Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) Reviews

• Finest body/lens combo in the competition!

  
  By A2UQK3DAZ8NO2T on 2006-09-22
  [Following is a reprint of my body only review. I placed a review of the lens at the end.]
  
  The Nikon D80, destined to replace the popular D70 series, is a great camera for Nikon fans who wish to upgrade from their D50s, 70s or 100s. It's also attractive enough to maybe get a few people to jump ship!
  
  Here's the highlights:
  
  1) 10.2 megapixel. A substantial upgrade from the 6mp of the older cameras, performance should be very comparable to the highly regarded D200 camera;
  
  2) 11-point AF system. Similar again to the D200 in performance (though not as easy to change);
  
  3) Large viewfinder (.94x magnification). Again, taken from the D200, this is a clear improvement over the previous cameras. Spec wise, this is also better than all the competition, even though other, personal preference factors need to be taken into consideration (such as layout of LCDs and focusing points).;
  
  4) 2.5" LCD. Not only is it larger, it can also be viewed at a much wider angle--particularly handy when locked to a tripod.
  
  The camera is small for Nikon (about like the D50), but has a good, firm grip for those with medium to larger hands. Controls are well thought out--easy to get to and use. Dampening of mirror noise is better than its competition.
  
  Nikon's use of the SDHC format should be commended. These small cards will have no real disadvantage to the older CF hards once the HC versions start hitting the shelves, and should relieve the danger of "bent pins".
  
  Things you've liked about previous Nikons have been retained. The D80 uses inexpensive wireless & wired remotes, and it still allows the built-in flash to control other Nikon Speedlights remotely.
  
  Compared to the competition, the Canon Rebel XTi & Sony Alpha 100, the Nikon starts a bit in the hole, considering it's the most expensive camera (by $200 & $100, respectively). The XTi offers a nice "anti-dust" hardware & software solution; while the Sony offers in camera stablization. Both use the rear LCD for info status. While many may prefer the traditional LCD on top (like the D80), the rear LCD does have the advantage of being considerably larger text for older eyes (and on the Alpha, rotates when you rotate the camera for verticals). Too bad the D80 doesn't give you this option as well.
  
  The XTi is smaller and lighter, maybe too small for many people. The XTi also does not offer wireless capability with the built-in flash (like D80/A100). It's battery (hence capacity) is a bit smaller.
  
  The Alpha 100 being Sony's first modern digital SLR means that getting lenses and accessories my be a bit more difficult (even though it uses a lot from the older Maxxum cameras). It's also a bit noiser in its operations.
  
  The D80 adds more AF selections than either of the above cameras, has nice enhancements like grid lines and double exposures. It also comes with a protective cover for the rear LCD.
  
  Lens wise, they greatly outnumber those offered by Sony, particularly in any considered "Pro" grade. While Canon can compete in "Pro" grade with Nikon (particularly in longer length lenses), Nikon has a bit of advantage in wider angles for digital. Nikon only offers one size digital sensor, where as Canon must offer two series (for 3 different chip sizes).
  
  Is the D80 worth the money? For anyone with Nikon lenses, undoubtedly. My recommendation for anyone with Canon EF or Minolta Maxxum lenses: look at those cameras first...but be sure to look at the D80 before you buy.
  
  Lens review: Tremendous! The Nikkor 18-135 gives everybody what they want, an affordable lens with above average quality.
  
  First, the 18-135 range is excellent for a kit lens, equivalent of a 27-200 in 35mm photography. It looks great, zooms smoothly, and balances well. The Silent Wave focusing motor is quiet, quick and smooth, and allows immediate manual focus (no hunting for switches). The internal focus is great for anyone using polarizing filters, and allows for a more efficient tulip shaped lens hood (supplied).
  
  Second, the image quality is very good. The aperture is of average size, so don't expect images to jump out like large aperture lenses, but quality is good throughout the range.
  
  Third, Nikon always includes a better than average 5 year warranty in the US on their lenses.
  
  The only negative is that I always prefer a metal lens mount to a plastic one, although the latter keeps both the weight and cost down.
  
  

• This will be one of the great ones! A home run by Nikon!

  
  By A2XRMQA6PJ5ZJ8 on 2006-11-16
  Obviously, I am enamored with the Nikon D80. As one who has extensively used the D100, D70s, and D200, I was curious as to how the D80 would "shake out" in comparison with these fine cameras. The answer is that it does very well indeed.
  
  The most obvious improvement in D80 over the D70s and D100 is the upgrade from 6.1 to 10.2 Megapixels--the same as its "Big Brother," the D200 This is not a major issue for many users, as a 6.1 MP image (uncropped) looks essentially exactly the same as a 10.2 MP image. However, if the user intends to crop images in post-processing, the larger amount of resolution becomes important--the more megapixels the more detail when images are cropped. Shooters of wildlife, for example, will appreciate the additional resolution of the D80, as it is often necessary to photograph wildlife at a distance and then crop the image to cause the subject to dominate the frame.
  
  The other very obvious D80 improvements are the larger viewfinder and larger rear-LCD. These are very welcome improvements, also borrowed from the D200. The viewfinder is wide, bright, and a literal joy to use. Combined with the 11-point autofocus system (basically the same as that of the D200 although with some differences in options) the viewfinder makes the D80 a powerhouse camera for moving subjects, or for framing the subject in places other than the center of the image.
  The autofocus is fast and sure. I literally never use manual focus with the D80--the autofocus is just too good not to use for almost every conceivable situation.
  
  The 2.5 inch rear LCD is bright and vivid--a joy to use. This too, as mentioned above, is borrowed from the D200. The menu selections in the D80 closely track those of the D200 and are largely pretty intuitive for anyone who is somewhat familiar with the Nikon system.
  
  A few nits. First of all, the D80 does not have a selection for focus-priority continuous focus mode. This is unfortunate, as such an option (present on the D200) allows fast action shots using continuous-focus with surety that the subject is, in fact, in focus. Happily, this absence (which I predict and hope Nikon will correct in a later firmware revision) is not a huge loss. I have shot hundreds of images of fast-flying birds using continuous focus with the D80 and the images are almost all perfectly focused. The user can trust the D80 in continuous focus mode, focus priority or no.
  
  Nikon chose to equip the D80 with SD cards rather than CF cards. Why Nikon did this is a mystery to many of us as the D80 clearly is an upgrade to the wonderful D70s, which uses CF cards. Further, the D80 is a fantastic backup camera for D200 users, and the D200, of course, also uses CF cards rather than SD cards. CF cards would have been a more logical choice in my opinion for the D80. Fortunately, the cost of these media is dropping so fast that this is less of an issue than it would have been a few years ago.
  
  The D80 sucks up power a lot faster than the D70s. That 2.5 inch LCD entails higher power use as a price. Most users will want to own a spare battery.
  
  As to ergonomics, the D80 is terrific! I have just finished an 8 day stay on Maui, Hawaii, during which my D80 was literally always with me. The weight of the camera is low, and its bulk, reasonable. There is no digital SLR I would rather carry for an extended period than the compact D80. The placement of the various controls is excellent, and pretty intuitive. The quality of the D80 body construction is standard Nikon-Prosumer grade, which is to say, excellent albeit not as heavy-duty as the metal-body D200.
  
  Overall, the D80 is destined to become one of the great Nikon cameras that will find a place with users all over the world.
  
  

• Nikon hits this one out of the park

  
  By A1Z8RORUPL6TVD on 2006-09-26
  Since this camera just hit the streets less than 2 weeks ago, I obviously haven't had this for a super long time, but I moved to the D80 as an upgrade from the terrific D50, and the D80 takes care of every single minor nitpick I had with the D50, and then takes it even beyond that. Moreover, since I moved from the D50 and not a D70-series, I was thrilled that the D80 uses Secure Digital (SD) flash cards, which I used for not only my D50, but for my Casio EX-Z750 point and shoot as well.
  
  As with the D50, the D80 just feels terrific in my hand. I was concerned initially because the ergonomics of the grip have been ever so slightly modified (more like that of the D70s than the D50), and I really liked the feel of the D50. However, once I got the D80 and actually started using it and shooting with it, the concern evaporated quickly. The D80 is a complete success ergonomically... it feels solid and substantial without being excessively heavy. Nikon has really always excelled in this niche, which isn't something that shows up in most reviews or on any test charts. Moreover, the controls are very logically placed, easy to identify and use in real-world photography, and the menus are intuitive and highly functional.
  
  This camera is FAST. It's senseless to really even try to quantify it because the numbers (less than 0.1 second to start up) just don't convey how instantaneous shooting with this camera is. There's no discernible shutter lag, and shot-to-shot time is as fast as you need it to be. The D80 can fire up to 3 frames per second, up to 100 JPGs deep. Amazing for a sub-$1,000 camera.
  
  The things missing from the D50 that the D80 addresses? Backlit LCD, superimposable gridlines in the finder, depth of field preview, one-button bracketing, bright and large viewfinder, one-touch zooming on picture playback, ISO equivalency down to 100, and a snap-on clear plastic cover for the monitor.
  
  As a bonus, some of the in-camera retouching options are fantastic. You can take a color shot, then convert it to B&W with a red filter (still preserving your original image). You can utilize red-eye reduction (in the uncommon instances when it occurs at all), and Nikon's D-lighting is the digital equivalent of dodging and burning, and I love it. There is even a color balance shift function which is fun to play with.
  
  The autofocusing on the camera is staggeringly fast when coupled with the right lens. (I recommend the Nikon 18-70mm DX lens; I'm not a fan of the kit lenses offered with the D80. They're very good optically, but the build quality is lacking for my personal tastes.) Like other Nikon dSLRs, the D80 has an independent AF-assist light (some other cameras rely on the flash unit for this). For AF lenses utilizing the screw-driven focusing mechanism, there is a noticeable increase in focusing speed over the D50. You can also employ an 11-segment dynamic AF grid and select which segment will be used for the point of focus.
  
  A word about the pop-up flash: It's brilliant. Rarely does a camera with a built-in flash get it right so often with such consistency. I took numerous flash photos in sometimes varying and difficult lighting situations, and the D80 nailed it every single time.
  
  The LCD is the best I've seen to date on any camera. Plenty of cameras have 2.5" monitors now, but this one has 230,000 pixels and is gorgeously sharp and detailed. You can view it from any angle in a 170-degree arc. Similarly, the viewfinder is a major improvement over both the D50 and the D70 series. Rather than utilizing a cheaper pentamirror like some of the competition, Nikon elects to use a genuine pentaprism which allows the finder to be nice and bright. Additionally, the diopter control knob with detents for each setting is a welcome change from the slider on the D50.
  
  Image quality is superb, as one would expect from a 10.2 MP dSLR. I like sharp, vivid pictures, and the D80 delivers. Different processing algorithms can be selected in the menu to yield different degrees of sharpness and saturation. I haven't had any of my photos from the D80 printed out yet; only viewed them on a 19" monitor, but they look terrific. The D80 can also shoot NEF (RAW) files simultaneously with JPGs in one of three compression modes. Very nice.
  
  Battery life is exceptional. It's fantastic on the D50, even better on the D80. A six-segment display on the top LCD panel shows you how much life remains, or you can go to the menu and see how many shots have been fired since the battery was recharged, an exact percentage (to 1%) of life remaining, and the battery's "charge life" remaining (since any rechargeable battery has a finite number of charge cycles in it).
  
  I bought the 2-lens package from Cameta Camera (available through Amazon, though you can call the camera store directly and get the same package for $40 less than Amazon charges). For my needs, the Tamron 28-80mm lens is, quite frankly, virtually worthless, so it immediately went on eBay, and I bought a new Nikon 18-70mm DX lens in its place (a vastly superior lens). However, the Tamron 70-300mm Di LD Macro lens that's included is a surprisingly good piece of glass. I've shot nature and architectural-type photos with the D80 and the Tamron 70-300mm and was very pleasantly surprised at the results. The lens seems to be quite clear and sharp, it focuses quickly with no "hunting," and the 1:2 macro ratio is terrific. The short end of the zoom range on the 70-300mm is excellent for portrait work; this is enhanced by the foreshortening effect of the long lens. Coupled with the excellent Nikon 18-70mm lens, I have essentially the entire range of useful focal lengths covered (although those 12-24mm super wides do make me drool a bit!). Like many Nikon users, I'd love to have the 18-200mm VR lens, but I'm unwilling to pay a $200-300 premium over its list price simply because it's hard to find anywhere in stock nearly a year after its release. I'll wait.
  
  As for the D80, though, if you have any interest in owning a serious dSLR, buy this camera and don't even think twice about it. For 2006 and likely for 2007, it's the right choice. The D80 is highly recommended as the perfect camera for the advanced amateur or enthusiast photographer. It bridges the gap between the D50 and the D200 perfectly. Pair this camera up with a high-quality lens, and a good photographer will have a tool with which stunning images can be made.
  
  

• Best camera for your money, ever

  
  By A1VXM4VVCAZ6PH on 2007-01-15
  To date, in my opinion this DSLR is by far the best Camera for the money. The image quality is outstanding. I upgrade to the D80 just last week, moving up from my D70s, and I can say that after 10 minuets of shooting, it was worth every penny, in face it should be worth more than its going for. It has the feel of my D70s but better, I always found the D70s to be a little bit too bulky. The D80 is a little smaller, and a lot easier on my hands (I have large hands too), I did however find it to be a little short from top to bottom.
  
  I also purchased the MB-D80 Battery Grip, this fixed my fitment issue. Not only does this allow you to add another battery (Or 6AA which is great for a pinch with two dead Li-ions), vertical shutter release, Aperture, shutter setting scroll knob,and AE-l AF-L Lock button. It also makes the whole camera more steady and a little bit more heavy, which is a good thing, this means less lens blur especially for zoom lens (like the 18-135). Look at the $4,000 Nikon D2X and the D80 with MB-D80 Battery grip side by side, this gives you an idea of the professionalism, simply in the camera size and layout.
  
  Getting back to the D80, This is basically a D200 mini, if you will. Other than the smaller body, and the slightly different auto exposure metering system, you are holding a D200 for $700 less. In short, if you are looking to upgrade from a D50, D70(s) Cannon Rebel Xt, or would like a worthy back up, or even your first DSLR. This is it, a professional grade camera, with easy to use features, and even better all around quality.Its great for anyone really.
  
  Nikkor lens are amazing quality as well, I have always preferred them to Cannon's. If you are thinking about getting the 18-135mm with the D80, I would recommend it. Overall, the lens is sharp and clear, with a great range that does not sacrifice too much considering the range. I would however recommend getting the Nikkor 18-200mm VR over this lens if you can afford the extra money. I have used both(and own the 18-135) and they are both great lenses, but if you are Serious the 18-200 VR will be the only lens you would ever need in that range, the Vibration Reduction (VR) will remove blur for up to four stops higher than what you would normally be able to shoot at.This is great for low light, and considering how great the D80 performs in low light anyways with its built in Noise Reduction and wonderful ISO quality, even at 1600. Its a perfect combination for anyone who is half way serious about pictures. I am a Photography Student, and even my professor is astonished with the resolution and quality.
  
  I hope this helps a little bit!
  
  
  
  
  

• Nikon Just became the top dog!

  
  By A2Z8WNTXFB228H on 2006-09-27
  Hey there friends SiNMiN here with just a short word about this fantastic camera. I have been shooting cameras one way or another now for a living for nearly 15 years. I remember the days when we all dreamed of digital cameras and once we had them we dreamed of days like these! First let me say that I come from the uniqe perspective of having shot and worked on nearly every barnd and type of camera available at one time or another! So I have no Brand loyalty to speak of! I'm loyal to my pictures not cameras.At the time of writing this my D80 is on the way to me, I am making these remarks based on some tests I ran using a D80 and my D200.
  I have to say right off that the D200 is just about the closest thing to the perfect digital SLR I have ever found, that is until I got hold of the D80, now there are 2!Sensor wise both cameras are identical as is shot to shot and start up time. The D200 is faster (5FPS) and has a bit more image control by way of the ability to change sharpness levels, contrast, and saturation. On this note the D80 simplfies the process with giving you the ability to photoshop your images within the camera. ( I really liked that!) You can bring out detail in shadows, add filter effects, the list goes on and on. But the important thing is the ability to change all the other aspects like in the D200 are there as well, making this one hell of a versitile camera. ISO performance is on par with Cannons 20 or 30D (Sorry Cannon)and quite frankly shuts the XT down all together. ( I used to use both these cameras so take my word for it!)I don't know about the XTi. ISO noise is controlled by Nikon in a different manner than Cannon, and wich method you will like better will depend on you. I feel that Nikon images clean up easier with better results, and thier software is better. Both cameras are built extremely well, The D80 is built to last as long as you can when treated right, the D200 however lets you hammer nails all day and take pictures till dawn. At 1/500 flash sync is slower on the D80 but unless you know what that is don't worry about it, even then its no big deal. The other downside...SD cards...but I love the camera so I'll just have to get over it. And, the battery life is much better than the D200, (Speed needs juice folks)Low light photos are better with the D200, mainly because of a little better setting control, shot to shot both cameras perform about the same. The LCD and view finder are the same as the D200 and are both clear and bright as well as a joy to work with. The control layout is placed perfectly so much so that once you learn your way around you will find yourself changing things without looking!I love Sigma lenses and both Nikons work like a charm with all my glass, in fact the response on both was so good I was able to shoot hand held with a Sigma 50-500mm at ISO 400 in the late afternoon. And both cameras nailed each picture tack sharp! Cannons do not work well with any lenses other than Cannons.. Trust me!! I will write more in depth once my camera arrives. Then I can really get into it and see what makes it tick. But let me leave you with this thought...In my opinion Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Pannasonic, Sony, and now Cannon are all in what I call the gimmick camera business ( another Sony Invention) Relying on gimmicks rather than improving the basic function of the product. They all are guilty save Nikon who has maintained it level of performance and even improved upon it. In ALL respected circles the D200 is considered to be the finest camera available under $2000...it is. The D80 is the finest camera for $1000 and under. Like I said I have no brand loyalty, if Cannon or even Maytag could deliver a camera that could beat this I'd switch in a heartbeat, but I can tell you folks they have a long, long, way to go. Nikon just took it out a whole new door! I'll let you know when I have more. Thanks for your time and as always happy shooting!!
  
  SiNMiN
  
  
• Not Too Old to Learn (Update)
  By A33SFSEVHL5SHK on 2007-01-01
  I resisted "going digital" until now, but my wife got me a D80 for Christmas. I've worked in photography but for many years it has been a hobby (which I prefer), and I've owned Nikon F2, F3HP, Bronica 6x6, and various 4x5 view cameras. One thing I've always struggled with in using the highly convenient 35mm SLR format is enlargement capability with such small format images. Once you've used 4x5 it's hard to settle for the graininess and low resolution of most 35mm films (Kodachrome excepted). But the 10 megapixel D80 may finally solve this for me.
  
  The D80 + 18-135mm ED lens is an amazing package, and I salute Nikon for offering the new digital SLR this way. The capabilities of the D80 with this lens are impressive--and far beyond my rudimentary digital knowledge at this point. But learning how it all works is going to be a whole heck of a lot of fun.
  
  Most of my reluctance over "going digital" evaporated the first time I plugged the D80's USB cord into my computer and watched the images I'd just taken load automatically into Adobe Photoshop Elements. Literally a few moments later I watched a beautiful slide show of my images--with music to boot--play across the computer screen with incredible clarity and resolution. Wistful memories of Kodachrome? Well yes, but I think I'll get over them with this camera.
  
  One worry I had as an eyeglass wearer was whether the D80's viewfinder and eyepiece would allow me to see the entire image plus the exposure info while shooting---other digital SLRs I've tried were problematic in this. But I find the view through the D80 eyepiece is nearly as good as my F3 High Eyepoint body. This is significant and telling to me, since the D80 is decidedly an amateur camera while the F3 was Nikon's flagship pro SLR in its day.
  
  Criticisms: not many at this point. The camera feels too light to me, but I'm used to the F3/MD3 motor drive combo, which most photographers today would think a punishment to carry and use. I'm inclined to say that the array of options in programming, exposure adjustment, autofocus, etc. is dizzying to me, and I'm not sure how much of it is really necessary. But, again, I think it will be fun playing with all the obscure settings.
  
  An amazing machine, highly recommended--even for old guys like me.
  ******************
  Update: After using the D80 for a month I just purchased the MB-D80 battery pack for it, and my reaction to using this combination is that the basic camera doesn't feel complete to me without the vertical grip and the extension of the standard grip that the battery pack provides. Granted the MB-D80 adds quite a bit of bulk to the camera, but being used to motor driven F3s and F2s it still feels quite trim and light to me. It also makes the D80 more like my F3/MD3 in that I can use AA batteries in an emergency. Great accessory for a very nice camera.
  
  
• Film to Digital at last!
  By A2SS2Z1T1LXTWG on 2007-06-07
  I finally did it. I have made the transition from film to digital photography.
  
  I LOVE this camera! Definitely a great addition to the venerable Nikon line of SLRs. It is right-sized, easy to handle, fast and quiet. There is a good deal of automation built for those times when you are more need to get a shot NOW, yet the fine control to enhance your creativity.
  
  Since this is my first digital camera of any type, I cannot compare it to other digital models; I can only compare it to film cameras.
  
  
  D-80 and Digital Advantages
  ---------------------------
  Low processing costs. Only pay for the "keepers" you print.
  
  "Throw away" and test shots no longer carry a penalty of any kind.
  
  Huge picture capacity with large SD cards. No more changing film rolls at the most inopportune moment.
  
  Instant feedback.
  
  The D80 has a high enough resolution to make good sized prints.
  
  All the digital processing advantages, (white balance, cropping, converting to black-and-white or sepia tone, etc.)
  
  Auto ISO and the ability to change ISO for any given shot.
  
  The many exposure modes give you flexibility and fine control. The modes vary from point-and-shoot, to manual. There are also vari-program modes that automate many common shooting or difficult situations like night portraits where you want to flash the foreground but also want a long exposure to get the darker background. Or high-speed modes where you may need the AF system to track a moving object as it passes across the field of view.
  
  Compatible with the full range of 35mm lenses, speedlights and accessories. So if you are like me and have a significant investment in 35mm Nikon gear, this is the way to go. Do not get rid of that 35mm body! (Using DX-type lenses on a 35mm body is not recommended!)
  
  Smaller focus area (compared to 35mm) means less shutter travel. That translates into much faster flash sync speeds and less vibration.
  
  The D80, when combined with Silent-Wave Motor lenses has a very fast focus which is nearly noiseless.
  
  The Auto-focus system is one of the most intelligent I have ever used, yet you have extremely fine control over it. Very flexible.
  
  Setting the built-in flash to Commander Mode permits you to control several off-camera CLS compatible speedlights *wirelessly* (SB-800, SB-600 and SB-200). You can also turn off the built-in flash so that it will not fire during exposure (avoiding the harsh face-on light). It will still generate the monitor pre-flashes to fire the other speedlights. You can also use a shoe-mounted speedlight to be the commander as well. There are a couple of channels and groups so that you can avoid stepping on another photographer in competitive shooting situations.
  
  I love the rear-curtain flash sync! I will not buy a body or flash that will not support it!
  
  There are so many other options and capabilities with the flash, such as multiple flashes during a single exposure, that really give you tremendous creative control.
  
  
  Digital and D80 Cons
  --------------------
  Not too many cons, but they can be show-stoppers for some.
  
  Film has a much higher resolution, so if you want to make poster-sized prints, you will still need that film body.
  
  Limited ISO range. The slowest ISO for the D80 is 100, common in other DSLRs too. I often shoot ISO 25, 50 or 64 for the express purpose of getting very slow shutter speeds to blend motion, such as running water. Even with these, I would often use neutral density filters to get exposures of several seconds. Now I need to use more ND filters to stop down.
  
  The battery does not last as long as a 35mm battery, more than 1,000 shot w/o flash, but it recharges quickly and you can always carry a spare. If you are used to camera batteries lasting for weeks or months, you will not get that here, but then.
  
  While the D80 has a very solid feel, it have a feeling that it is somehow more prone to shock and vibration damage than 35mm counterparts. Note! This is speculation on my part!
  
  
  Other Points
  ------------
  Remember that there is approximately a 1.5x effective focal length ratio when compared to a digital camera. So that 18-135mm DX lens actually equates to a 27-202mm lens on a 35mm. a 24-120 lens would be 36-180. If you like wide angle, you may need to pick up another lens. If you like telephoto, you are in luck.
  
  
  Recommended Accessories
  -----------------------
  I recommend the SanDisk Extreme III SanDisk 2 GB Extreme III SD Memory Card ( SDSDX3-2048-901 ) line of SD cards, the bigger the better. These are very fast and can *exceed* the Nikon product claim of 100 continuous shots, at 3 per second, when not using RAW mode, even when image size is Large! It also comes with special "undelete" software to recover deleted images. I am happy with the Ultra II line but they cannot quite keep up with lots of continuous shooting and they do not have the undelete utility.
  
  The optional MB-D80 Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera battery pack uses two batteries (discharging them one at a time!) to power the camera. You can also use AA batteries in it to drive your camera in a pinch. While it adds weight, it makes vertical shooting easier as it has a shutter release (which can be disabled) and command and sub-command dials. I recommend this accessory.
  
  Do you travel? Consider the Adorama QP-104 Rapid Battery Charger. Adorama QP-104 Rapid Li-ion Battery Charger for Nikon EN-EL3 Battery, 110-220V, 12V Car Cord Adapter Included It has a car adapter so you can recharge your camera battery while you are on the road. The A/C adapter is compatible with both North American and European power standards (you still need the plug converters, however).
  
  Consider the getting the D80 body separately and the Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens zoom and the 18-200 VR DX Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lenszoom instead of the 18-135mm kit. But only if you are a fan of zoom lenses. I have yet to use a zoom that came anywhere near the quality of a prime focus lens. Not to mention zooms are almost always a stop or two slower.
  
  I really like to SB-800 Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight for Nikon D50, D70s, D80, and D200 Digital SLR Cameras speedlight. High guide number 38/125, auto-zoom 24-105mm and, of course, the amazing Nikon wireless CLS are great! Get a couple or three if you do any indoor work! Do not forget about sync cords Nikon SC 29 - Flash synchro cable - flash terminal if you want to use a pistol grip.
  
  The ML-L3 wireless remote is useful only if you standing in front of the camera. If you need a remote release, get the MC-DC1 cables release. If you need to back away from the camera, consider the after-market Satechi MA-G (118 inch cable) MA-G (118 inch) Camera Remote Control for Nikon MA series D80 D70s remote release.
  
  Consider the Domke Domke F-2 Original Bag (Sand)line of camera bags, as most models are large enough to hold the camera with the the MB-D80 battery back attached.
  
  Do not forget filters for the lenses.
  
  One Last Point
  --------------
  Why only 4 stars?
  
  About 3 months after getting this camera, it inexplicably died, displaying "err" and underexposing each picture. With the dozens of pieces of Nikon gear I have purchased over the years, this was the very first failure I ever had. I contacted Nikon support, which was easy and fast (the never put me on hold). I sent the camera to the service center and got it back 10 days later. I was pleased with the the service and repair, but disappointed the the camera broke to begin with. Still, I am considering getting another D80 so I can have a second body.
  
  
  
• I finally found my Digital SLR
  By A3QQOFAI9J6TX2 on 2006-10-08
  I've been looking at Digital SLRs ever since Canon came out with its 10D. Since then, there have been so many by so many companies. I've always been a Canon user. I have had 2 EOS bodies-the Elan IIE and the 7E. And also the Canon IX, its APS camera which I still have (its small viewfinder was a major disappointment).
  
  Anyhow the 30D came along, and its viewfinder was small too. The camera was still too large for me, and I just wasn't sold. Now the Nikon D80. It is narrower than the Canon 30D, and what is breathtaking is the panoramically big viewfinder. Such a delight to use. The 2.5" LCD seems to fit perfectly in the back: nothing bigger or smaller would be right.
  
  The pictures are fabulous. I bought a 2 GB Sandisk Ultra II card, which I thought would be fast. It takes about a half second for the picture to come on the LCD, but I'm not complaining. 2 GB is a big card. It can hold 500 photos using the Normal JPEG, large image. I'm sure the 1 GB would be faster. On the Canons, the onboard flashes never would use the advanced metering that the external flashes provided, but with the Nikon D80, I see such perfectly illuminated photos with the onboard flash.
  
  The 18-135 lens is something I jumped for. 28-200 in 35 mm size is quite a huge range, and yet the lens is not massive. I thought hard about the Image stablization you could get with the Canon 18-85 IS lens, but naaah, the 30D just does not measure up so I dropped that idea. There are always such things called tripods!! The entire camera, lens and battery feel just right, and not too heavy. The lens is excellent. The kit fits nicely into a relatively small Lowepro bag.
  
  This truly has been a camera worth waiting years for. 12 or 14 MP models are sure to come along in a couple of years, but I doubt that they can make the bodies any more compact; the file size is large enough as it is with 10 mega-pixel. The D80 is so perfect in shape I doubt Nikon can do much better. This is one fantastic digital SLR.
  
  Raja
  
  
• A Few Nits to Pick
  By A2V99RXY8L0HL7 on 2007-08-10
  With 93 D80 reviews already posted, the world needs another one like it needs higher oil prices. In any event, we all have our opinions so I'll impose mine upon you now.
  
  After 30+ years of shooting with Nikon film cameras, I decided to stick with the brand when switching to digital. It was a tossup between the D80 and D200, as either of them would fit my needs.
  
  Since my eyesight now requires auto focus, the fact that my manual focus Nikkors will not meter with the D80 but will with the D200 didn't make a difference. That being the case, I saved a few hundred dollars and bought a D80.
  
  Cutting to the chase, I am amazed by the image quality. It took a few hundred shots to "zero in" on the settings that I prefer, but now it turns out very consistent results.
  
  If I'm so satisfied with the D80, how come I only gave it 4 stars? I'm glad that you asked. After 4 months of ownership, I think that I've found some weaknesses that I hope Nikon will address with the D80's replacement.
  
  1- Matrix metering, as configured in the D80, is too sensitive to very light or dark areas in the center of the frame. With a dark central area, it's far too easy to blow out the highlights. When they're gone, they're gone. No amount of magic can put back what isn't there to begin with. Sure, you can dial in some exposure compensation, but why should you have to?
  
  2- Dear Nikon, Please, Please, Please put a stiffer detent on the door for the SD card. I'm really tired of finding it open in the middle of a shoot. It's only a matter of time until I find that it's snapped off.
  
  3- Speaking of detents. An interlock is needed to keep the mode dial where it's placed. It's far too easy to wind up in some idiot mode instead of remaining in aperture priority. Nothing is worse than having the flash pop up and fire because the dial slipped.
  
  4- While not exclusive to the D80, Nikon is the only manufacturer that does not include a fully-featured RAW converter in its software package. What's up with that? RAW is all that many advanced amateurs and pros shoot, so why isn't a converter included? It wasn't a deal breaker for me, but I felt like my pocket was being picked.
  
  Anyway, it's all about the images and those that come out of the D80 are as good as I've ever seen from a camera in this class. When I look at the 16X20 prints on my walls I'm almost ready to give Nikon that extra star. Almost, but not quite.
  
  Enough with reading reviews.....go to your local camera store (if you still have one) and wrap your hands around the cameras you're considering. Trust me, you could be out there shooting instead of wasting so much time reading reviews. :-)
  
  
  
• Its great!
  By A1P5N909O9ZLK5 on 2006-11-05
  I just purchased this camera and lens (with another lens in a different set) and it has blown me away so far. The pictures have been just incredible. The focus, metering, exposure, flash, color balance... Everything is perfect so far.
  
  I have mainly used the camera in full automatic mode and it really shines. Its as simple as a point and shoot in this mode. I have used the camera in difficult lighting situations and the photos have been incredible. There is no noticeable shutter lag, which is very important to me. I have a 6 yo son who goes from smiling one moment to looking away the next. I have missed so many photos in the past due to shutter lag, but that is not a problem with this camera. Another feature that helps is the continuous mode. I can take 3 pics a second for up to 100 pics and then select the best. Generally I find I can get a good pic in like 10-15 photos.
  
  I used to be a serious photo hobbist during the days of film, but always had problems finding a darkroom to develop my film. The darkroom issue and the shear cost of film and paying for processing made me abandon the hobby. But this camera is really bringing back the excitement of this hobby again without the trials and expense of the darkroom.
  
  The only downside in this camera is the price, but in this instance, you get what you pay for. You might be able to save a buck or two with another camera, but I wouldn't even try. I can't imagine a camera taking a better picture.
  
  By the way, I love this lens. The 18 to 55 mm focal length is a nice every day lens. Its much wider angle then you find on the point and shoot cameras, yet you can still get close. I have a 55-200 mm lens as well, but I find I use the 18-55 lens more. The shorter lens is great in confined spaces, where you can't easily back away from the subject, and its always better to move closer to your subject than use a long lens (unless you can't for safety reasons).
  
  My only regret is waiting so long to get a DSLR camera of this quality. It has really opened up a old hobby for me.
  
  
  
  
• Excellent
  By A37ZQL6QQG6JZR on 2006-11-16
  It doesn't get any better at this price point. Excellent build quality, very easy to use, and intuitive. The optics are simply brilliant for a kit lense (135MM).
  
  Went from a Canon Rebel film SLR which I loved, but when I tried to move into the XTi, there was just no comparison between the XTi and the D80. You could immediately feel the difference in quality and functionality. And the auto-clean feature is absolute marketing crap from Canon. THe CMOS shakes off the dust, but then where does the dust go? Bologna feature, not to mention the Flash nearly knocks your eye out when it pops up on the Canon XTi.
  
  The D80 blows it away, and for it's price there is nothing out there better. If your in the market at this price point, or relatively close, just go for it. You WILL NOT regret this purchase.
  
  
• A camera for the transition to pro levels
  By A215XZWPII8AMS on 2007-09-23
  OK. One year passed since I've bought this camera so I can get into a review of my personal experience with it.
  First of all, if you consider into buying this model, you should know that this is not a dSLR that you can use on auto settings and get fabulous results. Get a point and shoot for that or a D40/ D40x. D80 seems to be tuned to provide best results with manual modes or semi-auto modes (fixed-aperture or fixed-shutter). I spent almost 1,000 shots until I got used with the behaviour of D80 in different light conditions and with different camera settings. The learning curve may vary, but definitely won't be a steep one.
  
  EXPOSURE: the matrix metering mode is thought to overexpose but, IMO, those that said that use this mode in the wrong situations: high-contrast, high-dynamic scenes which require careful analysis of the zones (with spot metering and/ or center-weighted) and exposure settings should be chosen accordingly. Matrix is fabulous for shooting scenes with the sun to your back, overcast or uniform lighting: exposure is perfect. For all other situation I would highly recommend spot metering.
  
  FOCUS: focus is always dependent on the lens you use. If you invest in this DX body, get a good (pro) lens to suit your needs. The 17-55DX (Click here: Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens) from Nikon is a fast-focus, super-sharp lens that allows you to take shots using all capabilities of the D80 AF system. However, there are some cheaper lens I would recommend, one of them is the 50mm f/1.8 prime (Click here: Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras), super cheap bargain for the quality you get. The new 55-200VR (Click here: Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lens + Hoya 52mm UV Haze Protector Glass Filter + CapKeeper Lens Cap Strap + 6-Piece Cleaning Kit - for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras including Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D70, D70s, D80, D100, D200 & D300) is also a bargain but don't expect to get similar sharpness as from the 17-55DX. Overall focus is very fast WITH a fast-focusing lens but will require some learning from you especially if you'll use single point focus so some recomposing technique should also be learned.
  
  COLORS: You'll be ABSOLUTELY AMAZED by the colors this camera will provide you considering that you nailed the exposure and set correct camera settings. Skin tones are natural, vivid and well balanced, blues are deep, reds are explosive, greens are smoothly rendered. But please take tests on all three color modes (two sRGB modes, I and III and one Adobe RGB mode, II) and see which suites you best. If you intend RAW, go for Adobe RGB; for JPEGS use I or III sRGB modes. You should be aware, though, that deep reds tend to overexpose on I and, especially mode III, so either compensate exposure, either go for RAW and mode II. Overall, colors are marvelous and you'll get amazing results once you'll learn how to master the camera.
  
  Please get yourself two rechargeable batts. One is not enough if you intend to shoot all day. Another option would be to buy the grip, the MB-D80 (Click here: Nikon MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack for the Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera), that allows you to stick 6 AA batteries or two EN-EL (Click here: Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200 Digital SLR Camera) rechargeable. With 2 nikon rechargeable batteries the autonomy is VASTLY improved.
  
  HIGH ISO: From my experience, the limit of all-around ISO setting is 1250 for best-detailed photos. However, as you'll learn to better expose ISO 1600 is perfectly usable and ISO 3200 for Black and White or small-sized photos (4x6"). Please remember that higher you get with the ISO, more important is to nail the exposure in order to minimize the noise. In-camera high-ISO noise reduction does marvels IF you'll shoot JPEGs, but please don't use it if you go RAW: you'll loose details.
  
  The camera body is made for middle-sized hands. For bigger hands, the D200 body is more suitable. Most important, for example, is the distance to the buttons than can be reached with the right thumb (the AE/AF-L and the multiple selector). But the controls operate smoothly and you can do a lot of customizing to fit your needs.
  
  Overall, this is an excellent camera and don't get fooled by reviews that point to poor image quality. Almost all cases of poor image quality come from improper use and not enough testing of this camera capabilities. My first results were awful, but after a couple of weeks of continuous learning I started to get amazing results. I'm suggesting 5 topics you SHOULD learn/ cover before or simultaneous with using this camera:
  
  1. Basic controls: aperture, shutter speed, ISO and how they interact;
  2. Relationship between aperture and depth of field;
  3. Ansel Adams zone theory; very educative
  4. Color temperature and color temperature correction
  5. RAW files processing
  
  About #5 above, please get yourself good RAW processing software. I use, for my workflow, Nikon's Capture NX (Click here: Nikon Capture NX Software for Windows and Mac) and Adobe Photoshop (Click here: Adobe Photoshop CS2): I squeeze most of image from Capture NX, save it as TIFF and make final adjustments in Photoshop.
  
  Good luck, D80 is worth each penny I spent on it.
  And no, I'm not on Nikon's payroll. ;)
  
  Update: October 29, 2007: 17-55DX on a D80
  ------------------------------------------
  
  I have just purchased a Nikkor 17-55DX lens and there are some things I would like to share with this D80 review.
  First of all, the lens is awesome ! It is extremely sharp even down to f2.8 but what amazes me it is its ability to deliver microcontrast which give images a very natural look. Details are better rendered than with any other regular lenses I own. However, there are some things you should be aware of when using this lens with the D80:
  1. First of all, this is a VERY contrast lens. Whenever you'll shoot in harsh lighting conditions (as directly under mid-day sun), the images tend to loose details in the extremes (highlights and shadows); you'll manage to control that using lower tone settings in the image menu of the D80, maybe -1 or, better, -2. This is VERY important if you shoot jpeg, and advisable for NEFs.
  2. For me it seems that the lens is balanced for neutral light, kind you'll get in a studio with controlled lighting. Under direct sun on my D80 it has a slight magenta cast in shadows, easily correctable with postprocessing (pp); overall, images you take with this lens and a D80 are very well controlled and don't require pp.
  3. the lens IS heavy, my D80 + MBD80 (grip) + 17-55DX is quite a boulder so you probably take that into consideration when looking for the 17-55DX;
  
  That's all for now
  
  
• Nikon D80 from Adorama - beware
  By AA1LKN9DL77ZJ on 2007-10-23
  Ordered this camera body as new, what was received was a rebuild. Beware of Adorama!
  
  
  
  
• Delivers Superb Images If You dont Mind Babysitting the Exposure Compensation All the Time
  By A1Y0UKKB61QCDE on 2006-12-29
  I've owned a Nikon D80 for over two months and made 1200+ shots with the D80 so far. My experience with the image performance of the D80 reveals that: Pros of this camera (most important in my opinions):
  
  1. Nearly instant start up.
  2. 10.2 MP sensor offering better possibilities when it comes to cropping
  3. Prism viewfinder with grids
  4. Excellent usability
  5. Most default settings are very reliable
  6. Bright LCD monitor on the back
  7. It is small and light enough so that the middle finger of my right hand don't hurt after 200 shots in an afternoon without a tripod. Highly recommended to anyone has small hands like mine.
  
  and on and on...
  
  Cons:
  
  1. Metering. The D80 has a very strong tendency of over exposing and its over exposing behaviour is not consistent. I was constantly turning the exposure compensation up and down between 0 EV and -2 (!!!) EV when doing landscape or street shots. On D80 it is very easy to adjust the compensation but still you need at least 10 seconds to press the +/- button, test shoot, looking at the monitor, if not right, execute the action loop again....it has been very frustrating to me sometimes. During a time-critical shooting like a sudden event on the street, the need of twiddling the exposure compensation all the time might make you miss the most interesting moment. And since the memory capacity is always limited no matter how high it is, doing bracketing or shooting raw all the time is not really practical. I really really really wish Nikon could fix this problem in the next version of the firmware for D80.
  
  2. The diffraction is easily visible when the aperture is smaller than f/13. However for "tact sharp" landscape shoots, f/22+ is usually desirable.
  
  These are the only two things which have been bothered me. I would like to give it a 4.5 star, rounded to 5.
  
  When I am on the run, I use the automatic/default setting a lot. The most impressive automatic setting on the D80 is "night scene (landscape)" mode. The over exposure in daytime might be a failure of D80, but it turned out such a nice feature at night. All my night shots using the automatic night mode look brilliant and vivid. D80 not only outperforms other DSLRs on the automatic night scene (landscape) mode, but also beats my manual settings most of the time when shooting city lights.
  
  
  
• High Quality Nikon
  By A23SN5Y7D2NAPB on 2006-12-05
  There is not much of a practicle difference in the D70 and the D80. I had used the D70 for two years and nine thousand captures before jumping on the bandwagon with the D80. The view finder is larger in the D80, the viewing screen is much larger then in the D70, and some of the controls have their own buttons for more convenient adjustments.
  
  But when push comes to shove the D70 pictures are in most recognizable respects just as good as the D80. The extra pixels don't get you better pictures. The D80 makes getting better pictures a little easier. The D80 has a bigger viewfinder and bigger viewing screen which is real nice, but the extra money is not going to get you better pictures.
  
  For most picture that we take the d70s will do the job and get very good high quality results under most circumstances. The d50 might do the job just as well.
  
  I like the d80 but all things considered it does not out perform the d70. The exra money would be better spent on a good lens.
  
  
  
• Waited so long for it, but disappointed........
  By A3I4RR9K72F4JQ on 2007-09-23
  I had a Canon DRebel 300D for 1.5 years before I finally upgraded to the Nikon D80. I waited SOOOOOO long for this camera! I was so excited to get it! Well right off the bat I noticed the focus was off on the camera. I had an 85mm lens (I previously shot with a 50mm) so I thought maybe it was a focal length/shutter speed issue. Then I started noticing metering issues....so many of my pictures were either seriously over or underexposed. Again, I attributed it to user error. But it kept happening and finally I googled the D80 and metering problems and VOILA! It would appear there are quite a few of us struggling with this. Ken Rockwell actually has a good article on the D80 where he addresses these issues.
  
  My camera works well as a studio camera (with strobes) but is very inconsistent for natural light photography. This is a huge disappointment for me. I find myself using my old Rebel to shoot often and that's just sad after spending so much money on a new camera.
  
  This camera could be great if they worked out the "bugs".
  
  
• Which Nikon 10.2MP Camera to Buy?
  By A2BN67MBQQ23G1 on 2007-08-16
  Nikon has muddied the waters about, and now offers no less than three digital SLR cameras that use the same basic imager -- the D200, D80, and D40x. Which should you buy?
  
  This D80 is smack in the middle, and packaged with a useful lens that's also middle-of-the road in its applications. Appropriately, the D80 may be the best choice for those who have graduated from the point-and-shoot/snapshooting phase, but aren't ready for a more semi-pro camera.
  
  D40x -- Uses the same 10.2MP sensor, but is smaller than the D80. It produces similar image quality, but has the limitation of providing autofocus only with AF-S and AF-I lenses (or other lenses from third-party vendors that have autofocus motors built-in.) If you own an existing complement of lenses that aren't compatible, you'll want to pass on this camera.
  
  D200 -- Larger than the D80, it has more water-resistent sealing, and uses a four-channel readout from the sensor, so it's capable of 5 fps bursts in continuous shooting mode. The D200 is much more customizable, has shooting banks to store sets of settings, and will provide metering in both M and Aperture-priority modes with older, non-"cpu"-equipped manual focus lenses. This camera might be your choice if you're shooting a lot of sports, have older lenses, and want to be able to customize your settings. The D200 uses Compact Flash cards rather than the SD cards used by the D80 and D40x.
  
  D80 -- This camera has many of the features of the D200 in a smaller package, but with a slower 3 fps burst rate. It's a camera you won't easily grow out of, is simple to use, and provides excellent image quality. It makes an excellent "first" D-SLR.
  
  
• Perfection
  By A2RZUEMN6WH142 on 2007-02-11
  The Nikon D80 is an excellent camera. How infrequent a product thrills so much after buying it. Bra-frakking-vo Nikon!
  I have been taking photographs all my life and wanted a top quality near-pro digital SLR. I considered the D200, but liked that the D80 shares the most critical features and core imaging system with the D200 *and* adds in the automatic features for when I want to shoot more rapid spontaneous shots. It really is the best of both worlds.
  I have used this for a month now and only found a few flaws.
  Pros:
  -too numerous to mention. -Battery life is incredible
  -Color capture is terrific
  -Sharpness of image terrific
  -Speed of the system to turn on and be ready to capture is lightning fast
  -3 shots per second capability. Not the 5 fps of the D200, but c'mon, I am not a war photojournalist. 3fps is fine for me.
  Cons
  -First, when using the onboard built in flash, its default setting is for TTL-BL, meaning that it tries to match the overall scene-results in some underexposure that needs correcting in photoshop.
  -The only other flaw I can find is the availability of some Nikon components. I wanted to add a SB600 flash, this took a few weeks to find in stock. The same is true of some of the Nikon lenses. THis seems to be a problem of Nikon being too popular or a messed up manufacturing system back at HQ. Actually to put on my cynical hat for a moment, my suspicion is that Nikon is restricting some of their new VR lenses to kit lenses for the D200 to keep it from being completely cannibalized by the awesome D80.
  You will not regret buying this awesome camera.
  As far as D80 vs D200, here is my advice. Go with D80. You cannot hand the D200 to a non-pro and expect them to take decent photos with it, but with the D80 you really could set it to auto and anyone can take great shots. Also, the optics and performance will rival the D200 for much less price. Better to spend the difference in filters and lenses. Bottom line is, D200 is heavier and has less ease of use features. THe extra features it has, you won't use unless you do photography for a living. If thats the case, you probably need the D2X anyway.
  
  
• Amazing dSLR...
  By A1BBEPHRQN35AO on 2006-11-27
  I tried using the Canon XTI, then the D80, I was so amazed with the D80 I wouldn't ever recommend the XTI. I took two photos of my girlfriend, one with the XTI and one with the D80, the one taken with the Canon looked like a photo taken with a 5.0 MP Point-and-shoot lil' digital camera, the one I took with the D80 looked like a photo ready to use for a magazine cover, not even exagerating. Nikon D80 felt better in my hands and the extra LCD on top just works for me! Awesome camera, I would recommend it to ANYONE. It's my new favorite toy =]
  
  
• A fantastic D200 alternative
  By A348OM2W181NUW on 2006-11-06
  I recently test drove a D200 and was impressed with the useabiity of the camera. It is almost perfect. When buying I opted for the D80 because it has a very similar feature-set for less cash. Which meant additional money for lenses. OK, it doesn't shoot 5fps or have the alloy body with weather seals, but it does have the sensor and useability. It is light, quick and a joy to use. Changing settings such as ISO, WB and flash is almost as easy as the D200. This is a fine camera. And it uses SD cards - much more preferable than CF in my opinion. Worth every penny.
  
  
• A camera smarter than I am.
  By A274HO3EGTPRJX on 2006-11-16
  You are reading a non technical review from your average fun photographer. So don't expect a lot of technical stuff. I finally stepped up from a Fuji S9000. I have loved my Fuji cameras ease of use and the colors they produce. I was a little reluctant to spend the kind of money it takes to get into the D80. I am thrilled I did. I finally have a digital camera that when the kids do something I catch it as opposed to the camera taking the shot after they have left the room. Super fast. A few Saturdays ago I was outside in our wooded back yard taking pictures of the changing colors in the trees.
  When I went to take a shot the flash popped up. I said this isn't right the sun in filtering though the trees but I took the shot anyway. Wow the camera new what to do. Unbelievable photos. Easy to handle even with the pistol
  grip MB D80. I also sprung for the SB600 flash and a great two dvd training program on Ebay. So don't be afraid to spend a couple of grand for the D80 and accesories. You will be glad you did. Happy in Alabama
  
  
• Great Camera but beware
  By A2BIXDMK69BI3N on 2007-06-19
  I purchased this camera as my first digital SLR. I love the camera but am not happy with Nikon. Here is why.
  
  First
  The software bundled with the camera is absolutely useless. You will need to purchase something like Photoshop or Photo Impact if you plan on doing any serious editing and printing. So add the cost of $75 for PhotoShop Elements 5 if you don't already have it. Nikon has a product called capture NX. You can download a demo of the program (It is not included on the CD) But at $129 its just not worth the price unless you have money to through away.
  
  Second
  I don't care what kind of digital SLR or how careful you are at changing lens or what kind of special cleaning operations the camera has.
  YOU ARE GOING TO GET DUST ON THE SENSOR. Ask any series photographer. You will have to clean the sensor at some point. The camera has a cleaning mode that holds the mirror up without charging the CCD. Nikon recommends using a blower to blow the dust off the sensor. All this does is moves the dust. My first attempt at this cause me to get some small micro shavings on the sensor that could not be blown off. Nikon says you should send the camera in so that a qualified tech can properly clean the sensor. BULL, BULL, BULL
  
  No serious photographer is going to put his camera out of commission while this happens nor will they pay the price to have it done. First off I have had friends send their camera away only to get it back with dust simply moved around. The only real way to properly remove the bulk of the dust is with a sensor cleaner and these are not cheap. Now that I have done it, its not that big a deal. The problem with Nikon is that they don't want you to do it yourself. I don't feel this is reasonable.
  
  Third
  In the old days Nikon was known for quality and I have to say the camera and most of the low end (Under $700) lenses are also made in china and feel cheap. I also have a Nikon F2 and have to say they don't make the camera or the lens like they used to.
  
  Fourth
  Nikons Raw format is proprietary and encrypted. It is possible down the line that you may be at Nikon's mercy about what software you are allow to use to access your pictures.
  
  All this said I love the camera and in little over 2 weeks have taken over 2000 pictures. I would make the purchase again. I also purchased the SB-600 flash and the creative lighting system makes for some truly awesome flash pictures. You can place the SB-600 on another tripod and the D80 will communicate and allow total control over the remote flash as well as allowing you to use the built-in flash.
  
  
  
• Buyer Beware!
  By A1UH5UHB1SKOS0 on 2008-02-25
  Having worked my way through an entry level digital camera and a pretty good ZLR, I was ready for more megapixels, more features and more lenses. After much research, I bought the Nikon D80 with the 18 t0 135mm zoom Nikkor lens, in part because I have had Nikons before and had older, manual focus lenses that I could use. It does take wonderful pictures, and the features are amazing, giving you great control with some study and experimentation. But as for the lens that it came with it, big trouble. I bought the camera in August, and it's first break down was in November (yes, first). Nikon repaired it under warranty, but they do not pay the inbound postage, which given age of this lens, only a couple of months old, I felt they should have. Got it back, and I was happy enough, until 200 or 300 photos later, in early February, the lens broke again, same problem. This time Nikon sent me a prepaid mailer, and they have now had my lens in the shop for several weeks. So in the 5 month life of this lens, it has been back at Nikon for repairs for 5 weeks! And they refuse to just give me a new lens, it is so obviously a lemon, so now I basically have a factory reconditioned lens that I paid full price for! I bought this as a starter lens, but I didn't expect it to actually NOT WORK!!! I am so ready to buy other lenses for this camera, but can't quite bring myself to pay for another Nikon. A photographer friend of mine who works for a local paper said, in looking at the lens, that they make cheap versions and slap the Nikon name on them, to offer attractive pricing on their pacakged sets. Well, this certainly isn't the quality I expect from Nikon, nor the treatment after the purchase ... overall, the experience has been a very disappointing one, and i am back to shooting with my ZLR. Hope you have better luck if you decide to take the plunge with this one...
  
  
• Absolutely Love This Camera
  By A1VX14E9QLYHVC on 2006-10-03
  First of all I do not consider myself anything more than a very beginning photographer !!! So I will not go into anything technical. I will leave that to people who know more than I do. But what I am is an international traveler. I simply got tired of coming home from fantastic trips with "snapshots". I wanted someting much better, and boy did I get it with this camera. I looked at the D70s and since I have very small hands, I could never feel comfortable holding it. This camera is smaller without being small. I have only taken photos locally, but at this time of the year with the leaves changing it makes a good start. The built in editing features (filters etc.) are wonderful to work with. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants something more than "point and shoot" snap shots.
  
  
• My final decision
  By A8Y03GM1T02GW on 2006-10-20
  After way too much time infront of a PC reading reviews or a camera store counter (damn I was sick of it), this D80 is what I chose. Bought it 2 weeks ago and then went on a 10 day trip West. After draging it everywhere I has not let me down. For the price its perfect. I'm still working out exactly how to make it work to its potential aswell as fighting understanding of other manufacturers camera layouts in my head) At work I have a Rebel Xt I bought last year as I need its compact casing. My Brother has the Canon D30 after he progressed from the XT and a friend on the west coast has the D200. Having experience both I still love what I chose. My biggest reason however for going again with Nikon was that I already have a N6006 film camera with a lens and my hope was I could use its Nikkor AF 35-105mm with this camera and give myself more options. After reading lots of reviews as to whether this was possible and finally taking the lens to a shop I found it worked fine. Experience in the field in the last 10 days has shown it does not work seemlessly buy that may well be me not the lens. The 2.5 inch LCD is sooo much easier to read than the Rebel XT. The info read out on top is much better placed than the one above the LCD on the XT (if obstructed in an architectural model shoot and I can't see through the viewfinder myself, I certainly can't see the info screen if its below it). I didn't go with the 18-135 in the end for a lens as there is a vinyetting issue at the high end which bothered me. I got a great deal for the same price at Cameraland in New Hampshire for the D80 and the (D70s) 18-70mm tried and trusted lens. Fab. Now need to save up and wait for the release of the 80-300 VR lens thats coming out. Would love the 80-400 Vr but its 3 times the price.
  My hardest time was finiding someone with it in stock, at a price I wanted to pay, the set up I wanted and who wasn't trying to make a dodgie deal (like some of those cheap web based places in NYC).It really was the hardest part of the purchase in the end. I was surprised. Many people were almost reluctant to make a sale. It was wierd. Parts are hard to get too apparently like a spare battery and very few places have the 18-135 lens instock either.
  Anyway enjoy your purchase if you choose this camera. I hope it takes many great pictures for you.
  
  
• Major Battery Problems When Used With Nikon 18-200mm VR Lenses
  By A2XVYXXXFBIQZB on 2007-07-09
  Many D-80 users, myself included, have problems where the battery dies for no reason when using the 18-200mmVR lens. Evidently it may be a contact issue/voltage related with this combination camera and lens. Nikon has not offered a solution yet and replacement of the body and/or lens does not help. Hence the 3 star rating BUT this camera is fantastic and so is the lens. Hope Nikon solves this soon.
  
  
• Since Pentax K10D is out
  By A8E12RYF292QZ on 2006-12-09
  First, note that most of the reviews for Nikon D80 here are before Pentax
  K10D was out. Since both are similarly priced, I think that it should be
  reviewed relatively. And in my experience with both cameras, I think that
  Pentax K10D is (almost) everyway better than Nikon D80.
  Nikon D80 is a very good camera. If I didn't get Pentax K10D, I would have
  given 5 stars. But if I have to give Pentax 5 stars, I can't give Nikon
  D80 the same.
  
  I ordered Nikon D80 and 18-200mm lens in August from Amazon. They were
  all out of stock, and were expected to arrive in the beginning of Nov.
  But only the camera arrived in early October. Without any lens, I just
  left it for a while, and eventually borrowed a Nikon 50mm F1.4 prime lens
  from a friend. It was pretty nice, and I was satisfied with the result.
  But 18-200mm lens never arrived in Nov. It was in fact pushed further
  back to next year. So, I simply returned D80, and ordered Pentax K10D
  with the kit lens.
  
  I immediately felt the D80 and K10D are in different level. K10D feels
  heavier, bigger, and more professional. K10D's shake reduction really
  worked very well [...]
  And there are tons of more functionalities than D80.
  From my eyes, images qualities are almost the same. K10D slightly
  more vibrant. But all these things can be altered by post-processing,
  and just comparing the image results, I don't think that there is any
  quality difference.
  
  K10D is comapred with Nikon D200 or Canon 30D. It is not same as
  in D80 level, but only in price.
  
  
  
• Comparing the Nikon D40, D80 and D200
  By A29TZ0192IY8IZ on 2007-06-06
  As long as you know what you're buying, it's hard to go wrong with Nikon's digital SLRs. They all take beautiful photographs. Even the basic D40 will give you professional-level clarity, color and focus.
  
  There are four Nikon digital SLRs in the consumer market. Here's how they compare:
  
  The entry-level camera is the Nikon D40. It's a basic SLR camera that takes high-quality 6.1 megapixel (MP) photos. It has an automatic flash, eight programmed exposure modes, three focus areas and a self-timer with four settings (2, 5, 10 and 20 seconds). The D40 can shoot about two-and-a-half images per second and take about 450 photos on each battery charge. Its ISO range is 200-1600. On the downside, it has a plastic body, a semi-mechanical shutter and only accepts Nikon's newer AF-I or AF-S lenses unless you want to manually focus each shot. It weighs about a pound. The basic D40 kit is Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.
  
  One step up from the D40 is the D40x. Using the same body as the D40, it shoots 10.2 MP photos. It can take about three images per second, get about 500 photos out of a single charge, has an ISO range of 100-1600 and has a fully electronic shutter. The most popular D40x set has a single lens: Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.
  
  A major step up is the D80, shown here. About a third-inch wider and four ounces heavier than the D40, it uses the same processor but works fully with any Nikon SLR lens. It has 11 focus areas, a depth-of-field preview in its optical viewfinder, white-balance bracketing and a self-timer that can be set for any time between 2 and 20 seconds. Incredibly, you can get up to 2000 shots on each battery charge, assuming you don't use the LCD screen much. Amazon sells the D80 body separately (Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) and in various lens-package deals.
  
  Finally, the D200 is simply one of the best cameras Nikon has ever built. A half-inch taller and a third-inch wider than the D80, it weighs nearly two pounds thanks to its all-metal body. Designed for more advanced users, it does away with all but the standard programmed exposure mode and instead shoots 5 frames per second, outstanding for a 10 MP ISO 100 camera, especially at this price. It uses Compact Flash cards. In many ways the D200 is a professional camera at a consumer price. This is the camera I use for all but my most demanding shots. From a professional standpoint it really increases your productivity compared to the far bulkier D2 models, as it is so much easier to carry and position. Amazon sells the D200 body by itself (Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and in various package deals.
  
  I'm not including the professional D2 models here, as explaining all their features would drag this review on forever. Besides, from what I've heard the new D3 should be released this fall.
  
  
• Excellent dSLR
  By A2T8NC7TXGYN7F on 2007-03-03
  I bought this camera around 4 months ago and have used it almost every day since then. I spent about 2 months researching cameras online, in stores, and talking to photographers. After all of my research the D80 fit my needs best, and overall I have been extremely happy with it. As someone who has shot with an SLR before, and spent a good but of time in the dark room doing processing and printing, this camera has been a lot of fun. I had gotten out of photography as a hobby due to the time constraints of working in a dark room, but with Photoshop and a digital SLR you can do pretty much anything you want at home in a fraction of the time.
  
  To start with, the ergonomics of this camera are amazing. It feels extremely comfortable in my hands. I would suggest going and handling a few cameras to get an idea of what is comfortable before you buy something. All of the controls are very intuitive, making it easy to switch from shooting with a film camera.
  
  The image quality is great. Much of this depends on your lens, but the sensor on this camera does a tremendous job rendering images that you shoot. If you get a kit, start off with the 18-55mm lens kit, it is a great lens at a low cost. Then research lenses and find out what is best going to fit your needs.
  
  As for quality, the camera is built great. It is not weatherproofed, and has a plastic housing, but unless you are a professional photographer this probably won't matter to you. Just take care of it and it will last you.
  
  So if you are looking to step up to an SLR, this is a great place to start. When you buy this camera, learn how to use it, and you will be very happy with it. If you are looking at something to keep on auto the whole time, stick to a point and shoot because this will not make you a better photographer, although it will make you look like one...
  
  
• Just adding my 5 star rating!
  By A2LEJPX95M1XER on 2006-10-27
  This camera is awesome! I upgraded from my D50 for the better sensor and more MP. Wow - am I amazed at the increase in quality. Say goodbye to that digital look. The extras are a lot of fun and I've only begun to play. B/W with various filters to name one. Very worth the money.
  
  

• Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Induro Carbonflex 8x Tripod CX-213
• Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR
• Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 7
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

• Nikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200, D300, D700 and D80 Digital SLR Cameras
• SanDisk 2 GB SDSDX3-2048-901 Extreme III SD Memory Card (Retail Package)
• Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
• Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60 & D80 Digital SLR Cameras
• Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System