Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens




->Discount Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I can only echo the reviews below, this camera is the one to own. You haven't seen real digital photos until you experience what a quality SLR can do. My only quibble is that went to use it one day and the 18-55m Nikkor lens was jammed. Inside a large plastic piece had come loose somehow. It's been in Nikon service for three weeks...so much for using it to take photos this summer.

So the camera is gem, but I'm not too pleased with the lens quality, despite its excellent clarity.


-> 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 camera. Light, easy to use controls, long battery life. Picture quality is also very good. For the money, you can't beat it.


->Purchase Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

When I first got the camera I was a little disheartened because I wasn't able to get the same color quality out of the camera that I was able to get with my previous DSLR (a Konica Minolta Dimage Z1). However, I quickly realized that the Z1 had been a crutch and that I needed to work a little harder to get the correct exposure settings on the D40. Now I'm getting much better photos from the D40 and I couldn't be happier with it. I highly recommend learning as much as you can about camera basics before giving up on the D40. It's a very capable camera for a very affordable price.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Wow. I've had this camera and lens for two days, and I love it already. It is my first DSLR, so I can't compare it to others.

I got into photography eighteen years ago, with a Canon AE-1 Program, then bought a Nikon N6006 a couple years later. I used that N6006 all over the place and for all kinds of stuff (nature, wildlife, travel, portraits, art and jewelry, a wedding, etc.), some for personal fun and some professionally. It was great and I loved it. I sold that camera a couple weeks ago, along with the lenses.

Now, I have the Nikon D40. Hallelujah, praise the lord, welcome to the new era in photography. I don't know where to start.

- 730 high res, high quality shots one a single $22 2Gb SD card (not included)
- Quick, quiet, and accurate auto-focus (the new Nikon AF-S silent wave technology, motor is in the lens, not the camera, and it is nearly silent. No "searching" back and forth like on my old N6006, either.)
- Beautiful pictures!
- Light weight, no more heavy camera and lens to hang from my neck.
- 3D Color Matrix Metering seems to work great, I've tried some unusual lighting situations and I was very happy with the results.

This is the high quality, inexpensive, easy to use, always ready camera of my dreams that never gets in my way. Now, I get to think about pictures, not equipment. That's exciting, and a little frightening, too. Great shooting, my friends!

--------------------------
Update: One week later:

Ok, so I did decide to think about equipment for awhile. As I said, you can use this camera in a number of fully automatic modes and get great results. Nonetheless, this camera is a deep and powerful photography machine. I spent the last week experimenting with the camera and reading a lot of literature, user group postings, etc. online. As probably with all dSLR's, you can go deep into image processing parameters like white-balance, noise reduction, tone, brightness, and contrast curves. I have taken the time to learn about these things (since I shot mostly B&W film, before, I never thought about much of this.) The white-balance control, alone, makes a huge difference in color quality (especially with indoor lighting).

Also, unlike a digital point and shoot, the D40 can output RAW files (in the Nikon NEF format). It's a bit of work to learn how to work with these files and get the right tools (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom being excellent choices), but it can be worth it. Using the RAW NEF files, you can get total, after the shot control over all the parameter curves I described above. You can even adjust exposure (by up to 1~2 f-stops) after the fact! Like I said, that's a bit more advanced of a topic, but know that you can do that, if you want to.

Basiclly, if you're an old pro film shooter or if you're a digital point and shooter, this camera would be great. You can start in fully automatic mode and have fun taking pictures. Then, as you get the courage and desire, start learning about the different modes and features and gradually switching them from auto to manual. The D40 gives you that choice on an individual basis with every feature, so you choose how much the camera is in control and how much you are in control.

Pair this camera with a good image processing software package (I'm using IrfanView as my viewer and Adobe Photoshop Elements for processing, great software on a slim budget), and go as deep you want to go.


->Sale Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Don't follow the advice in some of these reviews that you have to get a Nikon D50 or D80 instead of the wonderful Nikon D40 (which I've had for almost a year and taken thousands of pix on):
The D40 is barely half the price of a D80 and has better controls, is lighter/smaller, and takes photos the equal of any you can get on the D80.
The D50 is virtually off the market and has nothing substantial that the D40 hasn't (except the ability to use autofocus with AF/non-AF-S older lenses).
The inability to use autofocus with older AF lenses is no big deal: they still auto-expose and you can still focus them manually. Besides, with the great 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the D40 (all the lens most casual photographers will need) or the wonderful 18-200mm VR (expensive, but able to replace virtually every lens you'll ever want), you really wouldn't want to use those old AF lenses anyway, for almost any shot.
If you really need the few things that the D40 lacks (better metering, better color, better Auto ISO, faster sequential shots), spend more for the D200, a professional camera (the D200 is only a little more than the D80 -- which is no better than the D40 -- so why get a D80?).
Ignore reviews that try to put down the D40 as an "entry level DSLR" or a somehow lacking in what's necessary to take 99% of the photos you'll ever take: it's a great, inexpensive, wonderful to use tool for taking great photographs. It's the real deal.


->Deals 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 has hit a grand slam with this camera. It's as close to perfection as any digital camera has ever come. Sure, there are "better" cameras for more money, but they are all twice the size/weight. I would get this camera even if I had an unlimited amount of money to spend. There is simply nothing like it. Lots of ingenius user interface elements, superb feel/handling, superb flash (both internal and external SB-400), outstanding image quality, instant response, superb viewfinder, superb LCD... I could go on. I have nothing bad to say about it, and I'm extremely picky. I thought I was going to wait for a full-frame sensor body, but when this came along, I could not wait to upgrade.

The lack of a built-in focusing motor is an ADVANTAGE in my opinion. It's one reason the camera is so small and lightweight, and I believe all future Nikon lenses will have internal focusing anyway. So unless you want to use older, heavier, and slower focusing lenses for some strange reason, you'd be paying for and carrying around something you won't even use.

In addition to the superb 18-55mm (i.e. 27-82.5mm) kit lens, I bought the 55-200mm VR II and 50mm F/1.8D lenses, the SB-400 external flash and a remote (3rd party off Ebay). I suspect many, many people will buy this exact set of equipment, since it's really all you'll ever need. No need for an extra battery, unless you ever go many photo-filled days without being able to recharge. Get at least two 1GB 50x (or faster) SD cards, so if one stops working (it does happen), you aren't stuck.

The 55-200mm VR (i.e. 82.5-300mm) is a necessity for shooting any action/wildlife. The optical stabilization is truly awesome, and better than sensor-based stabilization (e.g. Pentax K10D, Sony Alpha) since you can see it working right through the viewfinder, making it easier to frame/focus your shot. Although the lens may seem slow (f4-5.6), don't forget that stabilization gives you an extra 2-3 stops, so it's really more like f2-2.8 (without the reduced depth of field, of course). DO NOT consider the slightly cheaper non-VR version, unless the slightly smaller size is an absolute necessity.

The 50mm (i.e. 75mm) is a nice walkaround lens when you want to go as light/small as possible. It's super fast (f1.8!), allowing you to take handheld photos at night with no flash! It's also a nice portrait lens, although the 55-200 is better (75mm is a little short).

The D40x is a poorer choice for the vast majority of people. The extra resolution means your photos take up more space and are slower to work with. It also has a slower max. flash sync speed (1/200 vs 1/500). If you don't know what this means, trust me, it's important, and one day you'll be really happy you have it. Since the D40's pixels are larger (less pixels in the same size sensor), there is less noise, so having ISO 100 is useless. Do you really need 10MP? Do you print larger than 16x20? Heck, do you print at all? I know I don't. Think it will give you more cropping ability? Think again. Without a super expensive lens ($1k+), the lack of sharpness and magnified distortion of the cropped image won't be as good as the uncropped 6MP of the D40. Save the $200 and use it to get the 55-200 lens, or the 50mm lens and the flash.

If you're ready to move to a DSLR, take this camera for a test drive. You will most likely fall in love with it's wonderful handling, and excellent performance, as so many people have. There will be a new generation of cameras coming out this fall, so you may want to wait, although there's really nothing that can be improved upon with this camera.


->Compare Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

We were new to this type of camera, we find it easy to use and gives us a great picture.


-> Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Thank you for returning the joy of SLR photography to my life! Beautiful camera! Great value!


->Lowest Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This a great camera for amateur photo enthusiasts who want to try out different exposure settings, and see the results immediately. One of the best features I found in this camera is the concept of auto-ISO. This enables the camera to set the ISO setting automatically, depending on the shutter speed and the amount of ambient light available.


->Shipping Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

As long as you know what you're buying, it's hard to go wrong with Nikon's digital SLRs. They all take beautiful photographs. Even the basic D40 will give you professional-level clarity, color and focus. When I started using a Nikon digital to shoot travel-guide photos at Walt Disney World about five years ago, I would often get stopped by guests wanting to ask about my camera. Now I never do, because so many have one that looks just like it!

There are four Nikon digital SLRs in the consumer market. Here's how they compare:

The entry-level camera is the Nikon D40. It's a basic SLR camera that takes high-quality 6.1 megapixel (MP) photos. It has an automatic flash, eight programmed exposure modes, three focus areas and a self-timer with four settings (2, 5, 10 and 20 seconds). The D40 can shoot about two-and-a-half images per second and take about 450 photos on each battery charge. Its ISO range is 200-1600. On the downside, it has a plastic body, a semi-mechanical shutter and only accepts Nikon's newer AF-I or AF-S lenses unless you want to manually focus each shot. It weighs about a pound. The basic D40 set is Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.

One step up is the D40x. Using the same body as the D40, it shoots 10.2 MP photos. It can take about three images per second, get about 500 photos out of a single charge, has an ISO range of 100-1600 and has a fully electronic shutter. The most popular D40x set is Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.

A major step up is the D80. About a third-inch wider and four ounces heavier than the D40, it uses the same processor but works fully with any Nikon SLR lens. It has 11 focus areas, a depth-of-field preview in its optical viewfinder, white-balance bracketing and a self-timer that can be set for any time between 2 and 20 seconds. Incredibly, you can get up to 2000 shots on each battery charge, assuming you don't use the LCD screen much. This is the camera used by Disney's PhotoPass photographers. Amazon sells the D80 body separately (Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) and in various lens-package deals.

Finally, the D200 is simply one of the best cameras Nikon has ever built. A half-inch taller and a third-inch wider than the D80, it weighs nearly two pounds thanks to its all-metal body. Designed for more advanced users, it does away with all but the standard programmed exposure mode and instead shoots 5 frames per second, outstanding for a 10 MP ISO 100 camera, especially at this price. It uses Compact Flash cards. In many ways the D200 is a professional camera at a consumer price. This is the camera I use for all but my most demanding shots. From a professional standpoint it really increases your productivity compared to the far bulkier D2 models, as it is so much easier to carry and position. Amazon sells the D200 body by itself (Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and in various package deals.

I'm not including the professional D2 models here, as explaining all their features would drag this review on forever. Besides, from what I've heard the new D3 should be released this fall.

-- By Mike Neal, photographer for The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World.


->Shipping Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This camera takes amazing photos. This is my entry into DSLR and I wanted something not too overwhelming in features, but not lacking important functions. Mostly I wanted great pictures. This is the perfect entry level DSLR or a hobbyist or amateur photographer.

I have owned a Canon Digital Elph and Canon G3/G5 and was looking really hard at the Canon 350D XT, but I did some research on Flickr and Pbase, looking at the photos other have taken with the Canon 350D, 400D, Nikon D40, D40x and I was suprised the Nikon shots look better. One major drawback of the Nikon D40 and D40x is a lack of Autofocus Motor in camera, which means you will need to get Lens' with Autofocus in them. For me since I will not be getting alot of lens' if any this was not a factor. But it is something to take into consideration if you own many lens'. The Canon XT is reported to have Autofocus issues but does have Autofocus in-camera.

MegaPixels. 6.1 MegaPixels will get you an image that is 3008w x 2000h. JPEG and RAW. I have printed 16x20 photos with this camera and they turned out great. More MegaPixels mean larger images NOT better images. The advantage of a larger image would be I could crop into it more. If you want more MegaPixels, get the D40x.

Little things I found on the Nikon that I thought were cool,
-you can retouch on camera a color image into say Sepia or Black and White and it will save a copy, meaning you have the original color and black and white image.
-you can custom set your menus, you know when you go and and see like 20 settings and need to get to White Balance, well you can pick and choose which choices appear, so you don't scroll through "Beep" every time.

Look around, on Flickr and Pbase these are great sites to do some research, look at photos, go to stores hold them see what they feel like. Then get the Nikon. Cheers.
*Amazon has a great price on this right now.


->For Sale Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I love it so far its light weight, durable (knock on wood) great pictures quality and you can get it to take any picture that you can conjure up in you fantastical imagination. I still havent figured out how to use all of its features. But i only read about half of the owners manual befor heroes came on. god bless the USA, right. I even deployed with it to iraq and so far its been thru hell. Im pretty rough on all my electronics and this on is holding up pretty good.


->Affordable Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Unlike the previous post says:
"here are some limitation with the D40 which shouldn't bother most people, for example, the D40 doesn't have dedicated button to change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40 is a potent and exciting photography machine."

With a couple clicks on the custom menu, you can setup to have dedicated buttons for white balance and ISO settings... it simply depends upon which type of shooting mode you are in. You simply hold down an ergonomically handy button and scroll to choose... very handy setup!

If you want a brilliant description of the D40 and its capabilities, as well as a user's guide, check out www.kenrockwell.com

He has a full guide to shooting with the D40 as well as the pros and cons, and a great page on the megapixel myth!

In any event, I have been shooting wildlife (our family dog), scenery (sunset at big bear lake, ca), strange lighting (clear day sun through trees), and portraits... they have all come out wonderfully! Spend some time learning how to use the "P, M, A" modes, and you will get professional results in no time!

The only downside... I have big hands, this is a small body... but it reduces the weight, so carrying while traveling (european walking tours) is awesome!


->Shipping Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

A good set of golf clubs, a great tennis raquet, a high end musical instrumento wil not make you better at what you do. Same with cameras. I have challenged friens with expensive DSLR cameras with my pocket point a shoot digital cameras, and more often than not I turn out better pictures than them. Of course the default compliment is about "what a good little camera" you have. I just got my Nikon D40 and have been testing it under all sorts of conditions, and after the learning curve any new piece of equipment has, I can say that the camera performs remarkably well. It is an instrument that will allow you to make great photos. It is the exposure meter that I can't seem to forget about. It is demanding frequent attention. Would I buy it again ? Absolutely


->Best Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This is my first SLR and it so much better than my old point-and-shot cameras!


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I gave the D40 5 stars for solid build quality, outstanding images and bargin price tag.

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In the dim and distant past I owned a number of film SLRs, but for the past 5 or 6 years I've only used point and shoot digital cameras. Lately, the shutter lag in my two+ year old point and shoot became increasingly annoying, and the slow startup resulted in not capturing some priceless moments. A new, faster point 'n shoot would have been faster, but given the drop in price, a digital SLR was well overdue. So, here is how I came to buy a Nikon D40.....

I now completely agree with the advice given in many of the reviews here, and on almost all 'camera review' web sites. You really need get an SLR camera in your hands before you know if it is `right' for you. A camera with awesome specifications is useless if you are going to leave it at home because its too heavy, or if it feels so fragile you are afraid you might damage it. When I picked up the Canon D30 and similar mid-range cameras I immediately came to the conclusion I'd probably only use them on `special occasions', like a wedding, or when I was specifically going going some where to take photos. They are pretty heavy, probably more at home in a studio than being taken hiking! So, that left the `cheaper' end of the range (since cheaper SLRs generally means smaller and lighter). Some were immediately out of the competition because of small, dark viewfinders. The olympus range for example, was notable for the claustrophobic, tunnel of a viewfinder. I did consider the Pentax range, but if I were to really get into photography, and decided I needed a camera with more 'professional' features, it would likely be a Nikon or a Canon. Consequently, I decided to limit my choice to one of these manufacturers, since I want to be able to use accessories and lenses that I buy now on future camera bodies. That really only left the Canon XTi and the Nikon D40. The Canon undoubtedly has the higher spec, but the camera doesn't quite fit my hand. Its too small to be comfortable. The Nikon however, fits perfectly. This left the choice between the 10M pixel D40x at $800 or the 6M pixel D40 at $550. Almost all of the photos I take are for display on a computer - either on the web, or on my own monitor. When I do print photos I never print anything bigger than a 10 x 8. So, realistically, I wouldn't gain anything much from the extra pixels (other than some vague notion that I'd done the `right thing' by purchasing the `better' model). I decided to go with the lower end model, especially since I've never been pixel limited with my current 5 M pixel point `n shoot, and spend the difference on a Nikon 55-200mm VR zoom (at $230 this is also a bargin).

Bottom line. The D40 is a great deal. The D40x is less so. At $800, the D40x is lacking in features - such as being able to use any Nikon lens and have autofocus capability, no depth of field preview, etc.

I feel like I got an incredible deal on this camera, and couldn't be happier with the images it produces.

-----

Update: I've now taken about 3,000 photos with this camera. And, I'm still even happier than I was when I first bought it. Its light enough that I carry it with me every day. And, as a result, I've taken many photos that I'd otherwise missed.


->For Sale Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

battery charger is only 110V which is kind of annoying if traveling to asia or europe. most cameras have world voltage chargers.


->For Sale Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

It's easy to use. Comfortable to carry with you everywhere because it's light and small if you compare with other SLR cameras. I also get many beautiful pictures !! If you want a good SLR camera with reasonable price, and light weight. I recommend this one.


->Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Nice to see a reasonably priced SLR... however...
I've shot pro for years, have/had 5 Nikons. What I miss are the aperture rings. If I had to shoot food, for example, with my 200 asa film I know that I could shoot a 60th of a sec with a f/5.6 and get a certain result. Sometimes I want everything in the back out of focus. F2. Easy. Now, I have to fuss with settings that won't give me exactly the result I want. Great for the snap shooter, bad for the pro. Why not aperture rings? Or aperture numbers inside the screen?


->Prices Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I did quite a bit of photography back when I was younger, then it just got to be a pain to have the film developed. I put all my old Nikon equipment away for many years. Now it became apparent that I needed to be taking pictures of the grandkids, so I sold all of my film Nikons and bought this D40. Wow, I must admit that I am overwhelmed by what this camera will do. It's very easy to "point and shoot", but that's not the reason I bought it. I want to be creative with my equipment and this camera will allow for that....once I learn how to control it. This camera does so much more than my old Nikon F's that learning it is going to take me a while.

I will say this much, the optics are sharp. Just like my Nikons of old, the photos are sharp as tacks. It is quiet, light-weight and all the controls are easy to access (as soon as I learn how/what to do with them). The big thing I like about digital photography is the immediate feedback with the large 2.5" LCD screen. Another thing I like with the SLR is the lack of "lag-time" you get with the cheap point and shoot cameras. I tried some others but I could not get the expressions of the grandkids that I was used to with my film cameras. With this D40 I'm back in business.

So far it has been everything I was hoping for.


->Lowest Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This camera lives up to your expectations. This is my first digital slr. It's a very elegant slr but it's still digital, with the accompanying focus and shutter delay. I've always been a manual focus guy so it takes a little practice.

The pictures are great. You can do everything you can do with a traditional slr an more. It's easy and fun. But I'm not selling the b & w darkroom yet.


->Deals Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I heard a lot of speculation about the D40 but don't listen! It is an amazing camera that keeps up with the big dogs. It is missing a few features and the resolution is lower the the 80 and 200 but if you practice your pics come out just as great. Don't be fooled this is the real deal. Also the Nikon is so much better than the Canon! If you are comparing don't go through it I did for months and after taking photos with both there was no comparison. Buy it you won't be disappointed!


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Setup of my camera went per instructions in the delivered package. I was up and using it the day it arrived. It takes crisp, clean photos. So far, none of the buttons have interfered with my progress. The battery lasts a really long time.


->Deal Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I have had two digital point and shoot cameras and a 1980's 35mm SLR with four lenses. I am thrilled with the picture quality of my D40. This camera is small, lightweight, and very comfortable in my hand. I do have somewhat small hands, which are well suited to the D40. The construction quality is first rate. The menu is fairly intuitive and can be learned in a relatively short time. I read several reviews before purchasing this camera and have to say that they were dead on.

Great camera, great price for moving up from a piont and shooter. The 6.1 megapixles is more than enough. I can't tell the difference in image quality when compard to my son's D80. I don't recommend the D40x because the extra megapixles won't be noticed unless you are printing very large prints. The frame rate of 2.5 per second has been measured an closer to 2.8 per second. The D40x is rated at 3.0 frames per second. Even if it's a bit faster, the difference is minimal. Also, from what I've read, the D40x is noisier at higher ISOs. I would put the $200.00+ savings into an additional lens. I plan to buy the 55-20mm VR lens for a little over $230.00. Also, The SB400 Speedlight is a great flash. It's much better than the onboard flash. If you find you like the feel and fit of the D40, Buy it! You won't be sorry.


->Deal Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

As a retired professional photographer who also has considerable experience with various digital cameras, I was somewhat reluctant to purchase a digital SLR that was meant to be used by 'First Time Digital SLR Users'. While it certainly can be easily used by novices in automatic mode, I soon realized that the camera has almost all the capabilities of higher-end Nikons, such as the D50, D70 and D80, but in a smaller and lighter version and even with some features the more expensive cameras are lacking.
Although light and relatively small, the D40 seems solidly built and the shape and controls are well thought out. The rear viewing screen is large and bright and the (through the lens) viewfinder is bright as well. When pressing the shutter button half way down you can clearly see when the subject is in focus. There is an extensive and well designed menu system
with which you can customize your camera and there is a "Help Button" that
brings up clear explanations as to what each menu item is for and what it does.
The camera takes excellent photos in all modes. What impresses me most is the lack of noise at high ISO settings. You get excellent results indoors without using flash at ISO 1600 and with very little noise. When using the pop-up flash, results are consistently good in macro and fill-in modes. Like all pop-up flashes, the range is limited and my next purchase will be a more powerful external flash. (Actually the range of the built-in flash is higher than most because of the high ISO usability.)
The kit lens is quite decent for most situations. A professional or serious photographer may want to invest in a more expensive lens, preferably one with 'Image Stabilization'. Unfortunately older Nikon lenses and even newer ones not designed for this camera cannot be used except possibly in complete manual mode, and that can be awkward at best. At under $600.- The Nikon D40 is a great value. While the camera sports only 6 megapixels, that is more than adequate for most photographers. Nikon just came out with the D40X camera that has 10 Megapixels which otherwise is almost identical to the D40. I personally wouldn't want to pay several hundred dollars more for it, however that is something you will have to decide.


->Deal Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I've been using this camera for both personal and professional photography and have found it very capable for both. I'm an artist, so I need a camera with complete manual controls for shooting artwork. I also have two small children, so I also need a camera that can capture random moments quickly. This one does both very well.


->Compare Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I love this camera. The ease of use, speed and clarity. I had the Nikon 4500 which was a nice camera for the time, but with children, it isn't fast enough to catch those moments. The D40 from day one has made me glad that I bought it. I take more photos than ever before.

I highly recommend this for someone who wants quality but doesn't want to spend 1K for a high end SLR.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I have been waiting to enter the D-SLR market until a few months ago and bought a D40 which replaces my beloved FE-2 and FA. The picture quality of this new generation of cameras is sheer amazing!!! Some pictures I shot look almost better than the original scenes!

The lack of auto focus ability on some older Nikon lenses is not really a problem as I believe the choice of focal point can be a creative part of photography. And lenses have evolved just like the cameras have. Modern lenses are lighter as they are built with predominantly space age plastics and smaller glass elements.

So, if you are thinking about about getting into D-SLR photography, this camera is a great choice! It might be a good time to invest in a few lenses as well! The 18-55 is a good lens and begs to be complimented by a tele zoom and a ultra wide angle lens.

I was surprised to find out that this camera does not offer a way to frame pictures with the monitor on the back. The view finder is the only way. Actually, no D-SLR offers this option as the image sensor does not become active until the shutter is released. Many point and shoot cameras offer this feature.

The best advantage about having a D40 is it's size and light weight. You will end up taking it with you more often which will result in more and better pictures!


->Prices Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

There are a lot of reviews here that do a much more comprehensive analysis than I'm capable of doing. I'm not up on all the lingo and functions. I will simply say this camera takes amazing pictures, it's incredibly fast, and has a deep pool of accessories to draw from. This is the 5th digital (1st DSLR) camera I've owned and I have no doubt I'll own it 3-4X longer than any of the others. This quality at this price makes this camera an absolute no brainer.


->Comparison Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Be sure to check out Beach Camera before you buy this from Amazon. Don't buy it through Amazon either. I found too late that if purchased directly from Beach Camera there is no shipping, and they are throwing in a 1GB SD memory card. I haven't received my D40 yet, but will post a review when I do.


-> Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This camera takes great pictures and is very easy to use. I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in a digital SLR camera but doesn't want to spend too much money.


->Comparison Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Fun and easy to use.. this is one of the best DSLR's for a beginning photographer! Grand Canyon here I come!

Oh know that this does not have bracketing and the lenses are super pricey (new lens must have motor built in since the camera body does not have one)!


->Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I am the D40 demographic. I came from a Canon point and shoot, I previously owned no SLR lenses, and mainly wanted to take high quality photos of my family. The D40 has fit the bill perfectly, allowing me to easily take beautiful photographs. Here are some points that prospective buyers may want to consider:

1. 6MP resolution. 10.1 MP is the current rage, but examine your needs before you buy these cameras. File size, especially if you shoot in RAW, for 10.1 MP is huge and the increase in print size allowed with the higher resolution is not that significant in a real world way. For me, the D40 provides plenty of real world resolution without getting caught up in the Megapixel war.

2. Auto-ISO. This is key. See the review below.

3. ISO 1600 shooting. If you are not into looking at every photo with a magnifying glass (and who does that?), the high quality of these photos will allow you to get great pictures that you otherwise would miss.

4.Before buying the camera, I owned no SLR lenses. If you own a buch of lenses already, this camera is probably not for you (unless the happen to be of the correct type).

5. Easy adjustability. Shooting with aperature or speed priority is very, very easy.

6. Lack of second information LCD. I looked at the D80 and thought I would miss that second display on the D40. Well, the D80 info display is pretty poor anyway and on the D40 all that info is a push of the button away. Maybe a bit of a negative, but not as much as I thought it would be.

7. No depth of field preview. A common complaint about this camera. If you don't know what this is, then don't worry about it. If you have to have this feature, look elsewhere.

In summary, this is a real world camera for the every day photographer that wants great photos and the speed and adjustability of an SLR. If you are deciding between this camera and the D80, get out a sheet of paper and write down all the ways the D80 will help you get a better photograph. Then make the decision and see if the extra cost is worth the price difference. For me, this list was empty, so I bought the D40 and could not be happier.






->Deals Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I am not a photographer by any sense of the imagination! I always was interested in it, but never got the chance to really do anything about it. I am into digital scrapbooking and my husband is a graphic arts designer. We wanted a camera that could work great for our digital work and our webpage designs.

And can I just say, "This camera ROCKS!"

It's so easy to use, its small, not at all heavy, and it can do soooo many more things than a simple point and shoot. If you want to get into photographing more or if you like to do things with photos, this would make a great upgrade for a novice. I am so happy I bought it.

One thing to think about, that I didn't do... GET A CAMERA bag! I didn't even think about it when I bought the camera, and I had to go out and get something to store the camera and the chords together. Also, remember that it doesn't come with a memory card. So, just remember to consider those things in your camera buying budget.


->Deals Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

My wife keeps complaining the poor indoor picture quality of our Canon SD200 and SD600 - BTW these are great cameras but our subjects (3 kids here) keep moving around so it's quite challenging to get a good indoor pictures. I tried a Canon S3 IS and I love the 12x zoom lens (SD200 and 600 are only 3x). However the lens is as slow as SD200/600 even the high ISO performance is a *little* better. Another thing is the color tune of that particular S3 IS is way too cold.

(The following is mainly a comparison of Canon Rebel XTi and Nikon D40)

Then I tried a Canon Rebel XTi (EOS 400) - a good step up from point&shoot cameras. However the big hassle is that in P mode (which I believe most of people use with DSLR cameras), you have to choose ISO for each shooting situation. This is not very practical when you just want to quickly catch a moment. D40 (and D70/80) has the very very useful "AUTO ISO" here - it allows you set a Max ISO # (I'm using 1600) and shutter sheep and the camera will adjust the ISO accordingly in this preset range - in P mode. I found the pictures in 1600 are quite satisfactory - even though everyone else is saying Canon EOS has better high ISO performance. Also D40 is lighter and more compact than Canon EOS. I like the command dial of Nikon better - Canon's is too tight and locates at the front - means you have to life up your finger from the shutter button each time you want to use it. D40's at the back so is very accessible with your thumb. Yes Canon has more hardware buttons. But D40 has enough - I use the Fn button for white balance. ISO is not longer needed thanks to the Auto ISO. Then pretty much that's what I need in 90% of shoot situation. Of course more buttons are better - but hey - D40 is $540 and Canon XTi is $780!

I have had my Canon for almost 3 months but still can't decide to keep it. D40 was received just a few days ago and now I love it! I like how it feels in my hand and the picture quality. Besides, there are better lens options for Nikon. The good lens for Canons are too expensive. The kits lens of D40 is the second generation of its 18-55 and is said better than Canon's kit lens. Nikon's 55-200 is only $170. The legendary 18-200 f/3.5-5 (with image stabilization) is only $750 (if you can get hold of one).

The only down side of D40 for me is it only takes AF-S/I lens so the famous 50MM F/1.8 prime lens won't auto focus on it. I wish I could get one of those really fast lens to use indoors. I believe/hope Nikon will make a compatible cheap prime for D40 in the future.

D40 is 6MP but Canon is 10 MP. I'm OK with it because most of the pictures are viewed at computer. 6 MP is more then enough already.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I bought both... The d40 was going to my friend and the d200 to myself. When I recieved both, (...from Cameta Cameras by the way. No hassle purchase. I didn't have anything to say to them, they didn't have anything to say to me. I dislike having to order by phone or have anyone call me or have to call anyone. When I order online, that's all I want to do. Press a button and have the camera show up. Like Magic! LOL)I tried them both out. I keep trying to convince myself that I am happy with the d200! I really am! (sigh) The D40 was lighter, seemed to take brighter pictures with less hassle, my 11yr old daughter was having a blast with it. I understand that the d200 is the more 'professional'camera with more buttons and gizmos. So please don't email me or think that I don't know what all the buttons are for, or that I must be doing something wrong to not get the 'best' out of my d200. I CAN get the best out of the camera. It just seemed that the d40, out of the box, in auto mode, was more correct. I find myself having to 'fuss' with the buttons and gizmos on the d200 to get things right, even in auto mode, whereas the d40 was right on for light, movement and what have you. I take pictures of moving horses, people riding, etc., and it is just a wonderful camera that ANYONE can pick up in 'auto' mode and take bright, beautiful shots. I may find myself putting the d200 on the market and picking up that silly d40 instead that I thought I was too good for!!! Sometimes, we want the most expensive, the biggest numbers, (D200=10mps; D40=6mps), because we think that is what we need. And then sometimes what we need is perfectly packaged in a smaller size, for less money but without all the hoopla. Go figure. I guess my point is, don't be taken in by all the hoopla. The D40 is a very nice camera that is being 'sold'as a beginner DSLR. It's better than that. My only issue with the D40 is that the LCD could easily be scratched without a cover. Before I gave the camera to my friend, who is a notorious clutzs, I put a PDA protective, sticky plastic screen cover over it. I wish that there was some way of putting the same plastic cover that the D200 has over the D40.

And my other point . . . go have fun with whatever camera you buy! LOL It's all about getting those memories and images to print!!!


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I did a lot of research for some time before I picked this one. (I looked into a DSLR camera for a full year.) I knew going into this that there were several "down" sides to the D40. I know about the limited choice of lenses. I know that I can't have a bunch of flashes set up like a studio. I know that it is small. But those were not downs for me at all. First of all, I was moving up from a point and shoot. I have never owned an SLR camera before. I have no old lenses to worry about. In fact, when I first got this, my only goal was to get a great camera that takes fantastic pictures with no shutter lag. And the D40 did not disappointment.

Right out of the box, it took the most awesome pictures. The manual is great, and very easy to follow and understand. The LCD monitor is large, and the menus are well organized. I had originally not planned on getting any other lenses. I changed my mind, and was saddened at how expensive the AF-S lenses are. I am thrilled the Nikon came out with a 55-200 AF-S VR zoom. I was going to wait for them to make a prime 50mm lens, but went ahead and got it now anyway. It was not that difficult to learn, although I can see it will take time to master. Yes, I have to manually focus the lens. But you know what? I can do it! A total newbie who is taking awesome pictures!!! What more can you ask for in a camera?

I am also a woman, and I have smaller hands than the average guy. (Hey, even my teen age son has bigger hands than me.) The camera feels great in my hands. In fact, that is what sold me on it. I held the Nikon D50, the Pentax camera, and the Sony camera. I really wanted image stabilization. In the end, I held them all in my hand, and the Nikon was the smallest. It did not feel heavy, and the grip was more comfortable. My hand does get a little cramped after taking a lot of pictures when I have my big lens and flash on. (I am talking about the 18-200mm VR lens. It feels heavy to me, although I am told that it is not that heavy.)

If you have a P & S camera, and are looking to move up to a digital SLR camera, this is the one for you. It would also be perfect for someone who already owns a "big" dSLR and wants something smaller. Not only is the price fantastic, it continues to drop. I had a chance to change this one in for the newer D40x, but decided I didn't need 4 more megapixels. In fact, I got a code for a free 16 x 20 poster from Shutterfly for buying my camera from Amazon. I took a picture of my kids, and cropped it by about 40%, and the poster was FANTASTIC. Sharp, clear, and I lost nothing in the process. This is truly an amazing camera; I love mine and I am thrilled to finally be getting the kind of results I have wanted. Sharp pictures, bright, vivid colors, and no shutter lag! Who could ask for more?


->Prices Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Bought the camera to go with the 18-200 vr lens. Plan on leaving the lens on permanently and using the camera as if it were a high performance superzoom. Have had the camera for a few weeks now, and it, with the lens, have performed as I had hoped. Picture quality is great, and haven't missed a shot yet. I have a Canon 350d, and a bunch of Canon lenses, but got tired of carrying a bag full of lenses. Also have several P&S cameras, but none perform like the D40/18-200 combo.


->Compare Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

The Nikon D40 is fabulous. Easy to use, small enough for my "ladies" hands, clear and beautiful photos. I'm still learning all of the features it offers.


->Best Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I am also a newbie in the dSLR world. I contemplated for many months before i decided to commit to a particular camera, primarily between the cannon rebel xti, the sony alpha, the pentax k10d, and this little gem. I ultimately decided on the nikon d40 primarily because:

a. The price
b. I had no old lenses, so compatibility was not an issue
c. The Nikon quality

For those who are crying that old lenses are not compatible with this camera, i think it is a moot point, because the consumer this camera is aimed at most likely has not old lenses and is looking to start buying them. If you are already a Nikon user, then this camera is likely not suitable for you, and probably be more happy with the Nikon d80.

Anyways, as a new Nikon owner and user, I AM Thrilled to be the owner of this camera and am looking foward to many great years taking pictures with it.


->Shipping Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

The quality of our pictures jumped as soon as we received the D40. The auto setting are great, lots of control over everything, pictures look FANTASTIC!
No regrets about the price when we look back and add up the money we spent on what are now crappy, antiquated cameras this was a bargain. We love it!


->Cheap Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

if you want a good camara buy the nikon d50 or canon xt this camera do not accept my sigma 18-125mm, nikon 50mm f1.8, and many lens nikon and generic brands, only 3 focus point the nikon d50 have 5 point, not iso100, not exposure and white balance bracketing.


->Purchase Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Many reviews of the D40 state that Nikon targetted the camera at first time buyers of DSLR. I fall into this category...exactly! I owned several point and shoot digital cameras, including a high end Cannon Power Shot. After a while I felt I was not fully satisfied with the point and shoot. I was especially annoyed by red-eye problems and with the relatively poor workmanship of the cameras despite their high price. But, I was not ready to spend money for an expensive DSLR.

The moment I learned about the D40, prior to its availability in the marketplace, I knew that I would wait until I could get one. The price was right. Now, after few months of owning the camera, I'll say it is a bargain. I am very pleased with the camera. It feels good in my hand and the workmanship is superb. The quality of the camera is immediately apparent.

The first photos I took with the camera were taken in Auto mode, no different than with a point and shoot camera. Results were much superior. No red-eye whatsoever! Magnificant landscapes and even some daring close ups of flowers. Of course these photos may not meet the standards of a real photography pro, but they were extremely gratifying to me. Moreover, I knew the camera would allow me to take better photos with time.

The D40 compelled me to learn more about digital photography, and photo editing on the PC. Ergonomics of the camera made it relatively easy to discover its rich feature set. Menus are organized in a logical manner. The innovative on-camera Help is very useful. Right there I can see how one setting differs from another and what effect it will have on the photo. On camera, granted limited photo editing is very nice and a good initial step for more advanced editing on the PC.

I am sure that Nikon will be glad to know that I am already thinking of purchasing another lense for the camera at some point in the not too distant future.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

The D40 is a hard camera to rate because for some, it will be a 5 star camera, but others will regret their decision to buy this camera. If you are in the 5 star group, you will LOVE the D40. But . . . because of a decision Nikon made to save $$$ by leaving out an autofocus driver out of the camera body, if you want to add a lens to shoot your kid playing soccer, the D40 is a very bad choice, and you may be a dead man walking. Let me explain:

The 5 Star buyer:

If you are moving up to a digital SLR, and want nothing more than to use the kit lens (which is very good), then you will LOVE this camera: it is light, feels good in the hand, and puts out better looking JPEG files than the more expensive D70 and D50 cameras. If you intend to use this camera for general travel and around-the-house kid pictures, the D40 is a great choice, and I think you will be very, very happy.

The 1 Star buyer:

You want a camera for sports or telephoto shots of nature. This is not the camera for you, and here is why: the D40 has a DIFFERENT lens mount than every other Nikon DSLR which came before it. To save costs, Nikon left an autofocus driver out of the camera body, which means you must buy special/more expensive add-on lenses with the autofocus driver built into the lens itself.

Why is this significant? Because of the 200 lenses made for Nikon DSLRs by Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, and others, only 20 or so work with the D40 with autofocus - something most amateurs will need to shoot sports and day to day photos. Many of Nikon's own consumer grade lenses, such as the 70-300mm G Zoom (Street price $150), will not autofocus with the D40. As a practical matter, this means that if you want an autofocus lens to shoot junior playing soccer, you must spend $525 for a zoom lens, the fantastic, yet pricey Nikon 70-300mm VR Zoom. That is almost as much as what you paid for the camera itself. The D40 is significantly limited in the number of lenses it will accept, and you really need to think about these limitations before purchasing. Moreover, what if your intentions change and want to pick up a cheap zoom for occasional use? With the D40, you can't, and I really think this is a significant limitation on this camera.

But hey, if you are in group 1, this is a 5 star purchase, and you will be a very happy camper. Good luck!

P.S. - In April, 2007, Nikon will begin selling the D40x, the same camera with an upgraded 10 megapixel sensor for $800 w/ lens.



->Deals Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Good job, Nikon! The D40 is an ideal entry level DSLR. It is aimed at persons who want better quality images than a point-and-shoot pocket camera can deliver, who are willing to put up with the somewhat extra bulk of a true SLR, but who do not want to spend a lot more money. The D40 is an outrageous bargain at its price point. Only a tad bit more money than the high-end point-and-shoots, the D40 will produce better images with the kit lens, and more importantly, enables the user to expand the capacity of the camera at will, by buying other Nikon and compatible lenses. Or by equipping the D40 with one of Nikon's superb outboard flash units, such as the SB400, SB600, or SB800. You cannot do that with point-and-shoots.

Thus, it is a mistake, in my opinion, to spend a lot of time comparing the D40 to other DSLRs, because its real competition is the top-end point-and-shoot cameras, which are pretty good these days. Nevertheless, I will point out some of the advantages and disadvantages of the D40 vis'a'vis other low-end digital SLR cameras.

First-price. The D40 gives a lot of bang for the buck compared to any other DSLR on the market. Particularly for folks for whom its price is a bit of a stretch, the D40 is a howling bargain, in my estimation.

Second-ergonomics. Nikon got the D40 just right. It fits in one's hand in a solid and agreeable way. This is a camera most people will not mind carrying around all day. It is small, but has a wonderful "quality" feel that Nikon seems to get right more often than other manufacturers. The menus are pretty good. Yes, I miss the top LCD display (the D40 uses the big rear LCD for this information, to cut costs) but once you get used to it, it is OK. The control layout on this camera will appeal to most users.

Downsides: the focusing system is less advanced than either the D70s or D50, with three focus points. This may annoy some purists, but the user group to whom the D40 is aimed will mostly not mind this. The other downside is that the D40 does not have the built-in bayonet mount motor, which means that it can only autofocus with the newer Nikon lenses which have the motor in the lens. The older lenses will be autofocus only. In reality I doubt that many will mind this, as the targeted user group for the D40 will likely not own any older Nikon lenses, and will simply confine their subsequent purchases to the newer lenses. Lastly, the D40 is 6 megapixels (in common with the D50 and D70s) rather than the 10MP of the superb D80 and D200. This is probably not going to be a big deal to many D40 owners. You can take awesome pictures at 6MP, the differences as between 6 and 10MP are subtle, and not likely to make a difference to most users.

The D40 is a wonderful choice for someone who wants to be able to take high-quality digital photographs and take advantage of the Nikon system of lenses and flashes, but does not want to spend the kind of money involved in the higher-end cameras. And the wonderful thing is, that if you buy a D40 and get hooked on photography, the D40 can grow with you for quite a ways, since it can use the high-end Nikon equipment. And if you do upgrade the camera body, all the extra lenses and flashes will work with the higher-end model. This makes the D40 an excellent choice for many.

Nikon put a lot of thought in the design of the D40, and by doing so they produced an excellent product for a bargain price.


->Purchase Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I must say I am beyond pleased with the D40. I have also used the D70 with its standard 18-70 lens and I must say I am far and away much more pleased with the D40. (IF they cost the same I would still buy the D40).
Again with Nikon and their lenses (and this new one with the D40 is no exception), the image will be bent towards the center. Be aware that this "flaw" is intrinsic to both of the Nikons I have used, and seems to be about the same with every Nikon lens under 900 dollars. Other than that, I just can't find anything else wrong with it. The CRI is wonderful with this camera. (I feel like I get the comfort and features of the Nikon with the vibrant colors of a canon).
Summary: light, comfortable, easy to use, great colors, lens bends at 18...cool by 30-35. Best camera by Nikon for the Dxx series.



->Lowest Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I've had a couple of Sony digital cameras, and I've always said nice things about them to friends and family. The small digitals are convenient to take most anywhere, and my most recent Sony is truly pocket sized. But I was often disappointed with the picture. And frankly, the Sony's (videocams and digital cameras) often broke well before I would have expected.

So, I bought the D40 because of the Nikon name and the relatively good reviews that Amazon and other sites publish. I recognize that it's only 6 MP, but for nonprofessionals, that's more than enough. (You can find plenty of articles that challenge ordinary and professional folks from distinguishing 5 MP from 8 MP from 13 MP; they said the quality of the camera and lens is far more important.)

The Nikon hasn't disappointed one bit. I'm happy with the pictures, and I'm floored that I truly can take 300-400 photos (half or more with flash) on a single battery charge. I mostly use the auto settings on the camera, but I hope to begin experimenting with the wide variety of settings available to the user. I even purchased the 55-200 zoom lens -- it was only $180.

I couldn't be more pleased with my selection, and in comparison to everything else, it seems like a great deal. Given the Nikon name and reputation, I feel like I got a Porsche for the price of a Honda.


->Purchase Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Well, this is the point:

This is a great camera because is small, simple and you can do anything with this. Maybe this is not a great review, but if you are looking for a camera ready to use and get great picts, this is the right camera.


->Discount Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

The D40, quite simply, is the camera I have been waiting for. I was into 35 mm SLR photography 20+ years ago. I got back into photography with the new digitals but held off on digital SLRs because they were expensive, but more importantly, so large. Not so the D40 on either count.

I compared the D40 side by side with the Canon Rebel XTi (EOS 400D in Europe) at a photo store. The XTi was slightly bigger. The XTi beat the D40 in features (it had more pixels, and more features, including the self-cleaning sensor and was a little faster) although it was more expensive. But in the end, I chose the D40 because it just felt better in my hand. My hands are medium sized and it fit very well. The Canon just wasn't as comfortable. Plus the overall build quality seemed better than the Canon and the sound of the shutter and flash pop-up was softer, more subdued, more quality sounding (and important for photographing wildlife or a sleeping baby). And the final selling point for me with the Nikon D40 was the view-finder was noticeably brighter than the XTi.

If you are stepping up to an SLR from a point-and-shoot, this is the camera to do it with at about the same price-point as a good non-SLR digital. You can finally get away from that annoying lag between button push and picture capture. It's not the fastest SLR out there but I have been very happy with it, finally actually capturing those shots within a split-second of pushing the button, though it slows down somewhat in low-light situations. It takes continuous shots at 2.5 frames per second in good light, which though again not stellar, is adequate for most situations. The 2.5 inch LCD screen is incredible - bright and clear. It has an excellent menu with built-in context sensitive help screens at the touch of a button.

Though it doesn't have as many features as it's much more expensive big brothers, and the 6mp max capability is a limitation, it is adequate for all but professional users, and there will be plenty of professionals buying one as a small back-up. It's not the megapixels that matter as much as the quality of the picture and the D40 doesn't disappoint there either - clear, sharp, excellent colors (it has the same image processor as the D80 and D200). There are a number of pre-set auto modes easily selected by the main dial that also work well. The built in flash does a fine job and I have seen no red-eye. One feature I like is the auto-ISO that you can set to only kick in at a certain shutter speed or slower. It also has a D-light feature which allows you to enhance an already-taken back-lit or shadowy picture in-camera to even out the shadows and highlights; it works very well. Two features that it doesn't have that I wish it did are f-stop bracketing and depth of field preview. I have been satisfied with the battery life so far, though it does use a different Li-ion battery than the other Nikons so you can't cross-use your batteries if you already have a different model Nikon DSLR.

The 18-55 kit lens is nice - light and small but quality construction (version II - nicer than the first one that came with the D50 that seemed lower quality). If you read technical reviews on the lens it is a solid performer for the price. You won't be able to use most older Nikon auto-focus lenses in auto-focus mode since this has no built-in auto-focus motor (not at this size and weight!). It requires AF-S and AF-I lenses, so most of the prime lenses will be manual focus only. This is a small price to pay I think for a small light-weight camera.

If you already are into digital SLR, the D40 is still a great camera, making for an excellent travel camera since it's small, light-weight and you aren't carrying around a two thousand dollar hunk of expensive hardware.

I am very satisfied with it; it is an excellent value - and offers something for the novice and pro alike. It makes me really want to carry this with me all the time and get out and take pictures again.


->Comparison Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

An excellent camera. The small size and weight make it easy to take with you. Even though it is small, I found the grip to be comfortable. Good performance, and at an excellent price point. Flash sync of 1/500th makes life easier on your flash when doing fill-flash on a sunny day.

The only reason it doesn't get five stars is the lack of flash exposure lock. This is where you can fire the preflash and lock the exposure values, so when you press the shutter it doesn't have to preflash. My wife blinks quickly, so every shot has her eyes closed. My solution was to get an SB-800 flash that can use an Auto-Aperture flash mode that doesn't need preflash, which works beautifully. It would have been nice to just use flash exposure lock, though. Other than that, though, I'm very pleased with this camera.


->Best Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Back in the day I used to pack a 4x5 view camera out into the woods. Now my 57 year old back says whoa! Are you nuts?
A D40 with the kit lens and say a 10-20 Sigma is a knockout combination for someone more photographer than pack mule.
6.1 megapixels is plenty to do flawless 13x19 prints and if you don't need bracketing or wireless flash then why pay for them?
This is a great dual purpose camera. A lot of pros will be taking these on vacation and hanging on to them as backups at work.
This is now the camera I recommend to friends who want more than a point and shoot but don't want to mortgage the house for a camera.
$600 for a camera that shoots like a D70 (maybe even a little bit better) with a good lens is amazing. NEF's off this are perfectly fine for 90% of the photography going on out there.
Nikon has hung the moon.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I've had the D40 for about three weeks now and have taken about 400 images, which I consider 200 are keepers. In the old days this would have taken me a year or so. This DSLR is not only a great tool for picture taking but a serious production tool as well. The build quality, image quality and ergonomics are all outstanding. I've been into photography since the early 70's and have never been so impressed with a piece of gear as I am with the D40. Just simply go out and buy one - you will not regret it.


->Cheap Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I go through lots of cameras. This was my third DSLR, and about 15th to 20th digital camera. THe D40 takes superb pictures. Don't let the reviewers mislead you into thinking this is just for newbies. It works great for newbies, and for serious advanced photo-enthusiasts. I fall in the latter category and like the camera for the following reasons:

1. Size and weight - easy to travel with.
2. Great image quality right out of the camera. It's nice to enhance photos in software like Photoshop. But it's even better to have a camera that doesn't require you to do that for every shot. I recommend setting the photos to Vivid or More Vivid. Contrary to popular perception, I found these settings actually give you a more accurate color portrayal of the scene.
3. I use the D40 with the 18-200mm Nikon VR lens. They work great in combination.
4. Changing settings is quick and easy even though many are not set with dedicated buttons.
5. I like the way you can review a series of photos zoomed in, and the camera keeps the same zoomed in setting for each photo -- just turn the rear wheel.
6. Camera has a high quality feel.
7. LCD screen is bright
8. Viewfinder is bright.

One thing I wish Nikon had included is grids in the viewfinder -- but can't have everything.


->For Sale Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

WHAT A DEAL - an incredibly fully featured mini-digital DSLR. Grab this one and keep it for a decade and you just might double your money if you sell it in 2017. This wee gem will soon become a true photography collectors item as it will remain Nikon's EVER smallest DSLR and maybe best for the money ounce for ounce. Nikon cannot top this for the $$$ and will not try. Even the kit lens pleasantly surprises. Yikes! Be a part of Nikon history. Enjoy and happy shooting.


->Deals Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I love this camera!

Frequently I carried two cameras: an old Nikon FG (SLR) and a Lumix digital point-and-shoot. I loved the quality and the fast response time of my SLR camera, but also liked the "instant gratification" of the digital. After years of juggling film and learning to use all the manual settings on the Lumix I finally decided it was time to look at DSLR cameras.

I decided on the D40 for several reasons. First and foremost was budget. I only have one lens for the FG (the basic one) so lens compatibility really wasn't an issue. The body style and weight was also important, as was the type of memory card (my laptop has a built-in SD card reader.

On a trip to a local camera shop, I tried out several makes and models. Some of them I picked up, and set back down before even taking a test shot. (A couple of models use AA batteries and are REALLY heavy!) After comparing them, and considering the pros and cons I settled on the D40. I understand that the D40 takes a special lens in order to use autofocus, and the type of add on flash is limited as well. But I am an "advanced hobbyist" photographer with no intention of going pro. This camera suits my needs NOW... and probably will for a long time.

I took over 200 pictures on Christmas Day with this camera. It was extremely satisfying to NOT have to worry about the shutter lag I experienced with the point-and-shoot... and still get the instant gratification I love about digital photography. All of the pictures came out beautifully. I am really looking forward to using this camera for many years to come!


->Affordable Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I bought the Nikon D40 over the weekend and so far so good. The first time I saw it was at Best Buy. It felt nice, looked nice and had a fantastic LCD. From there I knew I wanted to buy it. The camera is one of the most affordably priced Digital SLR's on the market today. The one caveat to that statement is its only very affordable if the kit lens suits your needs. I personally take a lot of pictures of small items so the kit lens does not do the trick. I had to upgrade to a Nikon Macro lens which is very good but added $400 to the price of the camera for me. The cameras picture quality is fantastic and being able to switch back and forth from manual to automatic focusing is a great feature. The screen is big and bright and the camera is very responsive. There are tons of settings on the camera so that you can really get any type of photo you are looking for. One accessory I really recommend buying with the camera is the wireless remote. Its only $17 and can prove to be very useful in a wide array of situations. The sole downside to this camera (and every single other digital SLR in its class) is that there is no live preview on the LCD. You must use the viewfinder to set up a picture.

I would recommend this camera to any current point and shoot owner that wants way more control over their pictures at a very decent price. Enjoy.


->Lowest Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I bought this camera as a compliment to my current professional system based on the Nikon D2X. It's a great "walking around" camera for a pro as it will do all the things that pros are used to asking of a camera, great nikon metering, kit lens is decent, programming and screen quality are par with the flagship D2X. All this makes it the perfect 2nd camera or "pro's snap shot camera". I would not consider doing pro work with it, that's the X is for, but as far as it shooting excellent quality, tough nikon build quality, superior metering and battery performance for, so far in my testing, over 600 shots! The downside is, and I say this as primarily a prime lens shooter, it will only AF with AF-S or AF-i lenses, or those with built in focusing motors. Yes, this kinda sucks, but really only to those who probably rely on AF too much anyways. The novices will probably only use AF-S lenses and the kit lens at that. As a pro, I tend to shoot the D2X full manual and often only turn on AF when needing a quick shot, the rest I still focus by eye. Most of the pros I know do this as well.
SO, if you are a pro and, like me, long for the days when you carried around that old tank of a film camera (FE2 for me!) but wish there was a digital equivalent that could do all it would do and more, then this is a perfect compliment to your system. If you are a beginner, and you started with this camera, it would open up a whole new world of professional digital photography for you and then you'd want to move up to the D80, D200, then possibly D2X or beyond (when available) but I guarantee you'd keep this one for fun even if you moved up.

The point is this camera is fun, advanced features for pros, ease of use for novices, and much more accessible, super lightweight camera for all.


->Purchase Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This is a great crossover product from a high end point-and-shoot to a low-end DSLR. It's exceptionally light and small for a DSLR. You can set it to "AUTO" and, without learning a thing about photography, be taking great pictures.

The single-screen readout of F-stop, shutter, aperture, ISO, and everything else is a handy way to get all the current settings at once. On the flip side, the UI is sometimes inconsistent. For example, pushing the "zoom" button repeatedly zooms in on an image you've taken. Pushing the "flash" button repeatedly does nothing - you have to push and hold the button, then turn the dial to change flash modes (for example to turn off the flash). That is unless you're in one of the manual modes, in which case pushing the button causes the flash to pop up. Hm.

There two non-obvious shortcomings as compared to a point-and-shoot that you may want to consider. First, most DSLRs (including this one) don't let you preview the shot on the LCD. You have to compose the picture through the viewfinder, then view the results on the (large and bright) LCD after you've taken the picture. Second, you have to manually put on & remove the lens cap. A minor thing that can become quite a pain, especially since Nikon didn't invest the $0.50 to include a little retaining strap - you're always mistplacing the cover.

On the whole, I'm delighted with this purchase after shooting with it for a few days. I can't wait to take it on the next family vacation.


->Best Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

The Nikon D40 is a quite capable Digital SLR, that should deliver good picture quality, in a compact and affordable camera. It has all the basic features you'd expect (listed quite well by the staff at Amazon), so let me go into comparisons with other cameras.

First and foremost, the D40 lacks the focusing motor built into the body of the camera (like all previous Nikon DSLRs). Instead, it must have a motor built into the lens (Nikon calls these type "Silent Wave" or AF-S), otherwise, you lose autofocusing. While Nikon offers several AF-S lenses, they offer only a handful under $1,000. Additionally, the D40 will only be available in the US with the 18-55 kit, and most the other lenses under $1,000 over lap very much with this lens. Tamron and Tokina currently offer NO lenses with the motor built-in for Nikon cameras, and Sigma only offers a very few. If you want a zoom going to 300mm any time soon, be prepared to shell out about $600 for Nikon's new 70-300VR lens if you require autofocus. It promises to be a very nice lens, but you can get a basic Canon or Sony 75-300 for a bit over $200. Thus, if your considering the D40 because you have a bag full of Nikon AF lenses, then you might instead look at the soon to be disappearing D50.

Compared to other Nikon DSLRs, the D40 is much smaller, very similar to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. While this results in a smaller, lighter camera, it also means it will have some of the same drawbacks that many Nikon owners have teased Rebel owners. The camera will have a smaller grip; a smaller, less powerful battery; will lose the top info LCD and use the rear 2.5" screen instead; and, the feature Nikon users typically point to when they refer to "ergonomics" is the viewfinder. While the D80 has a .94x viewfinder, the D40 matches the smaller .80x of the XTi.

The autofocusing points will also drop to 3, with 5 being the previous low on a Nikon DSLR.

The D40 will do very well, especially since Canon & Sony aren't currently offering a lower cost, 6 megapixel camera. The directly comparable camera would be Pentax's K110D, which retails for about $550 with lens and after rebate. It uses the same 6 megapixel sensor supplies by Sony as the D40. A bit heavier, is uses 4 AA batteries instead of the LithiumIon. I prefer the latter, but there are many fans of the inexpensive AA NiMH rechargables. The viewfinder is also larger, and has a very nice 11 point AF system. Pentax also offers the more popular K100D, which is the same as the K110D, but with SR ("Shake Reduction") built into the camera body. This retails, after rebate, for about $50 more than the D40.

So the D40 will be a very nice camera for the budding photographer, but not necessarily a good upgrade for current Nikon owners. Instead, they should look at the D50 (while supplies last), or consider the superb 10 megapixel D80.


->Comparison Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

The 6 Megapixel Nikon D40 is targeted for those who want a relatively compact and light camera yet having most of the important SLR features. The D40 is priced reasonably (cheaper than D50/D80 and Canon Rebel XTi). In my opinion, if you are still considering whether to get a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, the D40 will be a better choice than any point and shoot camera, by far, even those with 8MP or 10MP. But if you are already deciding to get a DSLR or you want more control of the picture taking experience, then I would recommend you to also test the D50 and/or D80 first before deciding to buy the D40. I want you to make sure that you know what you will get (and not get) with the D40. Don't get me wrong though, the D40 is an awesome camera, and I don't think you will regret buying one. There are some limitation with the D40 which shouldn't bother most people, for example, the D40 doesn't have dedicated button to change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40 is a potent and exciting photography machine.

Just like all its (DSLR) siblings, the D40 powers on instantly and take pictures with almost no shutter lag which are the major advantages of a DSLR over a point and shoot camera. In addition to the P,S,A,M mode, the picture quality of the auto settings (auto, child mode, landscape etc) are also very good. With 2.5 frames per second you can capture movement progress in sports like football, basketball, baseball etc. Also great to photograph your family or child (child mode). The D40 is a great all around camera.

Some notable new features:
1. Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (on all other pre-programmed mode) even when you don't want to use flash (which can be annoying). The internal flash will not pop up automatically with the P,S,A,M settings.
2. In camera editing capability such as black and white, sepia and some filter effects etc. While sounds gimmicky, these features are useful especially for those who doesn't have Adobe Photoshop (or other image editing software).

To date, D40 is the smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR (even smaller than the Canon Rebel XT/XTi, however the D40 is more ergonomics). I believe that choosing a camera that fits comfortably with your hands is important. Therefore, I recommend people to test the camera before buying (even if you want to buy online, please do go to a physical store and test the camera first whenever possible).

The D40 has only 3 (horizontal) autofocus point (5 for D50 and 11 for D80). If you know "The Rule of Thirds", the additional AF points above and below the center focus point (available in D50 and D80) are handy to help create the horizontal third line. However, the 3 horizontal AF point in D40 is still helpful to create the vertical third line. Also one can focus with the middle AF point and after the focus is lock then move the frame upwards/downwards to create the horizontal third line. Just make sure the exposure level is still accurate when you move the frame after you lock the focus.

About the 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens: A good lens producing sharp photos (though not a very fast lens). Also decent for close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology and focusing operation is silent. A very decent kit lens.

Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I'm not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40 (whether to enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40 such as:

- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
- Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)
- Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
- Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
- Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)
- Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
- And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.

High priced lens ($1000+) are usually pro level lens which usually have better construction, faster (f-stop), and produce better quality picture. However, often times, lower price lens will serve your needs just fine. I think it is important to know what you want to use the camera for before deciding which camera and lens to buy.

Image quality of the D40 is very good which is #1 factor that I look for in a digital camera.

Here are the pros and cons of the D40 in my opinion:

Pros:
1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality
2. Affordable price
3. Compact size and light weight
4. Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD
5. 2.5 frames per second
6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.
7. Instant power on, fast autofocus and no shutter lag
8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.
9. Great 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens.
10. Great battery life (400+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).
11. Auto (flash off) mode available
12. 1/500 flash sync

Cons:
1. No direct button to change QUAL, WB and ISO settings
2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small for some people
3. No top LCD and no front command dial
4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G and 50mm f/1.8D lens)
5. No AF/MF switch (have to use the switch on the lens)
6. Only 3 autofocus point
7. 6 Megapixel (More Megapixel needed to print larger than 12 X 18 at 300 dpi)
8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings
9. No in camera image stabilization (like Sony and Pentax) but Nikon has lenses with it (VR).
10. No depth-of-field preview button

In conclusion, the D40 is perfect for those who want high quality pictures, more control (than a point and shoot camera), and have a DSLR experience (instant power on and no shutter lag), without having to carry a bulky camera. And unless you are shooting sports/actions professionaly (which faster focusing processor, faster frames per second and larger memory buffer might be needed), the D40 is pretty much all you will need.

Happy Photographing!


->Deals Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This is an ergonomical, fast handling, very solidly built Digital SLR with many excellent features (like a 2.5 inch silky smooth and bright lcd found on the $1600 D200). Pictures are beautiful. It uses the same excellent 6 megapixel sensor from the D50, D70, D70s. 6 megapixel is plenty, I get tack sharp 8x12 inch prints. Don't get stuck in counting megapixels. 6MP from a DSLR will blow the doors off a 6,7,8MP compact or even DSLR-like cameras. Especially under low light conditions. 6mp is 3008x2000 pixels. 10mp is just 3888x2592pixels. Not as much difference as many people think.

A Nikon DSLR body only for $499 or $599 with the lens? Darn. Nikon pricing strategy is so aggresive. With the D80 at $999 and 400DCanon at $799 body only. The main drawback for the D40 is you'd have to stick with AF-S or AF-I lenses if you want to get auto focus. You can still focus manually with other Nikon lenses. I guess they did it so D50's resale value won't drop too much. With the D50 you have access to Nikon's wide and prestigous range of lenses. Needless to say it makes a difference.

However, the kit lens is adequately sharp and responsive. For $100 it can't be beat as a good everyday use lens. At wide angle 28mm distortion is minimal. Pretty sharp at the other end of the zoom, no distortion.

It has a 3-point auto focus system, thats good enough. In fact I prefer it that way. I never cared for 7, 10, 11 point or more focus systems.

No more top mounted LCD display, so what? Just use the beautiful 2.5" color LCD display. It's fast to see from the eyecup to rear LCD.

It's got a bunch of excellent in camera processing which the D50 and D70 never had. Red eye reduction, D-lighting-automatically compensates for darker areas, image-overlay, trimming(new feature), b&w etc. The new menu is beautiful. Also zooming in during playback has been improved(one thing I always found slightly inconvenient on the D50, D70).

Very fast from power up to taking pictures. Continous mode fires at 2.5 frames per second.


For the price Nikon has really figured out how to built a solid , ergonomical , feature rich DSLR. Nikon really knows how to built solid SLRs. It is small in size but unlike the Canon 350/400d/xti(good picture and processor ,new dust reduction, but slightly less ergonomical and solid), you get a comfortable grip that doesn't make your hand feel cramped.

For this camera, Nikon also came out with a new flash SB400(works on the D50 too) if you need a more powerful flash. The built in flash is excellent and accurate and powerful enough for most situations.

I've had a bunch of digital cameras , Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, Sony 3ccd HiDef, Canon XL1 etc. The D40 is a superb camera for beginners or even semi-experienced enthusiasts, or as a second camera. You can save the money and buy some lenses or strike some big prints.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I can only echo the reviews below, this camera is the one to own. You haven't seen real digital photos until you experience what a quality SLR can do. My only quibble is that went to use it one day and the 18-55m Nikkor lens was jammed. Inside a large plastic piece had come loose somehow. It's been in Nikon service for three weeks...so much for using it to take photos this summer.

So the camera is gem, but I'm not too pleased with the lens quality, despite its excellent clarity.


->Sale 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 camera. Light, easy to use controls, long battery life. Picture quality is also very good. For the money, you can't beat it.


->Deal Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

When I first got the camera I was a little disheartened because I wasn't able to get the same color quality out of the camera that I was able to get with my previous DSLR (a Konica Minolta Dimage Z1). However, I quickly realized that the Z1 had been a crutch and that I needed to work a little harder to get the correct exposure settings on the D40. Now I'm getting much better photos from the D40 and I couldn't be happier with it. I highly recommend learning as much as you can about camera basics before giving up on the D40. It's a very capable camera for a very affordable price.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Wow. I've had this camera and lens for two days, and I love it already. It is my first DSLR, so I can't compare it to others.

I got into photography eighteen years ago, with a Canon AE-1 Program, then bought a Nikon N6006 a couple years later. I used that N6006 all over the place and for all kinds of stuff (nature, wildlife, travel, portraits, art and jewelry, a wedding, etc.), some for personal fun and some professionally. It was great and I loved it. I sold that camera a couple weeks ago, along with the lenses.

Now, I have the Nikon D40. Hallelujah, praise the lord, welcome to the new era in photography. I don't know where to start.

- 730 high res, high quality shots one a single $22 2Gb SD card (not included)
- Quick, quiet, and accurate auto-focus (the new Nikon AF-S silent wave technology, motor is in the lens, not the camera, and it is nearly silent. No "searching" back and forth like on my old N6006, either.)
- Beautiful pictures!
- Light weight, no more heavy camera and lens to hang from my neck.
- 3D Color Matrix Metering seems to work great, I've tried some unusual lighting situations and I was very happy with the results.

This is the high quality, inexpensive, easy to use, always ready camera of my dreams that never gets in my way. Now, I get to think about pictures, not equipment. That's exciting, and a little frightening, too. Great shooting, my friends!

--------------------------
Update: One week later:

Ok, so I did decide to think about equipment for awhile. As I said, you can use this camera in a number of fully automatic modes and get great results. Nonetheless, this camera is a deep and powerful photography machine. I spent the last week experimenting with the camera and reading a lot of literature, user group postings, etc. online. As probably with all dSLR's, you can go deep into image processing parameters like white-balance, noise reduction, tone, brightness, and contrast curves. I have taken the time to learn about these things (since I shot mostly B&W film, before, I never thought about much of this.) The white-balance control, alone, makes a huge difference in color quality (especially with indoor lighting).

Also, unlike a digital point and shoot, the D40 can output RAW files (in the Nikon NEF format). It's a bit of work to learn how to work with these files and get the right tools (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom being excellent choices), but it can be worth it. Using the RAW NEF files, you can get total, after the shot control over all the parameter curves I described above. You can even adjust exposure (by up to 1~2 f-stops) after the fact! Like I said, that's a bit more advanced of a topic, but know that you can do that, if you want to.

Basiclly, if you're an old pro film shooter or if you're a digital point and shooter, this camera would be great. You can start in fully automatic mode and have fun taking pictures. Then, as you get the courage and desire, start learning about the different modes and features and gradually switching them from auto to manual. The D40 gives you that choice on an individual basis with every feature, so you choose how much the camera is in control and how much you are in control.

Pair this camera with a good image processing software package (I'm using IrfanView as my viewer and Adobe Photoshop Elements for processing, great software on a slim budget), and go as deep you want to go.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Don't follow the advice in some of these reviews that you have to get a Nikon D50 or D80 instead of the wonderful Nikon D40 (which I've had for almost a year and taken thousands of pix on):
The D40 is barely half the price of a D80 and has better controls, is lighter/smaller, and takes photos the equal of any you can get on the D80.
The D50 is virtually off the market and has nothing substantial that the D40 hasn't (except the ability to use autofocus with AF/non-AF-S older lenses).
The inability to use autofocus with older AF lenses is no big deal: they still auto-expose and you can still focus them manually. Besides, with the great 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the D40 (all the lens most casual photographers will need) or the wonderful 18-200mm VR (expensive, but able to replace virtually every lens you'll ever want), you really wouldn't want to use those old AF lenses anyway, for almost any shot.
If you really need the few things that the D40 lacks (better metering, better color, better Auto ISO, faster sequential shots), spend more for the D200, a professional camera (the D200 is only a little more than the D80 -- which is no better than the D40 -- so why get a D80?).
Ignore reviews that try to put down the D40 as an "entry level DSLR" or a somehow lacking in what's necessary to take 99% of the photos you'll ever take: it's a great, inexpensive, wonderful to use tool for taking great photographs. It's the real deal.


->Lowest Price 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 has hit a grand slam with this camera. It's as close to perfection as any digital camera has ever come. Sure, there are "better" cameras for more money, but they are all twice the size/weight. I would get this camera even if I had an unlimited amount of money to spend. There is simply nothing like it. Lots of ingenius user interface elements, superb feel/handling, superb flash (both internal and external SB-400), outstanding image quality, instant response, superb viewfinder, superb LCD... I could go on. I have nothing bad to say about it, and I'm extremely picky. I thought I was going to wait for a full-frame sensor body, but when this came along, I could not wait to upgrade.

The lack of a built-in focusing motor is an ADVANTAGE in my opinion. It's one reason the camera is so small and lightweight, and I believe all future Nikon lenses will have internal focusing anyway. So unless you want to use older, heavier, and slower focusing lenses for some strange reason, you'd be paying for and carrying around something you won't even use.

In addition to the superb 18-55mm (i.e. 27-82.5mm) kit lens, I bought the 55-200mm VR II and 50mm F/1.8D lenses, the SB-400 external flash and a remote (3rd party off Ebay). I suspect many, many people will buy this exact set of equipment, since it's really all you'll ever need. No need for an extra battery, unless you ever go many photo-filled days without being able to recharge. Get at least two 1GB 50x (or faster) SD cards, so if one stops working (it does happen), you aren't stuck.

The 55-200mm VR (i.e. 82.5-300mm) is a necessity for shooting any action/wildlife. The optical stabilization is truly awesome, and better than sensor-based stabilization (e.g. Pentax K10D, Sony Alpha) since you can see it working right through the viewfinder, making it easier to frame/focus your shot. Although the lens may seem slow (f4-5.6), don't forget that stabilization gives you an extra 2-3 stops, so it's really more like f2-2.8 (without the reduced depth of field, of course). DO NOT consider the slightly cheaper non-VR version, unless the slightly smaller size is an absolute necessity.

The 50mm (i.e. 75mm) is a nice walkaround lens when you want to go as light/small as possible. It's super fast (f1.8!), allowing you to take handheld photos at night with no flash! It's also a nice portrait lens, although the 55-200 is better (75mm is a little short).

The D40x is a poorer choice for the vast majority of people. The extra resolution means your photos take up more space and are slower to work with. It also has a slower max. flash sync speed (1/200 vs 1/500). If you don't know what this means, trust me, it's important, and one day you'll be really happy you have it. Since the D40's pixels are larger (less pixels in the same size sensor), there is less noise, so having ISO 100 is useless. Do you really need 10MP? Do you print larger than 16x20? Heck, do you print at all? I know I don't. Think it will give you more cropping ability? Think again. Without a super expensive lens ($1k+), the lack of sharpness and magnified distortion of the cropped image won't be as good as the uncropped 6MP of the D40. Save the $200 and use it to get the 55-200 lens, or the 50mm lens and the flash.

If you're ready to move to a DSLR, take this camera for a test drive. You will most likely fall in love with it's wonderful handling, and excellent performance, as so many people have. There will be a new generation of cameras coming out this fall, so you may want to wait, although there's really nothing that can be improved upon with this camera.


->Buy Today Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

We were new to this type of camera, we find it easy to use and gives us a great picture.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Thank you for returning the joy of SLR photography to my life! Beautiful camera! Great value!


->Deal Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This a great camera for amateur photo enthusiasts who want to try out different exposure settings, and see the results immediately. One of the best features I found in this camera is the concept of auto-ISO. This enables the camera to set the ISO setting automatically, depending on the shutter speed and the amount of ambient light available.


->Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

As long as you know what you're buying, it's hard to go wrong with Nikon's digital SLRs. They all take beautiful photographs. Even the basic D40 will give you professional-level clarity, color and focus. When I started using a Nikon digital to shoot travel-guide photos at Walt Disney World about five years ago, I would often get stopped by guests wanting to ask about my camera. Now I never do, because so many have one that looks just like it!

There are four Nikon digital SLRs in the consumer market. Here's how they compare:

The entry-level camera is the Nikon D40. It's a basic SLR camera that takes high-quality 6.1 megapixel (MP) photos. It has an automatic flash, eight programmed exposure modes, three focus areas and a self-timer with four settings (2, 5, 10 and 20 seconds). The D40 can shoot about two-and-a-half images per second and take about 450 photos on each battery charge. Its ISO range is 200-1600. On the downside, it has a plastic body, a semi-mechanical shutter and only accepts Nikon's newer AF-I or AF-S lenses unless you want to manually focus each shot. It weighs about a pound. The basic D40 set is Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.

One step up is the D40x. Using the same body as the D40, it shoots 10.2 MP photos. It can take about three images per second, get about 500 photos out of a single charge, has an ISO range of 100-1600 and has a fully electronic shutter. The most popular D40x set is Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.

A major step up is the D80. About a third-inch wider and four ounces heavier than the D40, it uses the same processor but works fully with any Nikon SLR lens. It has 11 focus areas, a depth-of-field preview in its optical viewfinder, white-balance bracketing and a self-timer that can be set for any time between 2 and 20 seconds. Incredibly, you can get up to 2000 shots on each battery charge, assuming you don't use the LCD screen much. This is the camera used by Disney's PhotoPass photographers. Amazon sells the D80 body separately (Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) and in various lens-package deals.

Finally, the D200 is simply one of the best cameras Nikon has ever built. A half-inch taller and a third-inch wider than the D80, it weighs nearly two pounds thanks to its all-metal body. Designed for more advanced users, it does away with all but the standard programmed exposure mode and instead shoots 5 frames per second, outstanding for a 10 MP ISO 100 camera, especially at this price. It uses Compact Flash cards. In many ways the D200 is a professional camera at a consumer price. This is the camera I use for all but my most demanding shots. From a professional standpoint it really increases your productivity compared to the far bulkier D2 models, as it is so much easier to carry and position. Amazon sells the D200 body by itself (Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and in various package deals.

I'm not including the professional D2 models here, as explaining all their features would drag this review on forever. Besides, from what I've heard the new D3 should be released this fall.

-- By Mike Neal, photographer for The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World.


-> Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This camera takes amazing photos. This is my entry into DSLR and I wanted something not too overwhelming in features, but not lacking important functions. Mostly I wanted great pictures. This is the perfect entry level DSLR or a hobbyist or amateur photographer.

I have owned a Canon Digital Elph and Canon G3/G5 and was looking really hard at the Canon 350D XT, but I did some research on Flickr and Pbase, looking at the photos other have taken with the Canon 350D, 400D, Nikon D40, D40x and I was suprised the Nikon shots look better. One major drawback of the Nikon D40 and D40x is a lack of Autofocus Motor in camera, which means you will need to get Lens' with Autofocus in them. For me since I will not be getting alot of lens' if any this was not a factor. But it is something to take into consideration if you own many lens'. The Canon XT is reported to have Autofocus issues but does have Autofocus in-camera.

MegaPixels. 6.1 MegaPixels will get you an image that is 3008w x 2000h. JPEG and RAW. I have printed 16x20 photos with this camera and they turned out great. More MegaPixels mean larger images NOT better images. The advantage of a larger image would be I could crop into it more. If you want more MegaPixels, get the D40x.

Little things I found on the Nikon that I thought were cool,
-you can retouch on camera a color image into say Sepia or Black and White and it will save a copy, meaning you have the original color and black and white image.
-you can custom set your menus, you know when you go and and see like 20 settings and need to get to White Balance, well you can pick and choose which choices appear, so you don't scroll through "Beep" every time.

Look around, on Flickr and Pbase these are great sites to do some research, look at photos, go to stores hold them see what they feel like. Then get the Nikon. Cheers.
*Amazon has a great price on this right now.


->Best Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I love it so far its light weight, durable (knock on wood) great pictures quality and you can get it to take any picture that you can conjure up in you fantastical imagination. I still havent figured out how to use all of its features. But i only read about half of the owners manual befor heroes came on. god bless the USA, right. I even deployed with it to iraq and so far its been thru hell. Im pretty rough on all my electronics and this on is holding up pretty good.


->Compare Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Unlike the previous post says:
"here are some limitation with the D40 which shouldn't bother most people, for example, the D40 doesn't have dedicated button to change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40 is a potent and exciting photography machine."

With a couple clicks on the custom menu, you can setup to have dedicated buttons for white balance and ISO settings... it simply depends upon which type of shooting mode you are in. You simply hold down an ergonomically handy button and scroll to choose... very handy setup!

If you want a brilliant description of the D40 and its capabilities, as well as a user's guide, check out www.kenrockwell.com

He has a full guide to shooting with the D40 as well as the pros and cons, and a great page on the megapixel myth!

In any event, I have been shooting wildlife (our family dog), scenery (sunset at big bear lake, ca), strange lighting (clear day sun through trees), and portraits... they have all come out wonderfully! Spend some time learning how to use the "P, M, A" modes, and you will get professional results in no time!

The only downside... I have big hands, this is a small body... but it reduces the weight, so carrying while traveling (european walking tours) is awesome!


->Lowest Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

A good set of golf clubs, a great tennis raquet, a high end musical instrumento wil not make you better at what you do. Same with cameras. I have challenged friens with expensive DSLR cameras with my pocket point a shoot digital cameras, and more often than not I turn out better pictures than them. Of course the default compliment is about "what a good little camera" you have. I just got my Nikon D40 and have been testing it under all sorts of conditions, and after the learning curve any new piece of equipment has, I can say that the camera performs remarkably well. It is an instrument that will allow you to make great photos. It is the exposure meter that I can't seem to forget about. It is demanding frequent attention. Would I buy it again ? Absolutely


->Price Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This is my first SLR and it so much better than my old point-and-shot cameras!


->Comparison Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

This camera lives up to your expectations. This is my first digital slr. It's a very elegant slr but it's still digital, with the accompanying focus and shutter delay. I've always been a manual focus guy so it takes a little practice.

The pictures are great. You can do everything you can do with a traditional slr an more. It's easy and fun. But I'm not selling the b & w darkroom yet.