D80 or D3100?

[Talentloos]

like the title says...tough choice. Usability vs new features...i dont know. what would you say?

 

[GTi]

The D3100 would be a better choice. Newer technology.

Decide for yourself:
http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D3100-vs-Nikon_D80

 

[GTi]

Some interesting comments on this Forum.


http://froknowsphoto.com/froknows/forum/44-nikon-dx-consumer-bodies/65628-d80-vs-d3100

 

[Talentloos]

there is now a possible D200 in the mix as well. i know the D3100 way outshines the other two in terms of technology, but it also has a lot of frilly features that i wont use and it feels really tiny in the hand.

 

[GTi]

What are you planning on using the camera for?
D200 would be the better choice as it's a pro body.
Is video important to you?

 

[Talentloos]

no i dont really care about video. i shoot mostly nature and concert photos. the only real reason im considering the D3100 is it comes with a 35mm prime that i really really fancy. but yeah. i can get the d200 for R3500. which is quite cheap. (still wating to hear where the shutter count is at) the D200 at the moment looks to be the better camera. even though it has a ****ty battery life, a ccd sensor and low light problems. im just so torn. what i really desire is a D90. my flatmate bought one recently. i absolutely love it. but unfortunately a bit of a pipe dream with a R4500 - R5000 budget

 

[Mier]

Between those two only, I would pick the D3100. Especially if you don't have older lenses which require an auto-focus motor in the camera body. However, you would do well if you can stretch your budget to the D5100.
I recently upgraded from D3000 to D7000 and I must admit video is more useful than I thought.

 

[Talentloos]

you would take the D5100 above a D90 as well? ah man i wish i had money for a D7000. those things are incredible. i currently have a canon 450D. and im kind of sad to let it go. but we have a lot of nikon lenses, so the switch seems like a good one

 

[Mier]

D5100 vs D90 is a more difficult choice. Not having used either, I'd be hesitant to make a recommendation. A search suggests that the more 'serious' photographers prefer the D90, while the D5100 is obviously more advanced in the video department and has slightly better ISO performance. The additional pixels on the D5100 may offer more headroom to crop when you run out of zoom, but the built-in auto-focus motor on the D90 will give you access to a wider range of second hand glass.

I'd recommend selling a kidney and buying a D7000

 

[Talentloos]

anybody wanna buy a kidney?

 

[DGremlin]

The simple truth is that D80 and D90 are capable of taking excellent photos that will equal the quality of the D3100 and D5100.

The other truth is that the D3100 and D5100 are newer and so have newer technology that allows greater a bigger and less granulated photo in low light.

The D80 and D90 were designed from a more technical angle, meaning most settings can be altered with a push of a button and with a few extra technical features, so if you feel that you and your photographic itch are more technical and you will need quick access to aperture/ISO/shutter speed etc then its the D80/D90.

The D3100/D5100 is more consumer orientated as a entry level DSLR, with all the features on camera in the menu system, pretty much more technical steps are possible but will require a few more steps to accomplish ...


etc ...

 

[Talentloos]

so after a horrible weekend of indecision i think im going to go with the D3100 for now. Just because of that heavenly 35mm f1.8 lens i get with the deal.

 

[waz7710]

I tend to stick to the newer technology.....as camera's are upgraded so often and the amount of time & money that goes into the researching newer technologies, once again I think its well worth it! But that is just a personal opinion Just wish I had the extra cash to go buy the D3100 ;P

 

[Talentloos]

since i decided to buy the d3100, the buyer of my Canon fell through and someone contacted me this morning with a brand new D90 body for R5000!!!! damn you karma!!!!!!!!!!