Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
New 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor with the power to capture exceptional sharpness and faithful color at 3,872 x 2,592 pixels size. Inherits the industry-leading advanced imaging processing engine of Nikon professional D-SLR cameras. Color-independent pre-conditioning prior to A/D conversion works in harmony with high-precision digital image processing algorithms to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful color and tone reproduction. 3D Color Matrix Metering II automatic exposure control ensures ideal exposures in most lighting conditions. Evaluating brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, the system references the data against an expanded onboard database created using data from more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes to instantly and accurately calculate the final exposure value for the shot. Variable center-weighted metering and spot metering centered on the active focus area are also available… more >>
Rating: 
(out of 31 reviews)
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Review by Mr. Robin Guest for Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Rating:
It’s about 15 years since I ‘gave up’ film SLRs…they were big, bulky and heavy and I didn’t want to carry them around anymore. Like many, I flirted with a few compact cameras before working my way onto a few digital compacts (Sony, Canon etc).
Now at a different stage of my life (the kids are grown up!) it felt like the time to get back into SLRs once again.
To be honest, technology is now such that it’s probably difficult to buy a bad DSLR…try some out…they all have fantastic features that put my old film camera to shame. I have however always hankered after a Nikon…cue the D80.
Initially somewhat daunted by the many features available on the D80, I have spent an enjoyable time getting back into SLR cameras again with the D80 – it’s more compact than my old beasts and an awful lot more capable. If you’re unsure, drop into ‘Auto’ mode initially and the camera will do everything for you, other than compose and zoom – you’ll get good results this way. Natural curiosity however will soon have you exploring the Programme, Aperture and Shutter priority modes, plus the auto-bracketing, excellent exposure compensation modes and even in-camera editing facilities. Fancy everything in Manual mode?…not a problem, go for it.
When handling the D80 you will be impressed I’m sure by the feeling of quality and class – not ‘plasticky’ at all as some modern DSLRs tend to be. The 18-135 kit lens is very good and, again, feels solid and reliable.
The D80 has some very detailed and comprehensive in-camera menus. After a couple of days, they all make sense and you’ll soon be whizzing through them. The key thing with the D80 though is that you have bought into the Nikon ‘system’ – an unrivaled collection of lenses and accessories, all oozing quality and class. Nothing is forever of course, especially in this disposable world, but I do tend to feel that the D80 is definitely a long(er) term investment.
Things to buy with the D80 at the same time…? A lens filter (67mm thread), a decent SD or SDHC card (I bought a 4Gb SDHC card) and a nice padded case/bag. After that, well, the Nikon world is your oyster!
A stunning camera – I’m delighted I bought it.
Review by Robert Parker for Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
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It does seem pointless I feel to review this camera, as if you have got this far you’ve already read oodles of reviews in all the magazines and they will have said how fantastic this camera is. BUT if you are thinking about buying a DSLR online, now, without going into a shop as I did, then this really is the one for you. Ignore all the fantastic features, ignore the sensor robbed from its bigger expensive brother, ignore the 11 point focusing system, (or better the movable 11 point single focus) ignore the enormous crisp LCD, the bright well laid out top mounted display, the gorgeous crisp bright viewfinder, ignore all those well placed buttons. The simple fact is, if you are toying with this or the Canon equivalents (as most will be) then buy this for the glorious build quality, the weight and the way you wonder if the Nikon designers have the same sized hands as you (and anyone you pass this camera to) as its simply the best in build quality and ergonomics, the smaller Canons (350 & 400) just feel like plastic toys, and unless you have very small hands you’ll find your last finger flailing around with no-where to go, whereas the bigger ones (20 & 30) are built like a brick outhouse, but sadly look and feel like a brick outhouse.
This is what it boils down to, on spec for £ they all run a photo-finish, on build and handling this ones has got them all well and truly licked.
Review by jcooney for Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
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I love this camera, having had it for almost one year. Yes, it is a bit heavier than similar offerings from Canon, Sony and Olympus but this is due to it’s build quality! Dslrs are not pocket cameras! They will have to take some rough and tumble and the extra weight helps the camera balance when used with larger lenses. I particularly like the extra bright viewfinder, very important and much superior to the Canon Eos 400D.
I bought this camera with the excellent 18-200vr and really love this lens. This is not a lens review but remember, when you buy a Dslr, you are buying into a camera range. It’s essential to look at what accessories are available and Nikon do not disappoint in this area.
There are 11 autofocus points which should be enough for anyone.
Noise control at 400 iso is excellent and is available up to 3200 but is very noisy, so only for emergencies. The D80 has a whole host of in-camera adjustments for adjusting images although I prefer to do this in Photoshop.
I think I will be happy with this camera for a few years yet. This does everything I want it to (takes sharp, low noise, well exposed pictures) and of course, reading the manual is essential to make the best use of all the features but it still isn’t difficult for someone used to film SLRs to pick this camera up and start shooting straight away.
I have bought the SB600 flash which is superb and the 50mm 1.8 lens which is superb for low light. The camera has reduced in price and the weight is not an issue unless you’re a total wimp!
I bought this instead of the Canon 400D as it has better build quality, a better viewfinder and spot metering, Canons usually only have a partial metering option. It is very comfortable to hold, whereas it’s competitors can feel too small and plasticky. And then there is the 18-200VR lens. Canon have nothing like this and as most people have concerns about lugging lenses around, this is an almost do-it-all solution! The Canon 40D has great build quality but in reviews appears to have no better image quality than the 400D and comes with a hefty price tag.
Review by Gluey for Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
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this is a fantastic camera. many ppl i think will be trying to decide whether they should purchase this or the canon eos 400d. i think i should start of by saying that an on paper comparison is not going to help anyone decide which they should get, and i would suspect that those looking for an on-paper comparison are those that are only going to unlock the full potentials of either of these fantastic cameras only very slowly, rather than those that will be looking for a specific set of features.
to cut a long story short, out of the box, either will give u fantastic sharp pictures that will leave you wondering why you didnt upgrade from point and shoot cameras ages ago. however, the canon’s white balance left a little something to be desired compared to the d80. in the automatic modes, i prefer the nikon’s picture, but theres not much in it terms of sharpness, but maybe some elements of personal taste in terms of the overall look of the captured images would send some buyers in one direction or the other, compare reviews online to get a better idea.
i would say tho that in favour of the nikon is the metering system, the viewfinder (bigger and brighter), the status display (which is combined on the lcd in the canon), the 2 control wheels (vs one on the canon so u have to go into a menu if after setting aperture u want to set shutter speed) and a better kit lens, better build quality, and better ergonomics. in favour of the canon are the sensor cleaning and price and bundled software (RAW converter).
both cameras will give u tack sharp results, but i would suggest looking beyond that to make ur decisions; the nikon’s feature set is geared to users who want to do more than point and shoot and are already familiar with using aperture priority and shutter priority etc. from that point of view, i believe the nikon will give more satisfactory results, and give u the oppurtunity to do more with ur picture taking; its almost on a par with the d200 (though of course its not weather sealed).
in summary, the d80 is great, and i thoroughly recommend it!
Review by Robert Parker for Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Rating:
It does seem pointless I feel to review this camera, as if you have got this far you’ve already read oodles of reviews in all the magazines and they will have said how fantastic this camera is. BUT if you are thinking about buying it online, now, without going into a shop as I did, then this really is the one for you. Ignore all the fantastic features, ignore the sensor robbed from its bigger expensive brother, ignore the 11 point focusing system, (or better the movable 11 point single focus) ignore the enormous crisp LCD, the bright well laid out top mounted display, the gorgeous crisp bright viewfinder, ignore all those well placed buttons. The simple fact is, if you are toying with this or the Canon equivalents (as most will be) then buy this for the glorious build quality, the weight and the way you wonder if the Nikon designers have the same sized hands as you (and anyone you pass this camera to) as its simply the best in build quality and ergonomics, the smaller Canons (350 & 400) just feel like plastic toys, and unless you have very small hands you’ll find your last finger flailing around with no-where to go, whereas the bigger ones (20 & 30) are built like a brick outhouse, but sadly look and feel like a brick outhouse.
This is what it boils down to, on spec for £ they all run a photo-finish, on build and handling this ones has got them all well and truly licked.