Outstanding performance, ease of operation, versatile personal control and exciting in-camera effects make digital SLR photography more rewarding for all. The D80 features a new 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, bringing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail to the class while also providing plenty of freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon's DX Format sensor and Nikon F bayonet lens mount design assure unprecedented compatibility across the comprehensive assortment of AF Nikkor lenses and DX Nikkor lenses designed exclusively for Nikon digital SLR cameras. The Nikon D80 beautifully combines the best of latest advances in digital technology with ease of operation and quick and efficient camera handling. Add to this the advantages of Nikon's Total Imaging System and every aspiring photographer is certain to enjoy the Nikon digital SLR experience as much as the superb pictures produced with the D80.
Price Range: $600 - $800
Amazon Rating: 
(233 Reviews)
Epinions Rating: 
(53 Reviews)
One of the key advances developed for the D80 is its high-resolution image-processing engine, a dedicated new high-performance processing chip that greatly accelerates performance. ISO AUTO mode automatically adjusts sensitivity between ISO 100 to 1600, maximizing available light to help achieve optimal exposure 7 automated Digital Vari-Programs (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape and Night Portrait) optimize white balance, sharpening, tone, color, saturation and hue to match the scene User-selectable choice of optimization options Near-instant response with 0.18 sec. power-up Top shutter speed of 1/4,000 second and flash sync speeds up to 1/200 second Fast image transfer via USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface and SD memory card Creative in-camera effects and editing functions Multiple Exposure modes Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle for clear image preview and easy access to settings and information; Slideshow function (Standard or Pictmotion) SD memory card storage, SDHC compatible High-energy EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers the power to shoot up to 2,700 pictures on a single charge Supports more than 43 AF NIKKOR lenses in addition to the growing family of DX NIKKOR lenses Built-in Flash with i-TTL flash control Includes Nikon's PictureProject software Unit Dimensions WHD - 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 inch; 1.3 lbs Supplied Accessories - EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, EG-D2 Audio Video Cable, UC-E4 USB Cable, Strap, Body cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-21 Rubber Eyecup, BM-7 LCD monitor cover, Accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM Body only - Requires optional lens for use.
MPN: 9405
Weight: 1.31 lb.
Image Sensor Type: CCD
Resolution: 10.75 Megapixel
Camera Type: SLR/Professional
Family Line: Nikon D
Interchangeable Lens: Interchangeable Lenses
Camera Resolution: 10.75 Megapixel
Shutter Speed: 30 - 1/4000 sec
White Balance: Auto, Manual, Colour Temperature Adjust
Frames Per Second: 3 Frames
Memory Type: SD Card
Compression Modes: Fine, Normal, Uncompressed, Basic
Compression Type: JPEG, Raw Image, EXIF 2.1, DCF, DPOF
File Size (High Res.): 17.2 MB (7 images on 128MB card)
File Size (Low Res.): 0.3 MB (about 427 images on 128MB card)
ISO Speeds: 100, 1600
Flash Type: Built-In&External
Flash Functions: Flash Off, Auto Flash, Rear Sync Flash, Fill-in Flash, Red-eye Reduction Flash, Slow Sync, Manual
Viewfinder: Optical
LCD Panel: With LCD Panel
LCD Panel Size: 2.5 in.
LCD Screen Resolution: 230,000 pixels
LCD Protected Position: Without LCD Protected Position
Interface Type: USB 2.0
Video Interface: Video Out
Battery Type: Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Self Timer: 2 Sec., 5 Sec., 10 Sec., 20 Sec.
Tripod Mount: With Tripod Mount
Width: 5.2 in.
Depth: 3 in.
Height: 4.1 in.
Weight: 1.31 lb.
Included Accessories: Software, USB Cable, Video Cable, Lithium Battery, Battery Charger, Lens Cap, Strap
Release Date: August, 2006
Product ID: 35770534
Excellent camera
Author's Rating:
I am quite happy with this camera, but if you are looking to get your first professional camera go a step higher to the D200 AT LEAST. The function buttons on the D80 are extremely useful when you are trying to change settings on the fly. This is helpful if you are a photographer that shoots on different locations (outdoors, indoors, different lighting) during a single shoot. The camera is quite light and the battery consumptions is fantastic. The camera has quite a number of settings that allow you to choose the metering system (center weight with different diameters, matrix), focus area (if not in the center, thank God), sharpness, tonal differences, etc. It can be a point and shoot camera, but it would not be used to its full potential. Great starter camera for the future professional.
The D80 uses a SD memory card. I use a professional SD 4GB by Lexar and it renders me about 300+ RAW images. If that is not enough get the 8GB Professional SD also by Lexar.
Aug 12, 2008
Nikon Quality Rocks!
Author's Rating:
I purchased my D80 a few months ago and was initially pleased with the camera. After buying a Nikon 18-200 VR lens to use with it, I took it to Russia on a mission trip in late July. I shot 2,000 or so pics with it, and the quality is fantastic! Initially I was pleased with this camera, now I am thrilled with it.
A few days after getting the camera and changing lenses quite often, I noticed dust spots on my shots. Blowing the dust from the sensor was easy -- I just followed the instructions in the user's manual. I haven't had a dust problem again, and if I do I know how to fix it.
The camera interface is easy to follow. A person unfamiliar with DSLRs will find the point-and-shoot capacity of the camera comforting. When that same person however wants to venture into manual settings, there is a full range of options available.
If you want a streamlined DSLR only, the best value is the D40 or D60. If you want a full-featured DSLR, then the best value is the D80. The Nikon quality in this camera simply rocks!
Aug 07, 2008
Nikon Quality Rocks!
Author's Rating:
I purchased my D80 a few months ago and was initially pleased with the camera. After buying a Nikon 18-200 VR lens to use with it, I took it to Russia on a mission trip in late July. I shot 2,000 or so pics with it, and the quality is fantastic! Initially I was pleased with this camera, now I am thrilled with it.
A few days after getting the camera and changing lenses quite often, I noticed dust spots on my shots. Blowing the dust from the sensor was easy -- I just followed the instructions in the user's manual. I haven't had a dust problem again, and if I do I know how to fix it.
The camera interface is easy to follow. A person unfamiliar with DSLRs will find the point-and-shoot capacity of the camera comforting. When that same person however wants to venture into manual settings, there is a full range of options available.
If you want a streamlined DSLR only, the best value is the D40 or D60. If you want a full-featured DSLR, then the best value is the D80. The Nikon quality in this camera simply rocks!
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Nikon D80 Review
Author's Rating:
The Nikon D80 is an excellent mid range camera that works well with previously purchased lens for the Nikon system. The metering functions are great, and the processing power is awesome. This is a great travel camera with good weight and it feels good in the hand. I have no disappointments with the camera. The supplied software suite was easy to install and the interface with the camera worked well the first time I used it. I recommend this camera if one does not want to make the jump to the D300. Most individuals will be unable to detect the difference in 10 megapixels verses 12 megapixels. This camera should produce some great photo enlargements.
Jul 10, 2008
One of the best digital SLR deals on the market
Author's Rating:
The D80 is my first digital SLR, and my fourth Nikon camera. I've owned 35mm SLR cameras since 1975 or so. The D80 is already my favorite of them all. It packs a lot of features, Nikon reliability, and a good form factor into one well-priced package.
I had first intended to purchase the D60, but after doing a side-by-side feature comparison, I decided that the D80 provided more bang for the buck. One feature the D80 has that was critical to me is a depth of field preview -- an important feature for macro photography, and not one you will find on the D40 or D60 cameras.
People with small hands may find the D40/D60 easier to handle, but the D80 feels great in my average sized hands.
I purchased the 16-85mm and 70-300mm VR lenses at the same time and I am very happy with my choices.
Jun 24, 2008
Great camera, but overexposes a lot in automatic mode
Author's Rating:
Nikon D80 is my first Digital SLR(In fact, first serious camera I bought), my previous camera was canon SD1000 point and shoot. Overall I am pleased with the picture quality. But I don't like the fact that Nikon D80 overexposes photos a lot in automatic mode. Many of the photos I took in bright sunlight is washed out. After reading and experimenting a lot, I learned to take pictures in manual model, with different metering(SPOT and CENTER WEIGHTED) to avoid this issue. But after spending about 1299 $, I don't like the performance of the camera in automatic mode at all. I hope Nikon will release a firmware update to fix the metering. If you are a novice DSLR person like me, and is considering buying a system, I suggest you go with Canon EOS 40D, I haven't used it, but after researching a lot online, I haven't come across major issues with EOS 40D. Experts can correct me if I am wrong.
Jun 23, 2008
Nikon hit a 2-run grand slam
Author's Rating:
I won't go into the individual specs because every other review does that. Ever wonder why it is compared to the professional Nikon D200? Most people don't know this but the D80 and D200 are brothers! The little brother, D80, has most of the same functions, CPU programs and CCD image sensor (10.2 mega-pixel) but the D80 must be preprogrammed to set up your shot (unless using AUTO), a time consuming process, and the main frame is made of plastic.
The metal D200, however is for the pro who has the camera to their eye everyday and knows the settings like the back of their hand, thus it can be programmed on the fly by rubber finger knobs and settings can be read in the viewfinder so they don't have to take the camera from their face. That's a lot of itty-bitty info for an amateur and although it can be used in AUTO, what self-righteous photographer wants that?
In short, the D80 is meant for the semi-pro while its big brother, D200, is the D80 on steroids!
Jun 22, 2008
Amazing Photos.
Author's Rating:
An avid photographer, I was upgrading from a Sony Cybershot that I had had for 5 years and that had essentially been another appendage. So I read review after review... knowing simply that I wanted my next camera to be user friendly, have more pixels/take clearer photos than my previous, have greater zoom, a larger LCD screen and give me editing options for photos taken. Well, my Nikon D80 delivers all of this and more. I've had it for 1 month today and I've taken over 200 photos... and to give you another's perspective, friends have commented on the clarity of all the photos that I have shared with them. I'm a thrilled with it. It was worth EVERY PENNY!
Jun 21, 2008
Great Camera
Author's Rating:
This camera is packed with options that will never even be used, but they're nice to have just in case. Jus tneed to spend time and learn how to use them. Would reccomend this camera to everyone.
Jun 16, 2008
Nikon D80 vs Canon Xsi
Author's Rating:
I am the typical point a shoot upgrader and was in the market for a DSLR for the month of may. After extensive online research, I ultimately decided for the Nikon D80 and received it 2 days ago. If you want my blessing to buy this product, you got it. If you are interested in my detailed reasoning, read on.
My Sony P&S had reached its limits in terms of image quality and creative freedom (though it has a pseudo manual mode). I long hesitated to go DSLR due to their size and weight, but if you are looking for serious image quality, there is no other option (plus they came a long way in shrinking them). The consumer DSLR market is largely driven by feature craze, so let's take a look at what's out there and how useful some features are at closer inspection. Benchmark is the Canon XSI, since it has all of the latest features and is the newest on the market:
1. Live view: Coming from P&S and wearing glasses, this is obviously a feature I liked. However, it is not practical in real use, since it can cause add'l noise on the sensor due to heat and focusing is not fast enough (Sony and Olympus got canceled off my list due to other reasons). Friends who own the XSI say they never use live view. It's also a significant battery drain. Canon's 600 shot bat life compares to 2,700 on the Nikon.
2. Dust reduction: Already had dust problems on my P&S and it's a known problem on DSLRs. However, tests show that the vibration systems are mostly ineffective, with Olympus having the best and Canon the worst. Even on Nikon's web page where they showcase the feature, they say that a blower is a very effective way to remove dust from the sensor. Tests confirm this, there is no way around it.
3. Lens selection: Web pages advise shoppers to not only look at the body, but also at lenses, which is very true. I got the impression that Canon's lens selecton for APS-C sized sensors in the consumer segment is straight out horrible. Terrible build and image quality, terrible zoom ranges. They are still stuck in 35mm film stuff.
4. Mega Pixels: It's the lens, stupid! Increasing pixel resolution beyond what the lens can resolve just clogs your memory card.
5. Build quality: Yes, the Canon is lighter, but: No pentaprism, just mirrors for the viewfinder, tons of plastic, and the lenses are even worse...
6. LCD size: it's a battery drain. To really benefit from a larger screen, you would also want more pixels to keep resolution constant. Nikon and Canon both have 230k.
Bottom line: The Nikon is a gorgeous camera engineered for photography! It gives me the image quality and creative freedom I want. After doing my homework, I figured it's not even worth waiting for it's successor D90, coming out between now and September.
The D80 delivers solid performance w/o going over board with feature craze. It received a ton of accolades for image quality, so I don't have to repeat it here. Just a serious piece of equipment that now is available at a great price. I invested the savings into the new Nikkor 16-85 DX VR lens, making it the awesome combination that I was looking for.
Jun 07, 2008
Nikon D80 vs Canon Xsi
Author's Rating:
I am the typical point a shoot upgrader and was in the market for a DSLR for the month of may. After extensive online research, I ultimately decided for the Nikon D80 and received it 2 days ago. If you want my blessing to buy this product, you got it. If you are interested in my detailed reasoning, read on.
My Sony P&S had reached its limits in terms of image quality and creative freedom (though it has a pseudo manual mode). I long hesitated to go DSLR due to their size and weight, but if you are looking for serious image quality, there is no other option (plus they came a long way in shrinking them). The consumer DSLR market is largely driven by feature craze, so let's take a look at what's out there and how useful some features are at closer inspection. Benchmark is the Canon XSI, since it has all of the latest features and is the newest on the market:
1. Live view: Coming from P&S and wearing glasses, this is obviously a feature I liked. However, it is not practical in r
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Feels better.
Author's Rating:
SO I had about 3 camaeras in one month to test them out.They where the Nikon D80, canon XSi and the sony A300. The Nikon D80 felt the best in my hand and build quality just felt better ecspecially when spending alot of money. Ths XSI and A300 had some great features but I kept coming back to the nikon.
The XSi had a plastic feel. And the Sony felt good build wise but the flip screen I felt got in the way of my face using the viewfinder.
So hope that helps a little.
Jun 07, 2008
