Nikon has announced their new 10 megapixel D80 digital SLR, the company’s successor to the D70/D70s cameras. Along with the upgraded megapixel count, the D80 sports an updated body design with some softening of lines and a slight slimming down of the overall size. There’s also a new image processing engine, improved menu interface, 3D Colour Matrix Metering II, 11-area AF system and configurable Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed) and configurable high ISO and long exposure noise reduction.

On the back of the camera, there’s a larger and brighter viewfinder and the welcome addition of a bigger 2.5″ LCD TFT LCD screen offering improved resolution (230k) and a 170 degree viewing angle. Upgraders may not be so chuffed with Nikon’s decision to switch from the chunky Compact Flash format to SD cards, but new users will appreciate the adoption of the far more popular storage medium.

Sitting between the entry-level Nikon D50 and the semi-professional / professional D200, the D80 looks a wallet tempting proposition, and should provide fierce competition for Sony’s Alpha 100 SLR. The Nikon D80 will ship in September 2006, with pricing set at $999.95 body only, or $1299.95 with a newly announced 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6GAF-S IF-ED DX Nikkor Lens.

Website : Nikon D80 Preview [Let’s Go Digital]

Website : Nikon D80, 10 mp, previewed [DP Review]

Website : Nikon D80 Digital Camera [Digital Camera Review]

Website : Nikon D80 Pictures Unveiled [Hip Tech Blog]

Website : In-Depth Hands-On Preview of Nikon D80 [Imaging Resource]

Website : Hands On: Nikon D80 DSLR [PopPhoto]

Website : Nikon D80 [Digital Photography Blog]