40D VS. D80 - Best bang for the buck

**shawnadamski** · 04-27-2008, 09:22 PM

Hey all, it's time for me to purchase a decent pro-sumer camera and not only that, but it's that dreaded time to choose my brand. I understand that there are arguments on either side on whose the best even though after looking at the poles of who uses who canon beat out everyone else. So the only thing about brand that I'd really like some feedback on is the future of both companies and where some of the more seasoned veterans think the future lies. Also, in buying into one of these brands I want to know which camera is the best bang for the buck between the now aging D80 and the slightly newer (and more expensive) 40D. I know both are good cameras, but I'm going crazy having to decide and after shooting on both cameras before, I almost want someone just to tell me what to get...please?

**cashton** · 04-27-2008, 10:16 PM

I can tell you...D80. Thats just cause I am a Nikon person. My D80 should be arriving via UPS tomorrow

Phoenix · 04-27-2008, 10:41 PM

I can tell you...40D Thats just cause I am a Canon person.

Well both are very nice cameras. What I would do is go down to your camera store and chack out their demos, play around with the settings see what you like best.

Also see if Nikon or Canon mount lenses are any cheeper then the other brand. I really don't think they are but I could be wrong.

Rob

**shawnadamski** · 04-27-2008, 11:17 PM

I've seen and played with both cameras and like them both...almost equally. I think I like the 40D slightly more with the antidust thing and with so many Canon people, the urge is to just jump on the bandwagon and go with the 40D. The basics and the ergonomics seem basically the same, with some differences in screen size and liveview which I could care less about. So is the D80 still the better bang for your buck since it's cheaper? I guess this leads me to another question. With camera bodies being almost identical, which lens system is the best? I've heard it all from reps from both companies both stating that their own is the best. From someone who knows both, who's got the market when it comes to lenses? Or who is at least slightly better? It would be easy if they both made the same lenses but they make completely different lenses and same ones with differences and even a few similar ones. I want to start shooting seriously so obviously I'm looking for the best system to grow with. I thank everyone for their posts.

Phoenix · 04-28-2008, 12:09 AM

Do you have any other SLR cameras, some of the 35mm Lenses will fit on the new digitals, For Canons I think its the EF lenses.

**shawnadamski** · 04-28-2008, 01:49 AM

I do have some lenses for nikon that I had for my n55. I have the 50mm 1.8 f and a tamron 75-300. Both decent lenses...well, I'm quite fond of the 50mm but I know canon has the same for almost the same price so there really is no attachment to any one brand yet. Am I crazy to think that canon's pictures just come out 'jucy'? (and I mean that in a good way) Because the one thing I did notice even when both had all their settings set exactly the same, the canon looked a bit more vivid with the colors ever so slightly more saturated. Now I understand that could have just as well been a better lcd screen on the back of the 40D so I leave the question out there...40D?....or nikon's D80? Best value in bodies, future lenses, and overall quality.

**cashton** · 04-28-2008, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I can tell you...40D Thats just cause I am a Canon person.

Touché

If you like them almost equally then I would opt for the lesser priced camera and use the extra money to put towards some nice glass. I know that the Nikon/Cannon debate is never ending and not winnable so it really comes down to preference because in the end, both companies produce cameras that produce excellent photos. And don't choose the camera because there "are so many Cannon people" cause there are lots of us Nikon folk as well

You can't go wrong with either one so I would pick the one that felt right.

**Cadwell** · 04-28-2008, 02:37 AM

If we're doing a strict comparison of the Nikon D80 and the Canon 40D then the Canon has a number of advantages but the most significant one (which will explain your more juicy colours) is that the Canon has 14bit RAW processing as opposed to 12bit in the older Nikon design (yes, I know the newer Nikons feature 14bit RAW now). 14 bit colour processing gives you a potential 16,384 tones per pixel whilst 12 bit gives you 4096. That's a potential four-fold increase in colour accuracy.

Both the D80 and 40D are very good cameras but the D80 is now a generation behind and the extra bells and whistles in the 40D reflect this (6.5fps burst rate vs 3, auto-clean sensor etc.)

Both Nikon and Canon have an excellent range of lenses with good support from the third party manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron and Tokina. Canon have a slightly wider range of the more specialist lenses such as low light primes and you tend to find that the higher end Canon lenses are cheaper than their Nikon equivalent. In terms of consumer grade lens selection there isn't much to choose between the two brands. Historically the Nikon "kit lenses" have been better but Canon has redressed that issue with their revamped "18-55mm IS".

**shawnadamski** · 04-28-2008, 01:37 PM

Thanks all for your help. With four posts, two for the D80 and two for the 40D, I realized this was a bigger question than I originally thought. Last night I finally fell asleep after tossing and turning, going back and fourth in my head which camera I should go with. I woke this morning after having a nightmare where a bunch of kids where smashing my camera lenses...which were nikon. So whether that was a sign or something, I don't know. But I do know this:

This morning I woke and went to my computer and bought the Canon 40D.

So I open my arms and embrace the ever expanding Canon community. Thanks again for the help. I think it was mainly the tougher body/antidust and 16bit-ness that tiped the scales toward Canon. For all the Nikon peeps, I still think Nikon has got a good thing going and I'll keep shooting my Nikon 35mm back up camera too. Now I've got the best of both worlds! Yay!

**byteme** · 04-28-2008, 01:42 PM

Great choice - enjoy!

From one Canon 40D man to another you understand!!!

**cashton** · 04-28-2008, 01:51 PM

Darn...lost another one.

No really, congrats on the purchase. No doubt you did what is best for you and you'll enjoy your new camera. My D80 arrived today so I will be enjoying it's Nikon goodness for the rest of the day

Phoenix · 04-28-2008, 06:15 PM

This morning I woke and went to my computer and bought the Canon 40D.

Good choice!!! Welcome to the family

**viv1969** · 04-29-2008, 02:16 AM

Can I just say a HUGE thanks to Glenn who, once again, provided the perfect comparison explanation here.

**rupypug** · 05-02-2008, 09:51 AM

I think the Nikon D200 is a little closer to the 40d than the d80 but I could be wrong. Anotherwords I think you are comparing apples to oranges.

Jeremy

**Cadwell** · 05-02-2008, 10:16 AM

It is hard to compare cameras models between Nikon and Canon as the ranges don't run exactly parallel. In truth, the 40D sits somewhere between the Nikon D80 and D300 both in terms of price and features.

**cashton** · 05-02-2008, 10:45 AM

Yes, the D200 is the 40D equivalent and perhaps slightly better. But then again I am biased.

**brysig228** · 07-11-2008, 09:40 AM

i was torn between this two camera also but like what the others says you're comparing apples and oranges. but anyway i went with the d80 because of the price difference cuz i was on a budget. and also i heard that the 40d iso don't go down 200 on auto. not sure if thats true or not. either way i think both cameras are excellent choice.

**marlon127** · 08-14-2008, 01:33 PM

I've handled both camera's and the 40D is a much better camera than the D80. For several reasons:

40D Advantages
-6.5 fps continuous
-Updated Canon Sensor with excellent noise handling
-Newer design AF system
-Live View

The D80 was a fine camera for it's time be it has been eclipsed by many entry camera's in IQ, ISO performance, and overall handling.

D80 Drawbacks
-3.5 fps continuous
-Older AF system, so it will hunt compared to newer camera's
-Older Sensor with lesser quality ISO performance
-only shoots up to 1600 ISO

The D80 can be had for 200 less than the 40D but I still think the 40D is a better value overall. It produces superior photos and is better in all the areas that will improve your photography. Handling, IQ, ISO performance, fps, and Live View make it a better value and camera.

*The D200 is not the 40D equivalent. The 40D has a better sensor than the older D200 and it shows in photography. The 40D's IQ is on par with the D300 and A700 all with upgraded sensors and AF.

**Ari Sultanik** · 08-14-2008, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by cashton

Darn...lost another one.

No really, congrats on the purchase. No doubt you did what is best for you and you'll enjoy your new camera. My D80 arrived today so I will be enjoying it's Nikon goodness for the rest of the day

Welcome, to the club. I know you'll enjoy using it. The fact that it has
taken so long for Nikon to replace it (compared to the competition) says
much for it. I do agree, that you can find newer features in other comparable models but the D80 is still an excellent camera. It is the only
one in its class.

Enjoy,

Ari