SLR camera nikon d80 kit. SLR camera Nikon D80 kit

An advanced amateur SLR camera with an APS-C matrix. Was released in 2006 following

This is the last mirror Nikon camera with CCD matrix. Next, starting from Nikon models The company already equipped D90 cameras with a CMOS sensor.

Main characteristics of the Nikon D80 camera

Dimensions (WxHxD): 132 × 103 × 77 mm
Weight (without lens): 668 g
Matrix type: CCD
Number of megapixels: 10
Matrix size: 23.6 x 15.6 mm
Crop factor: 1.5
Viewfinder: pentaprism, 95% coverage angle
Shutter speed range: 1/4000 – 30 s
Number of focus points: 11
Focus modes: AF-S, AF-C, AF-A, M
Shooting speed: 3 fps
ISO sensitivity: 100-1600 Auto in 1/3 EV increments
Dynamic range of the matrix: 11.2 Evs according to dxomark.com
Maximum photo size: 3872×2592 px
LCD screen: 2.5" (resolution 230,000 dots).
Power: Li-ion battery EN-EL3a (7.4 V, 1500 mAh)

Ergonomics and functionality of Nikon D80

Like all amateur models, the camera is housed in a plastic case. It is larger in size than entry-level DSLRs such as, but when you pick it up, you feel that this is a serious tool.

The handle has a comfortable grip, although the handle is not rubberized, but made of soft plastic, which reduces friction with the hand, but is nevertheless comfortable.

The shutter button is traditionally located on top (below index finger), on the ON/OFF switch. Below it are two buttons - exposure metering mode (matrix, center-weighted, spot) and an exposure compensation button.

Further on the right side there is a small LCD display, which displays the main current camera settings, as well as the number of remaining frames. This LCD display is easy to use and located in a convenient location. Unlike younger models, where to see or change parameters you need to look at the rear LCD display, and this takes longer.

To the right of the LCD display there are two buttons: switching shooting modes (standard, serial, with a time delay and using a remote control). When switching these modes, the corresponding icon lights up on the LCD display. As an active user of these modes, this button is inconvenient for me to use; the lever in the Nikon D3100 is much more convenient. There is also an AF button under the mode switch button.

The camera is equipped with a Nikon Multi-CAM1000 focusing module and has 11 points. Supported modes: AF-S, AF-C, AF-A, M.

There is an internal flash in the center of the top panel; it can be forced up using a button on the left in front. or automatically, depending on the mode. Flash guide number is 13 (at ISO 100). There is a hot shoe above the flash for using an external flash.

Nikon D80 with lens and internal flash raised

On the left of the top panel is located standard disk switching modes. There are standard modes M, A, S, P, and scene modes, as well as AUTO mode.

At the back of the camera there is a 2.5" TFT display with a resolution of 230,000 dots. By modern standards, it is small, but sufficient for viewing photos.

There is an optical viewfinder at the top. Coverage area is about 95%. The viewfinder is large and bright, which is convenient when using manual lenses.

To the left of the screen are traditional buttons: viewing photos, entering the menu, zooming in and out of images when viewing, which also have a dual function for quickly changing values ​​(WB, ISO, QUAL).

To the right of the screen is the traditional joystick cursor, the L button, and the OK button.

In front of the camera there are buttons for Bracketing (BKT) for exposure, activation of the flash, and below the AF/MF focus mode switch. I found this switch very convenient, it allows you to switch the camera to manual mode regardless of what lens it is. Not all lenses have such a switch, so it’s more convenient to switch from the camera.

There is also a depth of field view button on the front right.

On the side of the handle there is a compartment for memory cards. The camera supports SD cards and works without problems with 32 GB cards.

Below is the battery compartment cover. And a thread for attaching to a tripod.

The camera has many more functions that can be configured through the menu. I will give the most relevant ones in my opinion:

  • long exposure noise reduction;
  • noise reduction at high ISO;
  • multiple exposure;
  • customizable Auto ISO mode (for maximum sensitivity and maximum shutter speed);
  • EV step (1/3 or 1/2);
  • circle diameter for center-weighted exposure metering (6, 8, 10 mm);
  • setting Auto bracketing;
  • Auto bracketing order.

Nikon D80 camera matrix

The Nikon D80 is equipped with the same matrix as the Sony DSLR A-100 camera and with a slight modification to the Nikon D200. Therefore, the picture quality of these cameras is approximately the same.

It has a minimum ISO of 100, which is nice, since some cameras of those years have a minimum of ISO of 200. The maximum of ISO is 1600, there is an extended mode of ISO 3200, but there is no point in using it because of the strong noise.

If you look at quality by modern standards, then the quality is good up to ISO 320-400, then noise becomes noticeable. And the higher the ISO, the more noticeable. For clarity, here is a working example at ISO 640 without processing.

The color rendition is nice. Many photographers like the color rendering of CCD sensors better than CMOS because it is more reminiscent of film colors. This is partly true, in some stories. But for work, the CMOS matrix still has better performance, especially at high ISOs (starting from 400).

And I also noticed that with equal ISO and equal apertures with the same lens, the exposure of the Nikon D80 is about 2 stops darker than that of the Nikon D3100. At first I couldn’t understand, but then I became convinced that this was so, perhaps I didn’t check such a camera with the second one.

Examples of photos taken with a Nikon D80 camera

Examples shot with AF Nikkor 28-105mm 1:3.5-4.5D lenses, and

Conclusions:
a good advanced SLR camera with good functionality Now it is morally outdated, but can still be successfully used if you do not raise the ISO too high.

The D80 is a fairly large DSLR with impressive build quality (apart from a few plastic covers). Hidden beneath its plastic and rubberized panels is a durable (but lightweight) metal frame. From the front, the D80 looks a lot like its predecessors. The most noticeable differences are on the back of the camera.

The larger right-hand grip makes the D80 easier to hold. While basic adjustments are easy to access, the D80 suffers a bit from button crowding, which is placed throughout the camera body.

The following table compares the D80 to other D-SLR cameras in terms of size and weight.

Camera Dimensions (W x H x D, excluding protrusions) Weight (camera only)
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 127 x 94 x 66 mm 510 g
Canon EOS-30D 145 x 107 x 74 mm 700 g
Nikon D200 147 x 112 x 74 mm 830 g
Nikon D50 132 x 102 x 76 mm 540 g
Nikon D70s 140 x 112 x 79 mm 600 g
Nikon D80 132 x 104 x 76 mm 585 g
Olympus EVOLT E-330 140 x 86 x 71 mm 550 g
Olympus EVOLT E-500 127 x 94 x 66 mm 435 g
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 145 x 86 x 79 mm 530 g
Pentax K100D 130 x 91 x 71 mm 560 g
Samsung Digimax GX-1S 124 x 91 x 66 mm 505 g
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 135 x 97 x 74 mm 545 g

As you can see, the D80 is closer in size to the D50 than the D70s it replaces.

Let's move on to inspecting the camera.

From the front, the D80 has a lot in common with other Nikon DSLRs. F mount – supports almost all digital Nikkor lenses. As for old Nikon lenses, you need to contact the company’s technical support about the possibility of the D80 working with them.

Deep inside the camera - behind the mirror - is a new 10.2 megapixel DX format photo sensor. Obviously, this is not the same matrix as the D200, but maybe the same as the Sony DSLR-A100.

Directly above the D80's lens is a flash that pops up automatically. The flash's Guide Number (GN) is 13, which is comparable to the GN 13 Canon Rebel XTi and EOS-30D, the GN 13 Olympus E-500, the GN 15 Pentax K100 (albeit at ISO 200) and the GN 12 Sony A100. To better illuminate the subject, you can install an external flash on a bracket with a sync contact - more on that later.

To the right of the lens is a lens release button. Below it is the focus mode switch, which will be discussed below.

On the opposite side of the lens connector there are two more buttons. The lower one is for viewing the depth of field, the upper one is a programmable function button. The functions for which this button can be used will be discussed later.

Above the function button is the AF-assist lamp window. Unlike most modern D-SLR cameras that use a built-in flash to illuminate autofocus, the D80 is equipped with a special lamp. To the left of it is the first settings wheel (there are 2 in total).

The most noticeable differences between the D80 and its predecessors are on the back of the camera. A large 64mm LCD display looks right at you - exactly the same as the D200. So it has 230,000 pixels and wonderful 170 degree viewing angles, and it's just beautiful to look at. The picture is so bright and sharp that it is a pity that not all cameras have such an LCD display. Like most D-SLR cameras, the LCD display allows you to view your photos and navigate menus, but you can't compose your shot on it.

It's worth noting that Nikon includes a much-needed protective LCD cover on the D80. Maybe someday it will protect your camera's expensive LCD display.

The D80 has an optical viewfinder eyepiece above the display. Viewfinder capture area – 95%. Viewfinder magnification has increased from 0.75X on the D70s to 0.94X on this camera - the same as the D200. Everyone should like the viewfinder: it is large and bright. Below the field of view is a data line that displays shutter speed, aperture, number of frames that can still be taken (and much more). To make it easier to compose your frame, you can turn on the display of the reference grid. To the top right of the eyepiece is the viewfinder sharpness adjustment wheel.

Now about the buttons. To the left of the viewfinder is a button for deleting pictures, and to the right is an autoexposure/autofocus lock button. Even further to the right is the main settings wheel.

To the left of the LCD display there are 5 more buttons:

  • View
  • White balance + help + protect photo
  • ISO + zoom out + thumbnails
  • Image quality + increase zoom
White balance, photosensitivity and image quality will be discussed below in the menu section. For now, let's look at the "help" function:

Like the previous D70s, the D80 has easy-to-use help. If you click the "help" button at the top level of the menu, you will see brief description current function. If you go down one level and click the "help" button again, you will see more detailed description. This is very convenient, especially when setting up a large user menu.

To the right of the LCD display are a navigation button, a lock button, and an OK button. The navigation button is small and a little hard. It is used to navigate the menu and select 1 of 11 possible points focusing.

Let's move on to the buttons on the top panel of the D80. On the left is a shooting mode dial with the following positions:

Position Description
Automatic shooting mode Point and shoot mode, some menu items are not available
Program mode Automatic shooting, but with access to all menu options. Software algorithm allows you to select one of several shutter speed/aperture combinations using the adjustment wheel.
Shutter priority You choose the shutter speed, the camera sets the aperture. Shutter speed range – 30-1/4000 sec.
Aperture priority You choose the aperture, the camera sets the shutter speed. The range depends on the lens used. For the lens included in the kit, the range is F3.5 - F36.
Fully manual mode You set the shutter speed and aperture yourself (the same ranges as above). The camera has a "bulb" shutter speed: the shutter will remain open as long as the shutter button is pressed.
Story Modes Night portrait
Night landscape
Sport
Macro photography
Scenery
Portrait

It won't surprise you to learn that the D80 has a full range of manual settings plus plenty of scene modes. If you are new to photography, you can start with simple automatic modes and gradually move towards the heights of skill.

In the center of the photo you see a bracket for an external flash with a sync contact. The camera works best with the SB-600 and SB-800 flashes, but third-party flashes will also work. When working with these Nikon flashes The camera uses through-the-lens light metering (i-TTL), and you can even control two flashes remotely, without cable connection. When using flashes from other brands, you will most likely have to manually adjust the camera and flash, which can be quite a hassle.

To the right of the bracket is an information board. We will not give a list of what can be displayed on it - this can be found in many sources, let's say briefly: “almost everything”. If you turn the power switch to the “on” position, you will turn on the display backlight, so you can use it to control the camera parameters even in the dark.

  • Light metering (3D color matrix II, center-weighted, spot)
  • Exposure compensation (-5EV to +5EV in 1/3EV steps)
  • Shooting mode (1 frame, continuous, self-timer, remote control with delay, remote control without delay) - see below
  • Autofocus mode (auto, single, continuous) - see below
The D80's continuous shooting speed depends on the speed of the memory card. SD cards were tested at 50X and 133X speeds, and it turned out that in continuous shooting mode they can record different quantities frames. For example, when recording to a 50X card, the camera slowed down after about 35 frames taken, while when recording to a 133X card, it continued to shoot until 100 frames were taken. In any case, with a really fast memory card you can shoot 6 RAW or 100 JPEG images at 3 frames/second - just great. Although the new Canon Rebel XTi can shoot more RAW images in continuous mode, the D80 is ahead of it in terms of JPEG images.

What about autofocus modes? With one-shot autofocus, it locks when you press the shutter button halfway. In continuous focus mode, the camera continues to adjust focus even when the shutter button is pressed halfway. In auto mode, the camera determines whether the object is stationary or moving, and it selects suitable mode autofocus.

Lastly, on the top of the D80 is the shutter button, around which the power switch rotates.

Now - side view. Slightly to the right of the bayonet mount there are 3 buttons:

  • Flash up + flash power adjustment (-3EV to +1EV in 1/3EV increments)
  • Bracketing - see below
  • Focus mode (auto, manual)
The bracketing function is not entirely simple, as it should be for a camera of this class. By default, exposure and flash power bracketing is set: the camera shoots 2 or 3 frames in a row with different exposures. The exposure bracket can be selected from 0.3EV to 2.0EV. You can also set separate bracketing for exposure and flash power in the User Settings menu. And finally, you can shoot with white balance bracketing, of course not in NEF (RAW) format and not when setting the color temperature manually. Although 3 pictures are recorded, 1 photograph is actually taken.

On the right in this photo are the I/O ports covered with a rubber cover. These are the connectors: USB, power (DC - connection to the network adapter), video output and remote control remote control. Unlike the D70s, the D80 supports USB 2.0 High Speed, just like a 2006 D-SLR camera should have.

On the other side of the camera there is a memory card compartment. The slot supports SD, SDHC and MMC memory cards. Compared to other parts of the camera, the plastic cover of this compartment does not look as durable.

At the bottom of the camera there is a metal socket for mounting on a tripod and a battery compartment. The lid of this compartment is also not very durable.

On the right in the photo is the EN-EL3e battery included in the package.


The Nikon D 80 model is located in model range This series is between the entry-level camera D 50 and the semi-professional D 200 and is intended mainly for enthusiastic photography enthusiasts.

The D 80 inherits the features and characteristics of both the D 50 and D 200, but at the same time the camera also has some unique features. If you go through the key characteristics of the Nikon D 80, you can note the same 10.2 - megapixel image sensor, 2.5 - inch screen and user interface as the D 200. Externally, the camera is very similar to the D 50, the cameras also have very similar metering systems.

The main competitors of the D 80 (a camera that is a step up from entry-level DSLR models) are cameras such as the Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha A 100. Although the cameras have a lot in common, it is true that, unlike their competitors, The D80 does not have a built-in dust removal system, and the camera does not come standard with any solutions for this problem.

Depending on the region, the lens included with the D 80 can be one of three: DX 18-55 mm. f 3.5-5.6, DX 18-70 mm. f 3.4-4.5 or new DX 18-135 mm. f 3.5-5.6; V the latter case You'll have to pay more than for a Sony or Canon kit, but you'll get a larger focal length range and a more powerful 7.5x optical zoom.

Nikon D80 Specification

Cost (USD) . Case: $999
. Case + 18-135 mm. lens: $1299
Cost (in UK pounds sterling) . Case: £699
. Case + 18-135 mm. lens: £949
Sensor * . 23.6 x 15.8 mm. CCD sensor
.Nikon DX format (1.5x FOV crop)
. 10.2 million useful pixels
.total number of pixels - 10.8 million.
.RGB color space
. 12-bit A/D converter
Image sizes * . 3872 x 2592 (Enlarged, 10.0 MP)
. 2896 x 1944 (Average, 5.6 MP)
. 1936 x 1296 (Reduced, 2.5 MP)
File formats . NEF (12-bit compressed RAW format)
. JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
. NEF+JPEG
Approximate file sizes . NEF (RAW): 12.4 MB
. JPEG Large/Fine: 4.8 MB
. JPEG Large/Normal: 2.4 MB
. JPEG Medium/Fine: 2.7 MB
. JPEG Medium/Normal: 1.3 MB
. JPEG Small/Fine: 1.2 MB
. JPEG Small/Normal: 0.6 MB
Lens mount Nikon F (with AF pairing and AF contacts)
Lens compatibility

DX Nikkor: Supports all functions
. Type G or D AF Nikkor: Supports all functions
. Micro Nikkor 85 mm F2.8D: supports all functions except autofocus and some exposure modes
. Other type AF Nikkor*2: supports all functions except 3D color matrix metering, i-TTL digital flash fill
. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure metering does not work; The electronic rangefinder can be used when maximum size aperture f/5.6 and smaller
*1 IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
*2 Not including lenses for F3AF

Autofocus . TTL phase detection
. Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 AF Module *
. Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, at normal temperature)
Additional AF Features . Fluorescent lamp
.Autofocus range from 0.5 to 3.0 m (1.6 - 9.8 ft)
Focus Modes .Single-servo AF (AF-S)
.Continuous-servo AF (AF-C)
. Auto AF-S/AF-C (AF-A) *
. Manual setting (M)
Focus tracking Predictive focus tracking is activated automatically in continuous AF mode
Focus coverage * . Normal: 11 zones, single or multiple zones can be selected
. Advanced: central zone capable of switching to extended zone mode
Selecting the Focus Area . One area AF
. Dynamic AF area
. Auto AF area selection *
Focus lock Can be locked by pressing the shutter button halfway (single-servo AF) or the AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure mode . Digital story programs
- Auto, portrait, landscape, macro photography, sports, night landscape, night portrait
. Automatic mode (P)
.shutter priority (auto) (S)
. Aperture priority (auto) (A)
. manual setting (M)
Measurement *

Three metering modes
. 3D color metering matrix II
. 420-pixel RGB sensor
. Center-weighted: about 75% weight for 6, 8, or 10mm. circle in the center of the frame
. Spot: circle 3.5 mm. (about 2.5% of the frame) in the center of the active focus area

Measuring range .EV 0 to 20 (3D color sensor metering or center-weighted metering)
.EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (sensitivity 100, aperture f/1.4, 20 °C) *
Combination of measurements Combining CPU and AI *
Exposure compensation . +/- 5EV
.step 1/3 or 1/2 EV
AE fixation Performed by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button
AE bracketing . 2 or 3 frames
. +/- 2EV
. step 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Photosensitivity . Auto ISO (customizable)
. ISO 100
. ISO 125
. ISO 160
. ISO 200
. ISO 250
. ISO 320
. ISO 400
. ISO 500
. ISO 640
. ISO 800
. ISO 1000
. ISO 1250
. ISO 1600
. ISO 2000 equiv. (HI 0.3) *
. ISO 2500 equiv. (HI 0.7) *
. ISO 3200 equiv. (HI 1.0) *
Auto ISO * . Max. ISO (200, 400, 800 or 1600)
. Minimum shutter speed (1 to 1/125 sec.)
Gate . Automatic vertical curtain-slot shutter *
.30 to 1/4000 sec *
.1/3 or 1/2 EV step
. Flash sync: up to 1/200 sec. *
. Bulb
White balance . Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor*)
. Six manual modes
o Fluorescent lamp
o Incandescent lamp
o Bright sun
o Flash
o Cloudiness
o Shadow
.Temperature scale (Kelvin) *
. Adjusting white balance (before shooting or on the captured image) *
. White balance bracketing possible
White balance bracketing . 2 or 3 frames
. +/- 1, 2 or 3 mired
Color space . Ia (sRGB)
. II (Adobe RGB)
. IIIa (sRGB - especially for landscape photography)
Image options * . Setting modes: normal, softer colors, brighter colors, portrait, B/W
. Sharpness: Auto, 6 levels
. Tone: Auto, 5 levels, Custom curve function
.Color: Ia (sRGB), II (Adobe RGB), IIIa (sRGB)
. Saturation: Auto, 3 levels
. Shades: -9° to +9°
Noise reduction level at high light sensitivity * . Ordinary
. Short
. High
. Off
Viewfinder* . Pentaprism
. Built-in diopter correction (from -2.0 to +1.0 m. -1)
.Viewfinder pupil: 19.5 mm. (at -1.0 m -1)
. Coverage area about 95%
.Magnification of the optical viewfinder with a 50 mm lens pointed at infinity - 0.94; -1.0 m.-1
. Focusing Screen: Type B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II with focusing brackets and On-Demand reticle
Viewfinder information * . Focal length
. Measuring method
. Exposure lock/flash level indicator
. Flash sync indicator
. Shutter speed
.Aperture value
. Exposure value/exposure compensation indicator
. Photosensitivity
.Exposure mode
. Flash compensation level
. Exposure compensation
. Number of frames remaining
LCD monitor* .size 2.5 inches
.resolution 230,000 pixels
.viewing angle 170 degrees
Built-in flash .Automatic external flash in Auto or Scene modes
. Flash opens manually
. Guide number 13 (ISO 100) *
Flash control . TTL: via 420 pixel RGB sensor*
o Built-in Speedlight: Balanced i-TTL fill flash (except spot metering mode)
o SB-800 or 600: Balanced i-TTL fill flash and standard i-TTL flash
. Auto Iris: Available on SB-800 flashes with CPU lens*
. Automatic, non-TTL: Available on SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27 and 22s flashes
. The SB-800 has a distance-priority manual mode.
Flash sync mode . Auto
. Fill flash

. Red-eye reduction during slow sync
. Slow sync
. Green curtain sync
. Off
Wireless flash control* With SB-800, 600 and R200, support wireless control system, Auto high-speed sync, modeling flash and FV lock
Flash sync speed 1/200 sec. *
Flash compensation .From -3 to +1 EV
.1/3 or 1/2 EV step
Accessories . Standard hot shoe with fuse
Flash Sync Terminal No
Depth of field overview When using a CPU lens, in modes A and M you can choose the aperture size yourself; in other modes the camera calculates it.
Shooting modes .Single (S) mode
.Continuous shooting (C): about 3 frames/sec.
. Electronic timer
.Delayed remote release
. Quick remote release
Long buffer operation * . 6 NEF (or JPEG+NEF)
. 23 JPEG Large/Fine
. 100 smaller JPEGs
Electronic timer . 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec.
Remote control . MC-DC1 cable (optional)
. Remote control ML-L3 (sold separately)
.Camera Control Pro software (sold separately)
Entering text Up to 36 alphanumeric characters using LCD monitor and multi selector; the text is stored in the Exif header
View Options . Normal image
. Reduced image (4 or 9 segments)
. Enlarged image
. Slideshow (in Standard or Pictmotion mode)
. RGB chart*
.Shooting data
. Displaying highlights in the frame
. Rotate an image
Delete function . Formatting a memory card
. All photos
. Selected photos
Retouching * .D-Lighting option
. Red-eye reduction
. Cropping
. B/W image and use of filters
. Small image
. Photo overlay
Image storage * . Secure Digital / Secure Digital HC
.Supports FAT/FAT32 file systems
. SD memory card
Compound .High speed USB 2.0 port (Mini-B connector) *
. Mass memory/PTP
. Video output (NTSC or PAL selectable)
. DC-IN (additional AC adapter)
Nutrition . Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e battery *
.Feed handle MB-D80 (optional)
. AC adapter EH-5 (sold separately)
Camera operating conditions .0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F)
. Humidity less than 85%
Dimensions * 132 x 103 x 77 mm. (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 inches)
Weight (without battery) 585 g (1.3 lb)
Weight (with battery) 668 g (1.5 lb)
Equipment * Rechargeable Li-ion battery Battery EN-EL3e, charger MH-18a, AV Cable EG-D2, USB Cable UC-E4, Camera Carrying Strap, Protective Cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-21 Rubber Eyecup, BM-7 LCD Monitor Protector, Shoe Cover for accessories, PictureProject software disc
A number of additional accessories * Power Handle MB-D80, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-21M, AC - Adapter EH-5, Wireless Remote Control ML-L3, Connection Cable MC-DC1, Speedlight SB-800/SB-600/R200, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro.

*Changes in specifications compared to Nikon D70s

Conclusion

The Nikon D 80 is a camera that certainly commands respect. It fits perfectly in the hand, is very ergonomic and highly productive. While competing models struggle in some lighting conditions, the D 80's metering system delivers high-quality photos every time, no matter the amount of light. The camera viewfinder is much more convenient and of higher quality compared to competing models.
In terms of photography, this is one of the highest quality “budget” 10-megapixel DSLR cameras. But at the same time, the digital market is constantly changing and customers are constantly on the lookout for new features. For example, the matrix cleaning system, which is available on the Canon 400D / XTi and Sony A 100 models, may not be 100% effective, but at least the manufacturers tried to take at least some measures to combat dust on the matrix. Owners of the D 80 only have the option of removing dust when working with RAW files, and then only when using software, which is purchased additionally.

Stabilization. Like Canon, Nikon is a big believer in in-lens optical stabilization. This is not bad, but it would be even better if both manufacturers offered an option for a budget kit lens with a stabilizer, as Sony did. Image stabilizer proposed Sony A100, works with all lenses.

The D80 is a more high-end camera in the traditional sense, but the camera doesn't have many of the features that many users are looking for these days, and it costs much more than its rivals. Therefore, for those whose budget is limited and who do not need high quality performance, metering capabilities and D 80 flash, Canon and Sony models are more suitable.
Of course, each of the three 10-megapixel models has its own advantages and disadvantages. Support for some specific functions- this is good, but at the same time you need to hold the camera in your hands and see how easy this or that model is to operate for you.

If you are able to appreciate the reliability of the D 80, excellent viewfinder, metering accuracy, flash power and wide range settings, you will not regret the money spent. In terms of these indicators, the D 80 is an order of magnitude ahead of the 400D / XTi and A 100. Therefore, even despite the lack of a dust removal function and image stabilizer, the D 80 is a camera worthy of attention and allows you to get excellent results.

In September 2006, Nikon introduced a new SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, the Nikon D80, to the market. The camera replaced the successful Nikon D70s model. The first difference from its predecessor, which catches your eye when viewing the stated characteristics, is a 10 megapixel CCD sensor with a physical size of 23.6x15.8 mm (the Nikon D50 and Nikon D70s models used a 6 megapixel matrix).

The tested camera is not positioned in the same segment as its predecessor, but completely displaces it from the market. But it’s hardly worth comparing the camera with the D70s model, because... The D70s is more of an intermediate option, and even more so with the D50 model, because... it has its own successor - Nikon D40, which should become the cheapest SLR camera with interchangeable lenses.

The main competitors of the hero of the review are representatives of the latest wave of 10 MP SLR cameras - Canon eos 400D and Sony Alfa A-100, and the latter is equipped with the same sensor as the D80 and is equipped with an interesting image stabilization system. The cost of the three competitors is almost the same - in the Kit package their price is about $1000

Scope of delivery

  • Nikon D80 camera
  • Lens AS-F NIKKOR 18-135 mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED
  • Lens cap
  • Lens case
  • Hood
  • Nikon BM-70 screen protector
  • Nikon EN-EL3e battery
  • Charger MH-18a
  • Shoulder strap
  • Lens cap holder
  • USB-miniUSB cable
  • Video cable (2 RCA)
  • User manual in Russian
  • Branded warranty card

Appearance and ease of use

Externally, the Nikon D80 is similar to the D50, but the weight has been significantly increased. The build quality is at a high level. All parts fit together, no poor-quality joints could be found. The body is made of two types of plastic: hard, rough plastic on the back and sides, and soft plastic emulating rubber on the front.

On the front panel there is a bayonet mount, an auxiliary control dial, an autofocus illuminator lamp, also known as a red-eye reduction lamp and a timer indicator, a built-in flash, a programmable "Func" key (which was immediately programmed to "select an autofocus area" in order to forget about the menu main display), depth of field viewing button, infrared receiver, lock button.

The D80 uses a Nikon F mount with a flange length of 46.5, which makes it impossible to use adapters for Soviet lenses with an M42 thread and a flange length of 45.5. But since the F mount has become public domain and coincides with the H mount (Kyiv), it is possible to use lenses from many manufacturers. In particular Zeiss and Arsenal.

At the rear there is a delete key, a viewfinder with a diopter adjuster, an autofocus and exposure lock key (the functions of which can be reprogrammed in the corresponding menu item), and the main control dial.

To the left of the screen there are keys for switching to playback mode, a menu and three multifunction keys: setting white balance / locking a file / viewing a hint, setting ISO sensitivity / reducing the preview image / switching to preview mode, setting image quality / enlarging the preview image.

To the right of the screen is a four-way control joystick, a two-position AF area lock switch and an enter key.

On the left there is a focus mode switch, a bracketing button, a button for selecting flash operating modes, under the rubber protective cover there is a miniUSB connector, a connector for connecting an external power source and a 3.5 mm mini-jack connector for connecting a video cable, under the second rubber cover there is a connector for connecting a wired remote control, which is purchased separately.

On the right under the cover there is a compartment for an SD memory card. The use of an SD memory card used by a digital SLR camera is unusual, but quite justified - the volume of memory cards freely available on the market has reached 8 GB, and the speed is the same as that of CF Extreme III cards (133x). Of course, the CF connector allows you to use many types of memory cards using a variety of adapters, but SD memory cards are now widespread and used in various equipment (laptops, PDAs, compact cameras).

On top there is a mode selection wheel (auto, portrait, landscape, macro, sports, night landscape, night portrait, full manual mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, program automatic mode). On the right side of the top panel there is an additional b/w segment screen with green backlight, a ring switch (on/off/activate the backlight of the additional screen), a metering mode selection key, an exposure compensation selection key, a shooting mode selection button (single, serial, shooting with timer, shutter release using the remote control, and the same thing, but with a delay), autofocus mode selection button.

Settings can be set using keys on the body and control wheels. If white balance, sensitivity, quality and image size are easily set using the control wheels and multifunction keys, then the values ​​of the parameters changed using the keys on the right side of the top panel are quite difficult to set, and the camera has to be intercepted. It is possible to set the settings by pressing the keys multiple times, but this method is more likely for the amateur. But thanks to the ability to set most settings without activating the main screen, serious battery savings are achieved.

At the bottom there is a battery compartment and a connector for mounting on a tripod without a lock. There are no rubber feet or rubber pads on the bottom panel, so the camera practically does not hold up on inclined smooth surfaces and slides.

Viewfinder

The viewfinder of the Nikon D80 is unusually bright, which is good news. It is possible to turn the grid on and off. There is quite a lot of supporting information. When manually selecting a focus area, the joystick causes inconvenience (it only works in four directions), but this method also has positive point- there are not 9 focusing zones (like the Sony DSLR-A100), but 11. At the bottom of the viewfinder there is a line of mnemonic signs displaying 14 parameters.

Screen

The camera has a 2.5-inch diagonal LCD display (230,000 dots), the same as the Nikon D200! The screen is easy to read even in high light, not least thanks to the contrast menu. The screen is covered with a protective cover BM-7 (included in the package), due to which the screen will fade a little, but it will not be scratched. It is worth recalling that the screen on the Nikon D50 camera is smaller - 2". But 2.5" has now become the standard, so make a screen smaller company Nikon simply couldn't.

Menu

The convenience or inconvenience of the menu is a purely subjective criterion, but still there are quite a lot of fans of the user interface of Nikon DSLRs. In the Nikon D80, you rarely need to use the color screen, because... Many parameters are displayed on an additional segment b/w indicator, which saves battery power. The camera can remember the last menu item used even after turning it off, which can be very useful.

Testing

The camera uses the same sensor as the Sony DSLR A-100 and Nikon D200 cameras, as well as a processor based on the Nikon D200 processor. The first impression you might get is that the D80 is assembled from almost the same parts as the D200, therefore, the image quality should not be inferior to it. But this is not so - the D200 is a semi-professional device and the D80 is no match for it. It is more correct to compare it with the Sony A100 model.

I was disappointed by the slurred autofocus performance. Small objects located far away often turn out to be slightly blurred and you have to use manual adjustment (Sony A-100 easily copes with the same objects).

But there are no complaints about the flash - the device always worked very competently, even on automatic settings. Guide number 13 (ISO 100). The range of flash settings is very wide, and it is easy to control not only the built-in flash, but also external flashes, which can be divided into 2 groups. The hot shoe is compatible with iTTL flashes SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200.

The processing menu deserves special attention. The menu includes the d-lighting function (processing darkened and overexposed photos), red-eye reduction, cropping, creating monochromatic images, filters (the Color Balance item is especially interesting, which allows you to correct the white balance if it is set incorrectly while taking a photograph), reducing the image, and photo overlay. But some features (such as overlay) unfortunately only work with RAW files.

Noises

When testing the noise of images, we used the same collage as when testing the Sony DSLR A-100. The shooting was carried out in JPEG Fine format with subsequent cutting in Adobe PhotoShop.

Mira

Photographing of the myra was carried out from a distance of 3 meters, the diameter of the myra was 13 cm. Lighting was done with two fluorescent lamps (14 W). On the left is a picture of the world in the center of the frame, on the right is the upper right corner. Focal length 18 mm.

Autonomous operation and battery

The camera is used lithium ion battery EN-EL3e with a capacity of 1500 mAh (7.2 V). The same battery is used in the D200 model. To correctly display the battery status, you must select its type in the appropriate menu item. With the supplied battery, the camera is capable of taking more than 2000 pictures. When testing for two weeks, it was not possible to completely discharge the battery, although more than a thousand pictures were taken with rare use flashes.

Speed ​​characteristics

The camera works very quickly. Switching on and off occurs almost instantly. The first shot can be taken within 0.3 seconds after switching on, and when using manual focus, the first shot can be taken almost instantly (it all depends on how nimble your fingers are).

During testing, we used a miniSD memory card (with adapter) 80x, which is clearly not enough for this camera, and it is preferable to use memory cards with x133 speed. The secondary screen and viewfinder display a counter for the internal buffer, which allows you to judge how many more pictures can be taken at maximum speed.

Conclusions

The camera turned out to be quite good. But there are a lot of comments. The case on the front panel is covered with soft plastic, not rubber, so the fixation is not the most reliable. Sharing the settings buttons on the left side of the top panel and the wheel will not be convenient for everyone. The camera's very bright and convenient viewfinder makes your work easier. The use of SD memory cards causes conflicting feelings - on the one hand, it is impossible to use adapters for almost any type of memory card, as is the case with the CF connector, but at the same time, the SD format is now the most common and is often used in compacts, PDAs and laptops. Widespread laptops with an SD card reader allows you to immediately view images, for example in the field, without the need for cables and external memory card readers.

Autofocus is fast, but not always correct. Noise is quite acceptable at values ​​of 800 and even 1600, but at more high values, especially Hi1 (ISO 3200) become too large.

The sensor, screen, battery and processor are taken from the more expensive Nikon D200, but the D80 still falls short of a semi-professional model. One of the main competitors (Sony DSLR-A100) is equipped with the same sensor and, in theory, should shoot with the same quality when using equivalent lenses. The advantages of the Alpha are the stabilization system, more competent autofocus performance and the ability to use adapters for the M42; the D80 has the use of the Nikon F mount, which has become publicly available. When choosing between the D80 and A-100, you should pay attention to the first one if you have a fleet of Nikon AF optics or you are just a Nikon fan, otherwise - the Sony DSLR A100.

In September 2006, Nikon launched a new SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, the Nikon D80. The camera replaced the successful Nikon D70s model. The first difference from its predecessor, which catches your eye when viewing the stated characteristics, is a 10 megapixel CCD sensor with a physical size of 23.6x15.8 mm (the D50 and D70s models used a 6 megapixel matrix). The camera under test is not positioned in the same segment as its predecessor, but completely displaces it from the market. But it’s hardly worth comparing the camera with the D70s model, since the D70s is more of an intermediate option, and even more so with the D50 model, since it has its own successor - the Nikon D40, which should become the cheapest SLR camera with interchangeable lenses .

The main competitors of the hero of the review are representatives of the latest wave of 10 MP SLR cameras - Canon 400D and Sony Alfa A-100, and the latter is equipped with the same sensor as the D80 and is equipped with an interesting image stabilization system. The cost of the three competitors is almost the same - in the Kit package their price is about $1000.

Scope of delivery

  • Nikon D80 camera
  • Lens AS-F NIKKOR 18-135 mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED
  • Lens cap
  • Lens case
  • Hood
  • Nikon BM-70 screen protector
  • Nikon EN-EL3e battery
  • Charger MH-18a
  • Shoulder strap
  • Lens cap holder
  • USB-miniUSB cable
  • Video cable (2 RCA)
  • User manual in Russian
  • Branded warranty card

Appearance and ease of use

Externally, the camera is similar to the D50 model, but the weight has been significantly increased. The build quality is at a high level. All parts fit together; no poor-quality joints could be found. The body is made of two types of plastic: hard, rough plastic at the back and sides, and soft plastic at the front, emulating rubber.

On the front panel there is a bayonet mount, an auxiliary control dial, an autofocus illuminator lamp, also known as a red-eye reduction lamp and a timer indicator, a built-in flash, a programmable “Func” key (which was immediately programmed to “select an autofocus area” in order to forget about the menu main display), depth of field viewing button, infrared receiver, lock button.

The D80 uses a Nikon F mount with a flange length of 46.5, which makes it impossible to use adapters for Soviet lenses with an M42 thread and a flange length of 45.5. But since the F mount has become public domain and coincides with the H mount (Kyiv), it is possible to use lenses from many manufacturers. In particular, Arsenal.

At the rear there is a delete key, a viewfinder with a diopter adjuster, an autofocus and exposure lock key (the functions of which can be reprogrammed in the corresponding menu item), and the main control dial.

To the left of the screen there are keys for switching to playback mode, a menu and three multifunction keys: setting white balance / locking a file / viewing a hint, setting ISO sensitivity / reducing the preview image / switching to preview mode, setting image quality / enlarging the preview image.

To the right of the screen is a four-way control joystick, a two-position AF area lock switch and an enter key.

On the left there is a focus mode switch, a bracketing button, a button for selecting flash operating modes, under the rubber protective cover there is a miniUSB connector, a connector for connecting an external power source and a 3.5 mm mini-jack connector for connecting a video cable, under the second rubber cover there is a connector for connecting a wired remote control, which is purchased separately.

On the right under the cover there is a compartment for an SD memory card. Using an SD memory card in digital cameras mirror type is unusual, but quite justified - the volume of memory cards freely available on the market has reached 8 GB, and the speed is the same as that of CF Extreme III cards (133x). Of course, the CF connector allows you to use many types of memory cards using a variety of adapters, but SD memory cards are now widespread and used in various equipment (laptops, PDAs, compact cameras).

On top there is a mode selection wheel (auto, portrait, landscape, macro, sports, night landscape, night portrait, full manual mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, program automatic mode). On the right side of the top panel there is an additional b/w segment screen with green backlight, a ring switch (on/off/activate the backlight of the additional screen), a metering mode selection key, an exposure compensation selection key, a shooting mode selection button (single, serial, shooting with timer, shutter release using the remote control, and the same thing, but with a delay), autofocus mode selection button.
Settings can be set using keys on the body and control wheels. If white balance, sensitivity, quality and image size are easily set using the control wheels and multifunction keys, then the values ​​of the parameters changed using the keys on the right side of the top panel are quite difficult to set, and the camera has to be intercepted. It is possible to set the settings by pressing the keys multiple times, but this method is more likely for the amateur. But thanks to the ability to set most settings without activating the main screen, serious battery savings are achieved.

At the bottom there is a battery compartment and a connector for mounting on a tripod without a lock. There are no rubber feet or rubber pads on the bottom panel, so the camera practically does not hold up on inclined smooth surfaces and slides.

Viewfinder

The camera viewfinder is unusually bright, which is good news. It is possible to turn the grid on and off. There is quite a lot of supporting information. When manually selecting a focus area, the joystick causes inconvenience (it only works in four directions), but this method also has a positive aspect - there are not 9 focus areas (like the Sony DSLR A-100), but 11. There is a line at the bottom of the viewfinder mnemonic signs displaying 14 parameters.

Screen

The camera has a 2.5-inch diagonal LCD display (230,000 dots), the same as the Nikon D200! The screen is easy to read even in high light, not least thanks to the contrast menu. The screen is covered with a protective cover BM-7 (included in the package), due to which the screen will fade a little, but it will not be scratched. It is worth recalling that the screen on the Nikon D50 camera is smaller - 2″. But 2.5″ has now become the standard, so Nikon simply could not make the screen smaller.

Menu

The convenience or inconvenience of the menu is a purely subjective criterion, but still there are quite a lot of fans of the user interface of Nikon DSLRs. In the Nikon D80 model, you have to use the color screen extremely rarely, since many parameters are displayed on an additional segment b/w indicator, which saves battery power. The camera can remember the last menu item used even after turning it off, which can be very useful.

Testing

The camera uses the same sensor as the Sony DSLR A-100 and Nikon D200 cameras, as well as a processor based on the Nikon D200 processor. The first impression you might get is that the D80 is assembled from almost the same parts as the D200, therefore, the image quality should not be inferior to it. But this is not so - the D200 is a semi-professional device and the D80 is no match for it. It is more correct to compare it with the Sony A-100 model.
I was disappointed by the slurred autofocus performance. Small objects located far away often turn out to be slightly blurred and you have to use manual adjustment (Sony A-100 easily copes with the same objects).
But there are no complaints about the flash - the device always worked very competently, even on automatic settings. Guide number 13 (ISO 100). The range of flash settings is very wide, and it is easy to control not only the built-in flash, but also external flashes, which can be divided into 2 groups. The hot shoe is compatible with iTTL flashes SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200.

The processing menu deserves special attention. The menu includes the d-lighting function (processing darkened and overexposed photos), red-eye reduction, cropping, creating monochromatic images, filters (the Color Balance item is especially interesting, which allows you to correct the white balance if it is set incorrectly while taking a photograph), reducing the image, and photo overlay. But some features (such as overlay) unfortunately only work with RAW files.

Noises

When testing image noise, we used the same collage as when testing the Sony DSLR A-100. The shooting was carried out in JPEG Fine format with subsequent cutting in Adobe PhotoShop.

ISO 1600

ISO 3200

You can get acquainted in more detail with pictures characterizing noise.

Mira

Photographing of the myra was carried out from a distance of 3 meters, the diameter of the myra was 13 cm. Lighting was done with two fluorescent lamps (14 W). On the left is a picture of the world in the center of the frame, on the right is the upper right corner. Focal length 18 mm.

Sample pictures

Autonomous operation and battery

The camera uses a lithium-ion battery EN-EL3 with a capacity of 1500 mAh (7.2 V). The same battery is used in the D200 model. To correctly display the battery status, you must select its type in the appropriate menu item. With the supplied battery, the camera is capable of taking more than 2000 pictures. When testing for two weeks, it was not possible to completely discharge the battery, although more than a thousand photographs were taken with rare use of the flash.

Speed ​​characteristics

The camera works very quickly. Switching on and off occurs almost instantly. The first shot can be taken within 0.3 seconds after switching on, and when using manual focus, the first shot can be taken almost instantly (it all depends on how nimble your fingers are).

Serial shooting was carried out in three modes - NEF(RAW), JPEG(high quality), NEF(RAW) + JPEG(high quality).



JPEG (FINE)


RAW


RAW+JPEG (FINE)

During testing, we used a miniSD memory card (with adapter) 80x, which is clearly not enough for this camera, and it is preferable to use memory cards with x133 speed. The secondary screen and viewfinder display a counter for the internal buffer, which allows you to judge how many more pictures can be taken at maximum speed.

Conclusions

The camera turned out to be quite good. But there are a lot of comments. The case on the front panel is covered with soft plastic, not rubber, so the fixation is not the most reliable. Sharing the settings buttons on the left side of the top panel and the wheel will not be convenient for everyone. The camera's very bright and convenient viewfinder makes your work easier. The use of SD memory cards causes conflicting feelings - on the one hand, it is impossible to use adapters for almost any type of memory card, as is the case with the CF connector, but at the same time, the SD format is now the most common and is often used in compacts, PDAs and laptops. The widespread availability of laptops with an SD card reader allows images to be viewed immediately, for example in the field, without the need for cables or external memory card readers.

Autofocus is fast, but not always correct. Noise is quite acceptable at values ​​of 800 and even 1600, but at higher values, especially Hi1 (ISO 3200), it becomes too large.

The sensor, screen, battery and processor are taken from the more expensive Nikon D200, but the D80 still falls short of a semi-professional model. One of the main competitors (Sony DSLR A-100) is equipped with the same sensor and, in theory, should shoot with the same quality when using equivalent lenses. The advantages of the Alpha are the stabilization system, more competent autofocus operation and the ability to use adapters for the M42; the D80 has the use of the Nikon F mount, which has become publicly available. When choosing between the D80 and A-100, you should pay attention to the first one if you have a fleet of Nikon AF optics or you are just a Nikon fan, otherwise - the Sony DSLR A-100.

Technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer

Image sensorCCD, 10.8 million total pixels (10.0 million effective pixels)
Image Sensor Filter ColorsR-G-B
Image saving formatPhoto frame:
JPEG (Exif 2.2), RAW NEF
JPEG compression ratioFine, Normal, Basic
Image ResolutionPhoto frame:
3872×2592,
2896×1944,
1936×1296
Image aspect ratio3:2
DPOFDPOF support
PhotosensitivityAuto, ISO 100-3200
LensNikon F mount (with AF interface and AF contacts), D-Type
FocusingAutofocus:
TTL autofocus
Manual focus (11 focus areas)
Autofocus modesInstant single-frame (AF-S), continuous tracking (AF-C), automatic AF-S/AF-C (AF-A), when the state of the subject changes, focusing tracking is automatically activated with prediction of the subject's position
ExcerptShutter Priority Mode/Manual: 1/4000 sec - 30 sec in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments and Bulb B
Flash synchronization up to 1/200 s., remote control
Exposure meteringMatrix, center-weighted, spot
Exposure metering range3D color matrix or center-weighted measurements: 0 ~ 20 EV;
spot metering: 2 ~ 20 EV (for ISO 100)
Exposure compensation- 5 EV or 0.5EV in steps of 0.2 or 0.3
Exposure modesAuto, P - program autoexposure, A - aperture priority, S - shutter priority, M - manual mode
Scene modesPortrait, landscape, sports, macro, night portrait, night landscape
White balanceAuto (TTL white balance with 420-segment RGB sensor), 6 manual modes with fine adjustment
Kelvin color temperature
White balance bracketingEat
Image effectsb/w and “color filters”
Continuous shooting mode3 fps
Built-in flashEat
Flash modesForced Off, Slow Sync, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync with Red-Eye Reduction, First or Second Curtain Sync
Flash power compensation-3 to +1 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments
External flashHot shoe connection
Self-timerWith a delay from 2 to 20 s (2, 5, 10 or 20 s.)
Remote controlUsing cable MC-DC1 or remote control ML-L3
Storage deviceSecure Digital Memory Cards
ViewfinderWith non-removable pentaprism; built-in diopter correction: -1.6 to +0.5 D
Eyepiece offset 19.5 mm (at -1 D)
Focusing screen BriteView V type B matte screen with focusing frames.
Viewfinder frame coverage approximately 95%
Viewfinder magnification approximately 0.94x (50mm lens focused at infinity; -1 D correction)
LCD display2.5″ color low temperature polysilicon LCD display, 230,000 pixels with brightness adjustment
Viewing ImagesPhoto frame:
frame by frame, list view "zoom in view", slide show, histogram display, highlight display, automatic image rotation
Video outputNTSC/PAL selectable
InterfaceUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed
NutritionLi-ion battery EN-EL3a
Battery pack MB-D80 (sold separately)
Dimensions (W×H×D), mm132×103×77
Weight, g668 (with battery)

Prices

The table below shows the average retail price in Moscow, current at the time you read this article:

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