Home > Consumer Reviews > Nikon D 80 Kit AF-S DX 18-55 VR

It's about 15 years since I 'gave up' film SLRs...they were big, bulky and heavy and I didn't want to carry them around anymore. Like many, I flirted with a few compact cameras before working my way onto a few digital compacts (Sony, Canon etc).

Now at a different stage of my life (the kids are grown up!) it felt like the time to get back into SLRs once again.

To be honest, technology is now such that it's probably difficult to buy a bad DSLR...try some out...they all have fantastic features that put my old film camera to shame. I have however always hankered after a Nikon...cue the D80.

Initially somewhat daunted by the many features available on the D80, I have spent an enjoyable time getting back into SLR cameras again with the D80 - it's more compact than my old beasts and an awful lot more capable. If you're unsure, drop into 'Auto' mode initially and the camera will do everything for you, other than compose and zoom - you'll get good results this way. Natural curiosity however will soon have you exploring the Programme, Aperture and Shutter priority modes, plus the auto-bracketing, excellent exposure compensation modes and even in-camera editing facilities. Fancy everything in Manual mode?...not a problem, go for it.

When handling the D80 you will be impressed I'm sure by the feeling of quality and class - not 'plasticky' at all as some modern DSLRs tend to be. The 18-135 kit lens is very good and, again, feels solid and reliable.

The D80 has some very detailed and comprehensive in-camera menus. After a couple of days, they all make sense and you'll soon be whizzing through them. The key thing with the D80 though is that you have bought into the Nikon 'system' - an unrivaled collection of lenses and accessories, all oozing quality and class. Nothing is forever of course, especially in this disposable world, but I do tend to feel that the D80 is definitely a long(er) term investment.

Things to buy with the D80 at the same time...? A lens filter (67mm thread), a decent SD or SDHC card (I bought a 4Gb SDHC card) and a nice padded case/bag. After that, well, the Nikon world is your oyster!

A stunning camera - I'm delighted I bought it.

It does seem pointless I feel to review this camera, as if you have got this far you've already read oodles of reviews in all the magazines and they will have said how fantastic this camera is. BUT if you are thinking about buying it online, now, without going into a shop as I did, then this really is the one for you. Ignore all the fantastic features, ignore the sensor robbed from its bigger expensive brother, ignore the 11 point focusing system, (or better the movable 11 point single focus) ignore the enormous crisp LCD, the bright well laid out top mounted display, the gorgeous crisp bright viewfinder, ignore all those well placed buttons. The simple fact is, if you are toying with this or the Canon equivalents (as most will be) then buy this for the glorious build quality, the weight and the way you wonder if the Nikon designers have the same sized hands as you (and anyone you pass this camera to) as its simply the best in build quality and ergonomics, the smaller Canons (350 & 400) just feel like plastic toys, and unless you have very small hands you'll find your last finger flailing around with no-where to go, whereas the bigger ones (20 & 30) are built like a brick outhouse, but sadly look and feel like a brick outhouse.

This is what it boils down to, on spec for £ they all run a photo-finish, on build and handling this ones has got them all well and truly licked.

Nikon's advantage is that it has a long history of specializing in cameras and camera equipment therefore producing only the best in optics (Nikkor) and cameras (SLR,DSLR types). As you probably know, this mesmerising DSLR functions almost exactly like the Nikon D200, but at a lower price and it is much more attractive to those of us who don't have extremely deep pockets. The buttons and switches on the D80 are the only buttons you will ever need, and the camera feels very solid and comfortable when held. It is more comfortable to hold than any Canon (believe me I know). I particularly like how it has a certain weight, that in my opinion can help stabilize a shot and make one feel as if he/she is holding a serious piece of professional equipment (which the D80 is, in every way). The image quality is flawless, as per usual from Nikon. The 18-135 mm lens is a delicious bit of kit to start off with, offering very crisp and fresh looking photos. It gives the user a choice of wide angle and telephoto zooms (18mm being the wide, 135mm being the long or telephoto). One can opt for a macro lens or specialist wide angle lens later on once you have had at least 6 months experience with the kit lens. I recommend you play around with the A,P and S and M dials as much as possible and avoid shooting in Auto(shooting programs). There are so many configurations available with the in-camera processor, more than any other camera in this price range (32 I think). The viewfinder also tells you if you have locked focus and whether or not your exposure is perfect, with 11 focusing points (again more than any camera in this price range). What more do I have to say ? Order it now! I'd also recommend you purchase a circular polarizer, a UV filter (protection against the sun's harmful rays) and a good quality microfibre cloth to clean the lens (don't forget a bag for this awesome camera, preferably a Lowepro or Tamrac). Trust me, once you get out there and take your first couple of shots, you will fall in love with the D80.

What an excellent, reliable and robust camera. I have owned a Nikon D80 for around a year now and have found it to perform excellently in all areas of photography.I took a photography course just after purchasing this camera and found that the control that I had over the camera was inspiring. But to be honest, even in automatic 'point and shoot' mode the photos were excellent thanks to the awesome 11 point focussing system.
The battery life is incredible, the grip on the camera perfect, and the weight really gives it a sturdy feel that allows the camera to handle so well that it actually feels tailor made just for you.
There is a comprehensive set of peripherals and extras available which allow the camera to grow in potential as you do.
For a beginner or a serious amateur, or even an entry level pro, I cannot imagine a better camera.I have used mine in every comceivable situation and it is a joy to work with.
Look at the professional reviews on the net and you'll see what I mean.
A seriously good all-rounder - buy one and you'll see.

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There are pages and pages of profesional reviews on this camera , so I wont give my opinion other than to say that this is virtualy as good as a DSLR gets at the moment...if you need/want one then the D80 is great

My reason for buying this camera is for wedding photography, where I absoloutly need the fast focus and shot to shot time, and it really is great, before buying, you may wish to read the review at www.kenrockwell.com.... Ken identifies...correctly in my view, a tendancy for this camera to overexpose in an unpredictable manner when using matrix metering mode...this is something that I have learned to live with, but it is important to know...many D80 users would go as far as to say that the Matrix Metering system on the D80 is defective and best avoided...it is certainly different to other Nikon DSLR cameras...I use spot or centre weighted metering most of the time, the Matrix system is just too quirky for my taste...the metering issue is not a dealbreaker for me, as the camera is just so so good in other departments, particularly the low light performance and the results when used with the SB600/800 flash...really superb, the camera will even burst at 2.5fps with flash !!!....there are no exposure issues with flash or low light photography , even when using matrix metering

Now this is the cruncher, I carry a camera at all times...not this one though, its too big, too expensive to break/loose, and I cant stand changing lenses for casual photography...my favorite carry round camera is a Kodak P880 (8MP ,a quarter of the price with a 24mm to 150mm fixed lens and half the bulk), and hard as it may seem to believe, the Kodak can match the image quality of this camera in most situations, and has other advantages (live preview, movie mode etc)

So for special occasions, photojournalism, fast action burst (the D80 is almost instant on and very rapid in all departments), then this camera is fantastic...but its a serious camera, for serious uses...for day to day carry round stuff, I still prefer my fixed lens Kodak

Do I recommend this camera...sure without hesitation if its what you need