We have another Nikon D40 review to bring you, today’s is from DCRP. The Nikon D40 is Nikon’s smallest and most affordable digital SLR. It’s launch smack at the beginning of this year’s shopping season must have been carefully calculated. Along with the camera and lens announcements, Nikon also announced a new Speedlight, the SB-400, that is obviously aimed as a partner to the D40, neither of which have dedication to Nikon’s creative lighting system.
"With their new D40, Nikon has proven that you can make an entry-level digital SLR without cutting a lot of corners. There’s a lot to like about this camera, from its compact size to its performance to its photo quality. For those ready to step up to the D-SLR world, the D40 is a fabulous way to do it.
The D40 is one of the most compact D-SLRs on the market, but it’s not too small like the Rebel XTi. Yeah, the grip is a little too small for my hands, but most people will find it to be acceptable (and better than the one on the Rebel). Build quality is also better than the Rebel, with higher grade plastics and an overall more solid feel. To cut down on the size of the camera, Nikon removed both the internal focus motor and LCD info display found on their other D-SLRs. The latter isn’t a big deal, as Nikon did a nice job integrating shooting data onto the main LCD. You’ve got two views to choose from (I prefer the classic myself), and you can quickly change commonly used settings at the press of a button. The LCD itself is big, bright, and sharp. As for the lens motor issue, this really depends on how you plan to use the D40. If you’ll be sticking to the kit lens and lenses like it, then you’ll probably be fine. If you want throw on a 50 mm prime, then you’ll probably want to get the D80 instead, as it’ll be manual focus only otherwise.
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Camera performance is superb. Flip the power switch and the D40 is ready to go. Focusing times were very good, and low light focusing was excellent thanks to a powerful AF-assist lamp. Naturally, shutter lag wasn’t a problem, and shot-to-shot delays were minimal. The D40’s continuous shooting mode isn’t quite as fast as the one on the Rebel XTi, but it’s still excellent, taking 6 RAW and a nearly infinite number of JPEGs at 2.5 frames/second. Battery life was above average, and the camera supports the USB 2.0 High Speed standard."
2 users commented in " Review of the Nikon D40 Digital SLR "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackNot only is the AF50mm prime compromised but my old Af180mm has met it s match and will not be so much fun to use on the D40. Perhaps there will be some new AFS lenses on the way.
Maybe you already are aware of it, but even when lenses are used manually on the D40, the focus sensor is active, so a little indicator light in the viewfinder will light when you’re focused. I know a lot of people consider that worthless, but I’m used to focusing manually with the film SLR I had, so it’s no biggie for me. It doesn’t take a split-image or matte viewfinder screen to get good, accurate focusing.
I’ve had the D40 about five days now, and I personally think it’s GREAT! It’s my first DSLR, and I have no legacy lenses to worry about. I find the kit lens to be a very good addition to the small, light body. Maybe some day I’ll spring for an additional lens, but for right now I’m happy as a pig in mud.