[VikingPhotography]

For those of you that haven't seen them already, some images of the new Nikon D80 have leaked onto the web. Tech and gizmo site Engadget has bandwith to spare, so here's a link to their post:

Nikon D80 pictures

You can infer a lot from a body design so here's what we can logically deduce

• Same viewfinder with dioptre adjustment (as per D200)
• Same 2.5" polycarbonate LCD screen (as per D200 / D2Xs)
• Uses CF cards for photo storeage (as per D50)
• Top panel LCD illumination via rotating power switch as per (D200/ D2 series)
• AF mode selection now via dedicated top panel button
• Assignable FUNC button on-body close to lens mount
• Overall design and style as carried over from D70s & D50

Some other sources on the web have hinted at the following, but information is speculative at this point:

The 10.2MP sensor of the D80 is similar if not exactly the same as will be used in Sony's Alpha 100 dSLR. This sensor sports a two-channel readout capacity therefore it is likely the framerate will be capped at 2.5 fps, unlike the four-channel sensor of the D200 which can acheive 5 fps.

Rumours also point to incremental improvements in the image processing chip (the "Black Box") that is at the heart of the D80, providing for subtle improvements over results from the D200 - particularly for JPG images.

It is also speculated that flash sync speeds will be of the order of 160/sec ~ 250/sec, as opposed to the 1/500 sec sync that the D50 and D70 are capable of. Flash capabilites are also rumoured to include wireless iTTL control of two groups of Nikon CLS capable units, such as SB-600 or SB-800 flashguns.

Lastly, being an consumer target body, it is unlikely that Nikon will make a battery grip available for this camera - thus maintaining marked distinction and price points for their product line.

[Steve]

Great find sir!!! Now we await the official release to see how close to the actual spec the speculation is

Any idea on weather sealing ala D200?

[VikingPhotography]

Very much doubt weather sealing; Nikon has to do something to maintain distinction between consumer bodies such as the D50/70/80 and enthusiast/pro bodies such as the D200 and D2 series.

Nikon almost scored an own goal by having around 90% of the D2X tech included in the D200... which is why a refresh to the D2Xs model was so badly needed.. after all, why would you pay £3000 for a dSLR when a £1200 model will give you the lion's share of features from the more expensive one?

So - Nikon won't be looking to make the same mistake twice.

[Dave]

Well I couldn't justify price difference between selling my D70 s/h & buying a new D200.....so maybe this model might tempt me Would have to be quick on EBAY though so not to get caught by flood of s/h D70's