Description
Nikon D40 6MP DX Camera Review • Nikon has hit a home run with this
digital SLR camera. It's as close to perfection as any
digital camera has ever come. Sure, there are "better" cameras for more money, but they are all twice the size/weight. I would get this camera even if I had an unlimited amount of money to spend. There is simply nothing like it.
There are lots of innovative user interface elements, and outstanding feel and handling,
teriffic flash (both internal and external SB-400), outstanding image quality, instant response, superb viewfinder,
great LCD... I could go on. I have nothing but good things to say about it, and I'm extremely picky.
No point in to waiting for a full-frame sensor body, with this camera available,
why wait to upgrade?
Introduced November 16, 2006 - Extraordinary
Nikon image quality: The D40's high-resolution image quality is made
possible by Nikon's high-performance 6.1-megapixel Nikon DX-format
CCD
imaging sensor and exclusive Nikon image processing engine which assures
stunning sharpness and color.
Nine More Nikon D40 Images
The lightest, most compact Nikon digital SLR ever, featuring intuitive controls and an ergonomically designed operation that even first-time SLR users can enjoy. Advanced 3-area AF system Automatic control over ISO-equivalent sensitivity from ISO 200 to 1600 with manual override Eight automated
Digital Vari-Programs
[Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, and Night
Portrait] optimize white balance, sharpening, tone, color, saturation and hue to
match the scene Near-instant 0.18-second power-up Versatile shutter speed
control with a range from 30 to 1/4000 s, plus bulb Creative in-camera effects
and editing functions consolidated under a new Retouch menu,
Features
Easy operation with intuitive controls:
Intuitive controls make the D40
point-and-shoot simple, enabling even first-time SLR users to capture
beautiful memories perfectly.
Nikon's smallest digital SLR ever:
At just over 16 ounces, the
beautifully styled and compact D40 makes high-performance
digital SLR photography easier and more convenient than ever.
Fast startup with instant shutter response:
Fast startup combined with
super-fast shutter response and rapid-action shooting at up to 2.5
frames per second makes it easy to freeze special moments instantly.
Includes 3x AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens:
Designed
exclusively for use with Nikon DX-format digital SLRs, this
ultra-compact 3x zoom offers Nikkor sharpness and versatility in a wide
variety of shooting situations.
Shoot at up to 2.5 frames per second:
The D40 can fire continuously at a
speed of up to 2.5 frames per second, capturing high-quality action
sequences of children in sporting activities such as soccer, baseball
and much more.
2.5-inch color LCD monitor with 3 colorful display options:
Playback
images are easy to see and function menus are easier to use with a
larger and brighter color LCD monitor. The large 2.5-inch LCD monitor
enables image preview at up to 19 times magnification and has large type
fonts and easy-to-view menus as well as three all-new display options:
classic, graphic and wallpaper.
A
CCD image sensor on a flexible circuit board
High-performance 6.1-
megapixel
Nikon DX format
CCD
imaging sensor:
Nikon's DX-format CCD image sensor delivers vivid color and sharp
detail, great for making beautifully detailed enlargements of 16 x 20
inches and beyond. High resolution also provides room for creative
cropping.
In-camera image editing: Highly versatile in-camera editing features
include:
Nikon D-lighting, red-eye correction, image trimming, image
overlay, monochrome black and white, sepia and cyanotype along with
skylight, warm tone and custom color filter effects. These features
provide greater creative freedom, without the need for a computer, for
those who prefer to send pictures directly to a printer.
New advanced help menu system with assist images:
The D40's newly
introduced "assist images" help you select the appropriate settings for
many camera features by showing an example image typical of that setting
as well as an advanced help menu for the current item selected. The
D40's question mark icon (?) indicates that help is available for the
currently selected item. Just press the help button beside the LCD
monitor to see a context sensitive help page.
Fast, accurate 3-area auto focus:
The D40's advanced 3-area AF system
and the refined algorithms inherited from more advanced
Nikon
digital SLR cameras deliver fast, efficient and precise auto focus. AF
refinements deliver greater precision with fast, more consistent subject
acquisition and improved focus tracking for consistently sharper
pictures.
Image optimization options:
The D40's image optimize setting lets
photographers adjust color, contrast and sharpening as well as other
image settings according to the type of scene or output desired.
Settings include: normal, softer, vivid, more vivid, portrait, custom
and black and white, each of which are automatically adjusted based on
sophisticated Nikon algorithms or user-selected settings for optimum
results.
Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL automatic flash control:
Nikon's
innovative i-TTL flash control evaluates flash exposure with incredible
precision to achieve better automatic flash balance and deliver
outstanding results. The built-in Speedlight is always at the ready
bringing beautiful exposures to darkened conditions as well as adding a
flash to outdoor situations for enhanced twilight shots or an added
impact to daylight images.
Bright, accurate SLR viewfinder:
A large viewfinder makes composition
easier, and overall viewfinder brightness makes focusing in low-light
photography possible. The bright and sharp viewfinder, with 0.8x
magnification, ensures precise composition.
Automatic exposure with 8 digital vari-program modes: Eight Digital Vari-Program
modes include:
auto, auto (flash-off), portrait, landscape, child,
sports, close-up or night portrait, each of which adjusts automatically
for optimal results under varied conditions.
Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II:
The D40's 3D Color Matrix Metering II
evaluates each scene for brightness, color, contrast, size and position
of shadows and highlights, selected focus area and camera-to-subject
distance, comparing that information against an onboard database of more
than 30,000 actual photographic scenes.
• Size: 126 x 94 x 64 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in)
• Weight: No battery: 471 g (1.0 lb)
• Includes: Front & Rear Lens Caps
• EN-EL9 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
• MH-23 Quick Charger
• UC-E4 USB Cable Camera Strap
• BF-1A Body Cap
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap
• DK-16 Rubber Eyecup
• PictureProject Software CD-ROM
• User Manual
• 1-Year Nikon U.S.A. Limited Warranty
The D40 is the smallest Nikon DSLR ever. D40 Inherits Incredible
Picture Quality from Nikon's Photographic Expertise, Making it Easy for
Everyone to Take Breathtaking Pictures Features an All-New, Visually
Intuitive Interface, In-Camera Editing and Built-In Help
Nikon designed the D40 as an ultra-compact, lightweight,
6.1-effective megapixel digital SLR camera with simplified new features,
exceptional handling speed, and a redesigned, visually-intuitive menu
system that brings digital SLR cameras to a whole new level of
simplicity.
The D40 packs in an incredible range of features and
technologies, but even those using a digital SLR camera for the first
time will be thrilled with beautiful pictures with vibrant colors,
stunning sharpness and outstanding detail. And these same customers will
be amazed at just how easy it is to take truly better pictures with the
new Nikon D40
The Nikon D40 is ready to shoot virtually the instant it is
turned on and with the ability to shoot 2.5 pictures per second,
non-stop for up to 100 shots, you'll never need to wait for the camera
to get ready for the next shot. The camera reacts instantly when the
shutter button is pressed ensuring you never miss a great moment.
The camera lacks a built in autofocus motor, which means that only Nikon lenses designated with
AF-I and
AF-S can be used in autofocus mode with the D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100 and D5000), and the lenses designated AF,
AF-D,
AF-G, or
AF-N can only be used in manual focus mode. Many recent third-party lenses now support
compatible
integrated focusing motors.
Nikon ceased production of the D40x in December 2007, shortly before they introduced its successor, the Nikon D60.
Reviews
Love It, August 23, 2009
By P.K.
My only camera before this was a film camera that my brother gave me for a photography class in college, and I had not gotten around to buying a digital camera, though I had been shopping for quite awhile. There were many choices and price ranges, and I knew I wanted a dSLR due to the better image quality in general and also because it felt more like the camera I was used to.
When I found this camera (I have had it for awhile now) it was perfect since it was small and light, while taking good images. The price was also worth it and I did not feel I was risking a lot of money in buying this.
I have not been disappointed with my choice. At some point I may look at some more expensive cameras or newer models, but if you are new to shooting digital SLR cameras this is a great camera and worth the money. I have printed many 8 x 10s that look real nice, so do not be concerned about the megapixels.
Great for starters!, August 17, 2009
By J. Yap (California, USA)
I got this camera to upgrade my point and shoot camera. I was mainly going to use it to take pictures of my models (architecture models) then realized I can use it for much more than that. Getting this device made me want to explore the world of photography. For the quality and how fast the shutter speed is, it's definitely worth the price. I would recommend this for people who are looking to start off in a DSLR camera and who is willing to upgrade their point and shoot camera. Note: READ THE MANUAL FIRST BEFORE USING! I love the quality of the photos and this camera. Great buy! Fits comfortably in hand and not too heavy. I would say...low medium to medium weight.
Nikon D40 6.1MP the smallest Digital SLR Camera
