It's a big day for Nikon fans, where the Nikon D80 digital SLR camera is finally taken out of the misty darkness and rolled out into the white-hot lights. The successor to the Nikon D70 and D70s, it brings a 10.2-megapixel CCD to the party, along with more powerful image processing, a bigger viewfinder that's brighter, too, and it even has the higher-capacity battery of its more-sophisticated and expensive brother, the Nikon D200.
Nikon's been teasing us for days, and it looks like every camera site on the Web has been holding one of these D80 DSLRs for a while now. Our tipbox was full of links to their extensive reports this morning, so let's give you a link roundup. If you're interested in every possible detail about this hot shooter from Nikon, you'll be able to bask in the glow of this much-anticipated release. Full spec list and maximum linkage after the jump.
Here's a partial list of excellent reports about the Nikon D80:
•Nikon D80 Preview [Let's Go Digital]
•Nikon D80, 10 mp, previewed [DP Review]
•Nikon D80 Digital Camera [Digital Camera Review]
•Nikon D80 Pictures Unveiled [Hip Tech Blog]
•In-Depth Hands-On Preview of Nikon D80 [Imaging Resource]
•Hands On: Nikon D80 DSLR [PopPhoto]
•Nikon D80 [Digital Photography Blog]
Nikon D80 Specifications:
* Effective Pixels: 10.2 million
* Image Sensor: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8mm; total pixels: 10.75 million, Nikon DX format
* Image Size (pixels): 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
* ISO Sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index): 100 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1
* Storage Media: SD memory card
* Storage System: Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant
* File System: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
* White Balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin), preset white balance; white balance bracketing also available
* LCD Monitor: 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment, allows up to 170-degree viewing angle.
* Playback Function: 1) Full frame 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments) 3) Zoom 4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion) 5) RGB histogram indication 6) Shooting data 7) Highlight point display 8) Auto image rotation
* Delete Function: Card format, All photographs delete, Selected photographs delete
* Video Output: Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
* Interface: USB 2.0 (Hi-speed) (mini-B connector); SD card slot: supports firmware updates via SD cards
* Text Input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header
* Compatible Lenses: Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
* Picture Angle: Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length
* Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0m-1)
* Eyepoint: 19.5mm (-1.0m-1)
* Focusing Screen: Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines
* Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approx. 95% (vertical & horizontal)
* Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1
* Viewfinder Information: Focus indications, Metering system, AE/FV lock indicator, Flash sync indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, ISO sensitivity, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures
* Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (approx. 0.5m to 3.0m) Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20 C/68 F)
* Lens Servo: Instant single-servo (AF-S); continuous-servo (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); manual (M); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF
* Focus Areas: 11 areas; any single area can be selected; center focus area can be switched from normal to wide-frame
* AF Area Modes: 1) Single Area AF: Focuses only on subjects in the selected area. Selection can be made from any one of the eleven AF spot sensors. 2) Dynamic Area AF: Focuses on subject in the selected area, but follows the subject if it moves from its original position, shifting instantly and autom