ortega said:
go 1 step higher F801/801s
or if budget allows F80
The 801/801s is nice but lacks a built-in flash (not so convenient for travelling and happy snaps). But it does take AA batteries which are easier and cheaper to find than the F601's Lithium batteries. The 801 lacks a spot meter. While the 601 and later 801s have got one. The 801/801s requires an electronic shutter release; while the 601 will take an ordinary screw in cable release. The 801 has slower AF compared to the F601 and F801s.
The F801 also has a known 'Err' bug. The body will freeze up from time to time displaying 'Err' in the LCD. The fix is to turn it off and on again. I believe this problem was solved with the F801s. The F601 doesn't suffer from this problem.
The F601 had an undeserved reputation of eating batteries. However, the problem lay with the users rather than being an actual bug, users were not installing the Lithium batteries in the chamber correctly (even though this point was highlighted in its manual). There is a ledge in the chamber on which you have to push the battery on to hold it securely in place. Failing to do this and letting the battery sit loose in the chamber, would drain the battery prematurely.
Another thing that drained the battery was a result of users releasing the builtin flash unnecessarily and leaving it in the popped up position. Doing this charges the cameras flash capacitor which drains the battery.
I generally get 40-50 (36 frame) rolls out of one battery with 50% flash shots on my 601 because I don't indiscriminately release the pop up flash.
Given the choice bet the F601 and 801/801s, I'd still go with F601. It's a better all round camera even though it was actually one tier below the 801/801s in their previous lineup. Nikon didn't extend the F601's lifecycle for no reason. It was produced between 1990 and 1997. Once a very popular camera indeed.
While the F801/F801s faded from the scene only after 4 yrs. (1988-92).
The F80 lacks an Ai metering tab so it will only work with AF lenses. You won't be able to meter with manual focus Ai lenses. So if you own or wish to use old Ai/Ai-S lenses, you'll be out of luck with the F80.
The F80 is as good as an F401 in this regard.