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Natalie Hitchins is news editor of What Digital Camera magazine and a former editor of Digital Photographer. Here she picks the best of the huge array of digital SLR cameras. Click to view Top 5 Digital SLRs.
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Best for Enthusiasts (Nikon D80) |
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 Hot from the creators of the photo trade's most enduring dream machines, Nikon’s latest SLR combines top of the range technologies with compact convenience. A high-resolution sensor and lightning-speed processor are just two of the D80’s many class-beating features that’ll leave enthusiasts rubbing their hands with glee.
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| The D80 sets itself apart from its rivals with a firm commitment to creative photography. A cut above the current crop of 10-megapixel SLRs aimed at beginners, the Nikon has its sights firmly set on the enthusiast market. Described by What Digital Camera as, “another winner that reinforces the strength of Nikon’s SLR line-up,” the D80 benefits from an exalted heritage of cameras that have long been favourites among professional photo journalists. (Compare Prices) |
Inside and out |
 On the outside it’s a beauty. Curved edges and compact dimensions enable it to sit comfortably around the necks of photographers without compromising usability. A large viewfinder and luxurious 2.5-inch LCD make framing a pleasure while generously proportioned buttons ensure controls are always within reach. As Phil Askey at DPReview.com puts it, “It's one of those cameras which just feels 'right and sorted' from the moment you pick it up.”
Just as alluring on the inside, the D80 is a high-performance wonder that bears more than a passing resemblance to Nikon’s higher-end (not to mention much pricier) pro D200 and D2X. Its new 10.2-megapixel sensor is paired with a faster processor with low power usage, high speed capture and precision operation. What’s more, Nikon has incorporated its latest metering system, dubbed 3D Colour Matrix Metering II. In case that hasn’t got you excited, users can also look forward to a spanking new 11 area AF dotted around the central area of the viewfinder. (Compare Prices) |
Expert analysis |
 All experts agree that the D80 delivers an awesome feature set. As DPReview.com concludes, “Things just get better the more you use the camera, you will begin to discover the usefulness of major features like the customizable automatic ISO and the subtle touches like being able to tap the DELETE button twice to delete an image.”
Jeff Keller of DCResource agrees, citing some of the D80’s many advantages: “Camera performance is very impressive. The D80 starts instantly, focuses without delay - even in low light -and shutter lag is not a problem,” he confirms. “Shot-to-shot delays are practically nil, and with a fast memory card you can take up to 100 full size JPEGs or 6 RAW images in a row at 3 frames/second.” (Compare Prices) |
Image is everything |
 Thankfully image quality lives up to the promises of its featureset. Jamie Harrision writing for What Digital Camera sums up the tide pf opinion, “Pictures have a very nice tonality and JPEGS are practically ready to print.” Heading over to Trusted Reviews, Cliff Smith enthuses, “The quality of the JPEG Fine mode is outstanding, and it takes a keen eye to spot any difference between converted RAW and JPEG Fine images, especially in prints. The in-camera colour and image control makes this a viable option for all but the most demanding professionals….it has one of the best high-ISO results I’ve seen.”
Available in a body-only package or as part of a lens kit, new Nikon users will find the bundled 18-135mm kit lens a versatile and powerful optical. Indeed, "high-quality" is not a phrase usually associated with kit lenses, but that’s exactly what reviewers from ImageResource.com have concluded in the case of the D80. “With lots of aspheric surfaces and ED glass in it, the lens is a huge step up from the cheap lenses typically found in kits.”
While the D80 is not the cheapest option in the market, its results and handling speak for themselves. If you are keen to progress your photography with a feature-packed SLR, or even want to create better-quality images than you could with a previous Nikon, the D80 offers incredible value. (Compare Prices) |
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For an explanation of technical photographic terms click here
TYPICAL PRICES: Body only: £510-£650 ($1,010-$1285); Lens kit: £685-£850 ($1385-$1680)
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