Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Great pictures used to require complicated and cumbersome equipment along with years of experience. Not any more. The D40 is compact, lightweight and designed specifically for ease of use, yet contains all the top-quality, high-performance technologies that you expect from a Nikon digital SLR. And with world-famous Nikkor lenses, you know you have the sharpest and most reliable optical performance available. All in a camera light enough to carry with you everywhere. Beautiful photography has never been easier.
Nikon D40 Highlights
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.
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 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 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.
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 Color Balance 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 Autofocus 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 autofocus. 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 and brings beautiful exposures in darkened conditions as well as adding sparkle for fill flash in 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. Its 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 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.
Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit Review
Summary: I’ve been shooting the Nikon d40 since 2007, as a somewhat “serious” amateur. It has proven to be a decent DSLR overall, and terrific for the price. I do mostly casual portraits, outdoor/landscape and vacation shots. I’ve taken thousands of d40 shots and learned a lot. As of 2009, experienced shooters should view the d40 as a good backup camera, while beginners should really be considering the new d3000 instead.
Where I’m coming from:
I was shooting a 35mm Nikon N2020 from 1986 into the early 2000’s (I’m too lazy for film anymore, but I still believe I was getting my best pictures with film).
I then switched to digital point and shoot, but after a couple years I missed my old 35mm SLR — the image quality and great colors that came from film and the feel of using a “real” camera. I finally sprung for the d40 based on low cost and good reviews. (If you’ve been to Ken Rockwell’s site, you already know how much he likes his d40). After 2 years the d40 is still my trusty camera, and I’ve gotten *much* more than my money’s worth (I paid $450 back in ‘07). But make no mistake, my best N2020 shots are better than my best d40 shots!
Pros:
(all well known)
1. Practical. Reliable. Easy to operate.
2. Small and Lightweight for a DSLR (ideal for long hikes, but still much bulkier than any point-and-shoot)
3. Inexpensive.
Cons:
1. (Well known) The d40’s automatic exposure often works poorly. You really need to learn to adjust exposure (by some trial and error), or you’ll probably be disappointed with many of your pictures. From what I have read about the d3000 (e.g. Rockwell’s site), it is much better at autoexposure and also features a special guide mode for the first-time DSLR owner. If this is as good as it looks, it means the d3000 has dethroned the d40 for beginning photographers.
2. (Surprising) Small and Lightweight. Yes, I also listed this as a “pro”, but honestly my hands are a little too big for the d40. The controls and buttons are close together, which many people love, but for me, the d40 (or other small Nikon DSLRS like the d40x / d60 / d3000) is just too compact! Also, while the near weightlessless is often a virtue, it’s so light it tends to flop around as I carry it around on the strap.
… Now I’m looking at stepping up to the d90 (or its successor). But I’m sure my d40 will stay around as that trusty backup for a long time.
