As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Nikon D80 is also often compared to pro DSLRs. The Nikon D80's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D90 and the D5100) and Canon (such as the Rebel T2i and the EOS 40D)

Competitor classes

compared toEntry-level DSLR competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D80 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it slightly larger viewfinder (0.62x vs 0.52x) and has a built-in focus motor.

However, on average it is much more noisy at high ISO (524 ISO vs 977 ISO), has significantly lower image quality (61.0 vs 73.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 24fps), has slightly less color depth (22.1 bits vs 23.5 bits) and has significantly narrower dynamic range (11.2 EV vs 12.5 EV).

Nikon D90

Nikon D90
2 years newer
$897 (body only)
$1,047 55-200mm lens

Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D80)

  • Much lower noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 524 ISO
  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Significantly better image quality: 73.0 vs 61.0

Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D80)

  • None found

common strengths of the D90 and D80

  • Above average viewfinder size: 0.63x vs 0.62x
  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism
arrow Compare the D90 vs the D80

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100
4 years newer
$500 - $597 (body only)
$600 - $697 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D80)

  • Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 524 ISO
  • Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 61.0
  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"

Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.62x
  • Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

common strengths of the D5100 and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
arrow Compare the D5100 vs the D80

Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100
4 years newer
$500 - $547 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 524 ISO
  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None

Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.62x
  • Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

common strengths of the D3100 and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
arrow Compare the D3100 vs the D80

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000
4 years newer
$1,000 (body only)
$1,100 55-200mm lens

Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D80)

  • Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 524 ISO
  • Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 61.0
  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"

Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D80)

  • Heavier: 780 g vs 668 g

common strengths of the D7000 and D80

  • Above average viewfinder size: 0.62x vs 0.62x
  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism
arrow Compare the D7000 vs the D80

Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000
3 years newer
$449 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the D3000 (vs the D80)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection
  • Much smaller: Prosumer size 126x97x64 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm

Significant disadvantages of the D3000 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.52x vs 0.62x
  • Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

common strengths of the D3000 and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Large sensors: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
arrow Compare the D3000 vs the D80

Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000
2 years newer
$880 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the D5000 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 868 ISO vs 524 ISO
  • Significantly better image quality: 72.0 vs 61.0
  • Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection

Significant disadvantages of the D5000 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.51x vs 0.62x
  • Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

common strengths of the D5000 and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Large sensors: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
arrow Compare the D5000 vs the D80

compared toPro DSLR competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D80 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has significantly more color depth (22.1 bits vs 20.4 bits).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (524 ISO vs 2,853 ISO), has a slightly smaller screen (2.5" vs 3.0"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 921k dots), takes slightly lower resolution photos (10 MP vs 17.9 MP) and doesn't let you preview your photos on the screen.

Nikon D200

Nikon D200
9 months older
$1,300 (body only)

Significant advantages of the D200 (vs the D80)

  • Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection
  • Weather sealed
  • Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second

Significant disadvantages of the D200 (vs the D80)

  • None found

common strengths of the D200 and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Fairly small: Professional size 147x113x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
  • Supports RAW
arrow Compare the D200 vs the D80

Canon EOS 40D

Canon EOS 40D
1 year newer
$650 (body only)

Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the D80)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Has live view
  • Shoots faster: 6.5 fps vs 3 fps

Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the D80)

  • None found

common strengths of the 40D and D80

  • Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
  • Supports RAW
arrow Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Nikon D80

Nikon D70s

Placeholder
1 year older

Significant advantages of the D70s (vs the D80)

  • Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second

Significant disadvantages of the D70s (vs the D80)

  • Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.1 bits
  • Much smaller screen: 2.0" vs 2.5"
  • Significantly worse image quality: 50.0 vs 61.0

common strengths of the D70s and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Fairly small: Professional size 140x111x78 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
  • Supports RAW
arrow Compare the D70s vs the D80

Nikon D800

Nikon D800
5 years newer
$2,999 - $3,000 (body only)

Significant advantages of the D800 (vs the D80)

  • Much lower noise at high ISO: 2,853 ISO vs 524 ISO
  • Much better image quality: 95.0 vs 61.0
  • Much larger screen: 3.2" vs 2.5"

Significant disadvantages of the D800 (vs the D80)

  • Significantly fewer lenses available: 121 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Larger: Large 146x123x82 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm

common strengths of the D800 and D80

  • Fairly small: Large 146x123x82 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
  • Supports RAW
  • Inexpensive: $2,999.00 vs $700.00
arrow Compare the D800 vs the D80

Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D
4 years newer
$848 - $1,304 (body only)
$1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens

Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the D80)

  • Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.5"
  • Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots
  • Has live view

Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the D80)

  • None found

common strengths of the 60D and D80

  • Many lenses available: 162 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
  • Supports RAW
arrow Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Nikon D80

Nikon D70

Nikon D70
2 years older

Significant advantages of the D70 (vs the D80)

  • Much faster max shutter speed: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second

Significant disadvantages of the D70 (vs the D80)

  • Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.1 bits
  • Much smaller screen: 1.8" vs 2.5"
  • Significantly worse image quality: 50.0 vs 61.0

common strengths of the D70 and D80

  • Many lenses available: 169 lenses vs 169 lenses
  • Fairly small: Professional size 140x111x78 mm vs Professional size 132x103x77 mm
  • Supports RAW
arrow Compare the D70 vs the D80