Nikon D80 review

The Nikon D80 is now an outdated camera, but many amateur and professional photographers continue to use it. Released in the fall of 2006, it remains popular due to its extensive range of useful features and reliable operation. The camera typically comes with one of three lenses.

1. Nikkor AF-S DX 18-135 / 3.5-5.6 G IF-EDthat was announced with the camera
2. Nikkor 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX, one of the best station wagons
3. Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 F3.5-5.6G, a pretty whale lens.

Nikon D80 body

Advantages of the device to which you should pay attention:

1. An excellent viewfinder, more than its predecessors, but still does not provide 100% coverage.
2. Optional liquid crystal display. This is not a relic of the past, but a convenient thing that allows you to quickly configure the necessary little things and save battery in contrast to the large main display. Also, there is a backlight mode, which is very easily turned on by the on / off button of the camera.
3. Focusing drive. He is "engine" or "screwdriver" in common parlance - will allow you to work with all Nikon lenses that have autofocus. This will significantly expand the range of possible optics and save some money. The motor turns the focus quite quickly on my Nikkor 50mm F1.8 D.
4. Matrix in 10MP, type of CCD sensor, working with different cameras, I can say that CCD has sometimes more pleasant colors than CMOS. Also about 10MP - today it is not much and not a little. Don't chase megapixels at all, even professional full-frame cameras Nikon D3, Nikon D700, Nikon D3s have 12MP. I advise my article Battle of Megapixels.
5. Many focus points (areas) (total 11 zones), as much as in the newer Nikon D90 or old semi-professional Nikon D200This is a really useful feature when taking pictures. After 3 focus points on Nikon D40, 11 points on the D80 are just a huge amount.
6. The custom menu, it would seem a trifle, but you can customize the menu for yourself. I usually put out there ISO control functions, the built-in flash mode, battery power and shooting modes (portrait, standard).
7. Great battery, same as in nikon d200, d300-value(s) D90, D700 making it easy to change batteries between cameras. On average, the battery can withstand 1000 to 1500 frames, depending on the lens and shooting method.
8. FP Flash Sync Modeallowing you to shoot with an external flash with shutter speed up to 1/4000. An indispensable function, how to use, read in my article "how to take pictures with flash during the day»
9. External flash control mode. An indispensable feature - allows you to remotely control external flash units at a distance in i-TTL mode. SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900 и SB-910 Ideal for such control. It is enough to switch the built-in flash to the control mode (C - Comand Mode) and set the synchronization settings.
10. A programmable button on which you can hang a number of functions, I personally set it to focus modes - by point, auto, dynamic zone.
11. A separate button for bracketing will always allow you to simplify the setup and selection of the frame with a successful exposure. By the way, there is an opportunity bracketing on BB and by flash.

Disadvantages:

1. Joystick (multi selector) without central button - quite unusual for our time. This slightly reduces the ergonomics of the camera. Even on small Nikon D40 the joystick has a central OK button. In the D80, the "OK" button is taken out separately and to press it, you need to move your fingers from one place to another.
2. Metering does not work exposure with manual lenses, a rather inconvenient thing if you, for example, use Soviet optics. And any manual optics from Nikon will work only in manual mode - this means that the camera cannot measure exposure with lenses that do not have a chip.
3. The camera does not show as fast a reaction as we would like it to be (although this does not apply to the shooting process itself). There is no info button. The overall reaction speed (menu, switching modes) as in Nikon D40. But then, navigation on the secondary display is just great.
4. Not necessary and not programmable button for viewing depth of field. On the cropped matrix, it does not really allow you to peer into the DOF (DOF). It would be better if the company spent on such a pleasant trifle as vibrational cleaning of the matrix or increased the shutter speed to 1/8000.
5. On my copy, after 20.000 frames, the gum on the rear panel began to peel off - most Nikon's problem. It is solved by repeated gluing, and sometimes by complete removal from the camera. After 128.000 frames on the camera, the frame counter turns off and starts counting in the opposite direction. But the mileage of over 100.000 on my copy only says that the camera is really very high quality.

Currently, this is Nikon's cheapest and most practical APS-C DSLR camera , offering nearly all the features of a professional camera. While there are virtually no new cameras available, the used market offers a huge selection of Nikon D80s. If you value functionality at a minimal cost, the Nikon D80 is the best option.

Nikon D80 rear view

A quick comparison with its relative, the Nikon D90 :

The Nikon D80 has a base ISO of 100, compared to the Nikon D90 's ISO 1. The Nikon D90 has a one-stop higher maximum ISO, now at 6400. The Nikon D80 has a 2,5-inch screen with 230 pixels, compared to the D90's 3-inch screen with 920.000 pixels . And of course, the D90 has Live View and video recording. The Nikon D90 also wins in terms of performance: 4.5 fps versus 3 fps. Otherwise, the cameras are very similar. I don't recommend upgrading from the Nikon D80 to the Nikon D90, D300 , or D300s unless absolutely necessary. If you do decide to upgrade, it's best to go with the Nikon D7000 or the full-frame Nikon D700 , or similar cameras.

Here is a link to the archive with the originals - 586 MB, 73 photos in .NEF ( RAW ) format from a Nikon D80 camera.

A quick comparison with its predecessor, the Nikon D200 :

The Nikon D80 has the same sensor as the semi-professional Nikon D200 camera . The only difference is the sensor configuration: the Nikon D200 has a dual sensor, allowing for 5 frames per second, while the Nikon D80 has a single sensor, allowing for only 3 frames per second. Generally speaking, the sensors are different. The image quality is very similar; I used both the Nikon D200 and D80 for a long time. The Nikon D200 is also dust and moisture resistant, has more features, can work with manual lenses like AI-S , and has a shutter speed that is half that of the Nikon D80 – 1/8000s versus 1/4000s. The Nikon D200 also has a 1,005 sensor, compared to 420 on the Nikon D80. The Nikon D80 uses SD cards, compared to the larger CF cards on the Nikon D200. The ergonomics are also different. With the Nikon D80, you'll get the same image quality as the Nikon D200. When choosing between the Nikon D80 and the Nikon D200, the deciding factor was battery life, which drains very quickly on the D200. I don't recommend upgrading from the Nikon D80 to the Nikon D200.

In my humble opinion, it's impractical to compare the Nikon D70 (s) due to the vast differences in functionality. It inherited its classic design from the D70 .

Sample photos on Nikon D80

All photos in this review are unprocessed . They have been resized to 2 or 3 MP and their EXIF ​​data has been imprinted.

Features and recommendations for the use of Nikon D80:

The camera can accurately display the number of shots taken with each battery and display the battery level with an accuracy of one percent. Incidentally, the battery is the same as the Nikon D90, D700 , D200, D300 , and D300s , making it convenient for me to swap batteries between my D90 and D80.

Tips:

• I advise you to program a function button to select the focus mode, this will help you quickly switch between automatic and spot focus mode. Also turn off high ISO and long shutter noise reduction functions, since they greatly reduce the number of frames in the buffer, there are about three of them. With disabled features you can achieve 6 frames in RAW in the buffer.
• I use Nikon D80 and 32GB Class 10 without any problems SD HC memory card, this means that the camera works adequately with new memory cards, so you don’t have to worry about the age and compatibility of the camera.
• Since this is still a DX camera, I do not advise buying expensive DX lenses for it, then you still have to switch to a full frame. Well, if the DX format is fine, then Nikon 35mm F1.8, Nikon 55-200 and classic Nikon 50mm f / 1.8D AF Nikkor will be a great addition to the camera for little money.

Conclusions:

The Nikon D80 is a venerable marvel of camera technology with a wealth of features. Suitable for both amateurs and professionals, I recommend it as a budget option for any need.

An Accurate List of All Nikon DX Nikkor Lenses for DSLR Cameras

Fixes

1. Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5 mm 1: 2.8G ED GOLD [AMAZON]
2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G SWM Aspherical [AMAZON]
3. Nikon DXAF-S Microphone Nikkor 40 mm 1:2.8G SWM Micro 1:1 [AMAZON]
4. Nikon DXAF-S Microphone Nikkor 85 mm 1: 3.5G ED VR SWM IF Micro 1:1 [AMAZON]

Wide angle

1. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 10-20mm 1: 4.5-5.6G VR [AMAZON]
2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 10-24mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1:4G ED SWM IF Aspherical GOLD [AMAZON]

Universal

1. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 16-80mm 1:2.8-4E N ED VR SWM IF Aspherical GOLD [AMAZON]
2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 16-85mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1:2.8G ED SWM IF Aspherical GOLD [AMAZON]
4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED SWM Aspherical [AMAZON]
5. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6GII ED SWM Aspherical [AMAZON]
6. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G SWM VR aspherical [AMAZON]
7. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II [AMAZON]
8. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G [AMAZON]
9. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR [AMAZON]
10. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
11. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
12. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-135mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
13. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
14. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
15. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII ED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
16. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]
17. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm 1: 3.5-6.3GED SWM VR IF Aspherical [AMAZON]

Televisions

1. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED SWM [AMAZON]
2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM [AMAZON]
3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6GII ED VR II [AMAZON]
4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm 1: 4.5-5.6G ED VR SWM HRI [AMAZON]
5. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ed [AMAZON]
6. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ed VR [AMAZON]

Exact list of all Nikon F DX cameras:

• D1, D1h, D1x, D2h, D2x, D2hs, D2xs
• D100, D200, D300, D300s, D500
• D70, D70s D80, D90
• D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500
• D50, D40, D40x, D60
• D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500
• D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600
• + Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 Pro/S3 Pro UVIR, S5 Pro/IS Pro

1. Basic information on the Nikon system (lenses, cameras, compatibility, a lot of information).
2. Nikon camera selection (models, recommendations, discussion)
3. All Nikon digital cameras with interchangeable lenses. Their types and dates of announcements. Camera designations s, h, x, e, a.
4. Methods and modules for metering Nikon cameras.
5. Processors of Nikon cameras. Performance.
6. Focusing systems for Nikon cameras.
7. Sensors of Nikon cameras (who produces, which models are used)
8. Which external flash to choose for Nikon cameras?
9. Other articles on Nikon / Nikkor cameras and lenses.

This material was prepared by Arkady Shapoval . The greatest support for the site is if you use links on this site, such as Amazon , when purchasing anything . It costs you nothing, but for this site, and therefore for my family, it's the main source of support.