6-March-2007 Update: The Nikon D40x has been launched!

It's a bit difficult to believe that Nikon actually decided to come up with this D40 (click here for latest prices and deals) thing ... the most mini-me model in the Nikon Digital SLR camera lineup. Interested in a little Nikon D40 vs D50 writeup?

It doesn't have an Autofocus motor (which means it can't use perform automatic focusing (AF) with great lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF | see a list of Nikon and Sigma lenses that will AF on the D40) ... but, it's tiny, it has an appealing user interface, it looks great (certainly the best-looking among the "compact" DSLR bunch, re: Canon 400D (Rebel XTi) , Pentax K110D, Pentax K100D, et al) and it certainly is Nikon's easiest digital SLR to use :> I like it, and hope it really takes off! (and it might, as even an owner of a Canon EOS 30D likes it)

If you, or someone you know desires a simple and straightforward (think user-friendly) digital SLR to use, the Nikon D40 has to be on your to-consider list. Judge for yourself from the videos, full-sized original images and other pictures linked to below.

Nikon D40 User Reviews: The D40 has found its way into the hands of a few owners.
Click here and here to read their say.

Here are some full-sized Nikon D40 samples shot with the Nikkor 45mm f/2.8 P pancake lens.

Perform a quick price and comparison scan: Latest Nikon D40 kit prices across multiple merchants.

Official Nikon D40 site: Nikon Imaging | Nikon D40.

Download: Nikon D40 Brochure (16 pages, 825 KB)

Vibrant pictures from the D40: Part of the reason why images from the Nikon D40 look punchy and saturated right out of the camera is due to Nikon's decision to implement sRGB IIIa as the default color mode on the D40, just like they did with the D50 - more details here.

Supplied and optional Nikon D40 Accessories: List available at Nikon UK.

Nikon D40 Press Release Images: You can download a larger version of the thumbnailed images below, and other D40 product photos at the NikonUSA.com press center.

Nikon D40 Reviews, Previews and Tests

1. Nikon D40 review at DCResource.com. Of particular note is the table comparing the features, specifications and capabilities of the Nikon D40 vs Nikon D50 vs Nikon D80. Also, the number of shots you get from the D40 with a full-charged battery is 470, which is a better performance, than the Canon 350D / Rebel XT, Canon 400D / Rebel XTi, Pentax K110D, Olympus EVOLT E-500, and even the Nikon D50. A series of photos showing the Nikon D40 and D50 side-by-side is also a nice touch.
   
2. Nikon D40 preview at DPReview.com
3. A Nikon D40 review, in Hungarian
4. Hands-on preview of the Nikon D40 at Imaging Resource

Nikon D40 Image Samples

These link to full-sized D40 samples which will hopefully help you in assessing the image quality you can get from this DSLR camera.

1. Official image samples from Nikon Imaging (the full-sized originals look absolutely fantastic ... lens information, camera settings and EXIF data are also included there)
2. Tons of Nikon D40 image samples at Pixinfo.com's review of the D40. The thing to note with all these pictures is that they were taken with the new Nikon kit lens that was announced together with the D40, the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G ED II. For those of you comparing the 6 Megapixel output of D40 vs the 7 to 10MP prosumer or compact digital cameras that are all the rage now, look at these images at 100% and you'll understand why the number megapixels shouldn't be your main criteria when deciding between the different classes of camera.
   The D40 images are extremely sharp and detailed from corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge, and this isn't even the top lens Nikon has. You will not get this image quality with ANY of the popular prosumer or compact digital cameras. Let's take one example: Compare this Nikon D40 image shot in dull lighting outdoors vs a typical scenery image you'd get from the latest titanium-bodied 10MP Canon SD900 compact camera (also shot in dull lighting outdoors) ... look at the corners and edges of the picture frame - a HUGE world of difference in quality, wouldn't you say?
   Just remember, the number of pixels isn't important, it's the type and quality of each pixel that has more impact on the final image quality.
3. More Nikon D40 image samples tracked at The Nikon D40 Resource List.

The Nikon D40 Compared With Other Cameras

1. Pentax K100D vs Nikon D40 - it's hard to argue against the fact that the Pentax K100D offers more features and value than the D40, although operationally wise, the K100 is a little slow in autofocus and startup times and does not have as big a buffer and the continuous shot performance of the D40. Maynard also writes up a convincing post on why he's decided to get the Pentax K100 D with his $500 budget (the K100D kit is cheaper and comes with in-body Image Stabilization) for Christmas instead of the Nikon D50 and D40. Check for: Latest Pentax K100D and Pentax SMCP-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL AF lens prices. Of course, the best way is still to try out both cameras in the store for yourself, as you might find that you prefer the D40's newly-designed rear LCD screen and quite autofocus operation of its lens vs those of the K100D.
   Of course, there are those who switched back to Nikon from a Pentax K100D - read one owner's reasons why.
2. Nikon D40 vs D50 feature comparison (scroll three pages down).
3. Two images show why despite the similar sizes of the D40 and Canon Rebel XTi, the D40 grip might actually feel better in your hands vs the Canon 400D / XTi.
4. Side-by-side size comparison: Nikon D40 vs Canon Rebel XTi (400D) vs Nikon D80
5. Why the Pentax K110D offers better value for the money than the D40
6. A Canon EOS 20D owner remarks that the Nikon D40 has a better handgrip vs the Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT, and also has a larger and brighter viewfinder vs the Canon 20D.
7. A bit of trivia: The Nikon F75 film digital SLR camera is approximately the same size as the D40.

Nikon D40 Videos

1. A very nicely-done Nikon D40 video at Quesabesde.com, a Spanish review site. You get a good idea of the D40's size and handling. I personally like the D40's rear LCD and its fancy fonts and graphics in the default Graphic Display format.
   
2. A very informative 3-minute Nikon D40 video with detailed subtitles in English
3. One-minute Nikon D40 preview

The Latest Nikon AF-S Lenses

The big news about this camera is it doesn't have a built-in autofocus motor, which means you can only purchase Nikkor lenses that have their own built-in "Silent Wave" motors, in other words, lenses with the AF-S designation (all Nikon lenses in this list with AF-S in its designation are compatible with the D40). Earlier on, I mentioned that the D40 will not be able to autofocus with fantastic (and cheap) lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4, Nikkor 28-200mm G and a host of others. This probably will not be much of a concern to new DSLR owners who take a casual approach to photography in general, as they will more likely be interested in having just one, do-it-all zoom lens - and Nikon certainly doesn't disappoint in this area, with quite a few zooms released lately.

New lenses designed by Nikon in the past few years are all AF-S optics, so let's start off with a list of these lenses, with the newer ones appearing at the top:

1. Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX - nothing much to add about this lens that comes bundled together with the Nikon D40, announced in Nov 2006.
2. Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR - this zoom lens is so new that the first full-sized images shot with it were seen with the release of the Nikon D40
3. Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX - this lens was announced together with the 70-300mm mentioned above (Aug 2006) and the Nikon D80 camera.
4. Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro - if you can afford the asking price, THE Nikkor macro lens to get. Announced in Feb 2006.
5. Nikkor 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6g IF-ED AF-S DX VR - the superb, almost-do-it-all walk-around lens no other manufacturer has, announced around the time (Nov 2005) of the Nikon D200 digital SLR announcement.
... more to come - stay tuned!

Nikon D40 Humor (just a bit), light-hearted banter and off-topic discussions

1. The unboxing of the Nikon D40 picture series at Engadget.com.
2. How the Nikon D40 is similar to the Nikon EM "SLR Camera for Women" camera. And a picture of the Nikon EM next to the D200.
3. Nikon D40 owners aren't "real" DSLR shooters, so they won't frequent the DPReview forum
4. Reader comments in reaction to the news of the Canon 40D at Engadget