Nikon F80 Review

Good Points
Depth of field preview
Flash compensation
Metering modes (matrix/CW/spot)
Multi-focus points
Non-cluttered design

Bad Points
Optional AA battery pack doesn't have vertical shutter release incorporated.

General Comments
For those who dream of a Nikon F100 but are unable to afford the price tag, the F80 is the next best thing. Having many features of its higher priced brother, the F80 performs over and beyond. The model is probably considered to be the top of the amateur ladder, going anything higher such as F100 or F5 would be considered professional category, with the price point to match.



The F80 design is non-cluttered, having only the wheel on the left side which selects auto mode, aperture priority, shutter priority or fully manual. One may note that this does not include the many types of modes commonly found on other SLR's, such as Sports/Action, Portrait, Landscape, and Macro modes, but bear in mind that the F80 user would know all this anyway, and would often know the obvious aperture/shutter combination, thereby rendering such modes as being superfluous on this type of SLR. The right side has the comprehensive LCD display with the shutter button. This also has the flick wheel which switches the F80 off or on, therefore just holding the camera has the user ready to flick it to the on position in an instant (no need to use the thumb and feel for a slide switch as in some other brands). The dials on the front and back of the grip controls the aperture and shutter, so ease of use and accessibility is maintained. Depth of field preview is also within easy reach. The back of the F80 has the multi-focus control pad. Other outstanding features include the 3 types of metering modes (matrix/CW/spot) next to the viewfinder (which also has dioptre control to suit the user). There is also flash compensation (not often found on many SLR's), exposure compensation, exposure bracketing, single or continuous focusing control, self timer, and of course, Nikon's unique grid display in viewfinder, which assists in composition and horizontal alignment. There are 18 custom features in the base model, and the F80S version even allows exposure data to be imprinted between frames. Enhancing this impressive package is an optional AA battery pack which improves grip, but unfortunately lacks a vertical shutter release button. Pictures taken are spot on in exposure.



In all, the F80 is a well featured SLR, and has been ranked by many camera magazines as a best buy. Having used this camera for 4 years now, I am still loyal to this model - it has given me full featured capabilities without sacrificing big bucks. The F80 is a popular SLR, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it being categorised as a Nikon classic many years down the track!