The Nikon D80 digital SLR is the successor the D70s. Announced in August 2006, it’s positioned between the entry-level D50 and semi-professional D200, squarely targeting photographic enthusiasts or those who simply want a step-up from a budget model.

The D80 inherits or tweaks many aspects from both the D50 and D200, along with introducing a few new features of its own. Starting with the headline specifications, the Nikon D80 shares the same 10.2 Megapixel resolution, 2.5in screen and user interface of the D200, although as we’ll explain in the review, there are some differences. The body itself is physically very similar to the D50 and inside there’s the same metering system. 

 

While the D80 is pitched at the next-step up from entry-level digital SLRs, its 10.2 Megapixel resolution and price tag will inevitably see it compared against Canon’s EOS 400D / Rebel XTi and the Sony Alpha A100. There’s certainly many similarities between the three bodies, although it’s interesting to note the D80 has no in-camera anti-dust feature (it’s performed in optional software later), and there’s also no anti-shake solutions in its standard kits.

Depending on your region and supplier there may be three different D80 lens kits available, with either the DX 18-55mm f3.5-5.6, the DX 18-70mm f3.4-4.5 or the new DX 18-135mm f3.5-5.6; the latter, while costing significantly more than the budget kit options of the Sony and Canon models, delivers a considerably longer and more useful 7.5x optical zoom range.