$950

5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0
1 pound, 5 ounces

$750

5.0 x 3.7 x 2.6
1 pound, 2 ounces

The Nikon D80 is equipped with a 10.2-megapixel 23.6 x 15.8mm Nikon DX format CCD image sensor. The sensor can capture images up to 3,872 x 2,592 pixels in resolution.

The Canon Digital Rebel XTi has a comparable 10.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor and DIGIC II image processor. The APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras and can capture images up to 3,904 x 2,598 pixels.

11-point autofocus system with the Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module that also found on the more expensive Nikon D200. Each focus point may be used individually for precise focusing, while the center sensor can be switched to wide-frame for broader coverage. Manual and autofocus modes available.

A 9-point autofocus system is found on the XTi. A thumb-controlled button on the back of the camera allows the user to quickly choose which focus points to use. Of course, the focus points can also be chosen automatically. The XTi has a AI Servo AF to better capture moving subjects, and a One-Shot mode for still photography.

The Nikon D80 can power up in as little as 0.18 seconds. Shutter speed ranges from 30 to 1/4,000 seconds and shutter response is quite fast, with a delay of only 80 milliseconds. In continuous shooting mode, the D80 can capture up to 100 M-sized JPEGs or 6 RAW photos at 3 frames per second.

The Canon Digital Rebel XTi is nearly as fast as the D80 - taking only 2.0 seconds to power up. It also has a shutter speed range of 30 to 1/4,000 seconds and a shutter lag time of about 100 microseconds. At about 3 frames per second, the Rebel XTi can take up to 27 large/fine JPEGs, 10 RAW images, and 8 RAW+JPEG consecutively.

2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels and a maximum viewing angle of 160 degrees.

2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels and a maximum viewing angle of 170 degrees. Images can be viewed up to 25 times magnification.

Pentaprism viewfinder with 0.94x magnification. May be adjusted using a diopter control knob. A integrated grid display can also be switched on to aid in composition.

Pentaprism viewfinder with 0.8x magnification and 95% coverage. Diopter adjustments can also be made from -3.0 to +1.0.

The D80 has an advanced auto exposure system driven by Nikon's exclusive 3D-Color Matrix Metering II. Metering range is EV 0-20, adjustable in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance are all compared with an onboard database of 30,000 reference photos, and calculated to give optimum results. Exposure modes include Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait); Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]. The standard ISO range is 100 to 1600, but may be boosted further by using the modes HI-0.3, HI-0.7 or HI-1.

Metering range of EV 1-20, adjustable in 2, 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments. Metering modes include partial metering, center-weighted average metering, and evaluative metering. The XTi has several exposure control options: Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Auto Depth-of-field AE (non-shiftable), Full auto (Program AE, non-shiftable), Programmed image control modes, Manual exposure (including bulb), E-TTL II autoflash program AE. Standard ISO range is 100 - 1600.

Built-in i-TTL flash system that evaluates flash exposure and provides balanced fill flash in nearly any situation. Repeating flash and modeling flash functions available. Contains advanced wireless lighting system that remote controls the B-800 and SB-600 wireless speedlites.

Standard built-in popup flash with the E-TTL II autoflash metering system. The XTi is compatible with EOS EX-Series Speedlites. Approximate 3 second recycling time between flashes.

Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin), preset white balance; white balance bracketing available.

White balance settings include Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash), and Manual (Custom or user-set Color Temperature). White balance bracketing also available on the XTi.

The nikon D80 has several preset optimal image settings, including Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-white. Three major color modes are also available: Mode Ia renders natural-looking skin tones out of the camera (sRGB), Mode II: realizes a wider color range suitable for processing or retouching (Adobe RGB), and Mode IIIa renders vivid landscape and floral colors out of the camera (sRGB). The D80's lithium Ion battery can hold a very impressive 2,700 images per charge. Has SD Memory Card Slot and USB 2.0.

The Digital Rebel XTi has a nifty dust removal system that uses ultrasonic vibrations to clean dust from the CCD sensor. The camera has six preset Picture Styles (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, and Monochrome). Users can also develop and save their own picture styles from the settings they use most. In order to save battery life, a display-off sensor automatically turns off the camera's external display when the user is not looking through the viewfinder. Stores images on Compact Flash (CF) memory cards, and powered by a NB-2LH battery pack.