Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Review

The Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera continues to be a solid value in the DSLR marketplace. With a range of features that blow away the competition, anyone can take great pictures with ease.  The price is also enticing, with most body and lens combos starting in the $400 price range.

Anyone who wants to move beyond the standard point and shoot experience will be more than impressed by the D40 and the great photos it takes.  Add a Nikkor zoom lens and a couple of filters and the Nikon D40 is the only camera you’ll need for years to come.

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is about the number of megapixels needed when purchasing a new camera.  The D40 is capable of taking pictures at a 6.1 megapixel, or 3008 x 2000 resolution, enough to print quality 14 x 19 inch photos.

Product Features

* 6.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
* Kit includes 3x 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens
* 2.5-inch LCD with three display options; built-in flash and hot shoe
* Fast startup with instant shutter response; shoot at up to 2.5 frames per second
* Powered by one rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL9 (included); stores images on SD memory cards (memory card not included)

Technical Details

* Image Resolution: 3008×2000 pixels
* Image Resolution: 2,256 x 1,496
* Image Resolution: 1,504 x 1,000
* Storage Media: Secure Digital
* Storage Media: SDHC
* Compressed Format: DPOF
* Compressed Format: EXIF 2.21
* Compressed Format: Compliant DCF 2.0
* Focal Length: 1.5 times lens focal length
* Focus Mode: Single Area AF
* Focus Mode: Dynamic Area AF
* Focus Mode: Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority
* Optical Viewfinder: Fixed-eyelevel penta-Dach mirror type
* LCD Monitor: 2.5-inches

Nikon D40 Highlights

Extraordinary Nikon image quality The D40’s high-resolution image quality is made possible by Nikon’s high-performance 6.1 megapixel Nikon DX format CCD imaging sensor and exclusive Nikon image processing engine which assures stunning sharpness and color.

Easy operation with intuitive controls Intuitive controls make the D40 point-and-shoot simple, enabling even first-time SLR users to capture beautiful memories perfectly.

Nikon’s smallest digital SLR ever At just over 16 ounces, the beautifully styled and compact D40 makes high-performance digital SLR photography easier and more convenient than ever.

The D40 is capable of shooting 2.5 frames per second

Fast startup with instant shutter response: Fast startup combined with super-fast shutter response and rapid-action shooting at up to 2.5 frames per second makes it easy to freeze special moments instantly.

Includes 3x 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens Designed exclusively for use with Nikon DX-format digital SLRs, this ultra-compact 3x zoom offers Nikkor sharpness and versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations.

Shoot at up to 2.5 frames per second The D40 can fire continuously at a speed of up to 2.5 frames per second, capturing high-quality action sequences of children in sporting activities such as soccer, baseball and much more.

2.5-inch color LCD monitor with 3 colorful display options Playback images are easy to see, and function menus are easier to use with a larger and brighter color LCD monitor. The large 2.5-inch LCD monitor enables image preview at up to 19 times magnification and has large type fonts and easy-to-view menus as well as three all-new display options: Classic, Graphic and Wallpaper.

High-performance 6.1-megapixel Nikon DX format CCD imaging sensor Nikon’s DX format CCD image sensor delivers vivid color and sharp detail, great for making beautifully detailed enlargements of 16 x 20 inches and beyond. High resolution also provides room for creative cropping.

In-camera editing functions include red-eye removal

In-camera image editing Highly versatile in-camera editing features include Nikon D-Lighting, Red-Eye Correction, Image Trimming, Image Overlay, Monochrome (Black and White, Sepia and Cyanotype) along with Skylight, Warm Tone and Color Balance filter effects. These features provide greater creative freedom without the need for a computer, for those who prefer to send pictures directly to a printer.

New advanced HELP menu system with Assist Images The D40’s newly introduced “assist images” help you select the appropriate settings for many camera features by showing an example image typical of that setting as well as an advanced HELP Menu for the current item selected. The D40’s Question Mark icon (?) indicates that help is available for the currently selected item; just press the help button beside the LCD monitor to see a context sensitive help page.

Fast, accurate 3-area Autofocus The D40’s advanced 3-area AF system and the refined algorithms inherited from more advanced Nikon digital SLR cameras deliver fast, efficient and precise autofocus. AF refinements deliver greater precision with fast, more consistent subject acquisition and improved focus tracking for consistently sharper pictures.

Enjoy easy in-camera optimization

Image Optimization Options The D40’s Image Optimize setting lets photographers adjust color, contrast and sharpening as well as other image settings according to the type of scene or output desired. Settings include: Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black and White, each of which are automatically adjusted based on sophisticated Nikon algorithms or user-selected settings for optimum results.

Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL automatic flash control Nikon’s innovative i-TTL flash control evaluates flash exposure with incredible precision to achieve better automatic flash balance and deliver outstanding results. The built-in Speedlight is always at the ready and brings beautiful exposures in darkened conditions as well as adding sparkle for fill flash in outdoor situations for enhanced twilight shots or an added impact to daylight images.

Bright, accurate SLR viewfinder A large viewfinder makes composition easier, and overall viewfinder brightness makes focusing in low-light photography possible. Its bright and sharp viewfinder, with 0.8x magnification, ensures precise composition.

Automatic exposure with 8 Digital-Vari Program Modes Eight Digital Vari-Program Modes include: Auto Flash-OFF, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up or Night Portrait, each of which adjusts automatically for optimal results under varied conditions.

Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II The D40’s 3D Color Matrix Metering II evaluates each scene for brightness, color, contrast, size and position of shadows and highlights, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, comparing that information against an onboard database of more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes.

The bottom line is that the Nikon D40 DSLR is a solid choice for consumers and pro-sumers alike.  The legendary Nikon quality shines through with every photo you take.  The wealth of accessories and ability to use Nikkor lenses and a range of filters make this a suitable camera for a wide range of uses.

Find Out More about the Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera