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| Date Reviewed: 08/19/2007 |
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Strengths: Picture quality, low noise at high ISO, features, size and weight, large LCD, battery life, price
Weaknesses: Charger has cord, doesn't connect directly to wall outlet. Burst speed is not that fast.
Summary: This camera is great for the price. It's better than the Canon Rebet XT which I owned before this one. It takes better pictures than that one. The ISO settings at 1600 and 3200 are incredible in the little noise they produce, especially the 1600. 1600 in this Nikon is better than 400 in my Canon A710. I love the small size and the big 2.5" lcd.
If you are not sure which to buy between the Nikon D40 or the Canon Rebel XTi, save yourself the money and get the Nikon. I did and I'm extremely happy with that decision, and what do you need 10MP for, 6MP is plenty enough.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/18/2007 |
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Strengths: -Amazing image quality, better jpg quality even than D50
-Fast shot-to-shot, no shutter lag
-Small size and light weight
-Very good kit lens
-Great and intuitive interface
Weaknesses: -Not many AF-S primes
-Kit does not include a lens hood
Summary: 2007-04-17 16:53:54 I took the jump and went DSLR (chose it over the Canon Rebel XTi). Let me tell you, this is an amazing little camera at an amazing price just as all the reviews have said. Its size and light weight is perfect for those tired of the poor image quality of point and shoots (especially with high ISO) and are looking to move up without wanting to go to something too big. Even serious photographers have said that they love the camera as a walk-around opting to leave their bigger professional SLRs at home when not shooting for work. I love the wide angle (27mm equivalent) coverage of the kit lens compared to my previous super-zoom P&S which started at 35mm. The camera is very responsive, easy to use, and just plain fun. Some may worry about its ability to auto-focus only with AF-S and the more expensive and old AF-I mounts, but that's not really such a big deal. AF-S is the future and Nikon will undoubtedly release more AF-S lenses in the future (like the recently announced VR 55-200mm). Even then there are already many lenses from Nikon and Sigma that auto-focus with this camera. Get this camera - you will love it!
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Update: After 3 months of waiting, I finally received the VR 18-200mm. Although it's heavier, about 2.5x more than the extremely light kit lens, the range and the VR are amazing! The auto-focus is also slightly faster than the kit lens. Overall, this has been a very nice combination for me.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/02/2008 |
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Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: None that I can think of at this time
Summary: D40 came out in 2006, and it was a great camera then and still is today. The first picture that I took was of professional standards. The colors were excellent, the lighting was great, and I had no complaint what so ever. I took a hand held picture and I like it some much, I had to see how far I could go in blowing it up. The size of the picture was 12X18. The picture was taken with the 18-55 mm lens. I have purchased the 55-200 mm lens with hood and I have not had to use it as of yet. I don't need anything bigger than that either. I like the action mood that can be used too and the quick return to flash, the camera offers. I would highly recommecd this camera to any and all of my friends.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/06/2008 |
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Strengths: Great picture quality, VERY fast, great build quality, huge viewfinder, great features
Weaknesses: Only 6 megapixels
Summary: This is a great camera. It takes great shots. It is so much faster than any compact camera I've used. With my previous compact camera I would have to wait over 4 seconds between shots with flash. With the D40, once you take the shot, it's ready for another one.
The grip is large and well built. The kit lens is a little too lightweight in my opinion, but it's not that hard to get used to it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the viewfinder. I was expecting it too be small and dark. It's actually very large and bright for a camera in its class.
The only problem some people might have with the D40 is the fact that it's only 6 megapixels. If you need to print posters or crop your images a lot, you may need a 10 megapixel camera. Otherwise, this is a great entry-level DSLR.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/05/2007 |
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Strengths: easy to use, outstanding quality for the price
Weaknesses: Absolutely NONE.. you get what you pay for.
Summary: When you pay $500 for something, you should do a little research on what it is your are buying. Anyone who is surprised by the lack of an internal motor or lack of compatibility of legacy lenses should have done their homework. This is a great camera to break into the DSLR arena. Yes, you can get a better lens, but not in this price range. That includes the Canon, Olympus and the Pentax. Ability to take clean pictures at 1600 is something you won't find in the competition. Nikon replaced the D50 for a reason. This camera is cheaper and better than the one it replaced. It is highly recommended. Read the expert reviews to make sure you know what you are getting.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/10/2007 |
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Strengths: Lightweight, compact, responsive, easy-to-use, great display, takes excellent pictures.
Weaknesses: None
Summary: This camera gives great pictures and is a joy to use. As with all Nikon SLRs, the autofocus and shutter are extremely responsive, and the kit lens gives excellent photos over a 3x zoom range. Controls are intuitive, and the camera boasts a large and bright LCD screen.
It is very lightweight and compact, and is convenient to bring around. Many buyers are using this with a "mini" top-loading case worn on the belt. This makes it very handy for those who want to have a high-quality camera available during social events.
Overall, the Nikon D40 is an excellent entry-level DSLR.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/09/2007 |
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Strengths: The lens zoom range is perfect
The camera generally does what I want, and the setting can be adjusted pretty quickly if it isn't.
Weaknesses: The lens is too long. I'd prefer less zoom and a shorter lens.
Summary: When searching for cameras, I dismissed this product as Nikon's entry level camera, which in the past has meant "plastic toy". I was actually hunting for a used D100 and wishing I had the cash for a D80 or D200. Then reading various reviews (dpreview, kenrockwell.com), I was sold that this camera was a great value for the money. After two weeks using it, I can say from experience it is a great value for the money. I got the camera and was shooting that night without reading the manual at all. I initially used the 'icon' modes at the top of the dial, but couldn't figure out how to set up the delayed flash options. Which is fine because shooting without a flash worked so well. We were in a nice restaurant with low lighting and the photos without flash were superb--sharp, nice color balance, and the lighting felt just like a restaurant. Later after reading Ken Rockwell's (kenrockwell.com) excellent reviews and remarks on this camera, I have it set up so that it works just the way I want it without needing to use the icon modes. One note, I *dont* like the punched up color recommended by Ken Rockwell---a pic of my 6 year-old on a cloudy rainy morning had too much color in her lips and jacket. It looked like I had retouched the photo to punch up the lip redness. She's 6, I don't want her looking like a tart. My only complaint is that the lens is too long. I just like short lenses. I love the zoom range, I just wish it was about half the length. Ah, that's the tyranny of optics, I guess. I will probably save up my money and just by a wide angle. (I'd love to just have the 18mm part of the 18-55 lens).
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| Date Reviewed: 09/22/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy to use, great photo quality, fantastic price
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Summary: I just bought this camera 09/04/2007. I have not used a real camera since the 1980's and was initially a little intimidated. After about an hour I felt like I had been using this camera forever. When I decided to but a DSLR I was torn between Cannon, Pentax and this Nikon. I always wanted a Nikon and went for it although it was more expensive than the other two choices. If you are on the fence about buying this camera Sears has a 30 day price match gaurantee and is currently offering a promotion of no payment and no interest until September 2009. The Sears price is $599 but Costco has this camera on sale for $499. If you take in the Costco price from Costco.com Sears will reduce their price to $489, making this camera a steal.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/10/2007 |
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Strengths: Small size for a DSLR, solid build quality, familiar nikon controls, good flash range, nice viewfinder, great battery life
Weaknesses: No autofocus drive motor in body to drive non-AF-S lenses (not really a problem if you don't have old lenses)
No bracketing (not that big a deal either with RAW files)
Summary: This D40 kit is just purrfect. I've had an N65 for a long time, and this is much smaller than that body, and of course much much smaller than a N80. When I saw this first, I thought it might be too small or awkward, but when I picked it up with the lens, it feels just right -- not too small/light nor too big/heavy. Just right. The pics I've taken so far are great (of course, my opinion). The lens is great as well, pretty fast and quiet (built-in AF motor). The zoom range is okay -- the 18-55mm translates to 27-82.5mm because of the 1.5 crop factor. I'd be ecstatic if I could get a 18-200mm (27-300mm!), but of course that is pretty expensive (a dream for another day). I'm getting ready for a trip to Europe, and I'm really excited to take my D40 with me. All in all, a great kit for a really reasonable price.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/22/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy to transition from Point-and-Shoot to a DSLR, image quality
Weaknesses: Typical for a DSLR, heavy, not compact, etc.
Summary: To begin with, I received this camera as a gift. This is my first SLR of any type, and am quite impressed with all the things I can do with it. I am pleasantly surprised how easy is to use, given I've had 2 months and haven't read the directions yet. I'm sure once I do, however, that I will be able to take advantage of all the camera's features.
Image quality is excellent hands down even for 6 megapixel and the standard kit lens. In my opinion, for my purposes of casual photography, that's enough -- I don't want to deal with huge file sizes. And if I need to, I'm sure I can shoot in RAW. I am also very satisfied with the flash for my use, it takes EXCELLENT pictures in the dark my old Canon 3.2 megapixel would never be able to take clearly.
USB transfer is fast using USB 2.0 (really necessary for larges images from this camera), and using an Ultra SanDisk card, does not appear to be any lag.
Really everything I've done up to this point has been in Auto mode, and it's really amazing how well the auto-focus and the rest works. I really need to graduate to the advanced features quickly!
Battery life: It seems to last forever, at least 200 shots. I haven't run one down yet (though I recharge often and purchased a spare battery -- a bit high at $45 or so).
The camera's GUI seems easy to understand, and oh my, even lets me do simple image editing on the camera itself (cropping, balance, etc.). Don't know how easy it is to control, but a nice feature, nonetheless.
LCD screen is HUGE, bright, and clear. Just be careful to keep it protected (that goes for the whole camera). Also surprising is that Nikon doesn't include any SD card, but not a big deal, since any included card would probably hold just a few pix at full resolution.
Overall, I look forward to soon taking advantage of every feature this camera offers to improve image quality even more.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/05/2007 |
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Strengths: Image quality - awesome
Simplicity of use
Auto settings
Room to grow and experiment
Weaknesses: Metering is good, but not exceptional
Summary: This is my jump from the high end digital point & shoots back to SLR's, this time in digital format. This camera is like lightning out of the box ...the ease of use of a point & shoot with the feel of something a whole lot more sophisticated. The first thing I noticed was the image quality. And I keep shaking my head and saying: "It can't be this good." I am moving from 7 mpix back down to 6 mpix, and now I know what the experts say when they say mpix don't matter! The clarity of the images from his camera blows my 7 mpix point & shoot away!! After my first shooting sessions and the ooing and ahhing, I'm now into experimentation mode with the exposures and the post-shot image corrections. Months of fun to be had trying all sorts of difficult exposures to really get to know this camera. I tried the Cannon XTi before I bought this, and although the outputs were comparable, the photographer's feel of this camera smokes the Cannon ...and this comes from a long-time Cannon SLR and point & shoot user. As an entry into the Digital SLR world, it would be hard to imagine a better camera. One nit, that isn't really a nit about this camera. I'm not a fan of the fill-in flashes on on any camera. I use them in a pinch, but they can blow out a shot, and this unit is not much different. So that's no particular criticism of this unit, just my thing. All that said, the flash on this unit can be shut off more easily than any camera I have used. I'm taking my new toy up Highway 1 next week for a long weekend of sightseeing and sightsnapping...
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| Date Reviewed: 05/24/2007 |
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Strengths: very cheap, very light, good value
Weaknesses: no focus motor inside, noise at high ISOs, may be uncomfortable for large hands
Summary: I bought this as an introduction into the dslr world, along with the 55-200 DX VR, as a set to tinker around with. One of the reasons I chose this path is that I might go for the more expensive ones later, but I want one that I can still carry around for casual use, that's light and versatile. This camera fits the bill fairly nicely. You can get some pretty good images on it, like this
x66.xanga.com/a3383161...
To someone entering into the digital world, this camera offers plenty to teach, and messing around with the continuous shooting and figuring out the differences between RAW and JPEG, and things like that. Lens choices are limited, and I suggest this with 5 stars that someone would use it as I would, first as a kind of trainer, and later as a backup. Using it as your only one will only take you so far, and you shouldn't depend on it to take you very far.
78% of People (14/18) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/01/2007 |
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Strengths: Lightweight, great pictures out of the box in Auto, capable 18-55 lens, long battery, low price
Weaknesses: Auto focus a bit slow
Summary: Got the camera three weeks ago with the SB400 flash unit and have yet to be disappointed. Don't let the 6 meg pixel scare you away. The reality is the pixel size is more then enough for 8x10 and larger prints.
In the AUTO mode the D40 handles the most challenging lighting scenarios with seldom a miscalculation. The 18-55 lens provides ample wide to mid zoom capability. My former camera was a film SLR which I used in manual mode, with exception of some night shots, I'm always in program or auto.
The D40 has plenty of in camera editing features including the ability to re balance shots using the 3 color histogram.
This is just a great all around SLR at a great price.
78% of People (7/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/09/2007 |
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Strengths: Light weight , fits your hand like a glove, easy to understand controls and settings and a massive color display to view your work!
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet!!!!
Summary: This is my second venture into the world of Digital...and I really did my homework on this one. I read reams of reviews, and have the luxury of a pro photographer as a brother-in-law. With camera, gear bag and other goodies I dropped over $800 at the store and haven't regretted a moment or a dollar!!
What a tremendous camera for the novice to serious snapshot taker!
And the darned thing even looks like a serious camera!!! You whip this puppy out and people take notice!!!!!!
I've bought many great cameras over the years...but this one has already taken the # one position in my collection....Easy to use, and AWESOME photos!
76% of People (16/21) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/06/2007 |
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Strengths: handles great superb image quality perfect balance
Weaknesses: some perceive the lack of in-body focus motor a problem i dont and most of the target buyers will not either
Summary: this camera felt great from the 1st time I tried it and just gets better every time I pick it up...was all set to buy the k100d in nov and then thought I would wait and see the d40 1st WOW am I glad I did just could not be any happier with the d40 takes awesomes pic's right out the box in auto mode and plenty of control for most any manaul setting you could want...the LCD is very nice and bright..layout of menus are the best i have seen in any camera very user freindly nikon did a great job here as well as overall you cant go wrong with this one...
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