Nikon D2Xs vs Nikon D80 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D2Xs
36
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D80
34
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D2Xs and the Nikon D80 are both APS-C DSLRs from 2006, built around the Nikon F DX mount, so one F-mount lens collection serves either body. The D2Xs was announced in June 2006 and the D80 in August of the same year. The D80 is the smaller and lighter body to carry. It measures 132 x 103 x 77 mm and weighs 668 g, against 158 x 150 x 86 mm and 1200 g for the D2Xs, a 532 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 1, 2006 | August 9, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 150 x 86 mm | 132 x 103 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 1200 g | 668 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 39/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D2Xs is the stronger choice for fast action and heavy cropping. It shoots at 8 frames per second against 3 on the D80, and its top shutter speed of 1/8000 second gives a shorter exposure than the D80's 1/4000 for wide apertures in bright light. Its 12.2 megapixels against 10 also leave more pixels when you crop a distant bird. The D80 offers the higher native ISO ceiling, 1600 against 800, so you can keep working in dim rooms before either camera reaches its shared expanded 3200 setting. The sensors differ in type, CMOS in the D2Xs and CCD in the D80. Both provide 11 autofocus points, an optical pentaprism viewfinder, and no in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work relies on shutter speed with both. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
8 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Nikon Image processing engine | Nikon Image processing engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
8003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so motion clips have to come from another device. Timelapse is where they differ: the D2Xs supports built-in timelapse, letting you assemble a sequence of still frames into a moving result in camera, while the D80 leaves that workflow to external tools. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D80 is the more self-sufficient body for casual shooting. It carries a built-in flash for fill light on a backlit portrait and offers Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer, two features the D2Xs lacks. Both accept external flash, so added light is possible on either body. The rear screens match in size and type: both are fixed 2.5 inch LCDs, with a small difference in dot count, 235,000 on the D2Xs against 230,000 on the D80. Neither camera offers live view, a touch layer, a flip screen, GPS, Bluetooth, or weather sealing, so composition happens at the optical viewfinder on both. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2350001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D80 carries the higher battery rating, 2700 shots against 2000 for the D2Xs, from its EN-EL3e pack in place of the D2Xs's EN-EL4a. Card formats differ as well: the D80 records to SD or SDHC, while the D2Xs takes CompactFlash Type I or II. Both hold a single card, and neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2000 shots1505000 | 2700 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D2Xs if you photograph moving subjects. Its 8 fps burst, 1/8000 second top shutter, and extra pixels for cropping suit sports, racing, and birds in flight, and its built-in timelapse supports frame-sequence projects.
Choose the Nikon D80 for travel and everyday photography. Its built-in flash, higher native ISO, lighter body, SD storage, and longer rated battery make it the practical walk-around option for family events and city shooting. Because both share the F DX mount, moving between them costs only the body, not your lenses.