some important and impressive improvements. The D80 upgrades virtually every aspect of the previous D70 models, with the exception of a shutter speed that is half as fast as its predecessor. Other than that, with a 10 megapixel sensor and the same high-capacity battery seen on the D200, this dSLR is a welcome addition to Nikon's already superb line.
Speaking of buttons:
Controls on the Nikon D80 will be familiar to most Nikon users, but some functions have been moved around. The White Balance and ISO buttons on the left side of the camera's back have been swapped, for example. The delete button (a trash can icon) has been moved from the lower left corner of the LCD display to the upper left where the Bracket and Drive Mode buttons were on the D70. The Bracket button (BKT) has been moved to the left of the lens on the front of the camera, just under the Flash button, oddly. And button position on the top deck has been refined, for the better, I think. In place of the Status LCD illumination button are the Drive mode and AF mode buttons. Pressing either button cycles through the available modes, changing the icons and words on the Status LCD.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Nikon
- Model: D80
- Image Sensor: 10.2 million effective pixels. CCD imager yielding 3872 x 2592 pixel images, RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8mm
- Image Format, Size: JPEG, NEF (RAW) file formats 3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP)
- Lens: TTL phase detection 11 area TTL Nikon Multi-CAM1000, Auto and manual focus and exposure,
- Focal length multiplier: 1.5
- Aperture: n/a
- Focusing Screen: Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines
- ISO sensitivity: Auto, 100 - 1600 (plus 3200 with boost)
- Memory Type: MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SD / SD-HC card
- LCD Monitor: 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment available, allows up to 170-degree viewing angle.
- Power Source: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, MB-D80 battery pack (optional) with one or two rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or six AA alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese (ZR6) AA batteries, AC Adapter EH-5 (optional)
- Interface: USB 2.0 (Hi-speed) (mini-B connector); SD card slot: supports firmware updates via SD cards
- Viewfinder Information: Focus indications, Metering system, AE/FV lock indicator, Flash sync indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, ISO sensitivity, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 132 x 103 x 77 mm / 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in
- Weight (empty): 585 g / 1.5 lb
- Shutter: Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter; 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 EV, bulb
- Shooting Modes: Close-up, Landscape, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Night portrait, Night landscape
- Flash modes: Pop-up flash, Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Operating System Support: MS Windows 98, MS Windows ME, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows 98 SE, Apple Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later
- Additional Features: Video input features, AE lock, AF lock, FE lock, DPOF support, Direct print, Auto power save, Histogram display, PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, RGB primary color filter, Text input to Exif header, Display brightness control, Depth-of-field preview button
February 17th, 2007 at 10:33 am
When choosing for a good digital camera, Nikon always has to be on the top of the list. Nikon D80’s features seem to be too excellent to be missed. The greater megapixels and larger screen makes it more convenient to use. If you’re a serious enthusiast photographer, cut the edge with Nikon D80. I always had my eyes on all the products Nikon released and Nikon D80 has really exciting features which has impressed me a lot.
The specifications is great and if you don’t consider the Nikon D80, you would seriously be missing something excellent. I just have one word, “Wow!”.
February 17th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Nikon D80 this is the first time I see a product from Nikon. Nikon D80 is a very nice camera exceeds all the requirements for taking occasional picture. Its wide variety of operating system is very impressive because there is no one can say: the Nikon D80 doesn’t work my computer!
The Sports mode (shooting mode) really makes me want to see how this camera performs because I have a couple of camera that cants pictures while I’m sky diving. 2 thumbs up for the Nikon D80
February 17th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Nikon have been at the top of the market for a very long time and with the D80 it seems they have got it right again.
Improvements in megapixels have improved picture quality to a level that even camera purists can no longer complain about picture quality.
February 18th, 2007 at 4:48 am
The Nikon D80 looks like an awesome camera. Nikon has always been one of the most trusted camera manufacturers so I am sure the Nikon D80 is high quality. Though, for now, the price is a little out of my personal budget I would have no problem at all in recommending it to others.
I read that the Nikon D80 has a 10.2 mega pixel resolution! Now, that will give you some ultra fine pictures. You can have them enlarged for great portraits. The Nikon D80 also gives you the ability to actually edit your pictures. I am certain that any dedicated photographer would be very satisfied with the Nikon D80.