Rather than reinvent the wheel and write Another comprehensive review of the Nikon D80, I figured I'd tell you my impression of it. Keep in mind, I'm a hobby photographer, not really a professional. Also, while I think you CAN'T go wrong with any DSLR on the market, I'm biased towards Nikon. I started with my cousin's Nikon F, eventually got a Nikon 5700 with a SB-80DX Flash, currently own a Nikon D70s, a Nikon SB-800 Flash, A Nikon 18-200mm DX VR lens and now a Nikon D80.
I think you get the picture: I like Nikon products, so consider yourself warned.
To start to describe the D80 in a word: Fantastic!
Like the other Nikon's I'd had, it has a very comfortable feel to the grip and the camera is nicely balanced. It's a slightly smaller camera than the D70s but not too small. I didn't think of the D70s as a large camera, but apparently it is bigger than normal. It also has a few features that I really like:
- It's Fast. According to Nikon, you could continuously fire off up to 100 jpegs. Excessive? Maybe, but it's nice to know it's there.
- ISO Auto. This adds ISO setting as a parameter to the program modes (i.e. Shutter or Aperture Priority). Via the Menu, you set the Max ISO you will allow and the Minimum shutter speed. In my case, this is very Useful as I don't like to fire below 1/60th of a second. If I set the ISO to 320, go into a sudden shade area, the camera will raise the ISO if it has to to get the shot at least 1/60th of a second.
- A programmable function button. This is entirely a creature feature under the focus assist light. Out of the Box, it will display the ISO when hit. Me, I have it set up to turn the Grid on the viewfinder. I don't need the Grid on full time, but occasionally, I like it to help me line up a shot.
- Easier review of images. On the D70's you hit the pad to scroll thru the images. Up or down to change images, left or right to get info on that image. On the D80, you use the Command Dial in the rear to scroll between images. The Command dial on the front scrolls between information on individual photo's.
These items are just the ones that come off the top of my head. My short Wish list for the D80 has nothing to do with the D80: I can't wait for Adobe to Update their RAW importer. Currently, it does not support the D80, but I bet it's just a matter of time before it does.
For photo's I've taken with the Nikon D80, see here on Flickr.
I'm particularly happy with this one:
More photos after the break.
Music I'm listening to right Now:
"Cambia La Piel" by Ricky Martin from his "Sound Loaded" Album.
Here is a shot showing the Function Button. This is not a big deal per se, but nice to have.
Did I mention it uses SD instead of Compact Flash? Not a big deal: I had to get a new Sandisk 12 in 1 reader.
The Back of the Camera (BIG LCD):
The back of the camera is nicely laid out too. The controls you while taking a photo are all near your thumb.
Top of the Camera:
Controls near the shutter release:
All The Controls are placed in comfortable locations. You don't need to be a contotionist to use them.
Here are some shots of the Nikon D70s and the Nikon D80 side by side:
