the D40 is only an 6.1 megapixel and the D80 is a 10.2! The D80 has WAY more features than the D40! If you are going to get a Nikon and don't want to spend as much as the D80 I reccomend the D40X It is a little more advanced than the D40, is a 10 megapixel, but it isn't quite as advanced as the D80! Hope this helps!!
 

I have the d80 and I love love love it............it has higher pic quality I think
 

everyone is getting a new digital camera that is 10.2 mb. And I am still using the Nikon first digital camera which is the Nikon D1 and it is a 3.0 MB camera and she been a wonderful work horse. I have blown up posters size in 30x40 out of this camera.
With good quality work.
I dont know why some photographer will let go of an old camera that still works. Remember a camera is just a shoe box with a pin size hole.
So what I am saying it doesnt matter what kind of a camera you got. What matters most is how well you know how to control light ratio and have a good photographer's eye.
The camera is just a shoe box with a hole.
 

If you dont believe on the quality of the NIKON D1 3.0 MB camera go into my photo album and look at the city of EL Paso. Those images were shot with the Nikon D1. The Asarco plant photograph was blown up to a 30x40 poster size print . Came out beautiful.
 

I spent a good deal of time looking for a cameras and narrowed it down to the D40X or the D80. I printed off spec sheets on both, looked at different prices on packages, and in the end, i went with my D80. I have never hd an SLR camera before, so I was really not sure what i was looking for, exactly, but knewi wanted something that would give me versatility.
I love my D80. I think, if i remember correctly, I ended up steering away from the D40X because i read something about it having less lenses that fit that model...
Anyhow, either one seems to be a really great camera. Digicombos.com has some nice combination packs, which for me was great because i was just getting started so i didnt have a case, lenses, etc.
Hope that helps!
~Lovin' my D80~
Amy
 

I, as well, LOVE my D80...but, I wanted to give a word of warning. If you go with an online company because it looks like a "good deal", make sure you're getting Nikon lenses and accessories...the glass on the lenses are clearer than the off-brands they sometime include with a kit to lower the price. Also, Nikon batteries give you MUCH better performance than the non-OEM kind. Anyway...do your research. Only you can decide which camera, at which price, is best suited to you. I went into a store and tried out a few different models that I had been researching. When the D80 hit my hands, I just KNEW it was the one for me. It felt right in my hands and the controls were comfortable. Also, I had lenses from my Nikon film camera that were interchangeable with the D80, so it was an easy choice for me by that point. But, I'd recommend buying the best camera you can afford...that way you'll have more features at your disposal. And, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with the D80! :)

Best of luck to you!
 

D80 .... Hands Down