Whats the difference between the nikon D80 and D60?

Question

Looking to by my first DSLR, I`ve been using an old pentax film camera and looking to upgrade to digital, money is limited so why does the d80 cost almost 400 dollars more and do is it even something I would really need

Answer 1

Go to dpreview.com! It has everything you need!

Answer 2

The D60 is a great, easy to use camera, designed for the beginning photographer.  Since you've some experience with your Pentax, I feel you may be happier with the D80, as it will autofocus with more lenses and has more manual settings for the advanced photographer.  The second command dial and the separate dedicated info screen can make a difference.

Here's some other nice discussions that matches your question.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.p...

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00OX...

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthrea...

And a technical comparison all the entire Nikon DSLR line:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/...

Good new.  There's actually on $250 difference between the two cameras.  

http://www.ritzcamera.com/slr-digital-ca...

And since Nikon is about to introduce a new D90 within a month, expect the D80 to come down in price.  

http://www.nikonrumors.com/

Answer 3

As was said you can find alot of info on DPreview or kenrockwell.com. The D60 is a great entry level DSLR and I think you will find it does all most recreational photographers need. The D80 is a great camera but its older technology and the D90 is rumored to be out soon as its replacement.

The D60 give you a number of things you want. It has newer firmware and image processors, designed for the 10 mp sensor. It has an "Active Dust Reduction System with Airflow Control ". Nikon not putting a system on the D40 to deal with dust is one of the biggest drawbacks I see to the D40 ( though I think its still a great camera for the money) If you change lenses dust will get in and the camera needs a system to deal with it. With the D60 you get a VR lens. That will help with low light situations ( they may offer that now with the D40 but originally it was not) . The D60 has Adaptive Dynamic Range. Nikon calls it "Active D-Lighting," it lets you save some highlights that my otherwise be lost. It has a newer better metering system.

The D80 is a heavier sturdier camera

Answer 4

Actually, it's only about a $200 difference... check out the side-by-side comparison on dpreview:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...

Answer 5

d20

Answer 6

The D80 has a bigger body which has a better feeling when holding the camera. It also have the auto focus motor built in the camera allowing you to use pretty much any lens that is made for Nikon and it will auto focus for you. The D60 does not have that motor built in the camera and in order for the auto focus feature to work, you would need to use AF-S or AF-I lenses. There are other differences and you can check them out at www.dpreview.com

And if I were you, I recommend getting the D40 over the D60. You'll save yourself a lot of money and that money you saved, you can put it towards lenses. Don't waste your money on a D60.