| Brand: | Nikon | ||
| Average Rating |
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If you’ve ever wondered why your vacation pictures don’t look as good as those magnificent landscapes and flattering portraits seen in countless glossy magazines, chances are you just haven’t found the right camera.
Nikon introduces the new D40 digital SLR camera that’s designed to offer you the ability to get higher quality, impressive looking pictures with the press of a button. In a world where digital SLR cameras have become extremely popular among professional photographers, have you have shied away in favor of a compact digital camera? For you, Nikon’s D40 is an ultra-compact, lightweight, 6.1-effective megapixel digital SLR camera with simplified new features, exceptional handling speed, and a redesigned, visually-intuitive menu system that brings digital SLR cameras to a whole new level of simplicity.
Less Complication, More Celebration
Isn’t it time you switched from simple snapshots to great pictures? If so, then get to know the fun, easy-to-use Nikon D40. Now you can capture spectacular pictures using the type of digital and optical technologies that professionals use, but without the complications and calculations that SLR photography once required. Let Nikon’s cutting-edge technology do all the work for you. Just look through the viewfinder and press a button for wonderful pictures you’ll be proud of. It’s never been easier to capture the moments of your life so beautifully, and that is certainly worth celebrating.
Less Science Fiction, More Magic
It’s never been easier to take amazing pictures. Great pictures have never been easier Great pictures used to require complicated and cumbersome equipment along with years of experience. Not any more. The D40 is compact, lightweight and designed specifically for ease of use, yet contains all the top quality, high-performance technologies that you expect from a Nikon digital SLR. And with world-famous Nikkor lenses, you know you have the sharpest and most reliable optical perfor more info
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Two years later and I’d still buy it, especially at this price.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
After 2+ years of owning this camera, I’ve been thinking about buying the Nikon D90 or D300. But, I’m still not sure if the upgrade is worth the cost (FOR ME).
I love this camera and it’s an incredible value. For a non-pro enthusiast who understands their aperture, shutter speed and ISO, it’s probably all you need.
Do I wish it had more than 6 megapixels? No, not really. Six is plenty, especially since I’m not one to bother with much cropping. I’m not in any hurry to fill up my hard drive with huge file sizes. And, realistically I’m not printing anything more than 8×11″ prints anyway.
Do I wish the d40 had a built in lens motor? I do, though most of the newer Nikon lenses (including the kit lens) have the motor built-in. If you are new to the Nikon line, you probably won’t have to worry about this. If you have some old Nikon lenses, manual focusing isn’t terribly difficult, and I do it all the time with my Nikon 50mm f/1.8D which doesn’t have the focusing motor in it. I’ve gotten fantastic shots in manual mode. It’s actually kinda fun to manually focus as it makes me think and compose my shots a little more.
Do I wish the d40 had a dust removal system? I do, but if you’re careful there probably won’t be a problem. I switch between the kit lens, the 50mm, and the 55-200VR lens all the time and in two years haven’t had any dust get on the sensor (knock on wood!)
Do I wish it had the D90′s HD video? It’d be fun, I admit. But, it’s not a deal-maker/deal-breaker. I bought the D40 to be a photographer, not a video maker. Besides, I have my point-and-shoot for quick vids.
In conclusion: If you are eager to dip your foot in the DSLR world, but don’t want to break the bank, the D40 is a great choice. It absolutely blows away the results from any point-and-shoot camera (including my highly regarded Panasonic ZS3). 2+ years later, and I’m never disappointed with the photos it takes, and I feel I get comparable results to much more expensive cameras. In fact, even if I were to upgrade to the d90 or d300, I wouldn’t get rid of this camera because it’s so simple, functional, carry-able, and produces excellent results.
Perfect starter DSLR
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This camera was my first venture into the DSLR world. I had been shooting with my trusty Canon point and shoot for years and although I got great quality photos, I was often frustrated with the lag time of a point and shoot.
I bought the Nikon D40 in February of 2008. The price has not changed much since and for good reason. This camera is very inexpensive for what it offers, with pricing only slightly higher than some higher end point and shoots.
Before I begin, You will notice in my reviews I do not go into the full specs of the camera. I feel as a consumer if I want to read that, I can read it here on Amazon in the information or I can download the manual from the manufacturer. So I do not include that. In my reviews I include my personal observations only.
The Good-
~ Turn on time is nearly instant. No more waiting for the camera to boot up and losing that precious shot
~ Even in high quality mode there is nearly no lag between pushing the button and the shutter firing. You get the shot you are going for every time.
~ I always forget to shut it off, It powers down itself after a bit to save battery.
~ Has all the capabilities of higher end cameras, yet an easy to use interface with an Auto mode. A great camera for someone who is interested in photography or someone who just likes to put it on Auto and edit with Photoshop later.
~ Action shots. You can take rapid fire pictures with this camera that come out perfect. I recently took photos through a chain link fence of my son’s baseball game and got 8 shots from him leaving 3rd base to sliding into home plate that are priceless. TIP: Your speed relies on your memory card. Use cards with “ultra” or “premium” speed ratings for maximum speed. This is true whether you use a DSLR or a point and shoot from Walmart.
~ Lenses. There is a lens for every need. Macro, Wide angle, Zoom to the moon. If you want it Nikon has it and Nikkor lenses are top of the line. At the end of the day a camera is only as good as it’s lens and I really beleive Nikon lenses beat the competition hands down.
~ Manual zoom/focus. I love this. Most newer nikkor lenses have auto focus capabilities if the thought of focusing on your own is intimidating but I love having the ultimate control over my focus and I find that I’m faster at zooming and focusing than the auto feature on the camera is a lot of the time so I tend to just keep it on manual. This camera does not have an automatic zoom and I assure you, you will not miss it.
The Bad-
~ Size. It really is a pain to carry this thing around a fair or while chasing children around. It’s big, and that uber expensive lens juts out just asking to be knocked off a wall. The neck strap is quit uncomfortable. This has been my biggest pet peeve with this camera and the reason I recently purchased another point and shoot for every day and will leave my Nikon sitting at home except for photo shoots and high action activities.
~ Framing. You cannot frame your shot with the LCD screen with this camera. Nikon finally added that feature on the D90. At first this made me crazy, what with having been a Canon point and shoot girl for years. And to be honest this is still slightly annoying. I have talked to other photographers who don’t miss it but for me, when I’m shooting my kids’ lives I’d like to be a part of it too, not with my face stuck in a viewfinder. I just feel detached when I have to look through a viewfinder.
~ Video. Nikon dropped the ball on this one. The Nikon D40 is capable of recording video but does not have audio capabilities.
~ Flash- The flash on the D40 is very powerful allowing you to take great night shots. It does tend to be a bit much in dim conditions and causes a bit of washout. My biggest pet peeve with the flash is that it’s so low profile I usually end up blocking it with my finger. I shoot quickly, zooming/focusing and clicking and if I don’t remember to take my hand off after I zoom/focus I’ll block the flash. It’s annoying and I’ve lost some great shots that way.
All in all if you want to move up to a DSLR go for the D40 in lieu of some of it’s more pricey competitors. It is versatile and high quality enough for the professional photographer, yet inexpensive and easy enough to use for those who just chase the kids around the playground. Due to it’s less than ideal portability this camera likely will not replace your trusty point and shoot, but it will be a great addition to your memory preserving arsenal.
First DSLR
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I was reserching for atleast 3 to 5 months, trying to find out what was the DSLR that suited me best. Until about 1 month ago, I ended up with the Nikon D40, the Canon XSI, and the Sony a200. I used the Canon at Costco, and to be completly honest. I didn’t like it all that much. I have a friend with the Sony a200, and its not half bad, its good looking as well. When I went to the local Wal-Mart, and saw the D40, it was perfect. good looking GREAT pictures, and very comfortable. DO NOT be fooled by Megapixels. it is just a way to fool buyers, and make them pay more. i’ve taken some 20 pics now, and I am satisfied with the croping. and quality is FLAWLESS. Even comparing the pictures of the canon xsi, to the d40′s right here on amazon, you can tell, this one does look just as good or even BETTER. I am very very happy with this camara, and I recomend it to anyone on a budget, or starting of like me. Please don’t be fooled by MP.
Love It
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
My only camera before this was a film camera that my brother gave me for a photography class in college, and I had not gotten around to buying a digital camera, though I had been shopping for quite awhile. There were many choices and price ranges, and I knew I wanted a dSLR due to the better image quality in general and also because it felt more like the camera I was used to.
When I found this camera (I have had it for awhile now) it was perfect since it was small and light, while taking good images. The price was also worth it and I did not feel I was risking a lot of money in buying this.
I have not been disappointed with my choice. At some point I may look at some more expensive cameras or newer models, but if you are new to shooting digital SLR cameras this is a great camera and worth the money. I have printed many 8 x 10s that look real nice, so do not be concerned about the megapixels.
Nikon D40
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I am having some trouble with this camera. It seems like every time I think I have it figured out, I don’t. The aperture and shutter speed is kind of tough to figure out and I can’t do a normal depth of field photo where the background is blurred on purpose. I like the camera, but I have a long way to go before I master the features on it.
Bang for your buck
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Nikon D40 is for anyone that want’s to capture great photos but doesn’t want to take the big step into proffesional DSLR’s. I’ve used this camera for a while now and think it’s still the best camera for it’s price range. I’ve shot proffesional images for my website and for friend’s websites, evertime the camera lives up to its Nikon name. If your looking to experiment with DSLR’s or are coming from a 35mm SLR. I can gaurantee you will not be dissapointed. Buy an extra battery pack if your going on long trips! It’s worth the money. It’s far better than missing those once and a lifetime moments.
Defective Lens?
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I got my D40 last Friday and took many shots. Some of the Image Quality is superb unfortunately it is not consistent. The autofocus don’t seem to work. I get about 5 great pictures, out of ten. I don’t know if it is just me because this is my first DSLR camera but I have tried all the manual settings as well as auto mode but I still get bad pictures. I zoomed to the 55mm max and the image quality is just poor. I am really disappointed because I know that the D40 is a superb entry level DSLR. I really think the lens is defective. The auto focus works most of the time but not all the time. It is really hard to manually focus on this lens especially on Macro and max zoom. I wll return this to amazon and exchange it for the Canon EOS Rebel XS.
nikkon
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We use the camera and lens in nano silicon wafer invention. The camera is able to ‘track’ the changes made to the wafers as we do close up work.
Great Camera for the Beginner
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is my first DSLR (I’m 17 years old) and it works great. I was on a budget and everything about this camera is great. I’m going to slowly invest in accessories and lenses and eventually, as a gain more experience I’ll move on up to a bigger and better body, but for now this was a great investment. =)
Not worth the money
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I purchased this camera a year and a half ago and have had to send it back twice so far. IT seems to go out right before a special occasion so I have no pictures. I thought I was buying a good quality camera to record all the moments of my child growing up. The first time I had to send it to Nikon, the flash would not deploy, now it will not focus the majority of the time. I took over 30 pictures maybe 1 or 2 were in focus ( I thought automatic meant it would handle everything if I didn’t want to be bothered). I am waiting to see how much Nikon will charge me to fix it this time but I am done with Nikon. I did a lot of research and thought I was purchasing a quality product but that is not the case, stay away from this if you want to catch those special moments because that is when it mostly likely will go out on you. i am starting the search again to see which one I will buy now. Hope I don’t miss my son’s birthday again.
Just as Expected
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I read all the reviews and this camera is just as advertised. Great system for an entry level digital SLR. I would recommend this camera to anyone making the jump from a point and shoot. Definately worth the money!
Great for starters!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I got this camera to upgrade my point and shoot camera. I was mainly going to use it to take pictures of my models (architecture models) then realized I can use it for much more than that. Getting this device made me want to explore the world of photography. For the quality and how fast the shutter speed is, it’s definitely worth the price. I would recommend this for people who are looking to start off in a DSLR camera and who is willing to upgrade their point and shoot camera. Note: READ THE MANUAL FIRST BEFORE USING! I love the quality of the photos and this camera. Great buy! Fits comfortably in hand and not too heavy. I would say…low medium to medium weight.
This camera is not for everyone…
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
This review is more about SLR’s in general than this specific camera but this is the camera i purchased so this is where my review goes…I bought this camera while station in afghanistan, i was very excited, with thoughts of someday seeing my photos in magazines, then i started messing with the camera…i played with it for a few days maybe a week, then placed it back in the hard case i purchased for it and there it sat for over two years until my mom decided she was going to try her luck with an SLR. the reasons this camera was not used are listed below:
1. I was very intimidated by this cameras price . With the lens i purchased i had over 1200 strapped around my neck, the few times i had it out i always felt like the strap was going to come undone and the camera was going to go crashing to the ground! this never happened but it was a fear i could not shake.
2. I was very intimidated by this cameras complexity. I bought the idiots guide to SLR’s and all of that and just never really figured it out, i guess i wasnt willing to put the time needed to “master” this camera into it.
Since then I have only owned point and shoot, but with a trip to Egypt planned i decided to make the plunge and buy a “high zoom” Sony camera, i went with the HX1. it seems to be much less complicated, plus have many of the benifits of a SLR, we shall see once it arrives (I am stationed back over here again, this time Iraq)
GREAT STARTER CAMERA for photo enthusiasts
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
i had been wanting a slr for quite some time and was debating between this one and the Canon Rebel XS. I chose this one because only 6 megapixel is needed to make a good cropped 8×10 photo. and because it costs much less than all the other slr. it came within 5 days and was in the brand new box. the pictures it takes are extremely clear (as long as you keep it on the highest quality) there are also a wide range of white balances: cloudy, shady, sunny, fluorescent, flash. and the built in flash is quite powerful. this camera is small and light, i really did not want to be lugging around a huge canon or massive nikon, so this light camera is GREAT! i have had it for about a month now and have had no issues. i would recommend getting another battery with this camera because the one it comes with is only 1000mAH (about 400 pics) and you can buy another $10 battery off of Amazon that has 1800mAH like i did. all in all great camera I would recommend to a friend. but make sure you do your research and find the BEST camera for your money.
also this camera has some in-camera editing which is pretty cool. It may sound cheesy, but it can be quite helpful. this is a GREAT camera for beginning photographers.
Good camera
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Overall, I think this camera is great. The only problem i have is that in all my pictures with the sky there is a black mark right in the middle of the picture. I tried to clean the lense and everything, but it is still there on only the blue sky part of the picture. It might be a scratch or something. All other pictures are fine. I think Amazon just sent me a defected one.
should have had one of these all along
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am a mom of 2 boys and I love taking pics of my family. Had a point & shoot and finally got frustrated with not being able to take decent pics indoors. Upgraded to the Nikon D40 and I wish I had gotten one of these from the start. I got a great price on Amazon, so it really wasn’t much more than the point and shoot and it totally makes up for the price difference by the quality of the pics. Now instead of discarding 60% of my pictures, I have photos worth showing-off.
I totally recommend this camera. While I am sure I am not even getting the most out of the features, it’s still worth the price. Love it.
A decent DSLR for serious amateurs, but no longer the best pick for beginners.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Summary: I’ve been shooting the Nikon d40 since 2007, as a somewhat “serious” amateur. It has proven to be a decent DSLR overall, and terrific for the price. I do mostly casual portraits, outdoor/landscape and vacation shots. I’ve taken thousands of d40 shots and learned a lot. As of 2009, experienced shooters should view the d40 as a good backup camera, while beginners should really be considering the new d3000 instead.
Where I’m coming from:
I was shooting a 35mm Nikon N2020 from 1986 into the early 2000′s (I’m too lazy for film anymore, but I still believe I was getting my best pictures with film).
I then switched to digital point and shoot, but after a couple years I missed my old 35mm SLR — the image quality and great colors that came from film and the feel of using a “real” camera. I finally sprung for the d40 based on low cost and good reviews. (If you’ve been to Ken Rockwell’s site, you already know how much he likes his d40). After 2 years the d40 is still my trusty camera, and I’ve gotten *much* more than my money’s worth (I paid $450 back in ’07). But make no mistake, my best N2020 shots are better than my best d40 shots!
Pros:
(all well known)
1. Practical. Reliable. Easy to operate.
2. Small and Lightweight for a DSLR (ideal for long hikes, but still much bulkier than any point-and-shoot)
3. Inexpensive.
Cons:
1. (Well known) The d40′s automatic exposure often works poorly. You really need to learn to adjust exposure (by some trial and error), or you’ll probably be disappointed with many of your pictures. From what I have read about the d3000 (e.g. Rockwell’s site), it is much better at autoexposure and also features a special guide mode for the first-time DSLR owner. If this is as good as it looks, it means the d3000 has dethroned the d40 for beginning photographers.
2. (Surprising) Small and Lightweight. Yes, I also listed this as a “pro”, but honestly my hands are a little too big for the d40. The controls and buttons are close together, which many people love, but for me, the d40 (or other small Nikon DSLRS like the d40x / d60 / d3000) is just too compact! Also, while the near weightlessless is often a virtue, it’s so light it tends to flop around as I carry it around on the strap.
… Now I’m looking at stepping up to the d90 (or its successor). But I’m sure my d40 will stay around as that trusty backup for a long time.
Great Camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
For my first DSLR camera, I just love it. It has all the features I want to take better pictures, and so far I have. The manual controls are fantastic, I’d recommend this camera to anyone!
Low Quality, Cheap Plastic, Great Pictures!
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I finally broke down and decided to get a Digital SLR. I have used traditional SLR cameras for years and decided the digital point and shoot wasn’t cutting it. After having the camera for less than a month the Zoom on the Nikkor lens broke. Amazon was kind enough to exchange the camera. A month later the camera strap broke and the camera fell 2 feet onto soft wet grass. The lens broke in the exact same manner. I had to take the lens apart and see what was up. I tiny piece of cheap plastic had broken off inside the lens and gotten into and broke the turning mechanism. Frustrating. At this point I picked up a third party lens. It was a bit slower but it did the trick and was built much better than the Nikkor lens. A few months later, the camera took another spill while in the bag. This time it was the flash that broke. It would open and continue to click and try to open itself. A quick google search showed this was a very common problem. I opened up the camera again to find the source of the problem and it was yet again a very cheap piece of plastic that had broken off.
The camera does take great pictures though. Way better than a point and shoot. We have young children and it’s been great to capture memories. I will most likely pick-up a third party flash to resolve the current issue. I will never buy Nikon again though. This is not a well built camera. If you have children consider something else.
Nice simple little camera
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a nice simple little starter camera. Decent controls. For about $400 with the lens, I think it’s a great deal. 6MP is more than sufficient. Biggest drawback is the limited number of Nikon lens it can use. But love the fact that it can sync flash at even 1/1000s!
Perfect
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This was my first DSLR and I bought it 6 months before first child was born. I cannot take a bad picture with this thing. Pair with the cheap SB-400 flash and you’ll be taking professional pictures in any light with little effort. The fact that people still drop several hundred dollars on the virtually “disposable” “cute colored” point and shoots when a camera like this is just a couple hundred more is beyond me. Buy it, buy it now.
Great for first-timers.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a user-friendly camera for first-timers which features an auto mode but you can switch to various help programs in manual mode.
This is a great feature for helping photographers migrate from point and shoot to a D-SLR format.
It’s not as robust as most cameras but then again, the next step up requires a heftier budget.
The images are great – even if it’s “only 6.1 megapixels”… how much can the eye really see? It’s a great camera for the money and photo quality is
better than average. And most importantly, it’s the right price!!
Great Camera for an Active Family
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We waited a long time to buy our first digital camera because my husband is a fairly serious amateur photographer (had his own developing lab in high school and college) and wanted to wait until he could get a good one. Finally, a little over a year ago, and after much research, we bought a Nikon D40.
My husband is very happy with it. He knows how to get the most of it in challenging situations. I like it because it’s easy to use and takes beautiful, effortless pictures. We’re a family of eight and are always on the run for various activities. Because of its excellent performance in lower light situations, we often end up as informal group photographers.
We’ve noticed that its capability in low light situations rivals and occasionally surpasses some of the more expensive cameras we’ve had a chance to compare it too – e.g. for a big family picture at a wedding in church. Very impressive!
I’m pretty impressed with its durability too. It actually got dropped off a table at one point (the hazards of family life!) and kept plugging away in spite of it.
The ultimate beginner’s low-budget DSLR
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought the D40 kit a little more than one year ago. In a nutshell, I couldn’t ask for anything more in a DSLR for newbs. It’s got everything I need to learn the ins and outs of photography, it’s very well built (and yes, even the kit lens), it’s portable and dangit, it’s extremely affordable to boot! It’s been 100% reliable since day one, and it has become indisputable proof that the only difference between a great picture and a crap picture, is the photographer – not the equipment.
If I ever decide to upgrade to something higher up the food chain, chances are it’ll be a Nikon.
Love mine
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I will keep it short. I love mine for 3 reasons… Price, Features, & Lens options. For the price you cannot beat the d40 for a starter camera. I was unsure if photography would be a hobby i would enjoy so the initial investment was not a bad risk. Now i can plan for my next upgrade on the body if need be.