http://www.stevezimages.com/nikon-pentax/
The Nikon D80 DSLR Camera Review
The Nikon D80 Digital Slr camera is perhaps not exactly what Nikon fans were expecting. It’s meant to replace the D70, yet it’s strikingly similar. This brings to mind an interesting issue. All companies, electronics or otherwise, are under constant pressure from their shareholders to release new products. Even you produce the enormously popular “super widget” your stock holders will darn well expect you to produce “super duper widget” in the next fiscal year. In this sense, the D80 might be Nikon telling us that the D70 was a great camera that needed few improvements.
The D80 offers a new “kit” lens, the 18-135mm f/4-5.6G AF-S ED DX, and a new vertical grip, the MB-D80. The kit lens is, by definition, fairly low-end, made to keep the price of the camera affordable to the photography newbie. The zoom has a considerably slower shutter speed than the D70 – 1/4000 compared to the previous 1/8000.
I was happy to discover that there were also some welcome improvements. The D80′s viewfinder is larger and brighter than the D70′s, and the sensor has around 30% more resolution.
The sensor in the D80 is an ICX493AQA CCD made by Sony. The same sensor is used in the Sony Alpha 100 and Pentax K10D. 10.2 megapixels translates as 3872 x 2592 pixel images, enough to produce straight-from-camera prints up to about 11×16″ without resizing. The base ISO of the CCD is 100, with third-stop increments up through ISO 1600. You can also boost ISO one more stop, up to an effective ISO 3200.
Noise in the D80 sensor stems mainly from three design elements: the APS frame size, the smaller overall size of the photosites as compared to the 6mp sensors, and the lack of in-sensor NR electronics. That said, Nikon has integrated a number of things into the D80 to address the potential for increased noise over the previous consumer cameras. For example, once again data is kept in 12-bit space right up until the final compression to an 8-bit JPEG. Second, the internal digitization engine has a noise reduction component in it. All in all, low light images are easily comparable quality to the D70. This is perhaps primarily due to the larger CCD sensor.
The Camera Body is technically slightly smaller in all dimensions compared to those of the D70s, but current owners will find the design very similar. Most of the buttons are the same and in the same places, and there are dedicated buttons for many commonly used functions. For example, a cluster of buttons next to the shutter let you change metering mode, exposure compensation, drive mode, and AF mode. Meanwhile, the buttons to the left of the 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen let you change white balance, ISO, and image size and quality settings without diving into menus. About the only function without its own dedicated control is AF zone selection, though the camera’s programmable function button can be programmed to cover that if you so choose. The default for this button is to display the current ISO setting.
Three dials adorn the camera body. The mode dial lets you choose between program, aperture- or shutter-priority, full manual, full auto, or any of six preset exposure scene modes. The other two dials, located on the front and back of the grip, let you change aperture and shutter speed. Together, they make full manual shooting quick and easy, with a menu system that is easy to use.
For the most part, Nikon has negotiated the quality trade-off well in order to offer a DSLR camera for under $1000. It’s still slightly pricier than comparable Canon or Petax models, but with Nikon’s imaging reputation, it can easily charge a touch more without anyone blinking a eye.
About the Author
This article was written by Brandon York. Brandon is a technology buff who likes to share his gadget enthusiasm. For
Professional Digital SLR Cameras
as well as Point and Shoot
Digital Cameras
check out ChosenMobile.com.
JUEYING Infrared Remote Control for Canon Nikon Sony PENTAX CONICA MINOLTA from Dinodirect.com
|
|
SMC PENTAX MF 500mm f/4.5 for Nikon SLR D $1,999.95 |
|
|
Pentax SMC Reflex 1000mm F 1:11 Lens For Nikon Ex++ 9-/10 $1,799.95 |
|
|
Contax Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm/f1.4 AEG 35/1.4 Canon Nikon Yashica Pentax $1,420.42 |
|
|
*** Leica Super_Angulon 21mm f4, Free convert to Nikon , Sony , Pentax ! $1,300.00 |
|
|
Underwater housing x Digital reflex 1 CANON PENTAX NIKON OLYMPUS SONY PANASONIC $1,279.00 |
|
|
Underwater housing x Digital reflex 2 CANON PENTAX NIKON OLYMPUS SONY $1,279.00 |
|
|
SLR Film 35 mm Camera PENTAX KX 50 mm F 1.2 lens USED Colection Fuji Canon NIKON $1,275.00 |
|
|
Yongnuo YN462 Flash Speedlite For Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus DSL Camera YN-462 $1,038.36 |
|
|
*** EXC+ Leica Summicron-R 90mm f2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 Canon Nikon Pentax *** $867.42 |
|
|
Pentax 17/4 SMC Fish-Eye-Takumar…..Nikon mount/ Minty $850.00 |
|
|
***Leica R Macro 100mm f4 E55 – Free convert to Sony ,Nikon , Pentax mount ! $790.00 |
|
|
***Leica R 60mm f2.8 – Free convert to Sony ,Nikon , Pentax mount ! $780.00 |
|
|
Leica R Leica 180mm F2.8 – Germany – Convert to Nikon , Pentax , Sony $680.00 |
|
|
Lots 10 YONGNUO original Flash Speedlite YN560 für Nikon Canon Pentax Olympus $679.59 |
|
|
@ Asahi Pentax FISH EYE TAKUMAR 17mm f/4 [17 M42 CANON NIKON SONY OLYMPUS] @ $679.00 |
|
|
Konica Hexanon AR 35-100mm/2.8 to Nikon/canon/Pentax $599.00 |
|
|
Leica R Leitz 180mm f4 Germeny – Convert to Sony ,Nikon , Pentax mount , Mint $590.00 |
|
|
35mm f/1.4 Bower Aspherical (ASPH)Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony $499.95 |
|
|
*** Rollei Distagon HFT 35mm f2.8 , Free convert to M42 , Nikon , Pentax mount ~ $490.00 |
|
|
@ Asahi Pentax TAKUMAR SMC 85mm f/1.9 [85 1.9 M42 CANON SONY NIKON OLYMPUS] @ $479.00 |
|
|
10 * YN-460 II Flash Speedlite For Nikon Canon pentax $478.99 |
|
|
10× Speedlite Flash Camera YN460 II Flash Speedlite for Nikon Canon Pentax $476.99 |
|
|
YONGNUO YN460 II Flash Speedlite Lots 10 for Nikon Canon Pentax US shipping $476.99 |
|
|
Photoclam 8X Carbon Tripod PT225 5 sec for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $458.00 |
|
|
*** Rollei Distagon HFT 35mm f2.8 , Free convert to M42 , Nikon , Pentax mount ~ $450.00 |
|
|
**MINT Leica Elmarit-R 135 mm F/2.8 Lens R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 CANON NIKON PENTAX $440.82 |
|
|
14mm f/2.8 Bower Ultra-Wide-Angle lens for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, or Sony/Minolta $429.99 |
|
|
Photoclam 8X Carbon Tripod PT224 4 sec for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $408.00 |
|
|
Pixco Telephoto Zoom 650mm-1300mm Lens T Mount For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $399.00 |
|
|
Pixco Telephoto Zoom 650mm-1300mm Lens T Mount For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $399.00 |
|
|
PIXCO Telephoto Zoom Lens 650mm-1300mm F8-16 T Mount For Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $399.00 |
|
|
Adapter SONY PMW F3 Mount – NIKON OLYMPUS PENTAX CONTAX YASHICA LEICA M42 Lens $399.00 |
|
|
9pcs Aputure AL-160 160 LED VIDEO Light for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Panasonic $393.99 |
|
|
EXC Leica Elmarit-R 135 mm F/2.8 Lens R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 CANON NIKON PENTAX $393.42 |
|
|
9pcs Aputure AL-160 160 LED VIDEO Light for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Panasonic $387.83 |
|
|
Photoclam 8X Carbon Tripod PT125 5 sec for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $378.00 |
|
|
85mm f/1.4 Super Speed Lens by Bower for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, or Sony/Minolta $359.99 |
|
|
9pcs Aputure AL-160 160 LED VIDEO Light for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Panasonic $359.99 |
|
|
Photoclam 8X Carbon Tripod PT124 4 sec for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $358.00 |
|
|
KPS Tripod Red Ball head NT 40 & SU 10 plate for Canon Nikon Pentax $356.80 |
|
|
KPS Tripod Ball head NT 40 & SU 10 Quick release plate for Canon Nikon Pentax $350.80 |
|
|
exc M42 ASAHI SUPER TAKUMAR 300mm f/4 LENS NIKON CANON PENTAX MICRO 4/3 SONY NEX $350.00 |
|
|
8mm f/3.5 Bower Ultra-Wide Fisheye for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony/Minolta $349.99 |
|
|
Lots 5 YONGNUO original Flash Speedlite YN560 für Nikon Canon Pentax Olympus $346.59 |
|
|
LV-W2 Wireless Live View Remote Control for canon pentax Nikon D7000 $346.00 |
|
|
LV-W2 Wireless Live View Remote Control for Pentax Canon Samsung Contax Nikon $344.99 |
|
|
M42 70-220mm f4.0 Zoomlens for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax $329.99 |
|
|
300mm f4.5 Low Light Tele for Canon/Nikon/Sony/Pentax $329.99 |
|
|
500,Pentax FUJI NIKON Olympus PANASONIC USB DATA CABLE $328.00 |
|
|
KPS Tripod Red Ball head NT 36 Vivace 3 & SU 10 plate for Canon Nikon Pentax kit $318.80 |
|
|
10 sets YN-460 Flash Speedlight for Canon Nikon Pentax $313.60 |
|
|
KPS Tripod Ball head NT 36 Vivace 3 & SU 10 plate for Canon Nikon Pentax kit $310.80 |
|
|
Lot of 28 Pounds of Camera Straps Canon Nikon Pentax Minolta Huge Lot 100% Works $299.99 |
|
|
pentax 645 645N lens adapter to Nikon D3 D90 D700 D300 $288.00 |
|
|
MC MIR-24M 24 2/35 Russian Wide Angle Lens M42 Pentax Canon EOS Nikon Sony Alpha $279.99 |
|
|
SIGMA 18-200mm Lens for PENTAX Digital K-R K-5 K200d +3 YEAR NIKON USA WARRANTY $279.00 |
|
|
KPS Tripod Red Ball head NT 30A & SU 10 Quick release f plate Canon Nikon Pentax $276.80 |
|
|
Japan Kindai Store: New Pentax 645 -Nikon adaptor $275.00 |
|
|
KPS Tripod Ball head NT 30 A & SU 10 Quick release plate for Canon Nikon Pentax $270.80 |
|
|
MC MIR-24M 24 2/35 Russian Wide Angle Lens M42 Pentax Canon EOS Nikon Sony Alpha $269.99 |
|
|
Filite 160 LED Digital Camera CN-160 LED VIDEO LIGHT Ultra High Power / Camcorder , for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Panasonic, Sony, Leica , Samsung and Olympus Digital SLR Cameras $54.59 Introduction: This 160 LED Video Light can be used in video taking; eight for lights setup or supplement, the light intensity can be changed to offer professional effects. It can also work as Office table lamp, industrial lamp, power cut light, or even Barbecue at your garden, etc. Features: -Adopts concentration LED lights, irradiation distance can reach more than 5m, suitable for long distan… |
|
|
Filite CN-160 Led Video lights OrientEX Ultra High Power 160 LED Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light, LED Light for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Panasonic,SONY, Samsung and Olympus Digital SLR Cameras $54.59 Introduction: This 160 LED Video Light can be used in video taking; eight for lights setup or supplement, the light intensity can be changed to offer professional effects. It can also work as Office table lamp, industrial lamp, power cut light, or even Barbecue at your garden, etc. Features: -Adopts concentration LED lights, irradiation distance can reach more than 5m, suitable for long distance s… |
|
|
Uv/weatherproof Camera Pouch $14.99 10-22-2007 – Brand New Item. Description – VANGUARD OREGON 6 OREGON 6 CAMERA POUCH (INSIDE DIM: 2.375″H X 4.625″W X 4.75″D; OUTSIDE DIM: 3.375″H X 3.75″W X 5.5″D)… |
|
|
PowerGenix ZRPGX-AA8 AA 1.6v 2500 mWh ZiNc High-Voltage Rechargeable Batteries -8 Pack (Green) $15.99 PowerGenix 8 Pack AA 1.6v High Voltage Nickel Zinc Rechargeable cells 2500 mWh – NiZn *Must use NiZn Charger *… |
|
|
New Li-42b Battery For Olympus Li-40b Li42b Li40b FE-340 FE-230 240 250 $5.99 If you are not satisfy with something, please don’t leave us negative or neutral feedback right away. Please contact us via email. We promise to provide 100% fine customer service and try best to make every customer get good mood with fine shopping experience here. Features: |
|
|
SIGMA ONYX Fit Heart Rate Monitor Watch $69.99 The digital coded ONYX FIT persuades all those who practice sport to get fit because of its user-friendly operation and training functions: fitness test to determine the level of fitness, lap counter (50 laps), adjustable training zones and 7 memory locations for the ideal training analysis and evaluation. Digitally coded signal to prevent cross talkIncludes memory for up to 7 training sessionsAll… |
|
|
SanDisk Extreme – Flash memory card – 32 GB – Class 10 -SDHC $53.99 With 30MB/s read/write speeds, you’ll see it takes more than a great digital SLR camera to bring your ideas to life. Get exactly the shots you want with the professional-grade responsiveness of SanDisk Extreme® SDHC cards. You’ll have room to capture it all in RAW+JPEG, and save the editing for later. Plus, you’ll get faster photo and video transfers from camera to computer…. |
|
|
Camera Lens Hood/ White Balance Filter for 58-mm Nikon/ Pentax/ Tamron $7.62 This is a 2-piece set for your 58-mm Nikon/ Pentax/ Tamron. Protect and enhance your lens with this bundled accessory set. |
|
|
52mm CPL Polarizing Lens Filter/ Cleaning Pen for Canon Nikon Pentax $7.99 This is a CPL polarizing lens filter and camera cleaning pen for 52mm Canon Nikon Pentax cameras. Lens provides color and contrast enhancement while pen keeps your lens surfaces clean. |
|
|
Olympus Li-40B/ Nikon EN-EL10/ Fuji NP-45/ Pentax D-Li63 Charger $3.49 Battery charger will give the power you need for your cameraCamera accessory is compatible with Olympus, Pentax, Fuji and Kodak camerasCharger kit includes battery charger with foldable AC plug and DC cigarette lighter adapter |
|
|
Charger/ 2 Batteries for Fuji NP-45 FinePix Z70/ Olympus Li-40B/ Nikon $5.99 This combo includes a battery charger and 2 batteries. It is compatible with the Olympus Li-40B, Li042B, Nikon EN-EL10, Fuji NP-45, Pentax D-Li63 and Kodak KLIC-7006. |
|
|
Polaroid Studio Series PL126 TTL Zoom Flash for Pentax Mount $89.95 Unlike other one-size-fits-all flash brands, this Studio Series flash unit was designed specifically for leading camera brands including Nikon, Canon and Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Panasonic. This flash unit lets you take your photos to the next level. |
|
|
Polaroid Studio Series PL126 TTL Zoom Flash for Olympus and Panasonic Mount $89.95 Unlike other one-size-fits-all flash brands, this Studio Series flash unit was designed specifically for leading camera brands including Nikon, Canon and Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Panasonic. This flash unit lets you take your photos to the next level. |
|
|
Polaroid Studio Series PL126 TTL Zoom Flash for Sony Mount $89.95 Unlike other one-size-fits-all flash brands, this Studio Series flash unit was designed specifically for leading camera brands including Nikon, Canon and Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Panasonic. This flash unit lets you take your photos to the next level. |
