I use to have and use the Nikon D1X. The Nikon D1X was a high end camera for it's time. The Nikon D80 makes this camera seem like it's an awkward boat anchor hanging around your neck. I purchased the Nikon D80 when the Nikon D90s were coming out and I got a great deal on the camera body. the body is light weight and It has a higher ISO settings than the Nikon D1X. The Nikon D1X went to 800, the Nikon D80 goes over 1000. It's just as easy to shoot manually with the Nikon D80 as it is with the Nikon D1X. My only issue is shooting RAW with the Nikon D1X because Photoshop CS2 can't read the type...