Nikon D80 Review

“Although the D80 and D200 have a lot in common, the D200 takes a feature of the D80 and ups it one. For example, the D200 has 5fps vs 3. The built-in wireless commander can control 3 groups of flashes vs. 2. The Auto focus has additional modes (zones) to track action better. The durable D200 body is metal and weather sealed. Those who work in the field covering events like weddings may opt for the D200 because of the available WT-2A wireless radio transmitter - the D80 has no such accessory. The list goes on. As Nigel from Spinal Tap says, “The D200 goes to 11″.”

So says the LocalViewfinder.com review of the Nikon D80. Anybody who quotes Spinal Tap is pretty cool in my book. The Nikon D80 digital SLR updates the D70 with a slightly smaller body but more features. Announced in August 2006, it’s positioned between the entry-level D50 and semi-professional D200, squarely targeting photographic enthusiasts or those who simply want a step-up from a budget model. True to Nikon’s commitment to intuitive operation, the size, layout and operation of all buttons and controls are designed for maximum ease of use.

CNET adds to this-

“With the D80, Nikon has proven that it is very much still pushing ahead strongly. With 10.2 megapixels, lightning-fast performance, high-quality images with very low noise, and a heaping pile of convenience features, Nikon’s D80 will not disappoint. We’re just eager to see how it stacks up to Canon’s Rebel XTi, which is due to hit stores just weeks from now. But, if you already own some Nikon lenses and have been waiting for an affordable 10.2-megapixel dSLR, this one is a sure winner.”