Digitalcamerareview published a list of most popular digital cameras, based on the number of times info-pages were requested.

In the list, we’ll find Sony and Panasonic twice and Canon no less than six times!
Maybe even more amazing is the absense of Nikon. It makes me wonder how much this list parallels selling figures, thinking of the huge popularity of the D50, D70, D100 and their successors. There are only 2 SLR’s in the list anyway…

Dpreview has an interesting semi-review of the New Nikon D80, a camera causing much excitement right now.

“The D80 slots nicely between the entry-level D50 and the semi-professional / professional D200, clearly based on the D70 design but also different enough to be seen as a completely new model. It features a ten megapixel DX format CCD (the same we presume as used by Sony in the DSLR-A100), the metering sensor from the D50 and numerous other items taken or modified from the D200.”

Key features of the Nikon D80
* 10.2 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop)
* Image processing engine (similar to D200 / D2X)
* 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (same as D50)
* 11-area AF system (new version of Multi-CAM 1000, similar to D200)
* Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
* Configurable high ISO and long exposure noise reduction
* Mechanical only shutter (maximum 1/4000 sec, flash sync to 1/200 sec)
* Quoted 80 ms shutter lag (short viewfinder blackout; 160 ms)
* Larger, brighter pentaprism viewfinder (x0.94 magnification)
* Support for SD-HC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
* In-camera retouching
* — D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
* — Red-eye reduction
* — Trimming
* — Monochrome and Filter
* — Small picture
* — Image overlay
* Multiple-exposures
* Compact body (smaller, lighter than D70/D70s)
* Improved menu user interface (same as D200)
* Higher capacity EN-EL3e battery (provides detailed information, same as D200)
* Wireless flash integration (same as D200).

We hear that Nikon Europe has “accidentally” leaked photos of the soon to be announced mystery Digital SLR - now known, thanks to the photos, as the Nikon D80. Information about this new camera is still sketchy but it now seems that this 10.2-megapixel Digital SLR will feature an SD memory card slot instead of a CompactFlash slot used in previous Nikon DSLR’s, and the camera body has a few extra buttons on it compared with the D70 model. On the body of the camera there is now a physical self timer button (similar to that of the Nikon D50), IR remote button, and an autofocus button.

Source : Cameratown Photo Newsletter #154

PCMag has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L4 digital camera. Review summary: ‘For most first-time digital camera users, the bells and whistles on many of today’s high-end point-and-shoots are more daunting than desired. The Nikon Coolpix L4 ($149.95 list) is the fourth member of the Nikon Coolpix L-clan. Novices will appreciate its simple menu navigation and useful in-camera features such as cropping and repairing dark images. I was satisfied with both its picture quality and in-camera features, but the lack of a viewfinder and the inability to record video with sound hurt the camera’s rating. Still, if you’re a camera newbie or just need to return to the basics, the Nikon Coolpix L4 is a good choice.’

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