Just released today! Nikon D80 10.2 Megapixels

[HRTV]

The D80 features a 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor. Optimized to capture sharp details and yield extraordinarily high-resolution images, this new sensor provides plenty of freedom to crop creatively or print impressive enlargements. And its class-leading resolution is only matched by its ability to outperform its predecessors.


Nikon D80

[Mark 72@E]

Three thoughts

Our camera is a Nikon D70 which was replaced by the D70s. The D80 looks to be a replacement for the D70s. If so, you'll start to see price drops on the D70s as the D80 supply becomes plentiful thus making the D70s and good buy at $100 or more in savings.

The extra megapixels in the D80 and the D200 don't mean a thing if photos are out-of-focus. This is my biggest challenge right now -- getting in-focus shots consistently. By in-focus I mean you can zoom in on a photo with software such as Photoshop and still have detail at 2x, 4x, and 8x zoom. When shots this detailed are printed 8" x 10" the typical reaction is "WOW!".

Here's real life example of frames per second (FPS). Holding down the shutter button, I took a series of shots this week of my nephew diving into a swimming pool -- backflips, handstands, and forward somersaults. At 3 frames per second (D70, D70s, D80) I was able to consistently capture A) Just before takeoff or takeoff, B) midflight at the apex, C) in the water. So at 3 FPS what I didn't capture was him entering the water - no "walking on water" shots, no partial entry shots with lots of splash, no funny looks as he entered the water. I suspect this is what the D200 at 5 FPS would provide.

So a D70s or D80 is a better selection for you if the additional FPS is not worth the extra money of a D200. For some photographers, the "one that got away" haunts us...

[Andrew 4CE]

I don't know much about lenes and things... but at what point is the MP beyond what a person can use? Are the lenses good enough to make use of these resolutions even if on a tripod? I've seen pocket cameras with 8mp... surely a pocket camera lenes can't make use of the resolutions? With stuff like this coming out the 6mp and 8mp DSLR's will get really cheap.

[Mark 72@E]

Megapixels

Andrew,

I can't address all your questions and comments but here's what I know. For digital SLR's like Nikon makes, higher megapixels translate into one of two things. Both assume you have a well focused shot (which I've learned is not as simple as point and shoot).

1) You're in a turn boat at one end of the course but the action is at the other turn. You snap a shot but the boat only fills about 1/3 of your picture. With higher megapixels you can crop and enlarge the shot and still get a decent 8" x 10" print. With lower megapixels the shot would become noticeably distorted as it is enlarged to the point where you would see the actual pixels.

2) If you have a shot where the boat fills most of the frame then higher megapixels mean you can print a larger, distortion-free photo. I can only print 8" x 10" at home. But I have access to 11" x 14" printing at work and 24" x 36" printing via my brother-in-law who lives 15 minutes away. Or I could send them electronically to an online photo finishing shop to be printed in any size I want. If you ever see that perfect photo of yourself then you'll want it as big as you can get it.

And you're right - shopping for a camera based soley on megapixels is misleading. That would be like choosing a prop because it gives you the highest top end -- forgetting that you have to make two left turns in every lap.