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Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) | List Price: $799.95
Discount Price: $619.00
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Brand: Nikon
Binding: Electronics
Features: - 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for large, photo-quality prints
- Body only; lens must be purchased separately
- 2.5-inch LCD display; power-up time of approximately 0.2 seconds
- RAW and JPEG capture; burst mode allows for capture of three frames per second for up to 100 pictures
- Image optimization functions and in-camera image retouching
SLR to DSLR-Made the Switch [Posted on 2008-09-22]
While it took many months of research and comparison, I finally narrowed the decision down to the Nikon D80. I have to say that I was slightly influenced by the slight lead that Nikon continues to hold in their high quality lenses. My main choice was between the Nikon D80 and the Canon EOS. My hands are smaller, and the Nikon just seemed to fit better.
The capabilities of both systems are amazing, and it boils down to which you like better. The in camera editing feature of the D80 is a nice touch and has been useful occasionally.
I am by no means anything more than an amateur shooter, but this camera has been easy to use, and to figure out more as I progress in my capabilitys. For a hobbyist, this is a great appetizer before you jump to the pro level cameras, and teaches you many things.
Exelent [Posted on 2008-09-23]
Best choice betwen price and permormance. Good for big amateurs and little professional. Perfect in mid range cameras. if yuo want go to next step (d300) you need pay Doubble price.
Not Great [Posted on 2008-10-05]
I researched the D80 for a year before I bought it. I ended up getting the D80 with the 18-135 lens. Then I bought the 10-20mm Sigma lens; and next I bought the 50-300mm Sigma Macro lens. Every review basically said it was amazing. Well, I have never been more disappointed! This camera is NOT worth what it costs. To date I've spent well over $2,000 and it simply can not compare to my 40 year old Konica film SLR.
Good points: screen size; start up speed; ability to take numerous pictures in a row very quickly; easy menu & good editing programs.
Bad points: 18-135mm lens is obviously cheap and takes very poor pictures (unless you're just going quick indoor shots - then it's okay); the pop-up flash is weak - very, very weak; the printed picture quality is abysmal - always looks flat; the manual settings do not work like a normal SLR - the light meter is off and I need to always go darker or the pictures are very white
I have been using film SLR's for many, many years but as good film is harder & harder to find, I "upgraded" to the D80. I have no confidence in it however, and am now going back to shooting with my film SLR (using slide film) as a backup to the D80.
I do not recommend this camera. Buy a point & shoot digital instead - the picture quality can't be any worse. This is not a good investment.
Awesome, quality camera. [Posted on 2008-10-14]
I bought my Nikon D80 on Labor Day weekend 08. I originally was looking hardcore at the D40 adn D60 or the Canon XTi or XSi. The D80 was out of my price range and not really on my radar. I went into Circuit City knowing kind of what I wanted but knowing that I was open to being upsold. Upsold I was and I won't get into that bc it's irrelevant (though I can tell you I'll never buy a product from Circuit City again). Regardless, I allowed myself to be talked into buying the D80 with the 18-135mm zoom lens. At first I wasn't thrilled. I was worried about the money and I was overwhelmed by the features on the camera.
I've now had this camera for about a month and a half and I love it. I read the manual from front to back PLUS I read the Dummies Guide to DSLRs and learned a lot. I took the camera out shooting in all different kinds of modes and took a ton of pictures in my house of just anything with the manual open. In this way, I learned a lot about the D80 and am 100% satisfied with my purchase. When I look at the D80 and then other cameras, it just has so many features on it that I cannot drum up any buyer's remorse. I am a novice DSLR user and I know that I haven't even reached the tip of the ice berg on using this camera in the myriad ways it can be used.
I wanted to buy a camera that would be quality, that would be sturdy, that would complement a novice DSLR user and would allow me to grow with it as I became more aware of its features. I recently took a trip to LA and I took over a thousand pictures. Even on auto mode, the quality of the pictures was absurdly high. Once I stopped babying the camera (keeping the lens off and the camera safely in its camera bag) and started just bringing it with me (throwing it over my shoulder or in my tote bag), I started to have a lot of fun with it.
Bottom line is that I researched a lot of cameras and read a lot of reviews before buying this camera. There are merits to buying different cameras but I am not disappointed with my purchase at all. To those who are novices like me, I truly feel that this is a camera that you can use point and shoot OR to learn on to take artistic shots. I hope that this review helped you. Good luck!
Oh one last thing...I ended up buying the 18-55mm VR (Vibration Reduction) lens separately. I highly recommend this lens. The 18-135mm lens that comes with the kit is good and allows you to get pretty close to subjects far away and so I appreciate that it came with the camera body as a package...BUT the VR in the 18-55mm really does make a difference when quickly shooting things you don't want to miss. I have a bunny and three cats. When they are up to something, it helps to have VR so as not to get a blurred shot. This has come in handy for night shots too when I don't want a flash. Just thought I'd add that tidbit (I don't even take this lens off of the camera, I use it so often).
Does everything I ask. [Posted on 2008-11-03]
I bought this over a month ago. I was a happy owner of the great D40 but I like using prime lenses and the D40 did not support auto focus on the 50mm 1.8 and 35mm f2. I could have spent money on third party lenses instead but decided to just get a new body. Well, I am glad I made the move. The D80 takes slightly better pictures anyway but in terms of usability, it's way better than the D40. Fully loaded. I love it. The D90 is out now and is gonna be a better machine but the D80 should be a definite consideration if you are looking for a cheap DSLR that will never let you down. The design and quality are top notch. The only minor gripe is that it slightly over-exposes. However, this is a common fault on digital sensors and is easy to fix before or after. Still a winner.
Bottom line. If you are looking at a D40/60 then you will be happy with the results. However, if like me you are the type of person that really likes to get into a hobby go for the more functional D80.
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