Features:  

The 2.5” LCD screen on the back gives you the chance to review your pictures. One thing we really liked about it is that there is a second, smaller LCD screen above that shows some of the essential information like battery life, shots remaining and the resolution you have selected on the camera. We like this for a number of reasons. First, you have the important information in one easily accessible place and second, it doesn’t cover up your pictures when you review them in the larger screen.

The 11-area auto focus points ensure that whatever you’re taking a picture of will stay sharp, even if it isn’t in the center of the frame. In a sense, it gives you a giant leap in the quality of your pictures with a small amount of effort.

However, the D80 also has many advanced features. It can make the transition more difficult. This camera is for those who are looking for more than just taking pictures of the kids, pets or breathtaking vistas. But for those that are looking to really dedicate themselves to photography and turn it into more than just a hobby, the Nikon D80 is a good step in that direction.

Ease of Use:  

Like we said before, the Nikon D80 has a lot of advanced features that can be difficult to master for first-time DSLR users. It definitely wasn't created to be the first step in a transition from a point and shoot. However, it does have many automatic modes that give amateurs some flexibility in taking quality pictures while they are adjusting to the new camera.

Value:  

The Nikon D80 is among the more expensive cameras in the entry-level category. Because it doesn't have a lot of the features that make the transition from point and shoot to DSLR and because of the high price tag, it loses points on value.

Customer Satisfaction:  

For the most part, users really liked the Nikon D80. With just a little tweaking on the manual settings you can see a dramatic difference in the quality of your images from a point and shoot and can even see a difference from other entry-level DSLR cameras. However, most users think this camera might be a little bit much for dad if he just wants to take pictures of soccer games and family vacations.

While the Nikon D80 is packed full of features and does offer a lot of improvement over a standard point and shoot camera, it may be a bit much for the beginner in the digital SLR field. See how it rates next to other entry-level digital SLRs with our side-by-side comparison of the best on the market.