On Demand Grid Lines, Light weight, compact, cable release, 5 pt AF, DOF preview, Built in flash, 10 segment 3D matrix metering, built in AF assist illuminator.

No metering w/ MF lens
1/125 flash sync

I bought this camera to replace my N60. The built in flash is very useful for simple flash photography, and you can use it as a master flash when using SU-4 (wireless slave controller). It has most features of f100.
The built in AF assist illuminator is very useful when you were not using nikon speedlight.
When you buy F80S, it imprint the shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation values between film frames.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

N60, Minolta 9000

Basically a smaller, lighter, slower version of the F100 at 1/3 the cost. Main strengths being 3-D Matrix Metering as in the F100, Multi-CAM 900 sensors for it's five focus detection areas, built in flash saves time and hassle quite often (it is higher on the camera as to reduce lens shadows), on-demand grid lines, DOP button, 18 custom settings, can be equipped with an AA battery pack, uses an inexpensive cable release, a shooting speed of 2.5 fps (pretty good for this level of camera) and my favourite, the focus area selector control button. There are a lot of other characteristics you may enjoy or prefer, these are my favs.

None really, you can't use the older lenses and get full AF but if you are just getting started... it doesn't matter too much.

I had been considering the Pentax MZ-7, the Elan II (IIe), Minolta Xt, St, Ht -Si, and the Nikon F-70 and more lately the Nikon F100 and the Canon EOS 3. After doing as much research as possible before the release date of the N80, I decided to wait. Am I glad I did!! The Elan II is a great camera but the Nikon N80 out shines it. (I even contacted Canon to see if they had a comparible camera coming soon to match the N80, sad to say they didn't, I gave Canon a chance.) It was the best decision I made. Before buying it though, go to your local camera stores and try a variety of cameras, find out for yourself which model you prefer, perhaps even rent a variety or them. One last point I used in my final conclusion to get the N80 over the F100. As with any technology, it quickly changes. If you are going to wait for the "perfect" anything, you'll be waiting forever. Cameras are made to last about 5 years, ideally for their producers, that way you are constantly buying their new products. You can argue the F100 will last an average person 10, maybe 20 years, you bet it will!! but what of the technology in 20 years, even 5 years. It's snowballing. The F100 will outlast an N80, but for the average person would it outlast 3 of them?

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

F100, F5, N60, Elan, Elan II, Minolta Xt-Si, Pentax MZ-10 (Most borrowed or rented to aid in my decision)

Excellent metering, very accurate flash exposure system with D-type lenses and SB-26. Good handling, though feels "flimsy". Probably deceptive.

Inability to use MF lenses. Rules this camera out for use as a 2nd body to anyone with a substantial investment in older lenses. I regularly use a 400mm ED MF Nikkor - and was considering getting an N80/F80 as a backup body. No longer. Sorry, Nikon - but the failure to retain backwards compatibility is a big mistake with this camera. I purchased an N70/F70 instead at a bargain price.

Excellent camera if you only ever use AF lenses. If you still have some MF gems, forget it. Shame on you Nikon.

Customer Service

Excellent when used in the past.

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Currently use an N90x/F90x

Light weight
Small size
Easy to use out of the box
Flexible

none I can see

I like this camera a lot. I bought it as a backup body for my F100, and my wife promptly grabbed it. She's not a photographer, but quickly learned the controls and got some great shots in her first roll using the programmed mode.

I used it as my travel camera for one week and had a blast alternating between serious composed shots and playing vacation/snapshot camera.

The built-in Speedlight is a godsend. If you travel, the N80 equipped with a 28-80 and 70-300 lens combination would be light and very capable.

I highly recommend this camera

Customer Service

haven't needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F100

Almost everything the F100 has and in the relatively same format and usable structure. A welcome change to my N70 which was impossible to change important things like exposure compensation, flash adjustment, exposure meter pattern, among other things, on the fly and while looking thru the lens. The N80? No problem. Also I love getting DOF preview back, had no idea how much I'd miss it on the N70 when I bought my N70! The N80 is lightweight and small, feels much more a part of my hand. Also, the MB-16 grip adds some needed girth for those who feel they need it and cuts battery costs in about half.

Flash not as powerful as the N70 pop-up but I only use the on-board flash for fill purposes anyway. Trying to use these pop-flashes for full lighting of a scene rarely resulting in anything very pleasing anyway in my opinion. For that I use my Metz with a Nikon adapter for true TTL monster flash use. The non-use of MF lenses is too bad but not an issue for me since I have my FM2 for using my 105 portrait and for my macro use, don't need AF for that!

The N80 addresses the main problem of the lack of quick accessibility of key features on the N70, and also has a load of custom features that can be changed too. Most of the custom features few people would want to change quickly on on-the-fly so their lack of easy access is no problem. The camera may feel light and even feel cheap, but polycarbonate is wrongly criticized. People do not realize how strong it is and somehow when something feels too light we get concerned. I had even heard that a few years back Motorola added a small weight inside it's cell phones because otherwise test marketing groups felt the lightweightness equated cheapness. Well, for that we have the MB-16 to add a little weight and girth. The N80 is one awesome camera at a fraction of the cost of camera with most of the same features.

Customer Service

None needed so far.

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N70, FM2, FE2

5 point autofocus
Conventional cable release capability
lightweight & small
the price is more than half of F100 with many similar features

Made In Thailand
Rubbery armor (won't last long)

It's a good camera to buy. With many features of F100 (son of F100) and the price is just about half of F100.

Customer Service

-

Similar Products Used:

N60, F100, Maxxum 9000

Razor-sharp autofucusing and excellent metering.

I long list of features, some only on this camera (such as the grid lines).

Excellent construction for a "non-pro" class camera.

Built-in flash -- great for traveling, etc.

Great price!!
It's a Nikon.

Only the well-documented lack of metering with non-af lenses.

This is my second review, because I've now had several weeks to put this camera through its paces.

What can I say -- I love this camera. I shot several experimental rolls on the San Antonio Riverwalk in several different (and complex) lighting conditions, and the camera's metering was dead-on in almost every shot.

I've also used the built-in flash for several nightime and daytime fill-shots, and the matrix balanced flash is beautiful. I think it's improved even over the breakthrough N90 flash metering system.

I've also taken several sky/cloud shots and it even focuses sharply and quickly here, where many other cameras continue to hunt.

It may lack one or two features (mirror lock-up, etc.), but this is not a pro-class camera either. It certainly is "best in class".

Also, it may not be solid steel like an F5 or F100, but it does have metal where it counts. Yes, much of the body is polycarbonate and may not feel as heavy or sturdy as some other cameras. BUT -- many people don't realize that polycarbonate is a VERY strong, tough, sturdy material. So, if you have questions about whether or not this camera is solid, do some research first on polycarbonate, you might be surprised just how durable it is.

This camera is just amazing, and blows the competition away, regardless of the price. When you consider the price and the fact that it is indeed a Nikon, this purchase is a no-brainer!

Customer Service

None needed so far.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N90, Pentax K1000.

In my humble opinion, I have to state that I feel the N80 represents one of the BEST values in cameras today!

First, it is packed with a wide array of features, some of which aren't even available in other cameras (e.g., On-Demand Grid Lines). Second, it is very intuitive to use. Honestly, I still haven't read most of the manual, and I've had the camera for over two months now. Third, despite being a bit on the small side, the camera has great ergonomics. In other words, everything is logically laid out, and 90% of the time I don't have to remove my eye from the viewfinder to change settings. Also, despite being lightweight and comprised of a lot of plastic, the N80 feels quite solid. Last, but not least, the focusing, metering, and flash system are hallmark Nikon--DEADLY ACCURATE!!!

Like I stated earlier, the N80 packs A LOT of bang for the buck! However, as with almost any camera, there is always a thing or two you'd love to see incorporated and/or different with it. First, it would've been very nice if the N80 had high-speed flash synchronization (e.g., focal-plane flash). Second, a secondary shutter release on the MB-16 would've been very handy. Third, I wish all of the horizontal focus sensors were of the cross-type, instead of just the central one; these are quite a bit more sensitive. Fourth, and what many feel is a majordrawback, is the inability to meter with non-CPU lenses. Personally, for me, this was a non-issue, since I don't own any manual focus lenses, and I don't plan on acquiring any.

Come to think of it--if the N80 had all these things, though, it would've been called an F100, wouldn't it? :)

The N80 represents a TREMENDOUS value for its price. The focusing, metering, and flash system are top-notch, and they have enabled me to take some of my best pictures to date! The camera is ergonomically sound, so much so that it just becomes an extension of myself and my creative vision. I would not hesitate to recommend this camera to any serious photo enthusiast!

Customer Service

Fortunately, so far, I have not had to deal with Nikon's customer service. However, I should note that the built-in flash on my first N80 refused to work after the second day. It seemed to pop up just a little "too much," thereby breaking contact with its circuitry. However, it was promptly exchanged at my local camera store, and I have NOT had any problems with the replacment unit! Also, I honestly think that this defect was a fluke, as I've not heard of any similar complaints with other N80s out there.

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I also own a Canon Elan IIe.

This is a great camera. As a beginner, I wanted a camera that would take great pictures, and have advanced features that I could experiment with and grow into, while being easy to understand, and have a reasonable pricetag. This is the camera for anyone with those objectives. This camera's technology is very strong and the photographic results that I've gotten are fantastic. The spot and center weighted metering are remarkably precise. The matrix metering produces great results. I was easily became comfortable with the focus zones, continuous and single servo, dynamic autofocus, P, A, S and M modes, bracketing, changing exposure in P mode, etc. The user interface is quite straight forward. The view finder is bright. The viewfinder LED display is large enough to see, but not too large to distract and the symbols are easy to understand. I researched for a while and this camera came way out on top.

I have to admit that I agree with the many other reviews that I read that said that the switches/instruments on the camera feel "cheap" and breakable. I have some concern that they may become damaged, but this of course remains to be seen. Also, the custom features are number coded, and there about 20 of them. You need a cheat sheet to remember how to program them. But hey, I'm glad to have the problem of having too many custom features to remember.

I love this camera. I haven't regretted buying it for a second. Popular Photography recently did a review of the N80 in which they gave it 5 stars across the board. In the review they stated that they did a prior review of the F100 in which they said the F100 was a home run, and that if the F100 was a home run, then the N80 hits the ball out of the park. I agree.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

none

Excellent, full-featured SLR with many features found in the F100 and F5. Quick AF, accurate metering, and simple and logical controls. The camera is amazingly easy to use -- I figured out all but the custom functions within 15 minutes without looking at the manual! Despite it's simplicity of use, the power is also there for serious photography. This is a great tool for the beginner to learn on, and for the professional who needs a full-featured, but lightweight backup.

Not -- except that super-bright focus assist light is pretty annoying! This can be turned off through custom settings.

I love this camera, even though I traded up to the F100 when I realized that I need the additional speed and durability. The N80 delivers more than it promisses, and I would highly recommend this camera to anyone -- as a backup to professionals, or as a primary camera to serious amateurs.

Customer Service

Haven't needed yet

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ElanII, EOS A2, N90s, etc. For the money, the N80 can't be beat.