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Factsheet                D40  pictures
Availability YES
see also D40x
Megapixels 6.1 CCD
List Price £419 body. Feb 08
Introduced   2006
Specification On this page below
Instruction Manual Nikon D40
print restriction
D40 User's Manual [PDF, 8.9MB]
D40 Quick Start Guide [PDF, 4.2MB]

D40 brochure in PDF
Reviews

Steves Digicams Nikon D40

ephotozine D40  D40 preview

Photography Blog D40

D40/D40X review at Photo.net

D40 review by Thom Hogan

D40 review updated by Thom Hogan (D40X comments incorporated)

D40 review at DCResources

D40 review at LetsGoDigital

D40 review at PopPhoto (More preview than review)

D40 review at ImagingResource

D40 review at DPReview

D40 review at Megapixel.net

D40 review at CNET

D40 review by Ken Rockwell

D40 quick take by Michael Corrado

Nikon D40 with 18mm-to-55mm lens review by CNET

D40 review at Photoxels.com

D40 review at PopPhoto

D40 review at DCViews

D40 review at DigitalCameraInfo

D40 review at CameraLabs

Video tour of the D40 at CameraLabs

D40 review at Shutterbug

D40 review by David Bennett

D40 review at PPMag.com

See also:-
Digital Camera Resource
Nikon Pro
C|NET (D40)
Pocket-lint

Test Runs

Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera Image Samples - DigitalReview.ca

Nikon D300, D200, D40 and Canon 5D High ISO Comparison by Ken Rockwell

Nikon D300, D200, D40 and Canon 5D High ISO Comparison by Ken Rockwell

D40 high ISO test by David Bennett

Comparisons

Nikon D60 Versus Nikon D40X and D40 Side by Side Feature Comparison - DigitalReview.ca

8 reasons to buy a Nikon D40 or D40x instead of a Point and Shoot

Comparison between a Nikon D80 vs D60 vs D40 - Which one should you buy?

Nikon D40 vs. D50 High ISO by Joshua Dearing

Nikon D40 Compared to Nikon D50 and Pentax K110D / K100D DSLR's at DigitalReview.ca

 

Main features (from Nikon, as at point camera was first produced)

  • The lightest, most compact Nikon digital SLR ever, featuring intuitive controls and an ergonomically designed operation that even first-time SLR users can enjoy
  • Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor; 6.1 effective megapixels
  • Fast 2.5 frames per second in bursts of up to 100 JPEG frames (FINE L-size or smaller)
  • High-precision digital image processing algorithms produce natural-looking images with faithful color and tone reproduction
  • 3D Color Matrix Metering II with 420-pixel RGB sensor delivers consistent and dependable automatic exposure for ideal results in most lighting conditions
  • Advanced 3-area AF system and the refined algorithms inherited from the advanced Nikon digital SLR cameras deliver fast, efficient and precise autofocus, while an AF-assist illuminator helps ensure top performance in dark situations
  • Automatic control over ISO-equivalent sensitivity from ISO 200 to 1600 plus HI 1 can also be set manually
  • Eight automated Digital Vari-Programs [Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, and Night Portrait] optimize white balance, sharpening, tone, color, saturation and hue to match the scene
  • Near-instant 0.18-second power-up lets photographers respond to every photographic opportunity
  • Versatile shutter speed control with a range from 30 to 1/4000 s, plus bulb
  • Creative in-camera effects and editing functions consolidated under the new Retouch menu, including D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim, Monochrome settings (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype), Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Color balance), Small Picture and Image Overlay
  • Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with viewing angle of approx. 170 degrees in all directions
  • Innovative information displays can be shown in Classic, Graphic or Wallpaper format
  • “Assist Images” help select the appropriate settings for many camera features by showing an example image typical of that setting
  • Large, bright viewfinder with 0.8x magnification ensures clear view for precise composition
  • Fast image data transfer and recording to SD memory cards of up to 4GB capacity (SDHC compliant)
  • Long-life Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9 allows up to 470 images* in single-frame shooting mode on a single charge (*CIPA standard, with Built-in Flash used for 50% of the shots)
  • Built-in Flash with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon's Creative Lighting System
  • Includes Nikon’s PictureProject software for easy control over image adjustment and management
  • Support for Nikon's new Capture NX software, which provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools that help tap the full potential of NEF images

Our notes

  • Economy entry level, you can get this camera and a zoom lens for under £300

  • The only remaining 6m pixel camera in the Nikon range. Mega pixels are over rated in importance, you can get quite large prints out of this. We have produced the best quality up to 19 inches wide off a 6 mega pixel camera.

  • A small compact design with few controls on the casing, but can be set easily with the rear panel display.

  • Its capable of producing very good photos, but slightly slower to operate than cameras that have controls on the body.

  • Like the D40x and D60, this camera can only auto focus  some lenses, ones that contain electronic motors as it does not have mechanical focusing drive. All silent wave lenses should be OK. If you are moving from a film to digital then its likely that this camera will not be able to use  your existing lenses while the D70 and above could.

  • It is likely that this camera will be replaced with a later model within the next year.

  • If getting one, get the kit, rather than body alone as there is small lightweight zoom to go with it, but before you do check out the D60, its the same size, but has a number of newer features.

Specification (from Nikon)

Effective pixels 6.1 million
Image sensor RGB CCD, 23.7 x 15.6 mm, 6.24 million total pixels: total pixels
Image size L (3,008 x 2,000) / M (2,256 x 1,496) / S (1,504 x 1,000)
Sensitivity 200 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600
Storage media SD memory card, SDHC compliant
LCD monitor 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Exposure metering 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted and Spot Metering
Exposure modes Digital Vari-program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture-Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]
Interface USB 2.0 (High-speed): Mass Storage and PTP selectable
Power source Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9, charging voltage (Quick Charger MH-23), 7.4V DC, AC Adapter EH-5 (available separately; requires optional AC Adapter Connector EP-5)
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 126 x 94 x 64mm (5.0 x 3.7x 2.5 in.)
Weight Approx. 475g (1lb. 1oz.) without battery, memory card or body cap

 


By: Keith Park Section: Reference Section Key:
Page Ref: factsheet_d40 Topic: Reference Last Updated: 07/2009
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