The Nikon D40 is a compact entry level digital SLR camera that uses Nikon F-Mount lenses and a 6 megapixel DX format CMOS imaging sensor. The increasing prevalence of Nikkor lenses with AF-S motors allowed the D40 to be Nikon's first Autofocus SLR body to forgo it's own built-in autofocus motor. Unencumbered by a legacy AF motor the D40 is a remarkably small and light camera body.
The D40 has a well thought out design meant to make the camera easy practical to travel with and as easy to use as possible. Users have the option of several intelligent automatic and manual exposure modes so you can take great pictures regardless of your skill level. The D40's main control dial has 8 vari-program modes that automatically optimize camera settings so you can get the best results possible for photographing Portraits, Landscapes, Children, Sports, Flowers/Close-ups, Night Portraits, No Flash and general Automatic.
The D40 introduces"assist images" to 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.
After you've taken your pictures a retouch menu offers in-camera image editing features that add to the D40's fun factor by providing greater creative freedom without the need for a computer. Included in the Retouch menu is Nikon's D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Image Trim and other creative features such as Image Overlay, Small Picture, Monochrome (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Color balance).
Originally released in 2006 the D40 is a faster replacement for the larger Nikon D50. In 2007 Nikon released the 10 megapixel D40X other than the resolution difference the D40X is identical to the D40 in all but the most minor of ways (very slight ISO and frame differences).
The D40 is ideal for anyone who wants to capture digital pictures without fuss or complication and for students seeking an inexpensive way way to start learning photographic techniques.
Key Features
- Compact & light digital SLR camera body
- Autofocus with AF-S Nikkor lenses
- High-performance 6.1-megapixel Nikon DX format CCD imaging sensor
- Bright, accurate SLR viewfinder:
- 2.5-inch LCD monitor
- Fast, accurate 3-area auto focus
- Automatic exposure with 8 digital vari-program modes
- Shoot at up to 2.5 frames per second
- Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II
- in-camera image editing features
- Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL automatic flash control:
