Easy to understand and use functions. An instruction manual is not necessary, even for someone of my limited experience. this is because I was able to use most functions after about an hours trial run.
Perfect weight and size. People say it is too small in their hands even people with medium size hands, but it's just how you hold it really.

Personally I don't like the plastic body I would prefer rubber. None the less it seems tough and durable, which is what counts.
There are a couple of stiff knobs as well, but they aren't ment to be moved that often. You are just supposed to have them on your prefered and most used settings.

I am in Australia and we have the F80 not the N80. They are the same though as far as I know. If anyone does know of a difference please e-mail me at beermilkshake@hotmail.com

If you are a professional photographer the F100 (if you can afford it) is the way to go. Simply as you can take rolls of films a day with next to no shutter damage. However for those who can't afford the F100 or who take only a couple of shots a day the F80/N80 is ideal! It has most of the F100 functions at a fraction of the price. most of the weaknesses people have mentioned on this review page are all trivial. it dosen't matter what the weight is or how many fps it does. The fact is it takes great shots. Which is why I have given it a 5 star value rating. But only 4 for overall because it is still not up there with the F100.

I would say that from a casual up to an expert user you should have no trouble using it and you should get good shots every shot.

I have only been photographing for little over a year now. I still have a lot to learn, but I do know the reviews you read here are all just a matter of opinion and are probably not revant to you. The only way to find out if it is what you want is too go to a dealer and to have a look.

Customer Service

Were prepeared to match any competitiors prices to gain my buisness. They also spent a great deal of time showing me others brands such as Cannon and Pentax so I was sure I knew what I wanted and what was best for me.

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Minolta XD5 (Don't know why but I love the classics)

Great Value. Many Useful Features. Good advanced amatuer camera, as Nikon states. Very Satisfied customer. Don't know what people are talking about with the ruggedness- yes, it's plastic for the most part- but it's thick plastic and does not break. Wear parts (tripod mount, lens mount, etc) are all Stainless steel.

AF hunts sometimes, especially in low light. Could be my lens. The AF- assist illuminator has earned its nickname "train light" because it blinds any people subjects- might consider buying a speedlight with an infrared AF- assist light, as this will take priority over the built- in one.

Great Value- seems durable to me- nothing seems flimsy. Use it with a decent case such as the pelican 1200.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Not any worth mentioning

Easy to Use (out of the box), Great features for the money. Great flash metering. Good blend of control features. Reasonably intuitive interface.

I would like mirror lock-up. I would like faster flash sync with the SB28. I would like to have SOME metering support (at least c/w) when using mf lenses. I would like an option to leave the leader out on mid-roll rewind (maybe this one is doable through a custome setting and I don't know it).

I have used a wide variety of photographic products over the years and must say this is a fun camera to use. I can concentrate on my pictures and composition. To me that is what photography is about. Does this camera have everything an F5 or F100 have...nope, but I certainly didn't pay that kind of price. This is a very usable, full featured camera. I have run 40 rolls of film through so far, drug it on a 2600 mile trek that encompassed mountains, ocean, and marsh land environs, and have encountered none of the "durablity problems" some others have refered to. I use it frequently with a Nikkor 28-105 zoom and have found it to be great traveling companion. Is it perfect camera...no, what it is is a great blend of features at a very affordable price. I can see this a good choice for someone looking at their first serious camera or for someone wanting a good backup body for a Nikon pro model (although anyone with a large investment in mf lenses won't). Try one I think you will like it.

Customer Service

No experience (not needed)

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Pentax Spotmatics H1a H3v etc., Canon F1, Canon FTb, Nikon S2, Leica M3

The N80 is the F100's little brother; many of the features, nearly 1/3 the price. I like: DOF preview, 5 selectable autofocus zones, 18 customizable settings, 2 sec self-timer (who needs a cable), intuitive layout of settings, durable, small, lightweight, built-in TTL flash with various modes, metering galore. Great for the backpacker.

I've taken it on canoe and backpacking trips without incident -- I take care of it, of course. Shot maybe 25 rolls so far.

AT THIS PRICE, NONE worth mentioning. I've kept my N70 to use my manual-focus lenses.

Feature-packed SLR camera. Get it and save $$. Put the rest of your money into a GOOD LENS to go with it.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70, N2000

metering
fill flash
AF asst. light
back light for LCD
Weight
AF Modes
Gridelines

None noted

This is my first AF and first Nikon. Love it. This is truly a great camera. I have experimented with it using all functions and controls. It does what the manual says it will do. For the price, you can't go wrong getting this camera. GO NIKON!!!!

Customer Service

N/A

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Minolta X700

Full featured(finally)grid lines,DOP

NO VERTICAL RELEASE ON BATTERY PACK!!!! Body is to small

A good camera but Nikon is at it again. Great for just about every level of photographer since it includes all needed features and it is very reasonably priced. I have used Nikon equipment since 1985 and have never had a problem with its quality. The problem I have with Nikon vs. the other companies is their marketing tactics and customer service. How difficult would it have been for them to include a vertical release on the battery pack (MB-16)?? What good is it anyway without vertical capability? It is such an obvious attempt to force the consumer into the next level of camera. Nikon is reknowned for doing this (i.e. no DOP on F70 when other cameras in its class had it)Nikon makes excellent products and I never thought I'd switch, but I am strongly considering the Canon Elan 7 which does have a vertical release shutter and eye control in addition. I love the Nikon bodies and lens design and the sturdiness of the camera but their utter lack of consideration for loyal customers is APPALLING.

Customer Service

I took a new 28mm lens to Nikon Canada and had the worst customer service experience. The service manager claimed that I had dropped the lens. The problem was with the ring of plastic surrounding the CPU coupling. It was such a minor problem (I only took it in because it was a new lens) They refused to fix it under warranty. and had the gall to quote me a price of $140 to fix a piece of plastic that when broken didn't even effect the performance of the lens. What good is a WARRANTY when they can claim it is your fault unilaterally!!!???

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Nikon F70,F601

Most features of F5 & F100

Expensive Lithium Battery, 1/125 flash sync, no FP flash sync

This is an excellent camera for its price range. Good enough for advanced amateur to professional (as a back-up). Get the MB-16 battery grip to overcome battery problem i.e. to be able to use AA batteries. Also, get a good lens with it. Nikkor 28-105 or 35-70 f2.8 is a good choice.

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Canon, Pentax

* It fits well in my [medium] size hands.
* Once you've figured out the controls, they make perfect sense and are located well on the body.
* Great camera for experimenting with more advanced techniques.

* Because it is so light, I'm afraid to bang it too hard. Even though this may be a needless worry, who wants to find out just how hard a hit it can take?! My "other camera" is a Nikkomat, around 30 yrs old and it might be bullet-proof...
* If you are predominantly a left-eye photographer, the button for changing focusing may irritate you while you are looking through it, though this is minor since you probably change it in advance for the type of shooting you're planning to be doing.

I'm happy with it.
As an intermediate photog. I had purchased a Nikon N60 which was lovely but a little too point-and-shoot. This camera has it ALL for someone like me.
Learning the Zone system? Want to meter for a particular shadow/highlight in B&W? The spot-meter comes to the rescue; great for experimenting.
I'm shooting slides a lot more now and the matrix metering works fabulously for this. The auto-bracketing feature is wonderful for pushing the learning curve too.
Without getting into a flame war about how it stacks up to other camera competitors, I'd have to just say it does everything I want it to... and does it well.
I recommend the N80 without reservation.

Customer Service

None necessary to date.

Similar Products Used:

Various Canon models -- Nice, but I was ready for the feature rich Nikon I always wanted.

light solid fully featured great focus with AFS lenses

slow winder for action (then again the 5 fps on the f100 is also too slow for the above)
plastic mirror box/ has anyone else noticed this?

f100 for 40% of the cost? not far off anyway, i have an f100 and i have no hesitation in recommending this camera. i worry about the plastic mirror box but i guess that nikon must have tested it. at this price i feel that there is not a better camera on the market. yes you could say that on paper the new canon beats it but what about the way the camera feels in the hand, i guess it's all down to personal taste but i think that this one is a winner, don't think that plastic and less weight means low quality in this case it certainly does not!!!

Customer Service

not required

Similar Products Used:

canon eos30
dynax 7

Lightweight
Spot, matrix meter
Builtin speedlight
Easy to use interface
on demand grid lines

AF assist light
buzzy AF
expensive CR123 batteries

Coupled with the 28-105 zoom, the N80 is a versatile, little camera for the price.

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F5
F3HP
F100
EOS3