Nikon
D3000
 vs
Nikon
D80

Updated (August, 2010): Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D80

Nikon D80

32
Tie

Nikon D80

Reasons to buy the Nikon D80

Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.62x
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Pentaprism
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Nikon D3000

32
"User-friendly ergonomics, without sacrificing control"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3000's button-layout
"Very capable AF system, including 3D AF tracking, on a par with much more expensive DSLRs"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3000's auto-focus

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3000

Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 126x97x64 mm
Thickness
 Thin
2.5"
Weight
 Light-weight
536 g

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3000
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
Help
 More than 20% larger screen
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 563 ISO vs 524 ISO
Help
 The D3000 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Size Significantly smaller 126x97x64 mm vs 132x103x77 mm
Help
 Around 30% smaller
Color depth Better color depth 22.3 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 62.0 vs 61.0
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.5" vs 3"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 536 g vs 668 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Nikon D3000 Learn more about
the Nikon D3000

Advantages of the Nikon D80
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.62x vs 0.52x
Help
 More than 40% larger viewfinder
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.2 EV vs 11.1 EV
Help
 0.1 f-stops more dynamic range
Nikon D80 Learn more about
the Nikon D80
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3000 Nikon D3000
32 vs 32
Explain scores
Nikon D80 Nikon D80
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

NikonD3000
 Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D80
NikonD80
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
18
22
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
15
24
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
15
23
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
13
23
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
16
21
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
14
22
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Sensor type Lower-end sensor types Help
CCD
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Live view No live view Help
Preview with viewfinder
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
3,200 ISO
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
1,600 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
10 MP
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
3 fps
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots
Movie format Do not shoot movies Help
No movies
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
D3000:11.1 EV
D80:11.2 EV
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
D3000:62.0
D80:61.0
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
D3000:563 ISO
D80:524 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D3100 vs the D3000
Compare the D3100 vs the D80
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$869 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D90 vs the D3000
Compare the D90 vs the D80
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$460 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records lower quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is significantly larger
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3000
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D80
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D5100 vs the D3000
Compare the D5100 vs the D80
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$579 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3000
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D80
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,097 body only

$1,227 with 55-200mm lens
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the D3000
Compare the D7000 vs the D80
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$334 - $595 body only

$449 - $460 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Live view Lets you preview your photos on the screen
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the D3000
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the D80

Nikon D3000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$339 - $350
Movie format Shoots movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Sensor size Much smaller sensor
Autofocus Slower autofocus
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the D3000

Nikon D80 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D80.

appearance

Nikon D3000 Nikon D80
Nikon D3000 Nikon D80
Nikon D3000 Nikon D80

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

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