Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 DSLR camera is aimed squarely at the enthusiast user. This new 10 megapixel model replaces the highly rated Nikon D70s and D70 and fits into the lower end of Nikon's DSLR product hierarchy, above the D50 and below the D200 and other professional camera bodies like the D2Xs.

The DSLR market has undergone a radical transformation in 2006. These detachable lens cameras are no longer regarded mainly as a tool for the serious amateur or professional photographer. An increasing number of models are being released that target a much more varied customer base in the constant battle for sales and revenue. Currently Nikon and Canon dominate this product sector, and the release of every new DSLR from either manufacturer is anticipated and then scrutinized in equal measure.

The Nikon D80 is clearly based on the older D70s, but also borrows a lot of features from the more expensive D200, making it an attractive proposition for the aspiring photographer. So does the Nikon D80 meet the demands of the enthusiast photographer that it's aimed at? Read our latest review to discover if the D80 is the DSLR for you.

Nikon D80 : The Nikon D80 has been introduced today. Incorporating Nikon's latest digital and photographic technologies, this high-performance interchangeable-lens SLR camera features automated operation and advanced features, designed to satisfy photographers with the passion to create beautiful photographs and preserve special moments.

The Nikon D80 features a new 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, bringing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail to the class whilst also providing plenty of freedom to crop creatively and print enlargements. Nikon's DX Format sensor and Nikon F bayonet lens mount design assure unprecedented compatibility across the comprehensive assortment of AF and DX Nikkor lenses.

Nikon D80 - Image processing engine
One of the key advances developed for the D80 is Nikon's own high-resolution image processing engine. Advantages inherited from Nikon's latest professional digital SLR cameras include color independent analog pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms, which combine to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful color and tone reproduction. A new dedicated high-performance processing chip greatly accelerates performance on all levels, while also achieving lower power consumption, assuring more pictures per battery charge.
Nikon D80 digital reflex camera - Scenes
Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II ensures accurate automatic exposure control for ideal exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Evaluating rightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, rather than merely measuring or averaging the true content of each scene, input from the system's frame-wide 420-pixel sensor is automatically referenced against an onboard database of over 30,000 scenes from actual photography to calculate final exposure value.