Buying a Nikon D80 today

[koen_de_brabander]

<p>For some time I'm looking for a good reflex camera. The Nikon cameras seem for me the best choice, as when I hold them they feel like they are an extension of my hands, nice to work with.<br /> To cut a long story short: the Carrefour-shop at my place has a Nikon D80 on offer for € 649 (with kit lens). The same price of a D60. The D80 is a now 'older' system, but one level higher than the D60-line (lcd, two wheels, etc..)<br /> Do you guys think it would be wise to buy a now two year old (but new) camera from a higher level, instead of buying a 'lighter' but more recent camera? I think it's a nice chance to get a superb camera for an ok price... (as the D90 goes more than 1000 euro)...<br /> Just to know your opinions on this...</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

<p>Koen</p>

[lwg]

<p>In your situation I would get the D80.</p>

[heartyfisher]

<p>If you can stretch I would go with a D5000 instead of a D80.. There has been a big jump in sensor tech between the D80/D60/D200 to the D90/D5000/D300 generation.. Much more so than the D70 to D80 generation.</p>

<p> </p>

[kari v]

<p>D80 vs D60 --> D80, no question. D60 may have a bit better in-camera jpg processing and little tricks but that's about it.</p>

<p>D80 vs D5000, well, that's more tricky one. How much do you use ISO 800 and above?</p>

[koen_de_brabander]

<p>I hardly us ISO 800...<br>

My wife came home tonight, with the D80! I guess I talked about the camera a bit too often :-)<br>

I'm very happy with it, start exploring it this weekend.</p>

[eric_arnold]

<p>koen, i think you made the right choice. the d5000 is a d40 with more MP and a lot of other bells and whistles but limited overall functionality. i'd take two control wheels over a tilt-screen LCD any day. it's fairly clean at iso 800, though the d5000 might be better at 1600.</p>

[johnny_anderson]

<p>I'd get the D80, more features than the D60 (I started with a D60) and it has a built in motor so you can use older AF and AFD lenses. That alone is worth the price of the D80.</p>

[User_503771]

<p>Your wife is not only generous to you, she's also very smart.</p>

<p>Now remember to do something really nice for her! And by the way, she has a sister?....</p>

[wgpinc]

<p>In a year or two if you feel you have outgrown the D80 you can sell it or trade it up. Take a lot of pictures and see if you need new lense(s). Keep the wife though. </p>

[koen_de_brabander]

<p>LOL, you guys're funny.<br>

A bit of bad news form me though, as I've discovered two 'stuck' pixels. Hope they can repear it quick. I've the camera only for a couple of days and wouldn't like to miss it for months...<br>

Apart from that: feels superb to work with, and very happy with the result (apart from the stuck pixels).</p>

[andylynn]

<p>Can't you exchange it instead of repair? Or return and buy again?</p>

<p>BTW, 649 Euro for a D80 or D60? Damn I'm glad I don't have to buy stuff in your country.</p>

[kari v]

<p>Now that you mention it, yes, 650e for D60 does sound expensive. Even in Finland D60+18-55 VR kit goes for 490 euros.</p>

[koen_de_brabander]

<p>D80 it was!</p>