Nikon D40 with AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II
* Product Dimensions: 30.5 x 12 x 16.5 cm ; 477 g
* 6MP DSLR with Max Resolution of 3008 x 2000
* Large 2.5 inch LCD viewing screen
* 2.5 fps continuous shooting speed, up to 100 shots
* SD memory card compatible
* Compatible with extensive range of lenses and filters
Using the D40’s superb features is easy, thanks to the huge 2.5-inch screen, which displays full shooting information and handy access to all your image settings – you can even personalise the display.
The D40 is small but perfectly formed – as easily hand-held and portable as a compact digital camera, but offering the technological advantages and lens flexibility that only a digital SLR can. Weighing in at less than 500g (ex-battery), it’s light enough to carry anywhere, yet solid enough to stand up to tough conditions and constant use – because with a camera this good, you’ll want to take it everywhere!
The D40 is one of the best cameras Nikon has produced. Why? Because it's small and compact and so easy to use. WHat a great idea to display the camera settings on the back. It works will all of the new Nikon lens, to make the camera compete I suggest you buy one of the55-200 VR lens, or if your budget can go a bit further get the 18-200 VR. As this camera is now under £ 300, it does not make any sense to buy the D40x just for the extra pixels. You only need this if you are going to zoom in and crop your pictures.
*You can set it to adjust the ISO rating automatically. This means you can take pictures in poor light without flash and the camera will automatically raise the sensitivity of the sensor up to 1600 ISO from its standard 200. This adds hugely to the flexibility of the camera.
Some compacts have auto ISO settings but they don't go much above 200 or 400 because the picture quality from the small sensor starts to deteriorate significantly above around 400 ISO. On the D40, 1600 ISO shows hardly any difference in quality from 200 ISO. Other DSLRs can be set at high ISO ratings but not all can be set to choose a high rating automatically as you take the picture if low light needs it.
This is a fantastic feature. It revolutionises the way you take pictures. It means you can often take better pictures inside without flash than with flash. (Though if you set the dial to Auto, the flash will always fire when light is low. You need to choose a non-auto setting to stop the flash firing.)
Confusingly, there are two entries in the menus for auto ISO. This one is under the Custom Setting Menu, item 10, ISO auto. And amazingly for such a revolutionary feature, the factory default is "Off". Turn it on straightaway if you're going to use manual settings.
* It has a high flash sync speed of 1/500. This means you can use fill-in flash at faster shutter speeds than on, for example, the D40X (only 1/200) for sports shots or portraits on a bright sunny day. (You need a fast shutter speed if you want to freeze action, or if you've set a wide aperture for a portrait in bright light).
* I'm impressed by the kit lens. Maybe I've been lucky with the example I got but my experience isn't in line with those who say the kit lens is inadequate or the weakest part of the system. If anything, I've found it's one of the strongest parts. But, as I say, maybe I was just lucky with this example.
* The camera feels nice to handle. My daughters say it sounds nice too! Its shutter makes a nice professional sounding noise as you press the button (as long as you turn off the artificial beeping noises.)
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