Nikon D80 Feature Comparison
The exceptionally rich feature set of the Nikon D80 begs comparison against many pro-level cameras. Given its price point though, we'll resist that temptation, and limit our comparison to current consumer and prosumer models from Nikon and Canon.
The chart below compares the D80 with other current Nikon cameras. Constructing this table was a little tough, because the most natural comparison is relative to the D70S, its immediate predecessor. That said though, many people will be trying to make up their minds between a D80 or a D200. What we've done below is to present something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both their cells will be colored green. Sharp-eyed readers may find some areas where we haven't chosen to highlight a particular difference (such as the D200's offering exposure compensation in 1 EV increments). Those cases are simply ones that we don't feel are significant in typical use of the camera. Also, in some cases we colored cells yellow where we noted a difference but weren't sure of which parameter really constituted a benefit. Finally, we've marked in dark grey cells for parameters that we haven't tested for ourselves as yet.
We also have a table comparing the Nikon D80 with competing models from other manufacturers. This table is a bit wider though, and breaks the page layout in some browsers, so we're simply providing a link to it here that will open in a separate browser window. See the Nikon D80 vs the Competition comparison table for more info.
| Nikon D80 vs other Nikon SLRs | |||||
Manufacturer |
Nikon |
Nikon |
Nikon |
Nikon |
|
Model |
D50 |
D70s |
D80 |
D200 |
|
| Imaging System |
Sensor
Manufacturer
|
Sony | Sony | Sony | Sony |
|
Sensor Type
|
CCD | CCD | CCD | CCD | |
|
Color Filter
Array
|
RGB | RGB | RGB | RGB | |
|
Total Megapixels
|
6.24 |
6.24 |
10.75 |
10.92 |
|
|
Effective
Megapixels
|
6.1 | 6.1 | 10.2 | 10.2 | |
|
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
|
23.7 x 15.6 |
23.7 x 15.6 |
23.6 x 15.8 |
23.6 x 15.8 |
|
|
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
|
1.5x |
1.5x |
1.5x |
1.5x |
|
|
Image Processor
|
Not stated |
Not stated |
Not stated |
Not stated |
|
| Viewfinder |
Type
|
Eye-level pentamirror |
Eye-level pentamirror |
Eye-level pentaprism |
Eye-level pentaprism |
|
Coverage
|
95% |
95% |
95% |
95% |
|
|
Magnification
(-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity) |
0.75x |
0.75x |
0.94x |
0.94x |
|
|
Eyepoint (mm)
|
18 |
18 |
19.5 |
19.5 |
|
|
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
|
-1.6 to +0.5 |
-1.6 to +0.5 |
-2.0 to +1.0 |
-2.0 to +1.0 |
|
|
Focusing Screen
|
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V |
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V,
with on-demand grid lines |
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II,
with on-demand grid lines |
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II,
with on-demand grid lines |
|
Viewfinder Info Display |
5 focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, no memory card warning indicator, battery status, focus confirmation, focus area/AF-area mode, AE lock indicator, FV lock indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator, number of exposures remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording indicator/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator |
5 focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, on-demand framing grid, focus confirmation, focus area/AF-area mode, AE/FV lock indicator, battery status, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator, number of exposures remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording indicator/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator |
11 normal and 1 wide focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, on-demand framing grid, black and white mode warning, low battery warning, no memory card warning, focus confirmation, FV lock indicator, AE lock indicator, Auto ISO indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, battery status, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, WB/exposure bracketing indicator, number of remaining exposures/buffer space/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator |
11 normal and 7 wide focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, on-demand framing grid, black and white mode warning, battery status, no memory card warning, focus confirmation, metering mode, FV lock indicator, AE lock indicator, flash sync indicator, shutter speed, aperture stop indicator, aperture value, exposure mode, electronic analog exposure display, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator, ISO sensitivity value, number of exposures remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording indicator/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator |
|
|
Depth of Field Preview
|
Not available |
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button |
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button |
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button |
|
|
Live Preview on LCD?
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
| Recording System |
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
|
Secure Digital card |
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive |
Secure Digital card (SDHC compatible) |
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive |
|
Compatible File System
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32 |
FAT 16 / FAT 32 |
FAT 16 / FAT 32 |
FAT 16 / FAT 32 |
|
|
Recording Formats
|
RAW (NEF), JPEG |
RAW (NEF), JPEG |
RAW (NEF), JPEG |
RAW (NEF), JPEG |
|
|
Maximum Resolution
|
3008 x 2000 |
3008 x 2000 |
3872 x 2592 |
3872 x 2592 |
|
|
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only)
|
2256 x 1496; 1504 x 1000 |
2240 x 1488; 1504 x 1000 |
2896 x 1944; 1936 x 1296 |
2896 x 1944; 1936 x 1296 |
|
|
RAW + JPEG Recording
|
Yes, basic JPEG only |
Yes, basic JPEG only |
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression |
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression |
|
| Color
Space & White Balance |
User-Selectable Color Space
|
Yes sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
|
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Tone) / # of Increments |
7 options each for sharpness and
contrast, 3
options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs
preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space
boosts saturation
somewhat. |
7 options each for sharpness and
contrast, 3
options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs
preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space
boosts saturation
somewhat. |
7 options each for sharpness and
contrast, 4
options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs
preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space
boosts saturation
somewhat. |
7 options for sharpening, 5 options for
contrast, 4 options for saturation, 7-step hue adjustment. Second sRGB
color space boosts saturation
somewhat. |
|
|
Preset WB settings
|
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent,
Fluorescent, Flash) |
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent,
Fluorescent, Flash) |
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent,
Fluorescent, Flash) |
6 (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct
Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade) |
|
|
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
|
(No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB
range) |
(No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB
range) |
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10
mired |
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10
mired |
|
|
WB Adjustment Range
|
Not available |
±3 steps in 1-step increments 10 mireds per step |
±3 steps in 1-step increments 10 mireds per step |
±3 steps in 1-step increments 10 mireds per step |
|
| AF System |
Type
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900
autofocus module |
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900
autofocus module |
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000
autofocus module |
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module |
|
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
|
5 points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 2 vertical-type) |
5 points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 2 vertical-type) |
11 normal points or 1 wide point (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type) |
11 normal points or 7 wide points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type) |
|
|
Superimposed
Focus Point Display
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
|
AF Working Range
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) |
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) |
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) |
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) |
|
|
AF-assist Beam
|
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0
m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting. |
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0
m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting. |
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0
m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting. |
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0
m / 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting. |
|
|
Eye-start Focusing
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
|
AF servo modes
|
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous
tracking), AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes). |
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous
tracking). |
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous
tracking), AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes). |
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous
tracking). |
|
|
AF area modes
|
Single area, Dynamic area, Dynamic area with
closest subject priority. |
Single area, Dynamic area, Dynamic area with
closest subject priority. |
Single area, Dynamic area, Auto area. |
Single area, Dynamic area, Group Dynamic
area, Dynamic area with closest subject priority. |
|
| Exposure Control |
Shooting Modes
|
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE,
aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up,
Sports, Child, Night Portrait. |
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE,
aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up,
Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait. |
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE,
aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up,
Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait. |
4 - Program, shutter-priority AE,
aperture-priority AE, manual mode. |
|
Metering Zones
|
420 |
1,005 |
420 |
1,005 |
|
Metering Modes |
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 8mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering (type G and D
lenses); Color Matrix Metering (other CPU lenses); metering performed
by 1,005-segment RGB sensor. 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 12 mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 2.3 mm dia. circle (about 1% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
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 10 mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area. |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D
lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix
metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data;
metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor. 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13mm dia. circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used). |
|
Metering System Working Range |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or
center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F) |
|
ISO Range / Extended |
200 ~ 1600 / -- |
200 ~ 1600 / -- |
100 ~ 1600 / 3200 |
100 ~ 1600 / 3200 |
|
Exposure Compensation |
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments |
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments |
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments |
+/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments |
|
Automatic Exposure Bracketing |
3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps |
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps |
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV steps |
2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2,
2/3 or 1EV |
|
| Shutter
Speeds, Frame Rate, Shutter Lag |
Shutter Type |
Combined mechanical and CCD electronic
shutter |
Combined mechanical and CCD electronic
shutter |
Electronically controlled mechanical (We're frankly uncertain of what constitutes "better" in this case) |
Electronically controlled mechanical |
Shutter Speed Range |
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV,
bulb |
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV,
bulb |
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV,
bulb |
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV,
bulb |
|
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth |
2.47 fps / 16 frames (JPEG large/fine) |
3.05 fps / 15 frames (JPEG large/fine) |
3 fps / 9 frames (JPEG large/fine) |
5 fps / 31 JPEG large/fine or 21 RAW frames |
|
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.) |
0.27 |
0.29 - 0.32 |
0.25 |
0.27 |
|
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.) |
0.114 |
0.106 |
0.083 | 0.057 |
|
Startup time (sec.) |
~0.25 |
~0.40 |
0.20 |
~0.20 |
|
| Flash | Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100. |
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet) |
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet) |
Yes (13 meters / 43 feet) |
Yes (13 meters / 43 feet) |
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.) |
1/500 (!) |
1/500 (!) |
1/200 |
1/250 |
|
Flash Exposure Compensation |
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps |
|
Slow-sync flash |
1st or 2nd curtain |
1st or 2nd curtain |
1st or 2nd curtain |
1st or 2nd curtain |
|
PC Sync Terminal |
Hot shoe only |
Hot shoe only |
Hot shoe only |
Yes |
|
|
Nikon Advanced
Wireless Lighting support
|
Only with attached SB-800 flash or SU-800 wireless controller | Camera can act
as wireless controller, single group and channel |
Camera can
act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels |
Camera can act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels | |
| Playback System |
LCD Size / Pixel Count
|
2.0 in LCD / 130,000 pixels |
2.0 in LCD / 130,000 pixels |
2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels |
2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels |
|
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
|
1.1 - 4.7x in 10 steps / Yes |
1.1 - 4.7x in 10 steps / Yes |
1.1 - 25x for large images, 19x for medium
images, or 13x for small ones/ Yes
|
1.1 - 25x for large images, 19x for medium
images, or 13x for small ones/ Yes
|
|
|
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
|
5 steps |
5 steps |
5 steps |
5 steps |
|
|
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Other Features |
Computer Connection
|
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v2.0
speed) |
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v1.1
speed) |
Yes, USB 2.0, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard,
v2.0 speed) |
Yes, USB 2.0, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard,
v2.0 speed) |
|
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Menu Languages
|
13 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish,
French, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Italian, Traditional Chinese,
Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Swedish) |
10 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish,
French, Korean, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Swedish) |
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish,
French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish,
Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
13 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish,
French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional
Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
|
|
|
Camera Default Reset
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Custom Functions
(Quantity) |
Yes (20) |
Yes (25) |
Yes (32) |
Yes (45) |
|
|
Multiple exposures
|
No |
No |
Yes (2~3 shots) |
Yes (2~10 shots) |
|
|
In-camera image retouching
|
No |
No |
Yes, D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim,
Monochrome, Filter effects, Small Picture, Image overlay |
No |
|
|
Remote Control
|
Optional ML-L3 wireless remote |
Optional, compatible with MC-DC1 remote cord
or
ML-L3 wireless remote |
Optional, compatible with MC-DC1 remote cord
or
ML-L3 wireless remote |
Yes, 10-pin remote terminal for optional
MC-20/30/36 remote cords or WT-3 wireless remote |
|
|
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
|
Yes / No |
Yes / Yes (dedicated button) |
Yes / Yes (power switch) |
Yes / Yes (power switch) |
|
|
Number of Command Dials
|
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Programmable function button
|
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Ultrasonic CCD dust-removal function
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
| Body Structure |
Body Cover/Chassis
|
Largely Plastic |
Largely Plastic |
Unknown, feels more solid than D70 though |
Largely Magnesium Alloy, full environmental
seals |
| Power System |
Battery Compatibility
|
EN-EL3, EN-EL3a (Ships with EN-EL3, 1400 mAh vs 1500 mAh for EN-EL3a) CR2 pack is an added-cost accessory |
EN-EL3, EN-EL3a (Ships with EN-EL3a, 1500 mAh vs 1400 mAh for EN-EL3) CR2 pack is an added-cost accessory |
EN-EL3e, optional MB-D80 battery pack |
EN-EL3e, optional MB-D200 battery pack |
|
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20°C/68F
|
100% AE: 2000 50% Flash: 400 |
100% AE: 2500 50% Flash: 500 |
100% AE: 2700 50% Flash: 600 |
100% AE: 1800 50% Flash: 340 |
|
| Size & Weight |
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
|
133 x 102 x 76 |
140 x 111 x 78 |
132 x 103 x 77 |
147 x 113 x 74 |
Weight (body only) |
540 g |
600 g |
585 g |
830 g |
|
| Enviro. | Operating Temperature Range |
0 ~ 40°C |
0 ~ 40°C |
0 ~ 40°C |
0 ~ 40°C |
Operating Humidity Range |
< 85% |
< 85% |
< 85% |
< 85% |
|
| Kit Lens | Focal length / aperture |
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED |
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED |
18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED |
- |
| Lens Comp. | Lens Mount / Compatibility |
|
|
|
|
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