Feature-rich at a wonderful price

I have to say that the release of the D80 didn't really make a huge splash on the camera scene. I think that's pretty sad because the D80 is not only a worthy successor to the D70 but I strongly feel that it's the first DSLR good enough to be your LAST DSLR. Add in the extreme value of the unit I think the camera is a home run. DSLR's have finally gotten to the point where it's obvious that sensor size and megapixels are not the key criteria for the consumer. Its obvious that DSLR's are delivering performance that exceeds what most people were achieving with their 35mm film cameras. Medium format users are flocking in droves to these cameras so it must be obvious that they "deliver the goods" from a photo quality standpoint. The consumer wants features and for the first time I think the consumer can look at the current flock of DSLR's and make a purchase decision knowing that they can realistically keep this camera for the LONG HAUL as opposed to assuming they will be replacing it every 2 years. The D80 is the first sub $1000 DSLR from Nikon to be so feature rich that even many professional users will consider it for their use. No matter what your level of photographic skill, the D80 will never be the limiting factor in your photography. That is a statement that I could not make about the D70 or D100 or earlier cameras likes the D1X. Is the D80 right for you? Read on.

Specs..... look at the end of this review for detailed specs as they are lengthy and might make it difficult to read this review if I insert them right here.

Construction:

D70 and D50 users will feel right at home. The camera uses a mixture of polycarbonate plastic with an aluminum sub frame. It has a very traditional layout that most Nikon users will find intuitive and familiar. It uses the dual command dials found on the D70 and higher DSLR's and not the more cumbersome single dial of the D50. In general, Nikon made a camera that fixes all the shortcomings of the D70, improves sensor size and image quality and then adds in a slew of features that are normally reserved for professional grade cameras. The body is not as sturdy as the D200, which has a cast magnesium sub frame and has a beefy feel like an F100. The D2X is a brick in comparison, but I think that anyone who has used the D50/70/80 for any length of time will attest that the bodies are strong and can hold up to severe real world use. The fact remains that if you drop ANY camera from 4-6 feet onto concrete you are certain to break something no matter what it's made of. Plastic has the added benefit of scratching less and wearing in a way that is less obvious than metal. Painted metal shows its age quickly and my all-metal FM3A was full of nicks and dings after only a summer of moderate use while my D70 bodies showed only the most minor rubs on the handgrip.

The body is not weatherproofed like the D200 and D2X but that does not mean that it lets all the elements in. Strong rubber boots are used to cover all the electronic ports and the camera is built well enough to keep out sand, wind and rain so long as reasonable care is taken. There is a common misconception regarding element protection.....people forget that their lenses rarely have ANY weatherproofing. It's not uncommon for the body to fair well in the wet but for the lens to develop fungus or get full of sand. In general, any camera/lens combo must be used with care and protection in the wet. Sure I would love extensive gasketing of all the joints and weatherproof buttons, but it's not as critical as it used to be with film cameras that had a huge film door that let in dirt and dust directly into the internal parts of the camera.

Ergonomics/Layout:

Nikon made many improvements on the D70 platform when it released the D80. In general everything is laid out in a very traditional way just like the D70 but there have been a few tweaks on the outside that stand out.


1. the MASSIVE 2.5" LCD on the back of the camera is so big that one has to wonder if they can even make them bigger and still fit them on the camera. It reduces eyestrain when trying to see critical focus details etc. You can finally show someone a picture on the back of your camera and they can actually tell what it is :-) I must point out that even though it is much bigger and has much better resolution the LCD is still not so good that you can look at the image you have taken and KNOW you have nailed every critical focus or exposure detail. You will still have to download to a PC if you need that level of detail. I love the bigger brighter LCD but it's not big enough to be used for critical proofing. To be fair, no LCD on any camera I have ever used is big enough for that level of critique but I admit that it ever so much easier to see the details on the bigger screen. The D80 employs a separate replaceable plastic LCD cover like most other Nikon DSLR's to protect the LCD. These are wonderful things and they really work and they are dirt cheap to replace if you scratch one.

2. The media door is now a MUCH improved friction-swivel door as opposed to the much more massive switch operated door on the D70. This is largely a function of the much smaller SD media. It takes up so little space that there is actually this 2"x 1/2" blank space on the back of the camera where the CF media door would normally go. There is actually extra room on the back of the camera. In fact, I think its fair to point out that even though the D80 has a MUCH larger LCD it actually has a much less cluttered layout and I much prefer it over the D70. I have both cameras sitting side by side on my desk as I do this review and I never realized how cluttered the D70 was in comparison to the D80 until now.

3. The D80 employs a WONDERFUL rubber eyepiece that functions as an eyecup to block out stray light....and additionally provides a comfortable rubber bumper for the face. It so great because a traditional eyecup is normally this thin rubber device that gets caught on everything in your camera bag but this rigid rubber surround for the eyepiece does its job, is comfortable to the eye and doesn't get in the way. Unfortunately to attach the eyepiece cover or optional magnified eyepiece you do have to remove the rubber eyecup. Also, the D80 uses the more traditional round dial for adjusting eyepiece correction unlike the D70 with its up-and-down slider that was hard to adjust.

4. On top, the D80 has an illuminated LCD. The light is turned on by turning the on-off switch further past the "on" position in much the same way as you use the washer fluid setting on your windshield wipers. It remains lit for a short period of time. The D70 employed a separate light button. I am so greatful that Nikon saw fit to put a menu selection that allows the LCD light to stay on all the time. I do a lot of night work and this helps save me the trouble of constantly hitting the light switch. The D70 had no such provision. Also on top there is a new "AF" button that lets you avoid going into menus to adjust AF function.

5. On the left side there are two rubberized doors. The bottom on is for the optional cable release. YES!!! I use a cable release all the time and I much prefer it to shutter timers or the IR remote control. If you like cable releases then it's also nice to mention that the one for this camera is dirt-cheap as well ( about $20-$30). I do wish that there were some other way to attach a cable release to a camera other than what looks like a miniature USB connection...or the tiny pins that you get with D200 or D2X cameras. It's all too easy to snag the cable release and rip it off the camera. I would hope that someone is working on a better way. The D70 doesn't even have a provision for a cable release although the D70S does.

The upper door protects the USB, AC, and video connections. The D70 has the USB connection in a separate compartment by itself and I did prefer that arrangement but I can't exactly explain why.

6. On the front everything is the same as the D70 except the DOF preview button is bigger ( and easier to use because of it) and there is a "function" button that can be programmed for many different functions. I have to be honest, the function button is where the DOF preview button should be and the function button would be better off on the back of the camera. Personally I never use the function button but other people might. I would prefer a more traditional DOF preview placement. MF shooters will know what I'm talking about.

7. The accessories list for the D80 is a mile long and it shares a lot of expandability with its bigger brothers ( D200 and D2X). If you want a battery grip with a portrait release that actually functions then you can have it ( the D70 had no such provision). If you want Wi-Fi then you can have it. If you want magnified eyepieces for macro work then you can have it.

Performance:

The D80 uses essentially the same sensor as the D200. The D80 sensor is two channels vs. the D200's 4-channel, but the only meaningful difference to the consumer is that the D80 can shoot 3 frames/sec while the D200 can shoot 5 frames/sec. For me, I never switch it off single-shot even for action work so it's meaningless(to me)either way. I never understood the fascination of holding down the shutter and letting it blast away. I expect there are some VERY few photographers who have developed the skills to anticipate the timing of the fast frame rates and the action but most photogs I work with get amazing results by prefocusing and anticipating the shots. All I ever get with fast frame rates is pictures that "almost" captured the moment and I never seem to have trouble getting the moment when I shoot single shot so FOR ME...the fast frame rate is pointless. Feel free to choose for yourself.

Image quality is much improved over the D70 in several key areas and this is not just a sensor issue but a software and hardware processing issue. The D80 sensor is very competent at long exposures well into the several minute ranges. Its noise reduction is not only effective but also very fast versus the D70. With the D70 you really couldn't keep the shutter open longer than a few seconds before the image started to break down but I get really great results with the D200 up to the 2-4 minute range. If your intention is to get strong depth of field with small apertures while keeping low ISO's then the D200 will surely deliver. If your intention is to capture star trails or work with long movements like traffic trails over 10-20-30 minutes or more then I feel the camera does not perform as well as film. No matter what it is a HUGE improvement over the D70 and with the exception of long exposures over 4 minutes I think the camera is downright better than any film camera I have ever used ( F5 and below).

High ISO performance is also wonderful. I think many people who complain about high ISO performance with DSLR's have never used high ISO film before. Anything faster than 800ISO was black and white only and had grain the size of golf balls and normally lousy detail. Even bad performing high ISO digital performance is light years ahead of anything I ever got with a film camera with the sole exception of large format photography ( because you don't enlarge it so much, so the grain isn't as obvious). If anything, I find myself ADDING grain to the images to give me a more film-like look. The D80 goes anywhere from ISO 100 all the way to 3200 using this awkward HI .3, .7. 1 setting. I don't know why they just can't give it an ISO number rather than using the odd nomenclature, but either way it is 3200 ISO and the results are really pretty good. lets face it....ISO 3200 is good for handheld shots on a dark city street with a fast lens. You aren't getting that shot any other way without a tripod and you get color as a bonus because the only ISO3200 film is black and white.

Performance in the ranges from 100-400 ISO is almost identical with only slight degredation from 500-800. It becomes noticeably less sharp above 800 but still quite usable and WAY better than ISO 800 film ever was. In general the performance of the camera is improved over the already great performance of the D70. If anybody is wondering, the ISO 100 is on the D80 is no better than the ISO 200 performance and you really can't see a difference from the D70 to the D80 (or the D200 for that matter) at ISO 200.

On the issue of exposure... I feel the D70 had a tendancy to underexpose especially indoors. I feel that the D80 gives me results closer to MY expectations of exposure. Understand that exposure is not an absolute. I tend to prefer images that ride dangerously close to overexposed...just shy of blowing out the highlights. I find the D80 comes very close..perhaps a little lower than I prefer but still very close to MY IDEAL exposure. Other people have different ideas about what they like. In addition I find that the meter is more accurate in odd lighting situations like night photography and side lighting. A meter's worth is not measured in the number of segments that measure it. It's worth is based upon the quality of the software that interprets this information. I never had trouble setting exposure with a 1 degree spot or a center weighted 60/40 meter....it wasn't until the advent of matrix meters that things started to get unpredictable :-) The D80's meter is very predicatable in exactly the same way that the D200 and D2X meters are predicatable. Don't get overly bogged down in the minutia of how many segments a meter has. The bottom line is that it is predictable and more accurate at interpreting unusual light than the D70 and also understand that until they make a meter that can read your mind, NO meter will get it right 100% of the time. There is good reason why the exposure compensation button NEEDS to be easy to get at :-)

If you have any doubts about any of this then I submit for your consideration the Nikon F100. Its got to be the best bang for your buck pro level film SLR ever made. Its exposure is ROCK solid and when Popular photography compared the 10 segment monochrome meter of the F100 vs the 1005 segment color matrix meter of the F5( same as the D2X and D200) it found absolutely no diference in the results. The D80 has a (theoretically) far superior 480 segment color matrix meter vs the F100. My conclusion is that if there is any difference in metering between the D70/D80/D200/D2X then its a software tweak and not a hardware issue. Matrix meters function by comparing the resulting reading with a database of stored image values and making decisions based upon those stored values. In other words it is ONLY as good as its stored data and the programming that interprets it. The actual measuring device is largely secondary.

Don't be over-awed by the 10.2 MP size versus the 6.1 of the D70. The reality is that both cameras make stunning 8x10 prints and can be easily massaged to the 11x14, 13x19 and sometimes as far as 16x20 with far more ease than 35mm film could ever do. I have several 13x19 images made from D70's that rival anything I ever did with a 35mm camera. I guarantee you that if you can't make great images with your D70 then buying a D80 won't help. The problem is not the camera...it is almost always the photographer's technique. The D80 offers more megapixels but the reality is that it just gives you a little more cropping room. You still have to have great technique to massage a wall-worthy 16x20 with either camera. What the 10.2MP sensor DOES give you is the peace of mind in knowing that you can make great pictures now and in the future of any reasonable size you could likely ever want. It's a great camera now and it will be a great camera tomorrow.

There is one thing that the D80 does worse than the D70 and I think it's a semi important one. The flash synch for the D80 is 1/200th vs. the 1/500th of the D70. In the studio this is no big deal...a 1/60th would be fine. In the field for fill flash this IS a big deal. It is sometimes very hard to achieve shutter speeds that slow in daylight for fill flash. In the D70's case it was hurt by the 200ISO minimum, which made it hard to get 1/500th in daylight without stopping down the lens. The D80 would benefit from the electronic shutter of the D70 along with its lower base ISO of 100.

For the first time the "auto" exposure modes with the auto-ISO feature seems to work well. It does whatever it can to deliver hand-holdable results in any light. You can customize the parameters it will use like the minimum shutter speed you want or the maximum ISO is it allowed to use. I find it to be a great feature when I'm using it for family photos or simple editorial work in natural light. I tend to use a tripod for most serious work so I tend to stick with "A" "P" or "M" modes.

The auto color temperature is just as problematic as that found on every other Nikon camera I have ever owned. It has a big problem with indoor light and I almost always stick with the presets indoors. One wonderful feature is the ability to directly enter color temp in degrees Kelvin. I know this sounds really esoteric, but if you have a handheld color meter you will never get more accurate results than with this method. Lets face it, a handheld meter is AT LEAST $800. The built in meter on your camera is bound to be less accurate. The D80 color is good for the majority of shots but expect to have to use a white balance filter or presets for critical work. No matter what this is a HUGE improvement over film work. I am so glad I don't need to carry around my color meter and dozens of color correcting filters anymore. Another cool reason for direct Kelvin entry is for unique lighting effects. Your camera will NEVER accurately set the color for a candle-lit portrait, but if you know that the color temp of a single candle is 1500K ( something you can look up) then you can just enter it. This is an amazing level of control for such an inexpensive camera.

Mirror delay operation is a godsend. The mirror-up is a bit odd because in that its intention is not the "mirror-up" that you might be thinking of...instead the mirror-up function allows you to clean the sensor without worry about the mirror slapping your cleaning tool. BUT dleayed mirror operation is the real deal and a fair substitute for the mirror-up operation that most shooters use to control mirror slap during long exposures. I use the mirror delay all the time and I get the results I'm used to getting with traditional mirror-up. The mirror delay functions by letting the mirror release 1/4 second before the shutter activates to limit the effect of mirror slap on images. This is only needed on tripod shots but its VERY important for longer exposure shots from about 1/8th sec and slower...especially with longer lenses. The D70 simply couldn't do this.

The self-timer has been improved in that you can now set the number of seconds you want the camera to wait before it takes the shot. A common way for D70 owners to get around the lack of a cable release was to use the self-timer, but waiting 10-15 seconds for EVERY shot was a huge time waster. In addition the IR remote operation is MUCH improved. With the D70 the camera would operate with the IR remote and if you had any real delays in your use of the remote the camera would reset itself to be operated from the shutter release and you'd constantly have to be resetting the camera to take pics using the remote. With the D80 you can set the amount of time you want the camera to be in IR mode and this is a HUGE improvement.

The SD vs. the CF card is an issue that I thought I had a problem with. The reality is that I never remove the card. Memory is cheap and reliable memory can be gotten in SD or CF format. I have no problem with the move to SD cards. With a 2GB card I can get 255 fine JPEGS at maximum size. As a comparison to see what a huge difference the sensor size makes on file size...my D70 can get 291 Fine JPEGS at maximum size on a 1GB card. When I bought my D80 I got a package deal with 2 batteries, a 2GB card and an extended warranty ( total 3 years) for $950. I'ts not too hard to get the memory essentially for free if you wait for a deal or shop around.

Color fringing is an issue that used to be common on the D70 at longer exposures. You'd get blobs of green appearing on the edges of photos when you shot 30 second exposures etc. The D80 only exhibits fringing on exceptionally long exposures and not really all that much if you use the eyepiece cover. Some color fringing is actually light seepage thru the eyepiece. You will notice CA on lenses that you never saw CA from on your D70. I read a review of the D200 that mentioned this so I paid close attention to my images vs. the D70 and it is true. Some CA effects are made visible at the higher resolution that where not evident on the smaller sensor. The effect is minor and it's the lenses fault not the camera. Sort of the same way that hi-def TV shows you all the wrinkles you never saw before. but not so dramatic.

The D80 lacks a PC connector for flash, which is fine because NOBODY uses PC cables anymore. The camera is wireless flash ready and will activate several Nikon flash units when used off-body. I like the idea of this feature a lot and it really adds to the versatility of the add-on flash units. I can't wait to see what new flash products Nikon has in store to take advantage of this feature and I would love to see studio flash heads that take advantage of this feature.

I find the in-camera editing features to be a gimmick. I have a hard time believing too many D80 owners will be editing in the camera and not on the PC...but if it fits in the menu and it doesn't cost me any more then go ahead, put it in. It is vaguely possible I could some day take some pics and want to get some prints made RIGHT THEN AND THERE and I could use the in-camera editing to maximize the images.



Conclusions:

Is the D80 right for you? A few things to consider...

Is this your first DSLR? If so, then you need to buy lenses and if money is tight you would be better served with a cheaper D40 since it offers the same image quality without some of the extra "ease of use" features but allows you to have more money for lenses. On the other hand, if you are serious about photography and are looking for a camera that will grow with you then the D80 is that camera. You may decide at a later date that you WANT another camera, but its unlikely that you will NEED one unless someone invents something that fundamentally changes photography as we know it or you decide that wall sized murals are your cup of tea :-)

Are you the kind of photographer who uses "auto" mode and maybe adjusts exposure compensation every once in awhile? Then the D80 is more camera than you need. The D40/50/70 will deliver everything you need for a lot less money. Its not a bad thing if you don't feel the need to manipulate eveyr dial for a photograph. Not every photographer wants or need to be as involved in the photograph as a true junkie. If this describes your style then you really are not getting anything less by buying a cheaper D40/50/70 since all those cameras have great image quality and fantastic auto-everything modes. The key difference between the D40/50/70 and the D80 lies in the ease of use in the manual controls. These are the kinds of things that only junkies care about. Why pay more for what you don't need and won't use?

Are you an affluent amateur who uses photography as a status symbol hobby and needs the latest greatest gear? Then you aren't even reading this review because you are busy trying to land the first D3X. The D80 doesn’t look as cool as a D200 or D2X. Your friends might drool over some guy's D2X but they won't care all that much about your "run of the mill" D80.

Are you a pro? The word means so many things, but I have to say that this camera has a ton of pro features and add-ons that most amateur photogs will also appreciate. The ability to add WIFI might seem like an overly priced toy gimmick but this is the kind of stuff studio photographers DREAM of. Once I got a Wi-Fi grip for my D200 I wondered how I ever lived without one. The large sensor and its fantastic performance in all light conditions makes it every bit as good as the D200 in terms of image quality. As far as reliability and construction, I have used D70 bodies right alongside D2X and D200 bodies and never felt the D70 held up any worse that its more expensive big brothers. I think the D80 can hold up as well as any other camera in everything except the most hostile conditions. If you are hard on your gear and replace you gear more often because of breakage than wearing it out, then the D2X is a better buy. If you are easier on your gear then the D80 might make perfect sense for you.

You can argue minutia and point out things like matrix meter pixel density, max frames per second, AF metering modes etc.... but realistically the difference between the D200 and the D80 can be reduced to two points

construction quality and the ability to use MF lenses on the D200.

If you are an MF shooter then you probably already know how frustrating it is to use an MF lens on a DSLR. There is no split rangefinder focus screen so your focus is limited to an educated guess and you have to manually enter focal length and aperture information for every lens you have. In addition the digital rangefinder and the depth of field preview button will not function unless the lens has a cpu in it. In other words its VERY HARD to use a MF lens on a digital back and expect to get the same level of results you got with your MF film back.

Is it worth the extra $700? maybe if you have a huge stable of MF lenses or if you own a 200-400mm F/4 or some other super tele-exotic. Other wise buy a D80 and spend the savings on some new glass.

Is it worth upgrading from a D70/100. If you are happy with your current camera in that it does what you need it to do then there is no reason to upgrade. Realistically there will be no difference in your photos. If you get bad results with your D70 you will be just as unhappy with a D80. If you NEED some of the extra goodies packed into the D80 like the better long exposure image quality, the mirror-up/delay ability, the high ISO , the ability to go WIFI or use wireless flash units, or the ability to use a cable release.......then the D80 may be the perfect upgrade. If you do it, make sure you do it because you need the extra abilities otherwise you will not be happy for dropping $1000 on a camera that delivers the same results as your current camera.

You'd be hard pressed to find too many (meaningful) things that a D80 can't do vs. a D200 or even a D2X. Wonderful features, solid construction and a fantastic pricepoint make this camera the one to beat in the Nikon lineup


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background info from Nikon

The Nikon D80 SLR Digital Camera features a 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, providing a high level of resolution and sharp detail, so users can have the freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. It features Nikon's high-resolution image processing engine and a dedicated high-performance processing chip that has been introduced to significantly accelerate performance on all levels. With a start up time of just 0.18 seconds and a shutter release lag time of approx. 80 milliseconds, the D80 delivers instant response, and provides continuous shooting at a rapid 3 frames per second, making action photography a reality and the camera a must have for photography enthusiasts.

Nikon's DX Format sensor and F bayonet lens mount design assures compatibility across the comprehensive range of AF and DX Nikkor lenses. The Refined 11-area AF System (based on Nikon's advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module) ensures consistently fast and precise focus lock in various shooting conditions and Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II ensures accurate automatic exposure control, even in the most challenging lighting conditions.

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 large 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD provides an ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle from all directions. A RGB histogram display also assists when evaluating exposures with greater precision. And a user-friendly menu interface makes for easier operation and menus can be customized using the "My Menu" setting. Furthermore, exclusive in-camera image editing features, such as D-Lighting and Red-eye correction ensure consistently satisfying results and greater creative freedom without the use of a computer.




Key Features

• 10.2 Megapixel Imaging Sensor with High-resolution Processor
Effectively optimized by Nikon to deliver a wide dynamic range, the DX format CCD produces outstanding images with high resolution and vivid detail, yielding 3872x2592-pixel files. The industry-leading 12-bit advanced imaging processing engine of the Nikon D80 provides color-independent pre-conditioning prior to A/D conversion and works in harmony with high-precision digital image processing algorithms to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful color and tone reproduction.

• Instant Start Up and Fast Performance
With a near instant power-up time of 0.18 seconds and a mere 80-millisecond shutter time lag, The Nikon D80 promotes fast handling and enables photographers respond to any photographic opportunities as they arise. Additionally, swift continuous shooting performance at 3 frames per second enables the shooting of up to 100 JPEG (FINE M-size or smaller) or up to 6 RAW (NEF) images, and shutter speeds ranging from 1/4000 to 30 seconds or bulb setting provide full creative control.

• High Sensitivity with Noise Reduction
The ISO AUTO mode on the Nikon D80 automatically adjusts sensitivity between ISO 100 -1600 to maximize available light and achieve optimal exposure. Sensitivity can also be set manually between ISO 100 - 1600 in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1 High ISO settings, and three levels of High ISO Noise Reduction are available when shooting at high ISO settings. Long Exposure Noise Reduction is also available when shooting at shutter speeds of 8 seconds or slower.

• 11-area AF System with Wide-area Center Segment and Auto-area AF Functions
Nikon's Multi-CAM 1000 AF System provides maximum flexibility and optimum performance under varied shooting situations. The 11-area autofocus system features a cross-type sensor in the center, broad frame coverage, as well as class-leading low light detection and convenient AF-assist illuminator to aid in low-light conditions. The Wide Area AF option gives greater compositional freedom when shooting sports and action.

• 3D Color Matrix Metering II, plus Variable Center-Weighted and Spot Metering
Substantially more sophisticated than traditional multi-pattern metering systems, Nikon's 3D Color Matrix Metering II instantly and accurately evaluates brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and subject-to-camera distance information, referencing the results against an onboard database of 30,000 scenes from actual photography. Vary the size of the center-weighted area reading and spot metering readings correspond to 11 focusing points.

• Digital Vari-Programs for Optimized and Predictable Results
The D80 has seven automated Digital Vari-Programs that are easily accessed from the Mode Dial, and provide automatic operation optimizing white balance, sharpening, tone, color, saturation and hue for crisp and vivid results that match the intended shot. Selections include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape and Night Portrait. Furthermore, easily accessed image optimization options closely tailor results to the scene at hand or the intended use of the image, including user selectable image sharpening, tone (contrast) compensation, color mode, saturation and hue adjustment.

• Built-in Speedlight with Nikon i-TTL flash and Creative Lighting System
Nikon's acclaimed i-TTL flash control evaluates flash exposure with greater precision to achieve better automatic flash balance and deliver outstanding results with the Built-in Speedlight. Furthermore, compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System allows the D80 to work seamlessly with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights to deliver the benefits of i-TTL flash control's advanced monitor pre-flash, accurate measurement for bounce and versatile wireless operation. SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights also offer a Wide-Area AF-assist Illuminator, which aids flash photography in dim light by projecting a pattern of red light that covers all eleven autofocus areas of the D80's 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module.

• Large, Bright Viewfinder
The optical glass pentaprism viewfinder features a large 0.94x magnification that ensures the clearest view possible for precise and easy composition, while overall viewfinder brightness makes low-light photography possible.

• 2.5" Color LCD Monitor
Playback images can be viewed easily from all angles with extraordinary color and clarity on the large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with a 170° viewing angle and a dedicated zoom button to assist with accurate and easy assessment of sharpness by enabling image preview up to 25 times magnification. Convenient displays include RGB information as a single histogram display or as separate histograms for each color channel. The carefully chosen color scheme and increased font size of the color-coded menu display makes navigation easier on the eye, easier to understand and easier to use, while "My Menu" lets you customize Menus to display only the items you wish to see.

• In-camera Image Editing and Effects
Creative in-camera effects and editing functions are available under the Retouch menu, and provide greater creative freedom without the need of a computer. Nikon D-lighting automatically brings out detail to enhance results and add creative flair, all the while optimizing overall exposure balance. Red-eye Correction automatically detects and compensates for the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash. Image Trimming can be used to produce smaller files for easy sharing or greater efficiency for specific end purposes. Image Overlay merges a pair of selected RAW (NEF) files taken with the D80 to create a composite image that can be saved in RAW or JPEG format. Monochrome Black and White, Sepia and Cyanotype along with Skylight, Warm Tone and Custom Color filter effects. Multiple Exposure creates a single image within the camera from up to 3 consecutive exposures to produce imaginative and even surreal results.

• Built-in Slideshow Function with Pictmotion
Select a range of images, pick a style and add music for beautiful picture presentations delivered from the D80 to a television via the supplied AV cable or simply view on the camera's 2.5 inches LCD. Advanced Pictmotion transitions include slide-in, slide-out, fade-in, and fade-out

• Ergonomic Design for Efficient Handling
The Nikon D80 is housed in a slim, compact body with the size, layout and operation of all buttons and controls designed for intuitive operation.

• Excellent Battery Life
The High-Efficiency power system provides superb battery life. As a result, the Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable battery delivers enough power to support the shooting of up to 2700 images on a single charge (fully charged battery @ 20°C/68°F). It can be recharged at any time and supports the handy real-time fuel gauge system display on the D80 Camera that shows remaining charge by percentage, number of shots since last charge and overall battery status.

• Seamless Integration with Nikon's Total Imaging System
The Nikon D80 provides unprecedented compatibility with Nikon's lineup of AF Nikkor lenses and digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses. The optional MB-D80 battery pack adds extended shooting capability in an ergonomic design that adds shooting stability. Able to run on either one or two EN-EL3e batteries or six AA-size batteries, the pack also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AE-Lock/AF-Lock that make vertical shooting more comfortable. 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.

• Superb Software
PictureProject software is included with the Nikon D80 and features an intuitive user interface that provides fast and easy access to powerful tools for organizing, editing and sharing images. Auto Enhance and other creative functions are readily available via handy buttons, as are Mail, Slideshow and CD/DVD burning functions. Pictures can be organized using simple drag-and-drop operation, and can be quickly located by name, keyword, or date. Even design templates that make it easy to produce prints, tailor images to e-mail, or layout several images on a page to produce creative album layouts. The optional Capture NX software is Nikon's highly versatile and elegantly simple photo editing solution designed to help photographers tap the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Featuring an innovative user interface that provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools, Capture NX's powerful photo image processing and editing tools can also be applied to JPEG and TIFF files to satisfy a broader range of photofinishing needs and applications.

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Specs:

Camera Type: Interchangeable Lens SLR Digital Camera


Image Quality

Image Sensor 23.6 x 15.8mm (DX format) 10.8 Megapixel APC CCD with RGB primary color filter

Effective Resolution 10.2 million pixels

Color Depth 36-Bit RGB

Color Modes Mode Ia (natural - sRGB), Mode II (wide color range - Adobe RGB), Mode IIIa (vivid color - sRGB), Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, B&W

Image File Formats RAW (NEF)
JPEG (Fine, Normal, Basic)
Exif 2.21, DCF 2.0 and DPOF Compliant

Recorded Resolution Large (3872 x 2592)
Medium (2896 x 1944)
Small (1936 x 1296)

Video Recording No

Audio Recording No


Optics

Lens Mount Nikon F-mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)

Focal Length Multiplier 1.5x

Optical Image Stabilization Supports Nikon VR lenses


Focus Control

Focus Type 11 area TTL Autofocus (TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 module) with AF-assist illuminator (EV -1 to 19 Detection range @ ISO 100 equivalent)

Focus Modes Instant single-servo (AF-S), Continuous-servo (AF-C), Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A), Manual (M), Focus lock,
Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF


Exposure Control

Sensitivity Auto ISO (100-1600)
Selectable ISO (100-1600)
Up to ISO 3200 with boost (HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1)

Shutter Type Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter;

Shutter Speed 30 - 1/4000 seconds (in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps), Bulb

Mirror Lock-Up Yes

Exposure Metering Three-mode TTL exposure metering (3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot)

Exposure Modes Digital Vari-Program, Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program, Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture Priority Auto [A], Manual [M], Exposure Compensation ( /-5EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments), AE lock, AE Bracketing (2 to 3 exposures in 1/3 to 2 EV increments)

White Balance Modes Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), 6 Presets with Fine-tuning, Color Temperature (in Kelvin), White Balance Bracketing

Scene Modes Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait


Flash

Built-in Flash Yes (Auto, Fill-in flash, Red-eye Reduction, Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Rear-curtain Sync, Off)

Effective Flash Range Up to 42' (13m)

External Flash Connection Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock

External Flash Control i-TTL balanced fill-flash or standard i-TTL flash

Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed 1/200 second


Performance

Start-Up Time 0.18 seconds

Shutter Lag 0.008 seconds

Time Between Shots 0.4 seconds (continuous)

Burst Capability 3 fps up to 100 JPEG (FINE) or 6 RAW (NEF) images

Self Timer 2, 5, 10, and 20 seconds selectable

Interval Recording No (possible with optional Timer-Remote or during tethered operation)

Date & Time Stamp No (Date, Time & World time info recorded with image metadata)


Memory & Power

Built-in Memory No

Compatible Memory Cards Secure Digital (SD)
Secure Digital High Capacity (SD-HC)

File Size RAW RAW JPEG F RAW JPEG M RAW JPEG S JPEG Fine JPEG Medium JPEG Small
Large 12.4MB 17.2MB 14.8MB 13.6MB 4.8MB 2.4MB 1.2MB
Medium - 15.1MB 13.8MB 13.0MB 2.7MB 1.3MB 0.7MB
Small - 13.6MB 13.0MB 12.7MB 1.2MB 0.6MB 0.3MB

For RAW JPEG files, image size applies to JPEG images only. Size of RAW (NEF) images can not be changed.

Battery Type EN-EL3e Rechargeable lithium-Ion Battery

Power Adapter EH-5 AC Adapter (optional)


Input/Output

Computer Interface USB 2.0 (Hi-speed)

Direct Print Capable Yes (PictBridge)

Remote Control MC-DC1 Remote Cord (optional)
ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (optional)

Video Output Yes (NTSC & PAL)

System & Software Requirements Windows System
300 MHz Pentium Processor or better
Windows 989SE Me, 2000 XP
60MB Hard Drive Space required for installation
64MB RAM or more (128MB or more with RAW images)
USB port
800 x 600 pixels, 16-bit color Monitor
CD-ROM drive required for installation
Write-capable drive required for "Burn Disc" function
Internet connection required for some options
E-mail option requires Internet connection and supported e-mail program
Macintosh System

Macintosh G3, G4 or G5 System
Mac OS X (10.1.5 or later)
60MB required for installation
64MB or more (128MB or more with RAW images)
Built-In USB port
800 x 600 pixels, 16-bit color Monitor
CD-ROM drive required for installation
Write-capable drive required for "Burn Disc" function
Internet connection required for some options
E-mail option requires Internet connection and supported e-mail program



Display

Viewfinder Fixed Eye-level Pentaprism with Built-in Diopter Adjust (-2.0 to 1.0m-1)

Viewfinder Info 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

Depth-of-Field Preview Yes (with CPU lens is attached)

LCD Display 2.5" Low-temperature Polysilicon TFT color LCD (230,000 pixels) with brightness adjustment and 170-degree viewing angle

Information Display Shutter-speed, Exposure compensation value, Flash compensation value, ISO sensitivity, White balance fine-tuning, White balance color temperature (K), Number of shots in bracketing sequence, Aperture (f-number), Bracketing increment, PC connection indicator, Number of frames remaining, Number of shots remaining before buffer fills, PC mode indicator, Preset white balance recording indicator

Language Options Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Playback Options Full frame, Thumbnail (4 or 9 up), Zoom, Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion), RGB histogram indication, Shooting data, Highlight point display, Auto image rotation


Physical

Dimensions (HxWxD) 4.1 x 5.2 x 3.0" (103 x 132 x 77mm) body only

Weight 21 oz. (585g) body only