Nikon D80

Two and a half years ago Nikon announced the six megapixel D70, their first affordable enthusiasts digital SLR, it proved to be a very popular camera and strong competitor to the Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel). Just fifteen months later Nikon revealed the D70s which was essentially the same camera with a some subtle tweaks (improved AF, wider flash coverage, higher capacity battery, larger LCD monitor). And so just over fifteen months on from the D70s Nikon present the latest incarnation of their 'enthusiasts' digital SLR line, the ten megapixel D80.

Canon has ruled the digital SLR camera market for a long time with its 350D, which now costs just £400. The D80 is pitched into the mix above that price point, but still cheap enough that someone looking for their

Many of the assets of Nikon's D200 model in a lower-priced model with a 'quality' look and feel.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. Like most recently-released competitors it sports a 10.2 megapixel sensor (CCD type) and a 2.5-inch LCD. Although closer in size to the D50 than the D70s, which it replaces, the D80 comes with the D200's powerful EN-ELe battery, 11-point AF system and support for wireless flashes.

Hot on the heels of Sony's A100 comes Nikon's D80

Is it possible that one day we might be able to bypass basic, global in computer editing for our digital images, and rely instead on the powerful on-board microprocessors in future digital SLRs? That's the implication of some of the new features in Nikon's latest enthusiast-aimed camera, the D80. Priced at $999 (body only) list, with a kit including an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 DX lens for $1299, the D80 sports a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor and an on-board image-processing engine used in their higher-end digital SLRs, such as the D2Xs.

The D80 is one of the best cameras on the market, offering exceptional image quality and a bevy of features. The default lens has some chromatic aberration issues, but aside from that, we have no issue recommending it.

A hands-on review of the Nikon D80 with a technical comparison with other DSLRs, by Armando Heredia (Covey22)

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Nikon D80

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Review of the Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera designed for amateurs, hobbyists and professionals, featuring high quality, ease of use and excellent ergonomics.

Nikon D80 review, find out how the D80 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.