I would choose a Nikon D200 over a D80. They are still available new from Amazon.com for only $799. Or if you can spend a little more the D300 is exceptional and has amazingly low noise at higher ISOs, they can be found used for around $1200.
w4rmk wrote:
I would choose a Nikon D200 over a D80. They are still available new from Amazon.com for only $799. Or if you can spend a little more the D300 is exceptional and has amazingly low noise at higher ISOs, they can be found used for around $1200.
I have a D80 and a D300 now... the D300/D200 feels a lot better IMO. But the D80 is still a good camera, it has a slight edge over the D200 in some performance (it was released after the D200.) This can be said about the D90 has a slight advantage over the D300 but control wise... Semi-Pro body all the way.
If you going to spend $800 for a D200, save it and look for a used one. Most of the ones I see go for around $1000-1200 and they have around 2-5k clicks which is still pretty low. I picked up my D300 w/ the grip for $1200 shipped. Awesome deal IMO and with 2333 clicks, its just like new. ISO on the D300 is great, definitely a step up and away from D200/D80.
Buy it once, not twice. Save it and keep on clicking with the Pentax.
Your Pentax is an excellent camera, and undoubtedly better than the D80 (which I have) in most ways. Why don't you just buy a faster lens for the K10D? If I'm not mistaken, the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8 will give you built in focusing motor, weather sealing and faster aperture than your Sigma, all for the relatively modest investment of $600.
Changing systems will cost you much more, and if you want the same features with a Nikon, you are looking at a D200 or D300 with 17-55 f/2.8. The Nikkor is a better lens, but bigger, heavier and twice as expensive.
I have no experience with the D80, but I just picked up a D90 a few months ago... and I must say, I absolutely love it! Its a nice size camera for walk around, which is primarily what I am using it for. I will be buying a D700 soon for my main shooting, so the D90 will serve as my backup once I am shooting the D700.
Jorgen Udvang wrote:
Your Pentax is an excellent camera, and undoubtedly better than the D80 (which I have) in most ways. Why don't you just buy a faster lens for the K10D? If I'm not mistaken, the Pentax 16-50 f/2.8 will give you built in focusing motor, weather sealing and faster aperture than your Sigma, all for the relatively modest investment of $600.
Changing systems will cost you much more, and if you want the same features with a Nikon, you are looking at a D200 or D300 with 17-55 f/2.8. The Nikkor is a better lens, but bigger, heavier and twice as expensive....Show more →
I do not really need to keep all the K10D's features. The 16-50mm lens is just too short for me on the tele end. Plus when I asked question if SDM lenses (the ones with built-in motor) will speed up K10D's AF on the Pentax forum, I got replies that it will make it quieter but not faster.
All I need is body with good walk-around lens (something like 17-70mm that I have now). Nikon has several lenses that have even bigger reach on the tele end so I may just get body and one lens. The only thing is, that I can't afford D90. I was thinking about either D60 or D80.
Johnny5liter wrote:
you won't be disappointed with the d80!!!
then again I can't really compare it to anything else as it is my first dSLR. Other than actually holding and playing around with other nikons and canons.
As someone stated above, the D40/60 do feel like it was built by Fisher Price compared to the D80!
i've had D40,D50,D80, and now D90. my D50 feels better built than did the D80 and my D40 was built every bit as good if not better as well. now with that said i believe Nikon dropped the build quality down a notch with the D40x and D60 as i have played with them in the store and noticed that they just didn't feel as solid..... specifically in the knob up top. now if size is what was meant by the 'Fisher Price' comment then yes that's true but that's what battery grips are for.
