HELP! We Leave in 13 Days and My D80 Just Died

[Jhuff8181]

I’ve had my Nikon D80 for about 8 years. Yesterday it just died - error code on display. I took it in to my local dealer and he said it was probably the main panel or control, I don't really remember. So I need a new camera. I only have $300 to $400 to spend. What would you recommend for a good point and shoot or SLR?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

You are probably going to have to go the P & S route for $300-$400. I looked for a used D90 body at KEH and they have two, EX+ $725 and BGN $665. You are looking at a high end P & S or low end Super Zoom. There are so many P & S cameras out there that there is no way I could honestly recommend one over the other. I would make a list of desired options you require and then go to a website like dpreview.com to compare. They have some really good comparison tools and recommendations. There are hundreds of compact cameras out there that they totally confuse me. Besides my three DSLR's, I have a Canon, Pentax and Kodak point & shoot, that all in the right conditions produce good images. I wish I could be of more help. Good luck!

I just thought of another option to buy you some time. How about renting a camera for your trip? There are several online rental companies that many have used very successfully. If you do a google search they will pop up. A couple that I am aware is borrowlenses.com and lensrental.com. You can rent a D90 for a week for about $150. Its just another option.

 

[photo_chick]

KEH has a used D80 that fits right in your price range if you reaally want to stay DSLR.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

KEH has a used D80 that fits right in your price range if you reaally want to stay DSLR.

When I did a KEH search for the D80 nothing came up. I had to drill down to find it! Good job.

 

[Jhuff8181]

Probably going to feel dumb here but what is KEH?

 

[Jhuff8181]

Never mind, found it. Thanks.

 

[photo_chick]

KEH is my favorite place to shop for gear. They have great service, fair prices and I trust their rating system. If they say something is in excellent condition my experience has been that the item is closer to like new condition.

The one place the site lacks is the search. Like Gianna's Papa seems to have found. They've got a quirky organizational system, especially when it comes to lenses.