Nikon D80

    55
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    Highlights

    • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
    • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Nikon D80 was announced in 2006 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) DSLR camera with 10.2 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Nikon Dxx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Nikon Dxx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Nikon D90
    Compare
    		October
    2008    		 12.3 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D60
    Compare
    		March
    2008    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D40X
    Compare
    		May
    2007    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D40
    Compare
    		December
    2006    		 6.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D80 September
    2006    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D50
    Compare
    		July
    2005    		 6.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D70s
    Compare
    		April
    2005    		 6.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D70
    Compare
    		April
    2004    		 6.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 1.8"
    130k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Nikon D90 vs D60 vs D40X vs D40 vs D80 vs D50.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D80.

    PROS

    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 61
    •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Nikon D80 to its predecessor D70 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Nikon D80 vs Nikon D70
    Higher Sensor Resolution 10.2 Megapixel vs 6.1 Megapixel
    Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
    Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 3008 x 2000
    Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
    Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 130k dot
    Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.63x vs 0.50x
    Average Metering vs
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.1 vs 20.4
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.2 vs 10.3
    Higher DxO Overall Score 61 vs 50
    Interval Recording possible with optional Timer-Remote or during tethered operation vs
    Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
    Lighter 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz) vs 679 g (1.50 lb / 23.95 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D80 vs Nikon D70
    Lower Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
    Lower Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/500 sec
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 524 vs 529

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D80 vs D70.

    Successor

    In 2008 Nikon D80 was replaced by Nikon D90. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D80 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Nikon D90 vs Nikon D80
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 10.2 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
    Higher Boosted ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    Max Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 vs 3872 x 2592
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Coverage 96% vs 95%
    Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.64x vs 0.63x
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 977 vs 524
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.7 vs 22.1
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.5 vs 11.2
    Higher DxO Overall Score 73 vs 61
    HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
    Built-in Microphone Mono vs
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D90 vs Nikon D80
    Higher Native ISO 200 vs 100
    Average Metering vs
    Heavier 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz) vs 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D80 vs D90.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Nikon D80 has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Nikon D80 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon D80's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.8 mm372.9 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Nikon D80 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D80.

    Nikon D40X
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Nikon D70
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6.1 MP

    Nikon D70s
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6.1 MP

    Nikon D90
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.3 MP

    Nikon D60
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Nikon D40
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6.1 MP

    Nikon D50
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6.1 MP

    Nikon Z30
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Nikon D800E
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    36.3 MP

    Sony a7 III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.2 MP

    Sony a3500
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20 MP

    Fujifilm X-H1
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.3 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Nikon D80 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Nikon D80 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Nikon D80 has Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Nikon D80 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -3 to +1 EV with 1/3 EV step increments.

    Physical Parameters

    Nikon D80 has dimensions of 132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.06 x 3.03"). It weighs 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    132 mm (5.2")

    103 mm (4.06")

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    103 mm (4.06")

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    77 mm (3.03")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Nikon D80 dimensions

    Nikon D80 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon D80 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    63

    Nikon D80 gets a score of 63 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    55

    Nikon D80 gets a score of 55 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    54

    Nikon D80 gets a score of 54 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Nikon D80 gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Nikon D80 gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Nikon D80 gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)

    Nikon D80 Evaluation

    We evaluate Nikon D80 and give score of 55 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    55

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 67 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 61

    Photo

    POOR
    53

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 53 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    75

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 75 for Focusing parameters.

    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 68 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    41

    We give Nikon D80 a score of 41 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 668 g (1.47 lb / 23.56 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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