This Nikon D40 SLR Camera Review offers an unbiased review of the features and performance of the Nikon D40 digital SLR camera. Keep reading to discover info on Nikon D40 features such as 6.1 mexapixels, kits, body, 2.5-inch color LCD, ISO sensitivity, and more.

Nikon’s basic entry-level digital SLR, the D40, is moderately priced around $599 and comes with an 18 - 55 mm lens.  The D40 is one of the competitively priced D-SLRs on the market.  In spite of its low price, the D40 is skimpy on features: six megapixel CCD, large and sharp 2.5” LCD display, full manual controls, and great performance.

The D40 is rather compact when compared to its larger brothers like the D80 and D90.  There is only one kit available with the D40 and that includes the lens.  Inside the box you’ll also find the camera body, EN-EL9 lithium-ion rechargeable battery, battery charger, body cap, eyepiece cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, Nikon software CD-ROMS, and a hard copy camera manual.

The battery that is included with the D40 is a new one for Nikon and it has 7.4 Wh of energy, which translated into battery life means that the D40 gets about 470 shots per battery charge.  This is about middle of the road, but above average, when compared to cameras in its class.  Be aware that the D40 does not take AA batteries at all, only the EN-EL9 battery which are rather expensive if you want to purchase a backup or need a replacement.

While the lens that is included with the D40 is adequate, this D-SLR does support almost any Nikon F-mount lens.  However, it will only support autofocus on AF-S and AF-I lenses which limits you to about 16 options.  The standard lens should provide you with enough flexibility for most shooting situations.

In spite of its small size, the D40 feels very sturdy and substantial in hand.  The body is made of plastic, but not cheap plastic.  The controls are very easily accessible while the camera is in hand, which is nice, though a few aren’t in the most logical location.  The quick menu includes the following options for adjustment: image quality, image size, white balance, ISO, shooting mode, AF mode, AF-area mode, and metering.  On the back of the camera, to the left of the LCD display, there are buttons for playback, menu, playback zoom out (plus thumbnail view), and playback zoom in (plus information screen setting change).  On the top of the camera you’ll find the D40’s mode dial which comes with these options: auto mode (point and shoot with some locked menu options), program mode (automatic with access to all menu options giving you the ability to adjust the shutter speed or aperture), shutter priority mode (you choose the shutter speed, the camera picks the aperture), aperture priority mode (you choose the aperture, the camera chooses the shutter speed), full manual mode, and flash off.  There are also the following scene modes: night portrait, close-up, sports, child, landscape, portrait.

As for image quality, the D40 can shoot RAW images alone or with a large/basic quality JPEG.  The D40 does a great job with macro subjects, though the colors are super saturated.  The D40 does well at ISO settings 200-1600, but quite a bit of noise is noticeable at ISO 3200.  The camera does come with a noise reduction feature, however, that is helpful but will reduce detail in images.

Overall, the D40 takes excellent photos with great exposure, little noise, nice sharpness and color saturation.  This camera has a good selection of point and shoot features while retaining the capacity to fully customize your shots.  The performance of the D40 is superb and for the price isn’t missing anything that anyone but a big photography enthusiast would care about.  The Nikon D40 is a wonderful way to get your start with digital SLRs as it is extremely user friendly as well as pocketbook friendly.

Recommended: Yes

Nikon D40 Features:

• 6.1-Megapixel CCD imager yielding 3008 x 2000 pixel images
• Kit includes new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens
• Slimmer and more compact body than its predecessors
• Accepts Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF
• Compatible with Nikon i-TTL technology enabled Speedlights
• Digital Vari-Program, Program w/shift, Shutter priority, Aperture priority and Manual.
• Exclusive Nikon 3D-Color Matrix II metering
• Compressed RAW and JPEG formats in three quality levels and sizes
• TTL auto white balance, presets and custom set
• Shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 30 seconds, flash sync to 1/500
• Continuous drive at 2.5fps with dynamic buffer
• 3 area AF with Single Area AF, Dynamic Area AF or Closest Subject Priority
• 2.5-inch color LCD with 230,000 pixels
• Onscreen menu for Playback, Shooting, Custom functions and Setup
• New Retouch menu for in-camera editing of stored photos
• Review with zoomed-playback & pan, RGB histogram and highlights
• ISO sensitivity from 200 to 1600
• Noise Reduction circuitry for long exposures
• SD/SDHC memory card storage
• Selectable video output with NTSC or PAL format
• USB data and control interface
• High-capacity EN-EL9 battery and compact MH-23 Quick Charger

Related Article: Nikon D90 SLR Camera Review >>