This new Nikkor lens comes as a kit lens for the Nikon D80. Looks like an improvement to the D70’s 18-70mm kit lens, in terms of zoom range and equivalent spacing between each focal length. But it has lost the useful distance scale. Image quality? Gotta wait for the pictures taken with it, the MTF charts and what not.

It features Nikon ED glass, aspherical lens elements and SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for enhanced performance.

• 27 – 202.5 mm equiv. FOV on a DX format digital SLR
• Maximum aperture: F3.5 (W) – F5.6 (T)
• Minimum aperture: F22 (W) – F38 (T)
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 13 groups, 2 ED glass elements, 2 aspherical elements
• Minimum focus range: 45 cm (1.5 ft) throughout the zoom range
• Filter diameter: 67 mm
• Dimensions: 73.5 x 86.5mm (2.9 x 3.4 in)
• Weight: 385 g (13.6 oz)
• Included accessories: 67mm Snap-on front lens cap (LC-67), Rear lens cap (LF-1), Bayonet hood (HB-32), Flexible lens pouch (CL-0915)

The curtains are finally drawn for the new Nikon D80 DSLR! Other than the exterior button changes and rearrangement that we’ve went through some time ago here, these are the rest of the features:

• 10.2-megapixel DX format CCD sensor (which means like D50 and D70, no metering with primitive lenses).
• 0.18sec start-up time. No big deal, just 0.2sec faster than D70.
• 3fps shooting rate like D70.
• New EN-EL3e battery that claims to provide up to 2,700 shots per charge in ideal conditions! Amazing.
• Built-in flash can command up to 2 groups of external flashes wirelessly. D70 can only control 1 group while D50 has no commander mode.
• 2.5-inch 170-degree viewable LCD display.
• 11-area AF system just like D200. But it runs on Multi-CAM 2000 system, newer than D200’s Multi-CAM 1000! (no thanks to your typo, Nikon!)
• 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF system just like D200.
• 0.94x pentaprism viewfinder, equivalent to D200’s and bigger than D50 and D70’s.
• Viewfinder shows ISO information, unlike D50 and D70 which didn’t.

I would say the best reasons to upgrade to D80 from D50/D70 are for the better viewfinder, the better 11-area Multi-CAM 2000 AF system and the superior button layout. For D50 users, the built-in flash commander mode opens doors to creative wireless lighting. And for D70 users, the D80 probably has the same low noise in high ISO settings as the D50. The only problem for D70 users is the change to SD memory card format.

Available from next month, the camera body alone is expected to be $999.95. While packaged with the new Nikkor 18-135mm DX Zoom will cost $1299.95.

I can’t wait!