Nikon D80

Advantages: perfect grip, large prismatic viewfinder
Disadvantages: doesn't have internal memory

Nikon D80 My first real DSLR camera, which I have become addict to even if it requires me to learn a lot and keep challenging myself into operating it better and better ammoed with knowledge. It had been my dream to own a SLR camera, I've always had a passion for the big cameras and I was jealous of the pro photographers and the pictures they got. When I was little, my parents had an old Czech-made camera including all the stuff you need to ...
...of SLR cameras. Nikon D80 was introduced by Nikon Corporation, a Japanese company, in the end of 2006 and now quite soon its new sister D90 is expected. However, eventhough the camera's not the newest hot stuff on the market, it's a piece of quality product, which was proven by the two years it's been with us. I'm not really gonna list all the technical facts, that you can find anywhere on the internet and it's not my point anyway. I considered both ... Read review

Advantages: Many settings are adjustable by easy to reach dials and buttons
Disadvantages: It is necessary to purchase a memory card seperately

I purchased this camera in April, 2008, and I am glad I did ! I purchased a 'kit' package which included the D80 body and a 18 - 135 mm AL lense. The kit does not come with a memory card which has to be purchased seperately. After charging the battery I had the camera functioning in a matter of seconds. It is almost instantaneously ready for use when you switch it on which is excellent. With it switched to auto mode it functions just like a point ...
...wait for the autofocus to happen ( normally a second or less ) then click ! But it is far more than a point and shoot camera - there are a multitude of settings that can be user defined ensuring that the the camera can be used by a novice to the experienced digital photographer. Books are written on this and there is not enough space here to go into it further ! The instruction book that comes with the kit is NOT user friendly and I recommend buying ... Read review

Advantages: Best Feature in Great Price
Disadvantages: None

...The D80 is another superb camera in Nikon's impressive DSLR range. It is extremely well made, incredibly versatile and capable of fantastic picture quality. The Nikon D80 is an enthusiast's dream and is incredibly rewarding to use. I had always a dream of buying Nikon D200 but with the release of D80 in much more economical price and the features somehow same to the D200, I was impressed. It has a new and improved 10.2-megapixel image sensor. It is an interesting mix of point-and-shoot and serious camera, Nikon's D80 has been touted as a 'little sister' to the D200 model and offers many of the same features and the 'quality' feel users have come to expect from Nikon DSLRs. This is a highly recommended camera that can outrun every other DSLR camera in the market.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: High quality sensor, fast, responsive, it's a Nikon!
Disadvantages: Erratic light meter

...This is my first Digital SLR camera and have found it to be very good overall. The 10.2 megapixel sensor records very fine pictures especially when set to 100 ISO. Noise or grain gets quite noticeable when set to 800 ISO and above but still usable up to 1600. The D80 is fast and responsive and has Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual and loads of Program modes which I never use. The viewfinder is bright and clear and the playback screen is very good. The minor drawbacks are: 1.Erratic light meter, but easy to compensate. 2. No ISO reading in viewfinder. Easy to forget to change to desired ISO. 3. I often change between single frame, multi frame and self timer and find this button awkward 'cos it is recessed. 4. Only 95% viewfinder coverage.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: easy to use, self-explanatory, excellent picture quality and clear bright vivid photos
Disadvantages: difficulty recognising lens occasionally, cache could be bigger for saving RAW files

...I have owned this camera for over 8 months now and it just gets better and better. It is incredibly easy and simple to use. Due to the large LCD your are able to check your image and zoom right in immediately to see the quality of the image and even edit the image whilst still in the camera. The buttons are well spaced and easy to change with one hand whilst holding the camera, it is light but does get considerably heavier when used with a battery grip and flash but is still manageable. I found it very quick to download images but the cache could be bigger when saving RAW files as this freezes the camera until they have transferred and you are ready to shoot again which isn't ideal. In comparison to the Canon 400d an the 30d I found the Nikon superior. The colours are bright and the images sharp.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful