Nikon D40: 2008 Review | |
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We clicked with:
The price
Deceptively solid build
Good image quality at high ISO
Potentially good picture quality
That price again!
Shots in the dark:
Small LCD
Dated design means no live view
Soft images as standard
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The humble, 'out-dated' Nikon D40 is currently one of the best selling cameras that (not much) money can buy. With a resolution of just six megapixels and a small LCD screen by today's standards, it's hardly competitive with the current 10 megapixel and beyond cameras of here and now. Although the need for more megapixels is often academic for most people, the Nikon D40 could be so behind the times, it's like turning up in a horse and cart to a Formula One race. Except... it's a Nikon and it undercuts almost anything else by a useful margin. And you can forget the megapixel race; the Nikon D40 rocks.
The Camera
Launched two whole years ago, the Nikon D40 was the controversial stripped-to-the-bone DSLR. It was controversial because it still used the 6.1 megapixel sensor seen in the D50, D70 and even the D100 - which dates back to 2002. It was also controversial because the Nikon D40 was the first camera to lose the internal focus motor found in every AF-equipped Nikon since the 1980s. This means any AF or AF-D lenses (that do not feature the AF-I or AF-S built-in motors) will not autofocus with the Nikon D40. As there are still many AF-D lenses in the Nikon catalogue, some were justifiably upset at this move. However, two years on, we are beginning to see key AF-D lenses being replaced by AF-S models and we suspect that most prospective Nikon D40 owners would not find this limitation a problem. Especially today. So, it's possible we are seeing the beginning of the end of the AF-D lens line.
Despite the low cost, the Nikon D40 does not seem built down to a price. It feels nicely robust in the hand; light and plastic, but solid polycarbonate. The 2.5" rear LCD is bright and doesn't seem small unless you compare it to later designs. The menu system is also typical Nikon - easy and intuitive. And the button layout of this camera followed the trend set by the Nikon D100, standardising things to this day. That said, previous models lacked the Retouch menu to post-process images in camera. The Nikon D40 also lacks a top LCD, instead using a mode dial in its place, and sports just three AF points in the viewfinder. The rear-mounted LCD screen doubles up to show exposure details in shooting mode, however. Age shows itself by things like the lack of live view, but price is a great leveller.
The camera lacks the front sub-command dial, using instead the rear main command dial for adjusting aperture or shutter speed. Those fixated on manual mode and who have learned the push-me/pull-you finger and thumb motion to adjust settings on previous film Nikons will find this hard to get on with. The rest will just stick the camera in one of the auto modes and enjoy. The Nikon D40 has a pop-up flash, but this doesn't provide control over CLS external Nikon flashes.
Most will buy the Nikon D40 with the AF-S 18-55mm II kit lens, which is a good starting place. It's got a plastic barrel and lens mount and lacks VR, but the lens itself is good and weighs, well, almost nothing. The two fit together snugly and feel inherently right - the whole package is small and light enough to be carried virtually everywhere. It's not quite as tiny as the Olympus E420, though.
Picture Quality
The Nikon D40 meters well. It treads carefully between the conservatively moody underexposure of previous Nikons and the vivid, near over-exposure of rivals. Images as standard are natural and slightly vibrant (you can push or pull this to eye-blistering vivid colours or more pastel tones).
The images are slightly soft out the camera, though. This is no real problem for anyone who post-processes their images (a touch of sharpening will put the zing back in their step) but those who want to use images straight out of camera will find the Nikon D40 out of step.
Best of all, these images stay consistent as you rack through the ISO levels. The camera is not exactly noise-free at high ISOs, but for a two-year old design it's more than good enough.
ISO: 200 |
400
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800
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1600
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3200
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Most importantly though, the Nikon D40 has an ability to grab images with ease. You can run around with your camera capturing images without a second thought and - because the camera is small and light enough to go everywhere - great travel shots ensue.
Conclusion
We're not sure how long the Nikon D40 will keep going in the market, but until it finally drops off the radar, it represents the most fantastic value in DSLR at the moment. Yes it's dated and that shows, but the images are good and the camera is fun to use. What's not to love about the Nikon D40...
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Sensor
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6.1 million pixel CCD (DX format)
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LCD monitor
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2.5” LCD (230k pixels)
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Sensitivity
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ISO 200-1600 (3200 as Hi 1)
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Auto Focus Points
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3 area TTL
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White balance
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Auto, six manual presets, preset mode
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On board flash
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On board flash Pop-up (GN17)
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Shutter speed and flash sync
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30sec-1/4000th second (plus Bulb)
Flash sync to 1/250th second
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Continuous shooting
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2.5 frames per second
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Storage
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SD / SDHC
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Battery
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Lithium-Ion rechargeable
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Lens type / fitting
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Nikon F mount - no support for AF or AF-D lenses, no metering for manual lenses
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Other / Key features
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D-Lighting correction
Six Image preset settings
Red-eye reduction
Image overlay
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| Discuss this article, 1 of 10 messages, read more: |  Shanghaimike | |
| Posted: 26/09/08 18:15:45 45 | I fulheartedly agree with you that this is an incredible camera for the price. I have had mine now for almost 2 yrs, taken over 15,000 pics, travelled extensively.... and more importantly...in comfort instead of lugging a beast, it's been dropped, it's been wet and it's still going strong!! I disagree with you when you call the pics from the D40 "soft". I have not encountered that issue at all. Overall, I have found the Nikon D40 simply the best camera that a little amount of money can buy. A fool and his money can be easily parted in the pixel wars. Thanks to Mr Bush & co, we all need to be more careful with our hard earned greenies.... whilst still following our passion of photography!! I am delighted to ... |
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