Nikon D80 SLR Digital Camera - A New Standard in Value

Nikon D80 Announcement

Nikon D80 Review

For those who take their photography seriously, the Nikon D80 DSLR is a digital camera that should definitely be considered. The D80 is regarded as an upgrade to the D70s by some. However, with a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 10.2 megapixels, high-speed image capture and processing, and super-fast startup and shutter response, the D80 contains much of the technology found in the more expensive D200 at only a fraction of the price. The Nikon D80 will begin shipping in September 2006; for those who can wait a few weeks for their next DSLR, this camera may be the value of the year.

The Nikon D80 can be ordered at RitzCamera.com, body only or packaged with popular lenses.

With technology sophisticated enough for professional photographers, and a price low enough for serious amateurs, the Nikon D80 is ready whenever the moment occurs. Here are some of the features that make the Nikon D80 SLR digital camera one of the best values in digital cameras today:

• A 10.2-Megapixel, Nikon DX-format CCD imaging sensor: This charged coupled device (CCD) chip is optimized by Nikon to deliver a wide dynamic range of both color and sensitivity. It allows the capture of incredible high-resolution images (3872 x 2592 pixels) containing vivid colors and detail.
• A new high-res image processing engine by Nikon: The high-speed, 12-bit image processing engine combines improved image processing algorithms with color independent, analog pre-conditioning.
• Like the D200, the Nikon D80 contains a 2.5-inch, LCD color monitor: The LCD screen allows wide-angle (170-degree) viewing. The 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT display gives playback of images with bright color and excellent clarity.
• Easy-to-use viewfinder: Large, bright, with optical glass and 0.94X magnification, the Nikon D80 makes composing frames through the viewfinder easy, even in low light conditions.
• Almost instantaneous start-up: The Nikon D80 powers up and is ready to use in an instant - 0.18 seconds.
• Fast shutter responsiveness: The Nikon D80's shutter responds in a mere 80ms (0.08 seconds) from the moment the shutter release button is pressed.
• Ultra-fast continuous shooting: The D80 can capture images at up to 3 fps (frames per second) for up to 100 consecutive images in JPEG format. Fast framing rates, high-speed buffer memory handling, fast image processing, high-speed memory card access and a large-bandwidth system bus all help the D80 capture and store photographs instantly.
• Tested at up to 2700 images per battery charge: (However, this is under extremely ideal, near-perfect conditions. 400-500 shots per battery charge is a much more reasonable estimate for the D80.) Powered by Nikon's EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, the Nikon D80 contains super-efficient power systems that reduce power consumption and a Fuel Gauge that shows how much battery charge is left in real-time. with .
• Variable center-weighted and spot metering, plus the Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II: The 3D Color Matrix Metering II in the Nikon D80 is much more sophisticated than your usual multi-pattern metering systems. It instantly and accurately evaluates selected focus area(s), subject-to-camera distance, color, brightness, and contrast, and then references the results against a stored database of 30,000 scenes. You can adjust the size of the center-weighted area reading and spot metering readings correspond to 11 separate focusing points. The Nikon D80 also includes an 11-area Auto-Focus (AF) system with Auto-area AF functions. For example, the D80 can automatically track the primary subject of an image as it moves across the focus points.
• Built-in Speedlight with Nikon i-TTL flash metering and two-group Wireless Commander: Nikon’s i-TTL flash control evaluates flash exposure with precision to achieve better automatic flash balance and deliver outstanding results with the SB-R200, SB-600, and SB-800 Speedlights.
• The Nikon D80 provides both PAL and NTSC video output
• Flexible interfaces: The Nikon D80 can interface via a high-speed USB 2.0 port (mini-B connector) or with an SD card slot. The D80 also supports firmware updates via SD cards
• In-Camera editing and retouching of images: In-camera editing features include red-eye correction, image trimming, image overlay, monochrome, custom color filter effects and more.
• Remote control: Both corded and wireless remote control are options on the Nikon D80.

Nikon D80 Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Digital Camera, Single-lens reflex (SLR)
• Pixels: 10.2 million Effective
• Nikon D80 Image Sensor: Nikon DX format RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8mm; 10.75 million total pixels
• Nikon D80 LCD Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment allows up to 170-degree viewing angle.
• Image Size in pixels: 1936 x 1296 [Small], 2896 x 1944 [Medium], 3872 x 2592 [Large]
• ISO Sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index): 100 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1
• Nikon D80 Storage Media: SD memory card
• Storage System: JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant, Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression
• File System: DPOF, Compliant DCF 2.0, and Exif 2.21
• White Balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), 6 manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin), preset white balance; white balance bracketing is also available
• D80 Compatible Lenses: Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
• Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (approx. 0.5m to 3.0m); Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20 degrees Centrigrade/68 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Lens Servo: Instant single-servo (AF-S); continuous-servo (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); manual (M); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF
• Focus Areas: 11 areas; any single area can be selected; center focus area can be switched from normal to wide-frame
• AF (Auto-focus) Area Modes: 1) Single Area AF focuses only on subjects in the selected area. Selection can be made from any one of the eleven AF spot sensors. 2) Dynamic Area AF focuses on the primary subject in the selected area, but follows the subject if it moves from its original position, shifting automatically to the focus area into which the subject has moved. 3) Auto-area AF measures all eleven focus areas, automatically determines which of them are aimed on the subject, and activates only those areas.
• Focus Lock: Pressing the shutter button of the Nikon D80 halfway down will lock the focus (single-servo AF) or also by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
• Nikon D80 Playback Function: 1) Full frame; 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); 3) Zoom; 4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion); 5) RGB histogram indication; 6) Shooting data; 7) Highlight point display; 8) Auto image rotation
• Delete Function: Card format, All photographs delete, Selected photographs delete
• Video Output: The Nikon D80 Can be selected from PAL and NTSC formats
• Interface: High-speed USB 2.0 (mini-B connector); SD card slot: Nikon D80 supports firmware updates via SD cards
• Text Input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header
• Picture Angle: Equivalent in (135) 35mm format is approximately 1.5 times the focal length of the lens
• Eyepoint: 19.5mm (-1.0m-1)
• Focusing Screen: Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines
• D80 Viewfinder: Fixed, eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0m-1)
• Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approx. 95% (vertical and horizontal)
• Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1
• Viewfinder Information: Focus indications, Metering system, AE/FV lock indicator, Flash sync indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, ISO sensitivity, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures
• Nikon D80 Exposure Metering System: Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering; 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor; 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10mm diameter circle in center of frame; 3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm diameter circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used, or if Auto-area AF is selected)
• Exposure Metering Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F): 1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering); 2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering)
• Exposure Meter Coupling: CPU coupling
• Exposure Modes: Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait); Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]
• Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
• Exposure Lock: Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
• Auto Exposure and Flash Bracketing: 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV Shooting Modes: 1) Single frame shooting mode; 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3 frames per second; 3) Self-timer; 4) Delayed remote mode; 5) Quick-response remote mode shutter: Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
• Sync Contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec.
• Flash Control: 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensorBuilt-in Flash, SB-800, SB-600: i-TTL balanced fill-flash (except when using spot metering exposure mode), Built-in Flash, SB-800, SB-600: standard i-TTL flash (when using spot metering); 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens; 3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s; 4) Range-priority manual; available with SB-800
• Flash Sync Mode: 1) Auto; 2) Fill-in flash; 3) Red-eye Reduction; 4) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync; 5) SlowSync; 6) Rear-curtain Sync; 7) Off
• Nikon D80 Built-in Flash: (Auto, Portrait, Macro Close up, Night Portrait) auto flash with auto pop-up; Manual pop-up with button releaseGuide number (ISO 100, m/ft.): approx. 13/42
• Flash Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
• Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided
• Self-timer: Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration (2, 5, 10, and 20 second selectable)
• Depth of Field Preview: When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes)
• D80 Remote Control: Via MC-DC1 Remote Cord (optional) or ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (optional)
• Power Source: One EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MB-D80 battery pack (optional) with one or two rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or six AA alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese (ZR6) AA batteries, EH-5 AC Adapter (optional)
• Tripod Socket: 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): Approximately 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 inches (132 x 103 x 77mm)
• Weight: Approximately 1 lb. 5 oz. (585g) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover
• Accessories Supplied with the Nikon D80 Camera Body: EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, EG-D2Audio Video Cable, UC-E4 USB Cable, Strap, Body cap, DK-5Eyepiece Cap, DK-21 Rubber Eyecup, BM-7 LCD monitor cover, Accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area.
• Nikon D80 Optional Accessories: MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack, DK-21M Magnifying Eyepiece, EH-5 AC Adapter, ML-L3 Wireless MC-DC1 Remote Control, Remote Cord, SB-800/SB-600/SB-R200 Speedlights, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro