Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera

With their new D80 Digital SLR, Nikon has gone a long way towards making top-of-the-line, professional level functionality affordable for the amateur photographer. By adding many of the highly-coveted features found in the pricier D200, Nikon has raised the bar for consumer DLSR's to a new level. Although the body of the D80 is the same compact size as the D70s which it replaced, its 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD sensor captures stunning images at up to 10.2 megapixels and image sizes up to 3872 x 2592 pixels! At three frames per second in continuous shooting mode, the D80 does an excellent job at capturing fast-action scenes. It also sports a large 2.5" TFT LCD screen with a 170 degree viewing angle for reviewing your images and menu settings. Perhaps the area where the D80 shines brightest is in noise reduction. In fact, the level of noise in images captured at higher ISO's with the D80 is among the lowest of any digital camera on the market making it an excellent choice for those who take lots of photos under low-light conditions. Here are the Nikon D80's specifications: 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor 2.5-inch LCD display Super-fast power-up time of just 0.2 seconds Captures images in RAW and JPEGformats 3 FPS burst mode Image optimization functions In-camera image retouching Effective resolution: 10.2 million pixels Image sensor: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8mm Maximum image size: 3,872 x 2,592 pixels ISO sensitivity: 100 - 1600 (ISO equivalent) Images storage: SD memory card File system: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 & DPOF Storage system: Compressed NEF (RAW) and JPEG White balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor) Playback function: Full frame Video output: NTSC or PAL Interface: USB 2.0 and SD memory card slot Text input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input Compatible lenses: Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts) Camera dimensions (W x H x D): 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 inches (132 x 103 x 77mm) Lens dimensions: 2.9 x 3.4 inches (74 x 86mm) Weight of camera body: 21 ounces Kit includes the excellent Nikkor 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom lens Weight of kit lens: 13.6 ounces Primary advantage of the Nikon D80: It comes with many of the advanced features and functionality of the D200 at a much lower cost. Primary disadvantage: The small body of the D80 is less rugged than most professional-level cameras. Recommendation: If you're looking for a high quality Digital SLR camera with a ton of pro-level features and functionality at a consumer-level price, you simply cannot beat the Nikon D80.