Nikon D800

100

Winner

Nikon D800

Reasons to buy the Nikon D800

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,853 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
95.0
Color depth
Great color depth
25.3 bits
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
14.4 EV
Screen size
Large screen
3.2"
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.72x
Nikon D80

36

Runner-up

Nikon D80

Reasons to buy the Nikon D80

Lens availability
Slightly more lenses available
169 lenses
Size
Really small
Professional size 132x103x77 mm
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Weight
Light-weight
668 g
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
External flash not needed

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D800

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 2,853 ISO vs 524 ISO
Help
The D800 has excellent image quality 2.4 f-stops higher ISO than the D80
Overall image quality Much better image quality 95.0 vs 61.0
Help
Around 60% better image quality
Screen size Much larger screen 3.2" vs 2.5"
Help
Around 30% larger screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 14.4 EV vs 11.2 EV
Help
3.2 f-stops more dynamic range
True resolution Much higher true resolution 36.2 MP vs 10 MP
Help
Capture more than 3.5x more detail in your photos
Color depth Better color depth 25.3 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
Distinguishes 3.2 more bits of color
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 921k dots vs 230k dots
Help
More than 4x higher resolution screen
Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
Sealed to shoot in the rain
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.62x
Help
More than 30% larger viewfinder
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Viewfinder coverage Much better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 95%
Help
Around 10% better viewfinder coverage
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The D800's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4 fps vs 3 fps
Help
More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D800's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Nikon D800 Learn more about
the Nikon D800

Advantages of the Nikon D80

Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
Around 40% more lenses available
Size Smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 146x123x82 mm
Help
Around 30% smaller
Weight Lighter 668 g vs 900 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.2"
Help
Around 10% thinner
Lowest price Cheaper $700.00 vs $2,999.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $2,299 cheaper (4.3x less)
Nikon D80 Learn more about
the Nikon D80
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D800 Nikon D800
100 vs 36
Explain scores
Nikon D80 Nikon D80
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D800. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

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0
votes
by Michael-Fernau this month
Nikon D800 vs Nikon D300S

Been using nikon cameras since 1976 have a d300s and wondering if I need to take a jump and buy ...

0
votes
by Michelle-Perry-Hollenshead last month
Nikon D800 vs Sony NEX-7

I am a photo hobbyist, at best. I have always gotten compliments on photos of my children, tho...

2 people recommend the Sony NEX-7:

" If you have to ask, you're not ready for a big DSLR. Where DSLRs really benefit is their speed a..."

" I'd recommend the Sony NEX-7, yes, you'll be able to blow photos up to 16x20 without any issue, ..."

1
votes
by Michele-McCormick last month
Nikon D800 vs Nikon D3

I'm intermediate, aspiring to do editorial photography. I shoot travel, portraits, dogs in competi...

2 people recommend the Nikon D800:

"Image quality, low light... definitely go D800. You know I've shot Canon for years but a few of yo..."

"The D800 is better is almost every regard (notably, better low light performance and less shutter ..."

1
votes
by John-Newton last month
Nikon D4 vs Nikon D800

I am no expert on cinematography, but some friends of mine and I produce low budget (actually no...

One person recommends the Nikon D800:

" Budget is relative. In the world of motion pictures, either of these is budget. While I do recom..."

0
votes
by Judson-Abts last month
Nikon D4 vs Nikon D800

I currently have the D3x and D7000.  I shoot some commercial, some events, some video.  I am try...

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D800:4 fps
D80:3 fps
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D800:6,400 ISO
D80:1,600 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Shutter lag Has much more shutter lag
Focus points Has slightly fewer focus points
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Thickness Is thinner
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens

Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Thickness Is thinner
Weight Is slightly heavier
Shutter lag Has much more shutter lag
Nikon D300

Nikon D300

Pro DSLR

$2,000 body only

Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Thickness Is thinner
Weight Is slightly heavier
Shutter lag Has much more shutter lag

Nikon D800 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,349 body only

Continuous shooting Shoots faster
Thickness Thinner
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
Battery life Much longer battery life
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,198 body only

$2,898 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

Thickness Thinner
Size Smaller
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only

Battery life Much longer battery life
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality

Nikon D80 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$481 with 18-55mm lens

Screen size Much larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Viewfinder size Smaller viewfinder
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D200

Nikon D200

Pro DSLR

$1,300 body only

Autofocus Faster autofocus
Weather sealed Weather sealed
Size Larger
Weight Heavier
Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000

Entry-level DSLR

$880 with 18-55mm lens

Dynamic range More dynamic range
Live view Has live view
Viewfinder size Smaller viewfinder
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

appearance

Nikon D800 Nikon D80
Nikon D800 Nikon D80
Nikon D800 Nikon D80

discussion

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