Nikon d-80 verses d-100?

Question

Compare the two... Which is the better investment?

Answer 1

The Nikon D100 dates back to 2002. Unless you really, really need the D100's better build quality, get the D80.
Perhaps you're thinking about the D200? The D200 offers several improvements over the D80: faster AF, 5 FPS vs. 3, larger buffer, can meter with AI(S) lenses, metal body vs. plastic, weather sealing, faster access to important controls, more features, and the shutter is rated to last +100.000 actuations vs. +50.000.
So if you shoot action, want to use manual focus lenses, or if you need a camera that can take a beating, the D200 is the obvious choice. If not, you'll have to look hard to justify the $700 price difference.

Answer 2

I'm going to guess that you didn't really mean to say D100, as this camera is almost 5 years old now. Check this chart for a comparison:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d100%2Cnikon_d80%2Cnikon_d200&show=all

If you want to compare current models, compare the D80 to the D200. This is a tough call. Here is the recent Popular Photography review of the D80. They make comparisons with the D200 throughout the article. They also have capsule summaries comparing the D80 to the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (400D), the Pentax K10D, and the Sony Alpha 100. In the conclusion, they suggest that Nikon has "gone crazy" releasing this camera for $700 less than the D200, stating that the D80 is nearly the same camera without a few features and without the industrial strength of the D200.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3231/camera-test-nikon-d80.html

I own a D200 and a D70s, which should feel quite a bit like the D80. The D70s by no means feels "cheap," but it is lighter and somewhat smaller than the D200. If I had all of the image quality of the D200 available in the D70s, I doubt I would have spent the money for the D200. In other words, if you are looking to move up from a point and shoot, the additional price is probably not worth the difference unless you need the superior construction and all the subtle features of the D200.

Answer 3

The D100 has been discontinued and old technology. Best compare it to the D200. The D200 has more features and can use the older manual focus Nikon lens. Most people will not need the small differences and unless you have the older lens, not a lot you will need.

Best bet is to go the the Nikon web site and compare the specs on the two cameras. You can also go to web sites such as dpreview.com and steves-digicams.com to read the reviews on both.

Norm