They are all canon mad here for some reason... Im looking at the same decision but without the d70 in the mix. d70s maybe, for the right price.

Im leaning towards the d40x with a Tamron lens or 2 to start with. Better off saving money on the camera and putting it towards some decent lenses. From what ive heard, the exposure and colour system on the d80 is slightly lacking and a touch wishy-washy. That said it does share the same system as the d200. I think you just need to think abit more with d80 as its more of an enthusiast camera, as opposed to the d40x which is more aimed at point and shoot type users which leans me back towards the d80....

If your used to older film cameras go the d80 and work for your photos a bit more but if your graduating from a small point and shoot digital go for the d40x.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...n_d80&show=all
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond40x/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/ - read some of the user reviews to get an idea on the faults.