• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Nikon D80 advantages over Canon 80D

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.10 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Canon 80D advantages over Nikon D80

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,135 vs 524 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.2 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 960 vs 600 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    45 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.8 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.

  • New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Nikon D80
Canon 70D
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 80D
Canon 70D
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $999
  • APS-C

Compared to Sony A77 II

Nikon D80
Sony A77 II
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon 80D
Sony A77 II
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D80
Canon T6s
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 80D
Canon T6s
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon D80
Nikon D7200
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon 80D
Nikon D7200
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D80
Nikon D7500
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 80D
Nikon D7500
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
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