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More…A few years ago, $1000 was a critical price barrier for digital SLRs. Now, as interest in SLRs has grown among casual photographers, vendors have been racing to produce a $500 model. Though no camera has reachede that goal yet, Nikon's new D40 comes close. For $600, you get a very capable digital SLR camera with impressive image quality.
Nikon Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera
Pricing
$439.99 - $498.00 From 4 Vendors Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Hardware
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
- Warranty
- Tags
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 6.1 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 3008 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2000 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
|
| White balance | 0 |
Lens
| Accessory Lens | 0 |
| Lens Model | 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6GII ED AD-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens |
| Telephoto Aperture Maximum | 5.6 mm |
| Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum | 3.5 mm |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 4000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 6 |
Lens Features
| Camera body only | 0 |
| Optical zoom | 3 X |
| Minimum focal length | 27 |
| Maximum focal length | 82.5 |
| Maximum aperture | 3.5 |
| Lens mount | Interchangeable |
| Focus features | Yes |
PCWorld Rating, March 7, 2008
6 User Reviews Add your own »
$439.99 - $498.00
From 4 Vendors
Get Best Prices »
- Lab Tested
- How We Test SLR Cameras »
Pros
Helpful features for novices
Small and lightweight
Cons
Lacks depth-of-field preview
Bottom Line
The D40 is a great value: Its help system offers solid learning tools, yet the camera doesn't skimp on advanced features.
Nikon D40
Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera Review, by Ben Long January 17, 2007
The D40 kit includes the small, lightweight camera and a separate 18-55mm lens (not available in a body-only configuration). Even at this low price, the build quality on the D40 is excellent. The rubberized grip and pebbled finish make it feel like a professional-level device. Nikon has done an excellent job of crafting a petite camera that is easy to hold steadily and isn't too cramped.
The D40's 6-megapixel sensor is low compared to the 10-megapixel sensors on today's point-and-shoots, but it offers plenty of pixels for comfortably printing up to 8-by-10-inch images. The D40's image quality is very good because the camera includes the same image-processing circuitry included in Nikon's more expensive D80 and D200. In our lab tests, the D40 scored only slightly below those cameras in image quality.
Like its small-bodied competition, the D40 achieves its diminutive size by eliminating the top-mounted status display in favor of using the camera's rear LCD for status readouts. The top of the camera has a mode dial for selecting shooting mode, as well as buttons for exposure compensation and information display. You set all other options via the camera's menu system.
The 2.5-inch LCD screen is bright and fairly easy-to-read even in direct sunlight. It provides a detailed readout of current camera settings and is easy to toggle on and off by pressing the Info button, which is located just behind the shutter button. The info display includes a feature that is so handy and so useful for beginning photographers, that it's hard to believe no one has thought of it before: As you change aperture, the display shows an animated iris that opens and closes, so you don't have to try to remember whether a bigger number means a smaller or larger aperture. This is a great feature for novice shooters. The camera also includes a built-in help system that explains what each feature does, and shows an example of how the feature will alter your picture.
The D40 comes with every feature that most users in this market will want, including adjustable ISOs, raw mode, scene modes, and all of the image-processing features built in to the D80. Nikon's excellent D-Lighting feature for brightening images--plus in-camera red-eye correction, monochrome conversion, and more--is readily accessible from the camera's menus. The only conspicuously missing feature is a depth-of-field preview option.
At $600, the D40 is a great value, and a great tool for photographers who want to grow. The included help system and aperture displays are fantastic learning tools, and the fact that the camera provides full priority and manual modes, as well as RAW, ensures that you won't have to compromise as your shooting prowess grows.
Ben Long
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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85
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72
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82
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar SLR Cameras
85
80
81
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 273.5 |
| Image Quality Score | Very Good |
| Image Quality, Color | 56.4 |
| Image Quality, Color--Adjusted | 61.5 |
| Image Quality, Color--Auto | 51.3 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 59.3 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise | 72.5 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction | 61.5 |
| Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation | 49.3 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 49.5 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 49.3 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 49.6 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 52.3 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 33.8 |
| Number of Batteries | 1 |
| Number of Shots | 500 |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Nikon Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
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Reviewed by: yoesca
Duration of ownership: 5 Days
Strengths: this is the camera to get if you're stepping up to SLR from point & shoot. This camera is easy to operate, fits comfortably in your hand..takes great photos. Has helpful info you can view on lcd screen. this camera is simply the best for those who aren't sure about moving up to SLR camera....this is for you.
Weaknesses: the only feature i didn't like (but will live with) unlike my 2 previous point and shoot sony's...once you save & lock a photo to SD card.& later change your mind about keeping that shot..you cannot delete the locked saved photo until you reformatt your sd card. with my sony's i was able to unlock and delete without reformatting anything.
Overall: You couldn't ask for better camera that takes wonderful photos for the price..and don't let the 6.1megapixels fool ya...that's more than enough for an 8x10 sized photo!
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by:
Strengths: Reasonable price, great photos, light weight, Nikon optics
Weaknesses: None yet
Overall: I am of the old school slr users. I have a Nikon F film camera which is a classic but was extremely heavy for a full day of shooting. This D40 is a pleasure to use-an extension of my hands! Much lighter than the cameras of old, very versatile and a great entry level DSLR. I highly recommend this camera to all point-and-shoot hobbyists and even old timers who used to shlep around their old slr film cameras.
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Reviewed by: Skibum4106
Strengths: It took good quality photos when it was working!
Weaknesses: It broke with very little use at age 13 months old. It was never abused. The auto focus just quit working. I continued to use it but I had to manually focus with bad results.
Overall: Nikon wants $152.00 to fix it. I am not happy to have to pay and reward them for making junk that breaks in 13 months with very little use. I am now waiting to see if I can dispute their repair price. I will not pay it. I found a new camera body for $190.00 Maybe if I buy another one it will work for more than 13 months. It will cost me only $40.00 more than what Nikon wants to fix the new old one.
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Reviewed by:
Strengths: Customer Service answering questionsProduct was in-stockShipped the Nikon D40 the same day the order was placedArrived in 3 business days (FedEx ground 3-6 days)OEM equipment full US warranty
Weaknesses: None
Overall: I found Beach Camera one of the best on-line companies to work with. I spoke with Customer Service only once to check the order status after placing the order on-line. The free 4 GB was up-graded to an 8-GB, which was a very nice surprise. The Nikon camera was a new OEM with a US warranty.Thank you Beach Camera, my 13 year old daughter saved for 1-1/2 years for a SLR camera, and woring with you made the experience very enjoyable.
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Reviewed by: vok_jou
Strengths: picture quality,price,
Weaknesses: poor autofocus,not easy to use,expensive lenses,
Overall: I bought a Canon SLR but dumped it as I did not like the compact flash slot.I am sorry I did that. I bought a new Nikon D40x, & it is much harder to use, and its 3 zone autofocus is poor. The lenses are very expensive, & options are limited.
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Reviewed by: razvan2008
Strengths: easy to use right off the box,very good price,picture quality,battery life
Weaknesses: NONE NONE
Overall: Bought this camera on June 27th 2008.I have it only for 4 days and I fill like a professional photographer. Takes beautiful pictures, and is very easy to use. The menu is clear and very easy to access.It is my first DSLR camera and I love it. I would recommended to everybody who is switching from point shoot camera.
Shop for the Nikon Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera
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| 17th Street Photo | $489.00 Buy Now » | |
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Pricing
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