Review Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera

The 6 Megapixel Nikon D40 is designed for those who want a camera that is relatively compact and lightweight, yet aspire to most of the important SLR features. D40 pretty much (cheaper than D50/D80 and Canon Rebel XTi) set. In my opinion, if you take even consider whether to get a point and shoot camera or DSLR, the D40 is a better choice than point and shoot cameras have, so far, even those with 8MP and 10MP. But if you’ve decided to get a DSLR or you want more control over shooting experience, then I would recommend you also test the D50 and / or D80 before the decision to buy this D40. I want to make sure that you know what you get (not get) with the D40. Make no mistake, however, the D40 cameras are amazing, and I do not think you will regret buying one. There are some limitations with the D40, which does not bother most people, for example, the D40 does not have dedicated buttons (usually only care professionals / enthusiasts) to image quality, white balance or ISO settings to change. Once you help (and accept) the limitations, the D40 is a powerful and exciting photography machine.

Like all (DSLR) is a brother, the D40 direct rule and took pictures with almost no shutter lag, the main advantage of a DSLR over a point and shoot camera. In addition to P, S, A, M mode, the image quality of the auto settings (auto, child mode, landscape etc) are also very good. With 2.5 frames per second can be movement progress in sports like football, basketball, baseball etc. Also great for capturing your family or a child (child mode) photo. D40 is great around the camera.

Some of the major new features:
1st Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (for all other pre-programmed mode) even if you do not want to use flash (which can be annoying). Internal flash is not displayed automatically with the P, S, A, M settings.
2nd In-camera editing capability such as black and white, sepia and some filter effects etc. While sounds of attention, this feature is particularly useful for those who do not have Adobe Photoshop (or another image editing program).

For now, the D40 is the (still less is more ergonomic than the Canon Rebel XT / XTi, but the D40) smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR. I believe that the choice of a camera, which is important for good in the hand. Therefore, I recommend people to test the camera before buying (even if you want to buy online, do not go to a physical store and test the camera first whenever possible).

D40 has only 3 (horizontal) autofocus point (5 for D50 and 11 for D80). If the “Rules of Thirds”, additional AF points above and below the center focus point (available in D50 and D80) are know to help practically, to create the horizontal third line. However, the 3 horizontal AF point in the D40 is still helpful to create the vertical third line. Also you can with the center AF point and after the focus lock and then focus on the frame / down to move to create the horizontal third line. Ensure that the exposure is still accurate when you move the frame after you lock the focus.

About 18-55mm AF-S II-Kit: A good lens for sharp photos (though not very fast lens). Also worth mentioning close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology and focusing is silent. A very decent kit lens.

Lens compatibility: Notice that work with D40, autofocus does not function for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have Nikon lenses and AF-S/AF-I not want a backup or replacement camera, you’re better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it would be easy to stay with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I’m not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40 (whether to enable smaller camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high), which is fully compatible with the D40 such as:

– Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX (L)
– Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S (M)
– Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
– Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
– Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
– Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
– Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
– Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
– Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
– Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
– Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
– Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
– Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
– Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
– Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (H)
– Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
– And many other expensive prime tele / zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.

Lens of high prices ($ 1000 +) are usually pro level lens which usually have better construction, faster (f-stop), and produces better image quality. But is often lower price lens for your needs just fine. I think it’s important to know what you want to buy the camera for use before deciding which camera and lens.

Technical Details

• 6.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
• Kit includes 3x 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens
• 2.5-inch LCD with three display options; built-in flash and hot shoe
• Fast startup with instant shutter response; shoot at up to 2.5 frames per second
• Powered by one rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL9 (included); stores images on SD memory cards (memory card not included)  click here for Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera price comparisons

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