Extensive set of features, good user interface design.

Compared with N70 which I've owned for a few years, the AF is appreciably slower and more subject to focus hunting under dim/low contrast light. I wonder whether the focus assist illuminator is designed as remedy, but I find this feature rather bothering so I turned it off using the customization setting most of time. When really needed, I use the illuminator on the SB-28 instead. Because of the slow AF and focus hunting problem, I really doubt how much useful the dynamic focus tracking feature can be, though not tried it out yet.

N80 is a very good camera, though not perfect. I've mentioned more on its weakness sideas balanced view because many people have already been able to appreciate its strength side.

Because N80 has contained a substantial subset of F100's feature list, many people seem to conclude that the same features on N80 and F100 are also comparable in performance, which I doubt. For example, the dynamic focus tracking feature, due to much slower AF on N80, I don't think it will perform as well on both cameras. Although both cameras use seemingly identical metering system as shown on the feature lists, I'm not sure whether the underlying technologies are really the same.

The weight and size of N80 is pretty much a personal preference so I won't conclude it as either strength or weakness of this camera, although the body is a tad too small for ME. Besides the hand feel, my Bogen quick release plate (the smallest one) doesn't fit quite nicely on N80 because the body is too slim, the QR plate protrudes out at the edge.

I don't think some features missing on N80 are meant for cameras of this class, eg. high X-sync speed, DataLink, MLU, etc. I'd love to have those features too, as I've already owned the SB-28, but for $450, these demands are really too much. N80 is GREAT for its value. Although I'm willing to spend extra dollars on F100 to cover those missing features, the sad thing is that I've heard F100 is more buggy in its software and may cause more usage problems, that means I might still be better off sticking with N80. What an irony!

Customer Service

Not used yet.

Similar Products Used:

N70

-Intuitive, fast controls
-Virtually Flawless Metering

-2.5 FPS max speed
-1/125 flash sync
-Does not meter through old manual lenses

I have owned an N70 for over a year and just recently I shot a couple of rolls with the N80. The N80 is a great intermediate camera at a lower retail price than the N70 was originally offered. But it's not for everyone. Since the N80 is intended as a replacement for the N70, let me offer a side-by-side comparison of my findings.

Both cameras handle metering situations equally well. The N80 has an added 30,000 picture library, but I didn't find that it improves the auto exposure metering over the N70. I also didn't notice any issues with the construction or apparent durability of the N80, even though Nikon farmed it out to Malasya instead of producing it in Japan (shame).

The five point meter on the N80 is a gadget that I would rarely use, if ever. I couldn't find a descent use for it.

I have to complain about the 1/125 flash sync on both of these cameras. Nikon needs to wake up and realize that 1/125 is insufficient in certain cases and they need to offer higher flash sync rates on ALL their cameras all the way up to the F5. 1/125 is pathetic for a medium end camera, and 1/250 is extremely pathetic for the F100 and F5.

My biggest complaints about the N70 that have all been corrected in the N80 are:
-No LCD backlight on the N70 - N80 has it.
-N70 controls are reasonably intuitive, but they're not fast. At times the controls can be frustrating. If you need to change settings to catch a quick shot, forget it. By the time you get the settings changed, you've probably lost your shot. N80 has much quicker, more intuitive controls.
-The self timer irritates me on the N70, but has been improved on the N80. On the N70, your only choice is 10 seconds and you have to reset it between each shot. The N80's self timer remains set and has variable timing. I would really like to have that 2 second timer on the N70 for long exposure shots where I don't have a remote shutter release handy. The 2 seconds gives you just enough time to get your hands off the camera without getting impatient with the 10 second timer.
-N70 doesn't have a current frame indicator in the viewfinder. I often find myself taking that 37 or 38th frame that rarely comes out because I can't see my frame counter from inside the viewfinder. Nikon fixed this in the N80 and added a frame counter in the lower right hand corner for you.

Now, for the N70s positives:
-N70 has a faster FPS rate - 3.2FPS where N80 has been reduced to 2.5
-N70 supports old Nikon Manual Lenses - N80 is the first Nikon to be released (that I'm aware of)that excludes use of certain older Nikkor lenses. Hopefully they won't take this a step further and change the mounts in the future like other manufacturers have.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a good deal, want faster FPS, or need compatability with old Manual lenses, then hunt around for an N70. Since it's discontinued, you might be able to get a great deal on one. If you don't need any of these features, and you don't mind owning a Malasyan Nikon, then the N80 gives a LOT of bang for your buck! I wouldn't hesitate to buy the N80 if I needed another body.

I give both the N70 and N80 overall 4-star ratings. My complaints are different for each camera, but both camera warrant a 1-star demerit, even considering the price-point. Value for the dollar, 5 stars for both!

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70
Canon T90 (still my favorite, but gave it up for Autofocus)

Built-in flash, light weight, depth of field preview, metal lens mount, on-demand grid line, and more.

No high speed flash sync, no MLU (not really important to me!) and doesn't support metering with non-AutoFocus lens (but I don't have any old lens anyway).

This is an excellent camera for the price you paid for it. OK, it is probably not the best for it's class. But it is not as fragile as other people claim since it survived without any damage after plunging down with me on the ski slope this past Christmas at Mt. Tremblant. Although, it was sitting in my backpack at the time, I was, however, going down hill at a pretty high speed. I have also taken quite a few roll of films with this camera already. All pictures turned out very good. (No under- or overexposed) However, there is one thing that still bothers me about this camera and it is the fact that the maximum flash sync is only 1/125 sec and does not support high-speed sync with my SB-26. Anyway, I love this camera and I would recommend it to my friends!

Customer Service

Do not have to use it yet!

Similar Products Used:

Minolta XTSI

-Solid build (compared to others in price range)
-User adaptability (custom functions, particularly O.D. gridlines)
- 3 Deadly metering systems
-Full info, very bright viewfinder even at f3.5
-manual cable release
-Price

-Would be nice to have metering with manual lenses.

-Would like option of using lens aperture ring

This is an incredible camera for the price. I was searching for a camera to bridge me into autofocus (from the Minolta x700) but could not find a rugged autofocus model that had required basic features such as depth of field preview, exposure lock, multi-exposure etc, for a moderate price.

This camera has everything an advanced amature to a working professional would need. To the people who complain about the build quality of the F80, I ask you to compare it to the similarly priced competetor models, and you will see that the F80 is a tank compared to those. It may not be built to the same ruggedness of the F5 or F100, but it has many of the features at a fraction of the price of those out of reach models; with access to the exact same glass.

The fact that it does not meter with old manual lenses is a bit of a bummer, but not a big deal for me as I had none to begin with. Besides, to buy the old manual lenses at used prices is almost as much as the new autofocus equivalents which utilize all of the camera's features (matrix metering ect.)

I have shot many rolls of film with this camera and the exposures are dead on, both with matrix meter and centre-weighted meter). the focus is fast and crisp even with the 28-80 3.5-5.6D lens.

This is a spectacular camera and I would recomend to anyone who is serious about their hobby and want to move to an autofocus system.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Various pentax and canon autofocus cameras, Minolta X-700

ease of use
light weight
good autofocus
nice feel

no mirror lockup
no metering on man. lens

This camera is great. I traded my F4 in on it because my interests changed from photojournalism/sports to wildlife/outdoors. I was tired of lugging the F4 around with an arsenal of lenses. The N80 does everything that my F4 did with the exception of mirror lockup. I've sacrificed a little advance speed (fps) but it doesn't hurt that much in nature photography. My only complaint is that the N80 will not allow the light meter to work with my 20mm manual lens.
The autofocus is just as fast (probably faster) than the F4 and the N80 has several focus zones. As a backup I sometimes carry an old FE body. The N80 is about 2 pounds lighter than the F4 and I can appreciate the difference when backpacking or hiking. If I had known the N80 was this much fun I would have gotten it when it hit the market.

Customer Service

none yet

Similar Products Used:

past hx of minoltas & Nikons (F4s) FEs ...

Good metering.
Accurate and quite fast autofocus( depending lens).
Small size. Weight.
Emergency flash.
Multiple expositions.
On demand grid.
Easy to use.
Customized options.
Compatible VR lens.
Relatively low cost. Etc...

A lot of plastic...
Flash sync. only 1/125
speed shuttle 1/4000.
Button for select Spot, Matrix, Center.
Dificult to use with glasses...

After shoot a lot of rolls (negative, slides, B&W) ussing several kind of lens, I can say that it's a very good product for this prize in the amateur/advanded segment and profesional backup body. We can't copampare whit cameras 2x 3x more expensives. I own an F-801S that was much more expensive 10 years ago!!!
(Sorry for my English)

Customer Service

A bit slow but serious.

Similar Products Used:

F-801s (N8008S),F70, EOS 300, Minolta X-300, Dynax 505si...

Not mutch as far as compared to other cameras in it's class. The fact that it has a spot meter and the metering system is accurate, are it's strong points.

Nothing really very weak except for the focusing performance and the built quality. Plus the battery pack is about as functional as a flat tire on a bike. No compatability with manual focusing lenses, no mirror lock.

The bottom line is that although the N80 is probably the best camera that Nikon has produced for the intermediate, it still has some glaring shortcomings, first lets begin with the built quality, it is not very sturdy compared to even some of Nikons entry level cameras, the controlls feel to flimsy for my liking, Second the body is to small and light, therefore if you use a heavy lens ,it will not balance very well. The ease of use is not very good because you have to use two hands to change some functions, this detracts from your consentration to much and is not very functional IMO. The focusing performance is only adequate compared to it's competitors. The fact that it can shoot at 2.5 frames a second isn't really a minus, because the only mid class camera that can do better is the ELAN7. One big minus is the incompatability with older manual focusing lenses, why did Nikon choose to engineer the N80 this way? I thought that Nikon was loyal to it's conumers, at least that's what most of us Nikon folks thought, until now. The battery pack seems to have been engineered as an after thought, why didn't Nikon add a shutter release? The fact that the N80 has no mirror lock also suggests to me that it really wasn't made for the serious photographer. Once you get past all the commercial hype in the magazines, that really always rate something higher than it really should, after all they really can't be to objective, their bottom line is advertisng money anyway, you get to the meat of the matter and that is that the N80 is an average camera, good but not great as many people have called it. Look seriously at all the pluses and minuses, you will come to the conclusion that the Nikon has some work to do to make the N80 a serious picture making machine.

Customer Service

Good.

Similar Products Used:

N70, ELAN7

Performance
Functions like a F100
Small size, light weight, low cost
Discretion
Built-in flash for emergencies

Doesn't feel like a F100
Controls are a bit fiddly

First time I looked through the finder I thought "Never! This is horrible compared to the F100".
A few months later, reason triumphed. The F80 is a brilliant performer in a tiny package. I now use the F100 + Silent Waves for other people's stuff where I can't use anything less than the best. For my own pictures, the F80 + a selection of smaller lenses is much less to carry around all day

Customer Service

Not needed so far

Similar Products Used:

F100

Metering, spot meter.

Focusing speed, mirror slap, built quality.

I don't know if the fact that it's not built in Japan is the reason for the lack of built quality or not but it's not the Nikon quality I expected. The mirror slap is excessive and the focusing speed is only average compared to my N90. To me the N80 just didn't feel right in my hands, it felt to light and the size is to small for my liking. The N80 does have some very nice features and the price is nice but the fact that I just didn't feel very comfortable with it's average perfomance and the cheap feel of the N80 kept me from purchasing it. Maybe the fact that it's so small and light might be attractive to the female consumer.

Similar Products Used:

N70, N90.

-Has most F100 Features
-A Nikon of Course

-Cannot accept old Nikor Lens

Got the F80s as a gift from my wife. Value for money, this is one of the best SLRs in its class. It's kinda like a small F100. It's packed with features, and yet uncomplicated to use, not like other SLRs with too many confusing fuctions, knobs, and modes.

I learned the basics of photography using an old Canon F1 (manual) and I'm glad that the F80 can be easily swithched from a fully automatic mode to a manual mode where I can adjust all the parameters to suit the effects I need in my composition. This means that a beginner can still learn the basics using the F80. So to the beginners, the F80 is definitely an option.

Finally, I advise that the F80 be paired with a Nikor quality lens. I recommend a lens with a "normal" focal length, either the 50mm 1.8N (Cheap but d*** sharp!), 50mm 1.4D (little bit expensive but has the "D" chip), or the 60mm 2.8D (One of the best optics Nikon has to offer). Stay away from the cheap zooms, they need tons of light, besides th F80 deserves a better match. The F80 is indeed highly recommended!

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon F1 (Old)