World Exclusive Review: Nikon D80 Digital SLR

A New Nikon for the Masses

You know that something good is about to head your way when Nikon, one of the leading manufacturers of DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) cameras, throws a teaser ad of massive intent that aims to generate hype, speculations and build anticipation for an imaging device that's going to represent the company in moving forward. Such advertising efforts are by no means a novelty, but Nikon differs in its approach by channeling its resources and advertising directive not on its most technological advanced camera but rather on its mainstream model instead. The DSLR in question is none other than the hotly speculated D80, which in a move against conventions of hollering modest increase in pixel count and functionality, better trimmings, ergonomic improvements and better value for money is what Nikon brands as "The Next Nikon", among many others.

It's not difficult to appreciate Nikon's bold move of staking so heavily in a brand new mainstream model. The keyword here is volume and any good product or sales manager will tell you without hesitation that while high-end products make for excellent technological showcase, they don't generate nearly as much revenue as mainstream products nor do they attract as many buyers to quickly expand user base for the same period of time.

True enough, a methodical look over the past 12 months will have painted a clear picture revealing an industry wide focus on affordable DSLR cameras. Earlier models not withstanding, Nikon had already rolled out the D70s and the D50 for which the latter was and still is the company's most affordable DSLR to date. Then there are other models like the Canon 350D, Panasonic L1, Pentax K100D and the recently launched Sony Alpha A100 that are all competing for the more or less the same mass consumer dollars. What sets Nikon apart from her competitors is that they are currently the only DSLR manufacturer offering more than one budget DSLR model, with the addition of the new D80 taking that tally up to four.

Sporting a new and improved 10.2-megapixel image sensor, the Nikon D80 immediately poses a concern and a challenge for Sony's infant A100 DSLR. The competition from Nikon's latest DSLR is all the more urgent considering some of its specifications such as the image processing engine, AF system, ISO sensitivity, noise reduction levels, metering system, viewfinder, and LCD monitor are all plucked from the company's higher-tiered professional models. However, with barely a year gone since the D50 and D70s were unveiled, the arrival of the D80 seems to have come a little earlier than expected. Nevertheless, new is always a good thing, especially for budding photographers contemplating in taking their passion to a more serious level. On paper, the D80 is quite frankly as good as it gets for a mainstream DSLR, but will it be the ultimate camera for beginners and amateurs? Read on as we find out the camera's capabilities and tackle this interesting question.

Standard Package Contents

• Nikon D80 Camera Body
• Quick Battery Charger, MH-18a
• One rechargeable Li-ion Battery, EN-EL3e
• Power Cord (for charger)
• Audio-Video cable, EG-D2
• USB cable, UC-E4
• Strap
• Body cap
• Eyepiece Cap, DK-5
• Rubber Eyecup, DK-21
• LCD monitor cover, BM-7
• Accessory shoe cover
• PictureProject CD-ROM

Optional Accessories

• Multi-Power Battery Pack, MB-D80
• Magnifying Eyepiece, Dk-21M
• AC Adapter, EH-5
• Wireless Remote Control, ML-L3
• Remote Cord, MC-DC1
• Speedlight SB-800, SB600/SB-R200
• Capture NX
• Camera Control Pro

Before we go in depth about the control handling, new features and test shots, let us take a look at the specifications of Nikon's D70s, D80, D200 and its rival, the Sony A100 all on the following page.

Technical Specifications with Comparisons
 

As you can see from the table, the specifications of the D80 are quite a leap over its predecessor, the D70s. In fact, even though the D80 is largely based around the same chassis as the D70s, it should be seen as a modest D200 than an enhanced D70s because it has more in common with the former than the latter. Compared to its rival however, the Sony A100, both share nearly the same set of specifications. The one notable difference among all the cameras listed here is that the D80 is the only DSLR that uses SD memory card while the rest use CF memory cards. Comparison of specifications over and done with, let us now take a closer look at the D80.

A Close Up Look at the New Camera

Close up Shots of the Camera

Hand Grip and Battery

Handling of the Camera

Lens Mount

The D80 uses Nikon F lens mount to ensure compatibility with existing Nikon lenses, including the VR (Vibration Reduction) lenses as shown below.

VR lenses

These premium VR lenses reduce blurring of photos from handshakes and packs two modes of use: Normal and Active.

Controls

Making sense of the various controls of the camera is a speedy affair once you get the hang of changing the shutter speed with your index finger and aperture with your thumb. The left dial lets you run through different exposure modes such as the P (program), A (aperture priority), S (shutter priority), M (full manual) and a few other preset modes. The autofocus and manual focus selection is located just below the lens release button.

Menus

As mentioned earlier, the user interface of the D80 is quite a contrast to the version powering the D50 and D70s, appearing almost like a carbon copy of the user interface found in the D200. This gives the D80 a more professional feel altogether. If anything, the control characteristics of the D80 now feel much more grown up and refined over its cheaper siblings.

New functions that are added to the menu of the D80 include multiple exposures, variable ISO noise reduction, ISO 3200 (with boost), Kelvin color temperature control, remaining charge of battery in percentage unit, in-camera retouching features and selectable minimum shutter speed.

Playback Menu

Shooting Menu

Custom Setting Menu

Setup Menu

Retouch Menu

New Features for Nikon D80

High Resolution Image Processing Engine

A key selling point of the D80 is that it is able to capture at a much higher 10.2-megapixel resolution using the DX Format CCD image sensor as opposed to the D50 and D70s. More importantly, this sensor is also being used in the mid-range D200 DSLR. Besides being more energy efficient than its predecessors, the other advantage that came with the new imaging and processing package was the incorporation of color independent analog pre-conditioning with improved 12-bit digital image processing algorithms.

An important addition that was previously unavailable in its predecessors was the integration of the 3D-color Matrix Metering II and an 11-area AF system that are again similarities shared with the D200. With the new advanced auto exposure system, the camera can better evaluate brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance information by referring to the exposure data gathered upon half-shutter. Almost immediately, the D80 can work out the final exposure value via either variable-sized center weight or 11 spot meter link that responds to the 11-area AF system.

Advance Auto-Exposure system and 11-area AF system

Using Nikon's Multi-CAM 1000 AF module, auto focusing of the D80 was quick and precise - thanks to the new 11-area AF system. Even under various lighting conditions, our D80 was able to quickly determine which of the 11 focus areas to focus to achieve the best overall exposure. During our bout with the camera, we were very pleased with the snappy response of the camera. In fact, with a power-up time of just 0.18 of a second, the D80 would be ready for photo shoots right from the moment it's activated.

Built-in Photo Editing Features and a Larger LCD monitor

Another cool feature new to the D80 DSLR camera is a series of built-in photo editing parameters. If you have been using Nikon's compact digital cameras, you will probably be familiar with the company's renowned 'D-Lighting' technology. Basically, what this does is that upon exposure calculation, the camera instantly applies the overall lighting exposure over areas that are darker and less defined to mildly moderate the final exposure such that the end result would be photos that are able to reveal more depth and details. This handy function, along with a host of other useful editing features such as cropping, are available only in playback (photo preview) function however. On the bright side, users can still perform all these integrated editing functions on the large 2.5-inch TFT LCD monitor capable of displaying 230K pixels and has an ultra wide 170-degree viewing angle.

Tried and Tested: ISO/Sensitivity

"Sensitivity" is basically the digital equivalent of film speed or more specifically the measurement used to define light sensitivity. For this, the D80 offers ISO values between ISO 100 to H1.0, thereby giving photographers more headroom in shutter speed and aperture control, and creativity.

ISO/Sensitivity Comparisons

These photos were taken using aperture priority mode (F/4). Noise (grains) started to appear at ISO 1000 and above. Even when ISO 1600 was used, details were not totally lost to noise and photos were still print worthy after minor resizing and cropping. Sadly, photos taken at ISO H0.3 and higher were unusable due to the massive amount of noise captured.

Tried and Tested: White Balance

The Nikon D80 has a range of white balance options available ranging from auto white balance, six manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature settings (in Kelvin) to preset white balancing. For our test shots, we chose the two most commonly used white balance modes: - fluorescent and tungsten settings.

White Balance Performance under Daylight Condition

Auto white balance worked reasonably well under both daylight and fluorescent lighting conditions - even though colors were found to be a little on the light side. In automatic white balance mode however, blues seemed to be a little off but was still pretty accurate enough for print.

White Balance Performance under Tungsten Lighting Condition

When our Color Rendition Chart was photographed in automatic mode under tungsten lighting, it turned out to be completely off with a strong orange cast over the entire color palette. Using the tungsten mode on the camera, the color chart took on a heavier tinge of blue instead and it was most visible on the top right bluish green color block.

Tried and Tested: Resolution Test

For measuring image resolution of still cameras, we used the I3A/ISO Camera Resolution Chart that meets the ISO-12233 standard. Results from this test enabled us to form an objective and qualitative appraisal on performance such as the resolving power of the image sensor and the lens quality as a whole.

The numbers labeled on the chart signify a 1/100-line per picture height. Therefore, a value of 10 would mean 1000 lines per picture height (LPH). From a series of images taken at differing apertures, the sharpest image was selected and as the resolution test shot shows, it was generally of high quality. Fine lines were still visible pass 1900 LPH on both horizontal and vertical lines per picture height. These results were actually not far behind from those previously produced by the more expensive Nikon D200, so that says quite a bit of the D80's capability where image resolution is concerned.

Tried and Tested: Day and Macro shots

Day test shot at ISO 100 (f/4.5, 1/400sec)

Day test shot at ISO 1600 (f/4.5, 1/4000sec)

For both cropped images, we deliberately brightened up the shots to make the tree trunk details more visible. The result clearly shows a high degree of detail being lost as a result of higher ISO/Sensitivity.

Macro test shots

Colors are nicely saturated and accurate in these macro test shots. Snapped at an ISO of 100, the details of the test shots are vivid.

Final Verdict - Buy or Not to Buy?

The Nikon D80 is a fantastic camera for its price. It is definitely better than its predecessor D70s but not quite the level as the mid-range D200 even though they share some similar features. And this is rightly so, because that's exactly how Nikon has positioned the D80 - the upper rung of budget DSLR cameras. However that doesn't deny the D80 from sharing certain attributes as its dearer D200 brother. For instance, besides some of the key specs, you can expect the same good quality build and a generous rubber cushioning on the grips for extra comfort.

Moving into the functionality aspect, the button layout of the D80 is well thought-out for easy reach by the thumb, index and even the middle finger (to press the FUNC. button). The unique dual dials for adjusting aperture and shutter speed, which spawns across most Nikon DSLR cameras, is also featured on the D80. For users who especially use the manual exposure mode often, the jog dials allows one to quickly change the exposure settings using your index finger and thumb. A notable and visible improvement of the D80 is its larger 2.5-inch LCD screen packing 230K color pixels for better viewing pleasure and more accurate previewing. This compares a lot more favorably to the D70s, which only has a 2-inch LCD screen with 130K color pixels.

With the Nikon D80 DSLR camera's recommended retail price of US$999 (body) or US$1299 (body with the new 18-135 mm DX lens), it is about US$400 less than the D200 that is equipped with the same 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, Multi-CAM 1000 and 3D Matrix Metering II system. Notably, in our ISO night test shots, photos turned out well with very good noise suppression even up to ISO 1000. Photos were found to be still usable at ISO 1600 but that's where our recommendation stops, as from ISO H0.3 onwards, it's definitely not suitable for print purposes.

Looking beyond raw imaging performance which was found to be pretty good, the D80's supporting features unfortunately pale in comparison to its direct competitor - the Sony A100. The Sony A100 boasts features such as Super SteadyShot using CCD module shifting technology and is equipped with an anti-dust feature. The D80 itself, like all Nikon DSLR cameras, doesn't feature any anti-handshake mechanism like the Sony A100 and Pentax K100D DSLR cameras. Instead, the D80 relies on the premium VR (Vibration Reduction) lenses for countering photo blurs caused by handshakes. Sadly, such lens can cost as much as the camera body itself. That aside, we would also really like to see an anti-dust feature on future Nikon DSLR cameras as it has proven to be very handy, especially if you change your lenses often. So far, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony already have such technologies integrated in their DSLR cameras.

At this price point, no camera is perfect and the rants noted above should be viewed objectively. In fact, professionals prefer an anti-handshake mechanism built on the lens rather than the body. With that said, we are actually overall very pleased of the photo imaging capabilities of the D80 and its excellent build quality. These two qualities alone should dictate most of the necessities of DSLR cameras and the D80 is endowed with them. So in all essence, the D80 actually presents itself as an excellent value for money DSLR if you don't mind investing a little more than the D70s, while giving the D200 a run for its money (though the latter is intended for more demanding users altogether).

So for the budding budget DSLR adopters, especially those who've made up their decision to opt for a Nikon, we would highly suggest you to hold on till September when the D80 is expected to be available in retail. While everything has proven fine so far, herein lies an issue for anyone looking to claim ownership of a D80: Nikon's manufacturing capacity. While Nikon may have built a strong reputation as a brand that manufactures impressive optics and imaging solutions, it has unfortunately gained an unwanted but inevitable reputation of failing to deliver on time.

For those of you willing to wait out no matter the availability concerns, the D80 will put a smile on your face when you lay your hands on it. With the D80, Nikon offers a complete DSLR lineup where there's something for almost every segment and price category, with this excellent newcomer taking a favorable spot between the low and midrange DSLR categories of the D70s and the D200. The D80 is definitely the best Nikon camera yet for its entry-level class and is strongly recommended for beginners migrating to the DSLR scene.

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