The Nikon D40 is an attempt by the massive camera maker to introduce digital SLRs to the mass-market with a more affordable price. Falling on the lower end of the high-end D series from Nikon, the D40 can be seen as the D50's smaller sibling. Despite being smaller and less expensive, Nikon has taken the time between the earlier D50's release, and the more recent D40 to upgrade various technologies making the D40 quite comparable to the more expensive D50. In fact many of the technologies incorporated in the D40 are inspired from the higher end D80 and D200 prosumer/professional grade cameras.

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Nikon D4011
MSRP $500.00
Release date December, 2006
Brand Nikon
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
8 reviews
79
negative
mixed
positive
7 positive
0 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Compact and light
+6agreedisagree

•
Great image quality
+4agreedisagree

•
Write times are fast
+4agreedisagree

•
Unlimited continuous shooting mode is useful
+3agreedisagree

•
amazing color
+3agreedisagree

•
More sensitive to light than higher pixel Nikon's (d60+ etc) half ISO means less blurry pictures
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
No external focus pin
+2agreedisagree

•
Can't customize exposure steps
-1agreedisagree

•
Not the Canon Rebel
-5agreedisagree


10 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
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Details

Notable features of the D40 include the same Nikon processing engine as in the D80/D200, in-camera retouching, help suggestions in the viewfinder, SDHC support, and an unlimited 2.5FPS continuous shooting mode. Note: SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) is a secure digital card format that allows for capacities beyond 2GB. ISO sensitivity ranges from 200-1600 and can reach an equivalent of ISO3200 with the HI 1 functionality.

One of the main differences with this D40 SLR and the other high-end models is that the camera does not contain an external focus pin. What this means is that only certain lens, namely AF-S and AF-I lenses, will be able to focus on the D40. Normal lenses will only be able to use the computer focus, not adjust the optical lens focus itself.

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This report was started November 22, 2006 at 4:34 am by Jan
with the last edit occurring May 12, 2009 at 3:11 pm by Yale
This page has been viewed 1609 times, with 65 edits by 16 contributors.
See the full report history »

Competitors

Nikon D40 is ranked 3rd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Digital Cameras »
Pentax K100D

Pentax K100D

MSRP  $450.00    Released  May, 2006

The Pentax K100D is an entry level DSLR featuring images stabilization and compatibility with a wide rage of Pentax lenses.

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Nikon D40 0% vs. vote Pentax K100D 100%
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

MSRP  $799.00    Released  April, 2008
Pros
  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • Live View Function
  • 3.5 fps continuous shooting mode
Cons
  • Live View Function will drain battery quicker.
  • Small DSLR camera body for those with big hands or long fingers.
  • LCD can smudge from your nose touching if you bring it too close
ProSCORE
5 reviews
85
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Nikon D40 0% vs. vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 100%
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT

MSRP  $900.00    Released  February, 2005
Pros
  • high quality pictures
  • relatively small size for a SLR is great for travel
  • nearly instantaneous turn-on/wake-up times (0.2s)
Cons
  • small size means it won't fit everyone's hand
  • small LCD screen
  • supplied lens is very basic
ProSCORE
5 reviews
69
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Nikon D40   vs. vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT  
Nikon D60

Nikon D60

MSRP  $650.00    Released  January, 2008
Pros
  • Compact and light
  • Great image quality
  • Active Dynamic Lighting preserves details very well
Cons
  • No automatic exposure bracketing.
  • 1/200s flash sync is slower than D40.
  • I miss Liveview LCD.
ProSCORE
2 reviews
71
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Nikon D40   vs. vote Nikon D60  
Canon EOS Rebel XS

Canon EOS Rebel XS

MSRP  $699.99    Released  June, 2003
Pros
  • comparable image to the more advanced XSi - indistinguishable
  • affordable price - similar cameras would have been over $1000 only 2-3 years ago
  • allows users much more control than other cameras in this price range
Cons
  • smaller screen, sensor and fewer AF points than the XSi
  • fully featured DSLR will not be as simple as other cameras in the price range
  • no CF card support
ProSCORE
1 review
62
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Nikon D40   vs. vote Canon EOS Rebel XS  

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Comments

1.  avatar Erik said:

Man, you gotta love these new lower prices on high quality SLR cameras. At 600 bucks, and based on the reviews this one should be on your list if you're looking for an affordable SLR.
May 31, 2007 2:05pm
2.  avatar artsyninja said:

*runs to store to buy one now* can't beat a $600 durable nikon =]
Jun 18, 2007 10:02am
3.  avatar Discordanian said:

Got one for my wife. I'm really impressed with the amount of bang for the buck that Nikon gives on this camera.
Jan 05, 2008 10:04pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Simonft

avatar
December 11, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Compact and light
  • Great image quality
  • Write times are fast
  • Unlimited continuous shooting mode is useful
  • amazing color

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

azfar

avatar
April 12, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Compact and light

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

sb2007

avatar
June 1, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Compact and light

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Discordanian

avatar
January 5, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
1 con
love itlove it

Pros

  • Compact and light
  • Great image quality
  • Write times are fast
  • Unlimited continuous shooting mode is useful
  • amazing color

Cons

  • No external focus pin

Comments

"Got one for my wife. I'm really impressed with the amount of bang for the buck that Nikon gives on this camera."
Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Omar

avatar
May 21, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
2 cons
want itwant it

Pros

  • Compact and light
  • Great image quality
  • Write times are fast
  • Unlimited continuous shooting mode is useful

Cons

  • No external focus pin
  • Can't customize exposure steps

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

peterz

avatar
May 23, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
1 con

Pros

  • Compact and light
  • amazing color

Cons

  • Not the Canon Rebel

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

elue

avatar
April 24, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • More sensitive to light than higher pixel Nikon's (d60+ etc) half ISO means less blurry pictures

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

mfaulds

avatar
May 23, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Not the Canon Rebel

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

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This product is also known as:

D, 40, D40