Nikon D80 with 18-135mm lens Reviews: Digital SLR Camera

+ Quick and easy to begin shooting and commmon Nikon modes enables fast familiarisation. Simple to download your photos too.

- Some of the more advanced features are burried within the menu systems and need to be discovered. Needs a bit of reference to the manual.

+ Totally accurate in most circumstances using aperture priority. Intuitive menu. Fast focussing.

- Short battery life, not as advertised by Nikon.

+ Out of the box you can choose to be a pro or a real junior as you can go from auto-everything or full manual with fine tuning on most options. Going from a very good prosumer DSLR I was totally comfortable with it in minutes. Response is excellent - startup, adjustments, anything, all sweet.

- No image stabilisation built in to the package I bought - VR lenses are expensive. I didn't realise this would be so bad and should've - my 50-500mm Sigma lens needs stabilisation in a lot situations.

+ great camera

- none

+ Going back to an SLR from a compact digital takes a bit of getting used to, but most of the functions seem intuitive.

- Fill in flash with a backlit subject seems too difficult to control, and I'm also experiencing some minor connection problems between camera and lens.

+ I find that 18mm gives a sufficiently wide angle without distortion and 135 is very handy for portraits and distant landscapes- even hand held.

- I can't think of any.

+ Solid camera, superb lens

- Cant find any !

+ Solid build quality, easy to use, nice set of features (spot metering, customisable button, etc)

- Memory card door a bit flimsy & tends to open when the camera is pulled from its bag.

+ Reviewer left no comment

- Slightly on the heavy side

+ Very very good camera. Image quality is amazing and build is solid. All what you want you can set up manual or auto so this camera is not just for professional photographer. But I recommend to use manual one. Auto focus is very fast and very precise. I think for this price is the best SLR camera what you can get.

- At this moment I couldn't to find any bad points

+ The D80 is very well specified, the 18-135mm kit lens is a well matched walkabout lens. The protected LCD review screen is very good, the veiwfinder is bright, switch on the gridlines via the menu to aid composition. Depth of field preview button is essential & easy to use.

- The supplied Nikon Picture Project software is just 'too basic' for this camera. I use Adobe Elements 5.0 for any post capture processing.

+ Having the main settings on top of the camera as well as in menu make it a lot easier to set up. The build is also impressive and the image quality is outstanding. I will be using this camera for product stock shots and its ideal
for that

- I've been using the camera over the last few weeks and haven't come across any bad points yet, and i don't expect i will!

+ Fantastic camera. Easy to use, even better handling with pro grip. Still working my way through the many features. Gives great results.

- For me, none.

+ Excellent Battery charge life, very rapid start up, compatible with existing autofocus Nikon/Sigma lenses.

- None so far although if I was being picky some of the advanced features are difficult to get straight into.

+ excellent screen - very clear and easy to read

- Annoyed with poor compatability with Flash Nikon SB80DX - it is very limited - no zoom or metering inspite of it being a DX model (Bought for F80 originally and works fine with that camera)

+ Speed to start up , auto focus,storage speed

- Non that I have found yet

+ - Easy to read menu system
- Excellent kit lens (18-135)
- Great LCD display and menu system

- - AF-lock button is a little hard to press once you have the shutter half way down.
- multi-shutter mode is slower then other cameras

+ ease of use, especially in AUTO mode

- somewhat overpriced and add on equipment expensive, flash, batter pack etc...

+ It is reasonably easy to take pictures of good quality.

- Because of the multi auto focus areas it is easy to end up with the camera focusing on something other than what you intended, OK, not a big issue, you just have to be aware of it and ensure you check what the camera focused on before you release the shutter. To get the best pictures, you have to use manual settings and RAW file format, then later convert it to JPEG on a computer. (But even in auto modes straight to JPEG, I haven't found another camera in this price-range giving better results.)

+ Takes great pictures! Has all the features I could need... plus a load I've not found use for yet [but there's still time!]

- Instruction book could be a bit clearer, but that could be as much down to my amateur knowledge as it could be to the way the book is laid out.

+ a fantastic camera with lots of personal options to use , built in options in the software are great for editing/change images,easy to use,image quality and build superb,camera body design is ergonamical and very user frendly, all in a superb well built seriously advanced piece of technology any type/age of photoghrapy form ameture to semi & pro would like to use/own

- havent found any yet but camera still new to me

+ The camera is well built and reasonably easy to operate. Image quality is excellent and focussing is also very good. The camera is robust and user friendly for an amateur.

- Care needs to be taken when using your left hand to support the camera beacsue some of the functional buttons are very close together.

+ Great Handling with good balance
As many features as an enthusiastic amateur would realistically need
Takes my existing Nikkor 35mm AF lenses

- Needs some practice to get the best results but they are great when you do
Built in flash limited so speedlight essential for more creative work
Camera Guide a bit messy but camera menus / controls are intuitive enough to work around this

+ very easy to use camera with a good guide book supplied,well explained steps into more advanced type of photography, very easy to transfer pictures to computer and it has a very good battery life compared to my other cameras.You can leave it on all night and still have lots of power in the morning.

- have not found any yet

+ absolutelt intuitive. easy control of all aspects of exposure. all buttons just fall to hand. image quality outstanding. instant activation and focus. just gets better the more i use it. really missed using my contax slr but would not turn back.

- it is expensive but i have no regrets

+ Ease of use (menus etc) is all very intuative and you don't need to carry the manual around at all times. Size - fits nicely in hand.

- None really. Maybe it could be a bit lighter.

+ Great range. Easy to select correct FL.

- Occasional mount problem, it needs a slight twist to get the lens recognised by the D80

+ Lives up to all expectations. Great images, excellent resolution. Easy to point and shoot and after a bit of a read of the manual to start experimenting! Originally looked at the D40/D40x. Very glad that I spent the extra money.

- None!

+ love my new camera, like multifunction wheels front and rear of grip for quick picture set up, came with bag, and excellent instruction manual

- cost alot, but you have to pay for the best, a free lens cleaning kit, or a protective filter would have been handy

+ Well made and nice to handle; every feature you could possibly need. The kit lens is good value!

- Would have probably chosen a different lens more suited to my needs.

+ Amazing images. Extremely easy to use in auto mode with incredible features for the pros. Battery life is outstanding. Robust and shock resistant camera.

- No card included.

+ It's sharper at both extremes than I thought based on other reviews, it really is a one stop lens.

- Nothing at the price.

+ Build Quality 135mm Lens

- Features adjustment.

+ Very pleased with everything about the D80. Not too large to handle, in fact, very user-friendly. Very pleased with the 18-135 lense. A lot to learn with the various functions; it appears there is nothing it cannot do.

- Have not discovered any yet.

+ Very easy to use
Great all round features
Solid and yet ergonomic

- Software a bit clunky on PC

+ fantastic camera and lens kit. much nicer than the generic kit lens, great zoom range and good image quality. controlls take a few tries to remember where everything is but once your there everything is right at your finger tips. commander flash mode works great with nikons creative lighting system, meaning wireless flashes, and battery life is pretty good too.

- was expensive, but still worth every penny over the competition in my books. battery compartment creaks when closed and pushed on, no big deal but can be annoying.

+ 11 area autofocus very flexible. Nice sized TFT monitor. Flexible White Balance options.

- Still a little heavy.

+ Neither good nor bad:is there any way of combining the D80 with the Coolpix 995 swivel facility? It would be so much easier to photograph wild plants cloe up.

- Reviewer left no comment

+ A superb camera! If anything, easier to use than my Nikon F301 optical SLR.

- none!

+ The D80 is simple to use, offering quick, professional results. Pictures are razor sharp, even after printing to A3+. Highly recommended.

- The camera is a little heavy. No real negative points to my mind!

+ ease of use, well laid out controls.

- it doesnt have any!

+ Reviewer left no comment

- No video

+ Well made and easy to handle camera, much better then most of it's competition

- none

+ Image quality is exceptional

- The D80 doesn't do bad points (none that I have seen anyway)

+ Command mode for flash where you can wirelessly control flashes.
Auto ISO feature.
Good battery life.
Very fast shutter

- No live view.

+ very crisp pictures, when on auto it couldn't be easyer just point and shoot

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Excellent build quality, great features. Gives the most fantastic images cannot say enough about the camera simply a great great product/

- Have not found any yet.

+ First digital slr and I have not put it down since receiving it, still cannot find fault with it, the battery lasts for ages.

- Lack of raw processing software with the package. This is a seperate nikon product with a hefty price.

+ - preview mode button
- how it feels to hold
- image quality
- speed

- - in camera effects
- no intervaolmeter

+ I like the easy on off switch

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Status LCD on top of the camera is useful. Overall better build quality compared to the competition. Easier to hold (for me) than the canon EOS 400D. Viewfinder superior to those found on cameras of similar price

- The door for the memory card slot opens very easily

+ Very good to handle

- no card

+ Top quality build, brilliant value for money DSLR

- No bad points yet

+ weight and handling

- changing default flash settings

+ For an semi professional camera this is very good.

- Had to buy another lens because of distance

+ Fantastic quality photos. Lots of features. The lens that comes with the kit can cover pretty much any situation.

- Perhaps not an ideal first time purchase if you've no experience of digitial SLRs as there are so many features the temptation would be to leave it on automatic.

+ Comfortable to handle, good automatic setting for snaps and more controls for photos.

- Lot of controls and setup to learn and rememberchallenged retired

+ Put simply, it is a very impressive and fantastic camera

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Easy to shoot with, not to bulky to carry about, comfortable to hold

- card cover opens when removing from bag, Lens hood can work loose.

+ quality of build, image quality and features are second to none, it does what is asked of it

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Very good quality images, great features. the kit comes with things like screen protectors strap etc. Camera is easy to use, and feels great in your hand.

- No memory card supplied

+ Build quality
Easy to use menu system
Plenty of features to play around with

- A bit on the expensive side,but who cares!

+ Easy to use, high quality images.

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Good high quality digital SLR. Light years ahead of a compact digital camera. Looking forward to Christmas and shots of my granddaughter.

- Like all other cameras of this type it is complicated to use and needs a lot of practice, and reference to the manual, when not in full automatic mode. Regardless of this very pleased that I purchased this model.

+ Excellent camera. Has all the features of a much more expensive wrapped up in an easy to use package. Menus are easy to navigate, lens has a good range, all buttons are solid and well made.

- Maybe a little too much plastic - but that makes it lighter, build quality is excellent though. Not really a bad point, but i had to write something!

+ Easy to use, very good quality. Balances well in the hand.

- None so far.

+ Did the research online and the camera lives up to the hype. At the time it was either a D80 new or a D200 second hand - I'm glad I went with the 80. A truly lovely camera, great build quality, great images (if I point it in the right direction) and easy to set up and use.

- None to speak of. I've heard mixed reports about the bundled software but can't comment as I just download the pics and get busy in Photoshop.

+ High quality product that was easy to use

- None

+ Great camera for those wishing to step up to the next level of digital photography. Its a fantastic camera to handle, all the buttons and funtions are easy to use. Its a camera that will grow with your picture taking needs, with a full range of accessories to help you expand your camera.

- None.

+ image quality

- adjustment

+ Good quality all round. Ease of use. Clear menus.

- None found

+ clear pics. nice lens

- not as solid as my d100 body wise.

+ You can't take a bad picture with it - it won't let you

- takes a while to work out what everything does..

+ Ease of use Image quality

- None

+ Ease of use out of the box but complex enough to give you years of great shooting experience.

- It's expensive and you feel an updated model may be announced anyday now.

+ produces exellent images

- no live view.. no anti dust system

+ The ergonomics are excellent, obviously a well thought out design.
Picture quality excellent.

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Easy to use. Many quality lenses and accesories available. Great images

- Not many. A little on the heavy side.

+ The D80 is simple enough for beginners. Focussing is fast and quiet. Manual focussing is easy to access and to use.

- The auto programme cannot be used with the button that locks focus and metering but Prog Mode can be used after resetting focus zone and metering zone. Once you move from Auto, you have to know the camera pretty well to set it up. Best left in Auto or Prog for a while.

+ very easy to use starter lens that covers a wide focus range

- Reviewer left no comment

+ So many - lovely piece of kit - a proper camera.

- Haven't found one yet.

+ It is simple to use if you want to point and shoot and has the options to vary the settings if you are a more adventurous photographer with a range of options in between. There are several good shortcuts for the features incorporated into the camers and these work well (even if they do take a bit of learning). The Zoom lens is simple and effective and I think has some advantages over the two lenses (18-55 and 50-200) that were supplied with the Nikon D40 that I bought for my wife. However with the two cameras and the range of lenses we have between us I think we have the best of both worlds

- For the price of the camera there are some features available on some of the competition's products that one might have expected, although I don't know to what extent these could be described as gimmicks (i.e. the anti-shake technology) My other gripe is that it isn't possible to switch the flash off altogether in automatic mode (which also goes for the D40) and this can be extremely irritating at times.

+ Just a great camera.

- Reviewer left no comment

+ Quality and easy to navigate menus

- Lenses are costly

+ solid build quality

- none