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Digital Photography
& Macintosh Computers
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Nikon
Capture NX Workflow eBook - - Adobe Lightroom Workflow eBook
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August 14, 2006
Nikon releases a middle of the road winner,
the 10.2 million pixel Nikon D80 Digital SLR.
 Canon
better watch out, Nikon now boasts six different (feature and price)
Digital SLR cameras in their digital camera line-up. Targeted in
between the Nikon D70s and the Nikon D200 in price, the new Nikon D80
(camera body only) sells for just under one thousand dollars in the US.
The biggest controversy on the
internet forums at this time, regarding the Nikon D80 is the use of SD
memory cards
(same as the Nikon D50), as opposed to the CF memory card format of the
higher end Nikon Digital SLRs.
Many owners of higher end Nikon Digital SLRs are arguing that this
makes the Nikon D50 too expensive as a second camera (for professional
use) since they have to
buy a large batch of new memory cards and that they may as well buy the
Nikon D200 instead.
Others argue that the current low cost and future even lower cost
of memory cards obsoletes this argument, but that Nikon may be
intentionally steering pro users to the Nikon D200 for second camera
purchases (which makes sense).
Nikon D50 users are of course very happy to have a more full featured
and higher resolution camera to upgrade to, without having to buy a new
batch of CF memory cards and forking over the extra money for the much
higher priced Nikon D200 (around $1,800. for the body).
Whatever the case Nikon seems to have another winner in their hands,
the Nikon D80 looks to be a logical successor to the Nikon D70s and a
worthy bigger brother to the Nikon D50.
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Main Features of Nikon D80
- 10.2 effective
megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor
- High-speed
continuous shooting: 3 frames per second
(fps) in bursts of up to 100 consecutive JPEG (FINE M-size or smaller)
or 6 RAW (NEF) images
- Advanced
high-precision, high-performance imaging processing engine with
color-independent pre-conditioning
- 3D-Color Matrix
Metering II with 420-pixel RGB
sensor delivers consistent and dependable automatic exposure for ideal
results in most lighting conditions
- Refined 11-area
AF system with new Auto-area AF
mode and center sensor that can be switched to wide-frame operation for
broader coverage
- ISO AUTO mode
automatically adjusts sensitivity
between ISO 100 to 1600, maximizing available light to help achieve
optimal exposure
- Seven automated
Digital Vari-Programs (Auto,
Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape and Night
Portrait) optimize white balance, sharpening, tone, color, saturation
and hue to match the scene.
- User-selectable
choice of Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom and
Black-and-white image optimization options
- Near-instant
response with 0.18 sec. power-up and approx. 80-millisecond shutter
release time lag promotes fast handling
- Top shutter
speed of 1/4,000 second and flash sync speeds up to 1/200 second
- Fast image
transfer via USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface and SD memory card
- Creative
in-camera effects and editing functions
consolidated under the new Retouch menu, including D-Lighting, Red-eye
correction, Trim, Image Overlay, Monochrome settings (Black-and-white,
Sepia, Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Color
balance)
- Multiple
Exposure shooting option automatically produces an effect that
resembles multiple exposure techniques used with film
- Large 2.5-inch
LCD monitor with ultra-wide
170-degree viewing angle for clear image preview and easy access to
settings and information, including RGB Histograms
- Selectable
Slideshow function (Standard or Pictmotion)
- SD memory card
storage, SDHC compatible
- Lightweight,
compact body
- High-energy
EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion
battery delivers the power to shoot up to 2,700 pictures on a single
charge and provides detailed battery status information. (Battery life
figure determined by in-house test parameters)
- Built-in Flash
with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon's Creative Lighting
System
- The D80
supports more than 43 AF Nikkor lenses in addition to the growing
family of DX Nikkor lenses
- Includes
Nikon’s PictureProject software for easy control over image adjustment
and management
- Support for
Nikon's new Capture NX software, which
provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement
tools that help tap the full potential of NEF images
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Specifications of
Nikon D80
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Effective
pixels
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10.2 million |
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Image
sensor
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RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8
mm, 10.75 million total pixels |
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Image size
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L (3,872 x 2,592) /
M (2,896 x 1,944) / S (1,936 x 1,296) |
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Sensitivity
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100 to 1600 (ISO
equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1 |
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Storage
media
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SD memory card, SDHC
compatible |
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LCD
monitor
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2.5-in.,
230,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment |
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Exposure
metering
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3D Color Matrix
Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering |
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Exposure
modes
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Digital
Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night
Landscape, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program;
Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M] |
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Interface
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USB 2.0 (Hi-speed)
(mini-B connector); SD card slot |
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Power
sources
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Rechargeable Li-ion
Battery EN-EL3e, MB-D80 battery pack (optional), AC Adapter EH-5
(optional) |
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Dimensions
(W x H x D)
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Approx. 132 x 103 x
77mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.) |
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Weight
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Approx. 585g (1lb
5oz) without battery, memory card, or body cap or monitor cover |
Specifications are subject to
change without any notice or obligation on the part of the
manufacturer. August 2006
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Nikon
Capture NX Workflow eBook - - Adobe Lightroom Workflow eBook
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