The release of the Nikon D80 in Japan is pushed back from September 1st to September 15th, due to “orders which exceed expectation.” (note: the link is in Japanese and we are relying on machine translation)

Well, it’s only a couple of weeks and anything good is worth waiting for right? You could always buy a 400D instead, or get a great deal on a D70s …

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We have been following the Nikon D80 rumours, the teaser countdown and then the leaked D80 pictures and now it is finally announced the server goes down!

When it is back you will be able to find out more at the Nikon D80 website here but there is also a dedicated site at Nikon-d80.com with a prize draw.

DPReview have managed to get their hands one one though and we have the press release to draw details from. Expected price, £949 or $1299 with kit lens.

First the bad news,

• according to DPReview the sensor might be the same as used in the Sony A100 – let’s hope not as that sensor has been criticised as noisy
• shutter and flash are slightly slower than the D70s (down to 1/4000 from 1/8000).
• Strangest choice is SD rather than CF slot, putting it in “consumer” territory.

Good news,

• obviously more megapixels which is always handy for bigger prints and more generous crops. (funny how Nikon used to say megapixels don’t matter when the 350D had more, heh).
• More AF points, 11 as opposed to 5.
• ISO from 100 to 1600 (again Nikon used to say you don’t need ISO 100) with up to 3200 with boost.
• TTL can now act as commander.
• Multiple exposures in-camera.
• 2.5″  LCD. USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps.
• The new kit lens is a 18-135mm beast. Will be interesting to see what the quality is like of such a wide range.

On with the specs:

• 10.2 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop)
• Image processing engine (similar to D200 / D2X)
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (same as D50)
• 11-area AF system (new version of Multi-CAM 1000, similar to D200)
• Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
• Configurable high ISO and long exposure noise reduction
• Mechanical only shutter (maximum 1/4000 sec, flash sync to 1/200 sec)
• Quoted 80 ms shutter lag (short viewfinder blackout; 160 ms)
• Larger, brighter pentaprism viewfinder (x0.94 magnification)
• Support for SD-HC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
• In-camera retouching
  • D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
  • Red-eye reduction
  • Trimming
  • Monochrome and Filter
  • Small picture
  • Image overlay
• Multiple-exposures
• Compact body (smaller, lighter than D70/D70s)
• Improved menu user interface (same as D200)
• Higher capacity EN-EL3e battery (provides detailed information, same as D200)
• Wireless flash integration (same as D200)

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