PROS
Easy to useTakes great pictures “right out of the box”Quick focus system and has focus assist lampNice LCD and good user interface
CONS
Can’t really change settings without taking camera away from your faceSometimes too many steps to make setting changesThe f3.5 kit lens is not that fast - the maximum aperture is not amazing - but this is a beginners camera
The Nikon D40 was announced just in time for the holiday buying season. Nikon’s goal with the D40 was to introduce an affordable digital SLR that is easy to use and compact to address a couple of the reasons why people decide against buying a digital SLR. The D40 features a 6.1 megapixel DX format sensor, a 2.5 inch LCD with a nice graphical user interface, and it comes as a kit with an 18-55mm lens for under $600.
NUTS & BOLTS
Viewfinder/LCD
Since this is a digital SLR, you get a true optical viewfinder. The viewfinder is actually very nice and bright. A diopter adjustment is available so that the focus point marks and information in the viewfinder are sharp. The viewfinder covers about 95% of the actual captured image. While shooting, camera settings ( focus, metering, exposure compensation, aperture, shutter speed, etc) are very visible in green text and symbols below the frame.
For reviewing your images and working in the menu system, there is a single 2.5 inch LCD that has 230K pixels of resolution. To make the camera and its “info” display less intimidating, Nikon provides several options for the style of display, including a very polished graphical display. You can choose from “graphical”, “classic” and “wallpaper” display styles. The graphical interface displays all of the camera settings, but the information is laid out very simply. The classic view shows all the information that you need to know. The wallpaper mode lets you choose one of your images as wallpaper behind a layout similar to graphical mode. Shots of the interfaces are below.
Lens
Since the D40 is targeted at beginning users, it’s sold as a “kit” with one lens included. They include an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 11 inches, an aperture range of f/3.5-f22 at wide angle and f/5.6-38 at telephoto. If you’re just starting out, this lens is a great start. As your skills get better, you can start checking out the other lenses that Nikon offers.
Flash
The built-in flash pops up automatically, when needed, in auto mode and the preset scene modes ( what Nikon calls Digital Vari-Programs) . When shooting in the ”exposure” modes ( P, S, A, and M) , the flash can be activated ( popped-up) by pushing a button on the left side of the camera.
Memory Media
The Nikon D40 accepts only Secure Digital ( SD) and SDHC media.
Image File Format( s)
You can save files as JPEG or NEF ( Nikon’s RAW file format) files.
Connectivity
For transferring files, there is a USB 2.0 Hi-speed interface. There is also a video out jack for display images on a TV or other projector.
Power
The camera is powered by a 1000mAh lithium-ion battery. Battery life for single frame shooting, by CIPA standards is 470 shots. If you shoot continuous frames, the battery life is 2200 shots. These numbers are achieved in ideal conditions – real life conditions won’t achieve these numbers. The battery can be charged in about 90 minutes.
EXPOSURE
As you would expect with any digital SLR, there is a full complement of shooting modes. Nikon calls the easy modes Digital Vari-Programs. This term encompasses auto, auto with flash off, portrait, landscape, child, sports, close up, and night portrait modes. All of these modes are accessible by using the mode dial on top of the camera. If you want more creative control, you can use program auto ( auto exposure with user input) , aperture priority mode ( you set the aperture while camera determines shutter speed) , shutter priority mode ( you set the shutter speed and the camera sets the aperture) , and full manual mode. These modes are also accessible on the mode dial via P, A, S, and M indicators.