Inexpensive, great pictures, light, more light sensitive than the D60 / D40x
Disadvantages:
6MP, only AFS lenses, not many hard buttons .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The Nikon D40 is an entry level SLR camera now replaced by the Nikon 60 orginally competing with models such as the Pentax K100D and Canon Rebel Xti.
Pentax have since released the Canon Rebel Xsi , Pentax the K100D Super and Nikon first the D40x and now the D60.
I wrote an extensive review of the Nikon D40x on Ciao.com and suggest you read that and bear in mind these differences between the two cameras.
Differences between the Nikon D40 and Nikon D40x
1) Nikon D40 has 6MP, the D40x 10MP. 2) Nikon D40x adds ISO 100 and H mode which is the equivalent of ISO 3200 ( you're unlikely to use it). 3) The flash shutter speed of the Nikon D40x is 1/200 compared to 1/500 in the D40. i.e. D40 is better. 4) Continuous shutter speed is 2.8 fps/ instead of 3fps in the Nikon D40x. 5) D40 is more light sensitive than the D40x/D60 meaning shorter shutter speeds.
That's pretty much it.
Which to go for Nikon D40 or Nikon D40x ?
If you can live with 6MP which will still print perfectly good photos on A4 then go for the D40. Why? You will save a fair bit of money that you can then invest in a bigger lens. e.g. 18-135mm. You can currently save around $300 by going for a D40 with kit lens instead of a D40x.
Please see my Nikon D40x review for a lot more information.
Update 2nd July 2008 - the new D60
The Nikon D60 is out now replacing the D40x but still consider the D40. Why? Just Google 'Ken Rockwell d60' and read his review, and why he 'still' prefers the D40.
And now that I've had my D40x a while and bought more lenses, I am firming up on my belief (like Ken Rockwell also says) that it's better to buy a D40 and put the savings towards a nice lens e.g. 18-135mm. Honestly, you'll have more fun and get better results with a nice zoom lens than you will with a fancier camera body.
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world-famous Nikkor lenses and the practicality of a remarkably small and light camera body. It boasts handling and performance advantages that do away with the frustrat...
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