Nikon D40x or D80?

Question

Should I get the Nikon D40x or D80? Why? Or another digital SLR you will recommand?

Answer 1

The new D40x is the same as the 'old' D40, except they slipped in a 10MP sensor. That evens the playing field in terms of resolution and image quality, but the D40x is still geared towards bridging the gap from a point & shoot. The D80 is a more serious camera in terms of features. The D80 has a much more advanced and faster auto-focus, to name just one thing. Also, the D40 is only compatible with very few lenses, such as the kit 18-55, the inexpensive 55-200, and oddly enough Nikon's professional AFS lenses. If you intend to use prime lenses or midrange zoom lenses (in the $300-$500 price range), the D40 is not for you.
Also consider if you really need 10 megapixels. Nikon upped the count to keep pace with the Canon XTi and point & shoot cameras that come with a 10MP sensor, but this was largely a marketing move. The humble D40 and D50 with just 6 MP provide plenty of resolution for a full page print... at a much lower price.

Answer 2

Some respondents are apparently not aware of the D40x yet.

I agree with OMG and others who say to go for the D80, if you want 10 MP. There are many other reasons to choose the D80 over the D40 (as OMG described) and simply adding pixels does not bridge the gap between these two cameras.

In other words, if you really want a better camera than the D40, make the leap and buy the D80. If you want an entry level dSLR, then the D40x is not really worth another $230 over the D40. The only enhancements in the D40x that I see are the 10.2 MP sensor and going down to ISO 100 instead of 200. The continuous mode of the D40x is actually slower than the D40, but that is to be expected due to the higher file size in a 10 MP image. It also gets fewer images per battery charge, which is also probably related to the larger file size.

It still has only 3 autofocus zones, too.

Answer 3

Just my 2 cents.

I have a D50 (5.1 MP). I've taken hundreds of pictures and printed 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 and they all look great.

I would get the D40 and spend more on the lens. You can always change the body if you feel you've outgrown the features.

Is this a hobby or profession.... unless you make a living off the pictures, the D40 will be just fine.

Answer 4

D80 by far. My friend uses that camera all the time, and we always get the best pictures from that camera. It isnt to expensive, and it works very well in any setting.

Answer 5

the D80 for sure is the better of the two...the canon 30D is almost the same camera as the D80...5D is the newest canon besides the mark III and it is solid...

Answer 6

neither