Both Nikon D3000 and Nikon D80 have APS-C sized 10.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Below you can see the D3000 and D80 sensor size comparison.
Nikon D3000 and Nikon D80 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D3000 and Nikon D80 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D3000 has scored 62, 1 points higher than D80.
Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
Nikon D3000 |
62 |
22.3 bits |
11.1 Evs |
563 ISO |
Nikon D80 |
61 |
22.1 bits |
11.2 Evs |
524 ISO |