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Comparing Nikon's Entry-Level dSLRs: D50, D70, D80
http://www.slrtoday.com/articles/82/1/Comparing-Nikons-Entry-Level-dSLRs-D50-D70-D80/Page1.html
By SLR Today
Published on 10/22/2006
 
So how does the new Nikon D80 compare with Nikon's two other popular entry-level dSLRs, the D70 and D50? If you already have a Nikon D50, D70, or other SLR camera, is it worth upgrading to the D80? Here we have listed important features of Nikon's three entry-level digital SLR cameras in a quick side-by-side comparison.

Compare Nikon D50, D70, D80 Digital SLRs
So how does the new Nikon D80 compare with Nikon's two other popular entry-level dSLRs, the D70 and D50? If you already have a Nikon D50, D70, or other SLR camera, is it worth upgrading to the D80? Here we have listed important features of Nikon's three entry-level digital SLR cameras in a quick side-by-side comparison.

Model D50 D70 D80
Body Price $675 $650 $1300
Pixels 6.1 million 6.1 million 10.2 million
Image Sensor DX Format RGB CCD 23.7x15.6mm DX Format RGB CCD 23.7x15.6mm DX Format RGB CCD 23.6x15.8mm
Image Sizes 3,008 x 2,000 - L
2,256 x 1,496 - M
1,504 x 1,000 - S
3,008 x 2,000 - L
2,240 x 1,488 - M
1,504 x 1,000 - S
3,872 x 2,592 - L
2,896 x 1,944 - M
1,936 x 1,296 - S
ISO Range 200-1600 in 1/3 EV steps 200-1600 in 1/3 EV steps 100-1600 in 1/3 EV steps
Plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7, HI-1
White Balance Auto 420-pixel RGB
6 manual settings
Preset WB, WB Bracketing
Auto 1,005-pixel RGB
6 manual settings
Preset WB, WB Bracketing
Auto 420-pixel RGB
6 manual settings
Preset WB, WB Bracketing
File Types JPEG (Fine, Normal, Basic)
NEF (RAW)
JPEG (Fine, Normal, Basic)
NEF (RAW)
JPEG (Fine, Normal, Basic)
NEF (RAW)
Display 2.0-inch, 130,000-dot 2.0-inch, 130,000-dot 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot
170-degree viewing
Interface/Storage Hi-Speed USB 2.0
SD Card supported
Full-Speed USB 2.0
CF Card supported
Hi-Speed USB 2.0
SD Card supported
Viewfinder Penta-Dach mirror type
95% Coverage
0.75x Magnification
Penta-Dach mirror type
95% Coverage
0.75x Magnification
Optical type
95% Coverage
0.94x Magnification
Compatible Lenses All AF Nikkor Lenses All AF Nikkor Lenses All AF Nikkor Lenses
Autofocus 5 Focus Areas
Single Area, Dynamic Area, and Dynamic-area with closest subject priority AF
Multi-CAM 900
AF Assist
5 Focus Areas
Single Area, Dynamic Area AF
Multi-CAM 900
AF Assist
11 Focus Areas
Single Area, Dynamic Area, and Auto-area AF
Multi-CAM 1000
AF Assist
Autofocus 5 Focus Areas
Multi-CAM 900
AF Assist
5 Focus Areas
Multi-CAM 900
AF Assist
11 Focus Areas
Multi-CAM 1000
AF Assist
Metering Sytem 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II 3.5mm spot meter (2.5% of frame) 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering I 2.3mm spot meter (1.0% of frame) 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II 3.5mm spot meter (2.5% of frame)
Exposure Range EV 0-20 (center-weighted) EV 2-30 (spot metering) EV 0-20 (center-weighted) EV 2-30 (spot metering) EV 0-20 (center-weighted) EV 2-30 (spot metering)
Exposure Compensation +/-5 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 +/-5 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 +/-5 EV in 1/2 or 1/3
Framing Rate 2.4 fps max 3.0 fps max 3.0 fps max
Shutter 30-1/4,000 sec.
mechanical and CCD electronic
30-1/8,000 sec.
mechanical and CCD electronic
30-1/4,000 sec.
electronically controlled
High ISO Noise Reduction No No Yes (Low, Normal, High)
Long Exposure Noise Reduction Yes Yes Yes
Retouch Menu No No Yes (d-lighting, red-eye reduction, image trimming, monochrome, filter effects, image overlay)
My Menu No No Yes