Nikon D40: Review

Posted to Digital SLR 2009-06-17

Nikon D40 Review:

The Nikon D40 Digital SLR is Nikon's smallest and least expensive digital SLR camera. It features a 6.1 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor and comes bundled with a 3X zoom AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Weighing just over a pound, it has a 2.5 inch, 230,000 dot color LCD and offers continuous shooting speeds of up to 2.5fps.

The D40 also includes a built-in Speedlight with i-TTL automatic flash control, a 3-area autofocus system and advanced in-camera editing features. There's a large, accurate viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.8X magnification, Nikon's 3D Color Matrix Metering system and 8 digital program modes. The D40 features fast startup and almost no shutter lag, and shot-to-shot times are excellent.

Rating:

3.6 out of 5

Value

If you're looking for an entry level DSLR, the Nikon D40 represents an excellent value. It's one of the lowest-priced DSLR/lens combos on the market, yet it's still a big step up from the point and shoot world. While it doesn't have some of the latest fancy features, such as face detection and live view, it is an SLR, and looks, acts and feels like one. The D40 features Nikon's legendary quality, solid performance and excellent ergonomics.

Features

We've already mentioned the lack of live view and face detection. A couple of other features that would be nice are image stabilization and automatic sensor cleaning. But then, this is an entry-level camera, and if you want to learn how to use a real camera, it offers complete manual control of almost everything. On the other hand, the in-camera processing that's available is impressive for such a reasonably priced model, and you can take some great images with this camera using the various auto modes.

Summary

For the beginning SLR user, you can't beat the D40 for price/performance. It's solidly built, has a comfortable feel and offers image quality vastly superior to point and shoot cameras with their small sensors. And don't let the "small" MP number scare you away from this camera -- 6MP is still a lot of pixels. You can get excellent quality 12x18 prints at 300dpi with a 6MP image.

Pros

6.1MP DX-format CMOS sensor
Bright 2.5
Fast 2.5fps continuous shooting speed

Cons

Lacks live view
Lacks face detection