Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D80

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3000 and Nikon D80. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3000 were released 2009 and Nikon D80 was released 2006. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3000 2009
Nikon D80 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3000 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D80 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D3000 has a 10,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D80 has 10 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3000 10,2 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Nikon D80 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3000 100-3200
Nikon D80 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D80 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D80

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3000 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D80 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3000 3
Nikon D80 3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Nikon D3000 or Nikon D80 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D80 weighs 668 gr (equal to 1.47 lb) which is 25% heavier than Nikon D3000 and its 536 gr (or 1.18 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3000 536 gr
1.18 lb
Nikon D80 668 gr
1.47 lb

Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D80 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3000 and Nikon D80, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Name Nikon D3000 Nikon D80
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Release Year 2009 2006
Release Date 2009-07-30 2006-08-09
MSRP 599 USD 999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CCD
Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 10,2 MP 10 MP
Image Processor EXPEED Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 11 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 2,5”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Frames per second 3 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional ML-L3)
Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3000
Nikon D80
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL9a rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 600 shots
Width 126 mm 132 mm
Height 97 mm 103 mm
Depth 64 mm 77 mm
Weight 536 gram 668 gram