Jason Dunn
08-09-2006, 06:24 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.nikon.ca/products/d80/' target='_blank'>http://www.nikon.ca/products/d80/</a><br /><br /></div>In this age of Internet news leaks, it seems like almost every product announcement is anti-climactic, because so few things are actually surprising any more. Regardless, the Nikon D80 represents a solid step forward for Nikon's flagship consumer-level DSLR (though the lines are certainly blurring). The big difference between the D80 and the D70s? A resolution bump from 6.1 to 10.2 megapixels, 11-area autofocus up from 5-area, an LCD screen that's 0.5" bigger, a move from CompactFlash to SecureDigital memory cards, and a few other bits and bobs. It edges ever closer to my D200 in functionality, and in fact the differences seem to be fairly small (3 fps on the D80 vs. 5 fps on the D200). <br /><br />The <a href="http://gearlog.com/blogs/gearlog/archive/2006/08/09/17865.aspx">folks over at Gearlog</a> are wondering where the new features such as a secondary sensor for live photo preview and video capture are. Sites such as <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond80/">dpreview</a>, <a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1155108030.html">Imaging Resource</a>, and <a href="http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/2794/hands-on-nikon-d80-dslr.html">PopPhoto</a> have published first looks worth checking out.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/nikon-d80.jpg" /><br /><br />The official Nikon press release is below:<br /><br />Nikon Canada Inc. today introduced the Nikon D80 Digital SLR. Incorporating Nikon's latest digital and photographic technologies, this new high-performance digital SLR camera - including an interchangeable-lens with automated operation and advanced features -- is designed to satisfy photographers' passion for creating beautiful photographs and preserving special moments.<br /><br />The Nikon D80 Digital SLR features a new 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, bringing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail to the class while providing the freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon's DX Format sensor and Nikon F bayonet lens mount design assure unprecedented compatibility across the comprehensive assortment of AF Nikkor lenses and DX Nikkor lenses designed exclusively for Nikon digital SLR cameras.<br /><!><br />[I]One of the key advances developed for the D80 is Nikon's own high-resolution image processing engine. Advantages inherited from Nikon's latest professional digital SLR cameras include colour independent analogue pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms, which combine to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful colour and tone reproduction. A new-dedicated high-performance processing chip greatly accelerates performance on all levels, while also achieving lower power consumption, providing more pictures per battery charge.<br /><br />Nikon's exclusive 3D Colour Matrix Metering II ensures accurate automatic exposure control for ideal exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Evaluating, rather than merely measuring or averaging the true content of each scene, input from the system's frame-wide 420-pixel sensor is automatically referenced against an onboard database of over 30,000 scenes from actual photography to calculate final exposure value. Variable centre-weighted metering and spot metering centred on the active focus area are also available, as are exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing. Sophisticated exposure automation combined with options for complete user control help make the D80 an ideal high-performance digital SLR for passionate photography enthusiasts.<br /><br />Advanced Auto White Balance (AWB) produces natural colouration by measuring the entire frame of each scene and matching white balance to the light source. For those seeking greater personal control, the flexible options include a choice of six specific manual settings, (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy and Shade), as well as a preset option for using a gray or white object as a reference.<br /><br />Ensuring consistently fast and precise focus lock under varying shooting conditions is the D80's refined 11-area AF system. This new 11-area AF system adopts a refined version of Nikon's advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module, adding effective new focusing options that will instill greater confidence in obtaining the desired shot. For example, while the system is able to use each of its 11 focus areas individually, the centre sensor can also be switched to wide-frame operation for broader coverage. New Auto-area AF mode measures all 11 focus areas, and automatically determines which of them are on the primary subject, and activates only those areas.<br /><br />Ready to shoot whenever that priceless expression or special moment presents itself, the D80 takes only 0.18 seconds to power up. And, the shutter's minimal release lag time of approximately 80 milliseconds delivers instant response while shooting, as does the fast and precise focus of the refined 11-area AF system with AF-assist illuminator. Images are processed instantly and recorded quickly to the inserted SD memory card . Preview images are also displayed near instantly.<br /><br />Action photography is a reality with continuous shooting at a rapid 3 frames per second in bursts of up to 100 JPEG (FINE M-size or smaller) images.<br /><br />Packing high performance and high resolution into a slimmer, more compact body, the D80 also remains true to Nikon's commitment to intuitive operation. The size, layout and operation of all buttons and controls are designed for maximum convenience and ease of use.<br /><br />The D80 features a large and bright viewfinder with large 0.94x magnification to ensure the clearest view possible for precise composition. Included is a built-in diopter adjustment control knob that also makes it easier to fine-tune the view to match eyesight. The viewfinder's integrated grid display can also be turned on to assist with composition.<br /><br />A large 2.5-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD provides an ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle from all directions, while a new, dedicated Zoom button makes it easy to preview images and assess sharpness at up to 25 times magnification. A new RGB histogram display aids in evaluating exposures with greater precision. Other playback options include single frame, 4 or 9-image thumbnail display, an improved histogram display and highlight point display.<br /><br />The D80 also adds built-in Standard or Advanced Pictmotion slideshow options, which includes style selections that control transitions and background music. Shows can be enjoyed on the 2.5-inch LCD, or complete with audio on a television when connected via the supplied AV cable.<br /><br />A new menu interface featuring refinements to the carefully chosen colour scheme and increased font size makes navigation easier on the eye, easier to understand and easier to use. Menus can be customized to display only selected items using the new "My Menu" set.<br /><br />Exclusive in-camera image editing features under the new Retouch menu help ensure consistently satisfying results and greater creative freedom without the use of a computer. D-Lighting automatically brings out detail to enhance results and add creative flair while optimizing overall exposure balance. Red-eye correction automatically detects and compensates for the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash. Trim can be used to produce smaller files for easy sharing or greater efficiency. Image Overlay merges a pair of selected RAW (NEF) files taken with the D80 to create a new composite image. Other options include Monochrome settings (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm Filter, Colour Balance). <br /><br />Multiple Exposure is a new shooting option that creates a single image within the camera from up to three consecutive exposures, producing an automatic effect that resembles multiple exposure techniques used with film.<br /><br />Creative photography is as simple as rotating the mode dial with the D80's selection of seven automated Digital Vari-Programs. Choose from Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape, or Night Portrait and the selected program automatically optimizes white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), colour, saturation and hue settings to best match the shot. The D80 also offers personal control over image optimization settings, with user-selectable menu settings for the Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-White options.<br /><br />The powerful built-in flash employs Nikon's highly robust i-TTL flash control for greater precision in flash exposure evaluation that achieves better automatic flash balance. i-TTL flash control also helps realize built-in features such as Repeating Flash function for creating stroboscopic effects and the Modeling Flash, which allows photographers to visually assess overall lighting and shadow conditions prior to shooting. Full support for the Advanced Wireless Lighting System lets the built-in flash function as a two-group remote commander that provides direct control over wireless SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlights.<br /><br />The inherent advantages of the D80 combine with the empowering and creatively inspiring components of Nikon's Total Digital Imaging System to deliver a new level of operating ease, expanded creative possibilities, and pure enjoyment. This begins with the lineup of interchangeable high-quality AF and DX Nikkor lenses, which extends to maximize the potential of Nikon's Creative Lighting System, offering benefits such as i-TTL flash control, Advanced Wireless Lighting. It also offers the highly reliable FV Lock and Auto FP High-Speed Sync, enabling high-precision flash photography with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights. <br /><br />Convenient and practical Total Imaging System add-ons include the new MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack. Featuring an ergonomic design that blends added stability with extended shooting potential for more comfortable shooting in vertical format. The Wireless ML-L3 (IR) Remote Control and MC-DC1 Remote Cord options provide necessary camera stability when using long exposures, such as for landscape and macro photography.<br /><br />Nikon's PictureProject software, provided with every purchase of a Nikon D80, enables easy image importing, editing, organization and sharing. Design templates make it easy to produce prints, tailor images to e-mail, or lay out several images on a page to produce creative album layouts.<br /><br />Capture NX (available for purchase separately) is Nikon's highly versatile and elegantly simple new photo editing solution designed for those who desire more creative control over post-processing and to help photographers tap the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Featuring an innovative user interface that provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools, Capture NX's powerful photo image processing and editing tools can also be applied to JPEG and TIFF files to satisfy a broader range of photofinishing needs and applications.<br /><br />In addition to the advantages of Nikon's total imaging system, the Nikon D80 beautifully combines the best of latest advances in digital technology with ease of operation and quick and efficient camera handling. Aspiring photographers everywhere are certain to enjoy the Nikon digital SLR experience as much as they enjoy the superb pictures it produces. <br /><br />D80 Major Features Overview<br /><br />Exceptional Imaging Quality<br /><br />* New 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor with the power to capture exceptional sharpness and faithful colour at 3,872 x 2,592 pixels size. <br /><br />* Inherits industry-leading advanced imaging processing engine of Nikon professional D-SLR cameras. Colour-independent pre-conditioning prior to A/D conversion works in harmony with high-precision digital image processing algorithms to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful colour and tone reproduction.<br /><br />* 3D Colour Matrix Metering II automatic exposure control ensures ideal exposures in most lighting conditions. Evaluating brightness, colour, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, the system references the data against an expanded onboard database created using data from more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes to instantly and accurately calculate the final exposure value for the shot. Variable centre-weighted metering and spot metering centered on the active focus area are also available.<br /><br />* Refined 11-area AF system packs the same number of focus areas available for the professional D2 series into a space-efficient system that features fast, precise operation. Each of the 11 focus areas can be used individually, the centre sensor can be switched to wide-frame operation for broader coverage, and new Auto-area AF mode measures all 11 focus areas, automatically determining which of them are on the primary subject, activating only those areas.<br /><br />* ISO AUTO mode automatically adjusts sensitivity between ISO 100 to 1600 to maximize available light and achieve optimal exposure. Sensitivity can also be set manually between ISO 100 to 1600 in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1. Three levels of High ISO Noise Reduction are available when shooting at high ISO settings. Long Exposure Noise Reduction is also available when shooting at shutter speeds of 8 seconds or slower.<br /><br />Optimized and Predictable Results<br /><br />* Seven automated Digital Vari-Programs easily accessed from the Mode Dial provide automatic operation that optimizes white balance, sharpening, tone, colour, saturation and hue for crisp and vivid results that match the intended shot. Selections include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape and Night Portrait. <br /><br />* Easily accessed image optimization options closely tailor results to the scene at hand or the intended use of the image. Image sharpening, tone (contrast) compensation, colour mode, saturation and hue adjustment is controlled by the user-selected choice of Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-white.<br /><br />Immediate Response and Fast Performance<br /><br />* Near instant power-up of 0.18 seconds. <br /><br />* A mere 80-millisecond shutter time lag (approximate) promotes fast handling.<br /><br />* Swift continuous shooting performance at 3 frames per second enables the shooting of up to 100 JPEG (FINE M-size or smaller) or up to 6 RAW (NEF) images.<br /><br />* Average frame rate with continuous-servo AF, manual or shutter-priority auto exposure, a shutter speed of 1/250 seconds or faster, and remaining buffer memory. <br /><br />* Shutter speeds ranging from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds or bulb setting provide full creative control.<br /><br />In-camera Image Editing and Effects -Creative in-camera effects and editing functions available under the new Retouch menu:<br /><br />* D-Lighting automatically brings out detail to enhance results and add creative flair, all while optimizing overall exposure balance.<br /><br />* Red-eye correction automatically detects and compensates for the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash.<br /><br />* Trim can be used to produce smaller files for easy sharing or greater efficiency for specific end purposes.<br /><br />* Image Overlay merges a pair of selected RAW (NEF) files taken with the D80 to create a new composite image that can be saved in RAW or JPEG format.<br /><br />* Monochrome settings (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype)<br /><br />* Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm Filter, Colour Balance) Multiple Exposure creates a single image within the camera from up to 3 consecutive exposures to produce imaginative and even surreal results.<br /><br />Ergonomics for efficient handling and further versatility<br /><br />* The D80 features a slimmer, more compact body with the size, layout and operation of all buttons and controls designed for intuitive operation.<br /><br />* A large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with a 170° viewing angle and new dedicated zoom button assist accurate and easy assessment of sharpness by enabling image preview at up to 25 times magnification (for L-size images). Convenient displays include RGB information as a single histogram display or as separate histograms for each colour channel.<br /><br />* Built-in slideshow options include Advanced Pictmotion shows with style selections that control transitions and background music, and can be enjoyed on the 2.5-inch LCD, or complete with audio on a television via the supplied AV cable.<br /><br />* The carefully chosen colour scheme and increased font size of the new colour-coded menu display makes navigation easy on the eye, easier to understand and easier to use. "My Menu" lets you customize Menus to display only the items you wish to see.<br /><br />* Bright pentaprism viewfinder with large 0.94x magnification ensures the clearest view possible for precise composition.<br /><br />* Nikon's EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers enough power to support the shooting of up to 2,700 images on a single charge, can be recharged at any time and features a handy real-time fuel gauge system display that shows remaining charge by percentage, number of shots since last charge and overall battery status.<br /><br />Seamless integration with Nikon's Total Imaging System<br /><br />* Unprecedented compatibility with Nikon's lineup of AF Nikkor lenses and digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses. (When used with the D80 or any DX Format SLR, all AF and DX Nikkor lenses have a picture angle comparable<br />to 1.5x that of 35mm [135] format).<br /><br />* Compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System allows the D80 to work seamlessly with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights to deliver the benefits of i-TTL flash control's advanced monitor pre-flash, accurate measurement for bounce and versatile wireless operation. SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights also offer a Wide-Area AF-assist Illuminator, which aids flash photography in dim light by projecting a pattern of red light that covers all eleven autofocus areas of the D80's 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module.<br /><br />* The optional MB-D80 battery pack adds extended shooting capability in an ergonomic design that adds shooting stability. Able to run on either one or two EN-EL3e batteries or six AA-size batteries , the pack also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AE-Lock/AF-Lock that make vertical shooting more comfortable. <br /><br />* PictureProject software (complimentary with camera) features an intuitive user interface that provides fast and easy access to powerful tools for organizing, editing and sharing images. Auto Enhance and other creative functions are readily available via handy buttons, as are Mail, Slideshow and CD/DVD burning functions. Pictures can be organized using simple drag 'n' drop operation, and can be quickly located by name, keyword, or date. Design templates make it easy to produce prints, tailor images to e-mail, or lay out several images on a page to produce creative album layouts.<br /><br />* Capture NX (available for purchase separately) is Nikon's highly versatile and elegantly simple new photo editing solution designed to help photographers tap the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Featuring an innovative user interface that provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools, Capture NX's powerful photo image processing and editing tools can also be applied to JPEG and TIFF files to satisfy a broader range of photofinishing needs and applications.<br /><br />Exclusive Canadian Warranty<br />Nikon Canada offers an exclusive 2-year warranty for all COOLPIX and the D50, D70s and D80 Digital SLR cameras purchased from a Nikon Canada Authorized Dealer. Consumers can feel comfort knowing their investment in protected by Nikon Canada's 2-Year Warranty with in-Canada service.<br /><br />Pricing and Availability<br />The Nikon D80 Digital SLR will be available by mid-September 2006, with an approximate MSRP of $1,249.99 (body only).<br /><br />About Nikon<br />Nikon, At the Heart of the ImageTM, is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Canada distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon's Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. All Nikon Canada products are sold through a network of Nikon Canada Authorized Dealers. For more information on Nikon Canada and its products and services or to find a Nikon Authorized Dealer, visit <a href="www.nikon.ca">www.nikon.ca</a>.<br /><br />**Photos are available upon request<br /><br />-30-[I]