Nikon Z8 vs Nikon D80

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z8 and Nikon D80. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z8 were released 2023 and Nikon D80 was released 2006. That is a 17 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z8 2023
Nikon D80 2006

Type of camera

Nikon Z8 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D80 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z8 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D80 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z8 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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

Nikon Z8 has a 46 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 Z8 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D80 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Nikon Z8 has a 353 % larger resolution than Nikon D80. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z8 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D80. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D80 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z8 32-102400
Nikon D80 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z8
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 Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D80 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z8 30
Nikon D80 3

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon Z8. Unfortunately Nikon D80 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 Z8 weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 36% heavier than Nikon D80 and its 668 gr (or 1.47 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z8 910 gr
2.01 lb
Nikon D80 668 gr
1.47 lb

Nikon Z8 vs Nikon D80 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z8 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 Z8
Nikon D80
Name Nikon Z8 Nikon D80
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Release Year 2023 2006
Release Date 2023-05-10 2006-08-09
MSRP 3999 USD 999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CCD
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 10 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-shift (Synchro VR with select lenses))
Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 493 11
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 Z8
Nikon D80
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 2,5”
Screen dots 2088960 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Frames per second 30 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight 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 Z8
Nikon D80
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
H.265
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In
No
Remote Control Yes (via app) Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z8
Nikon D80
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c
Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 600 shots
Width 144 mm 132 mm
Height 119 mm 103 mm
Depth 83 mm 77 mm
Weight 910 gram 668 gram