Nikon D40
Encyclopedia
The D40 is a now-discontinued Nikon
F-mount
entry-level digital SLR
, announced November 16, 2006. Compared to its predecessor, the D50
, the D40 had several features removed, a few added, and a lower price: US$499.95 ESP as of November 2009 with the 18–55 mm G-II
kit lens, positioning
it as an entry-level model compared to the D80
. The D40x (released March 6, 2007) has a 10 megapixel maximum resolution, up from 6 megapixels of the D40.
The D40 was the first Nikon DSLR with no in-body focus motor. Autofocus
requires the use of a lens with an integrated autofocus-motor.
Nikon ceased production of the D40 in March 2009, shortly before they introduced its successor, the Nikon D3000
.
(also known as Digital Rebel XTi in the United States), the Pentax K110D
, and the Olympus E-400
, and is competitively priced against high-end bridge camera
s (the D40 and D40x do not have live preview, unlike bridge digitals). It was launched accompanied by a new small kit lens, the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II.
Despite having been on the market since late 2006, the D40 held some benefits over its newer competition such as the Nikon D40x, D60
, and Canon Rebels. Because only 6 megapixels are fit onto the standard Nikon DX format sensor, the sensitivity of each pixel is higher. The default sensitivity on the D40 is ISO 200
, and the D40 adds a ISO 3200 speed (listed as "Hi1" in the camera menu). The D40 has a very fast 1/500 flash sync, useful for daytime fill-flash
. This compares to the typical 1/200 sync speed of other entry level and even some semi-pro DSLR cameras such as the Canon EOS 40D
with its 1/250 sync speed.
Due of its hybrid electronic/mechanical shutter, it is in fact possible to flash sync the D40 beyond its published 1/500 maximum sync speed up to its maximum shutter speed of 1/4000. The D40x does not share this ability.
The D40 lacks a built in autofocus
motor, which means that only Nikon lenses designated with AF-I, AF-S or compatible focus motors can be used in autofocus mode.
, among many others, noted the loss of the screw-drive autofocus motor and the top LCD panel.
The launch was accompanied by the introduction of a new consumer-level telephoto zoom with vibration reduction, the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED
.
Nikon ceased production of the D40X in December 2007, shortly before they introduced its successor, the Nikon D60
.
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
F-mount
Nikon F-mount
The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm SLR cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm...
entry-level digital SLR
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
, announced November 16, 2006. Compared to its predecessor, the D50
Nikon D50
The D50 is a 6.1 megapixel entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera, sold from June 2005 till November 2006 by Nikon. It was Nikon's first DSLR aimed at the consumer market, and sold for $899 USD. It uses the Nikon F mount...
, the D40 had several features removed, a few added, and a lower price: US$499.95 ESP as of November 2009 with the 18–55 mm G-II
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S Zoom-Nikkor
The 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G AF-S Zoom-Nikkor lens is a midrange zoom lens manufactured by Nikon for use on Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. Often included as a kit lens on entry-level DSLRs, it also can be purchased separately from the camera body. Nikon first introduced the lens in 2005 and has...
kit lens, positioning
Positioning (marketing)
In marketing, positioning has come to mean the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization....
it as an entry-level model compared to the D80
Nikon D80
The Nikon D80 is a digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon on August 9th, 2006. The camera shipped the first week of September to US retailers. Considered by many to be an amalgam of design elements of the entry-level D50 and high-end D200 cameras, it occupied the same price...
. The D40x (released March 6, 2007) has a 10 megapixel maximum resolution, up from 6 megapixels of the D40.
The D40 was the first Nikon DSLR with no in-body focus motor. Autofocus
Autofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
requires the use of a lens with an integrated autofocus-motor.
Nikon ceased production of the D40 in March 2009, shortly before they introduced its successor, the Nikon D3000
Nikon D3000
The Nikon D3000 is a 10.2 megapixel DX format DSLR Nikon F-mount camera announced by Nikon on 30 July 2009. It replaces the D40 as Nikon's entry level DSLR. It features a 3.0-inch 230,000-dot resolution LCD monitor, CCD sensor with ISO 100–1600 and 3D tracking Multi-CAM1000 11-point AF system...
.
Features
The Nikon D40 was less expensive than the Canon EOS 400DCanon EOS 400D
The EOS 400D, called Digital Rebel XTi in North America and EOS Kiss Digital X in Japan, is a mid-range digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Canon August 24, 2006....
(also known as Digital Rebel XTi in the United States), the Pentax K110D
Pentax K110D
The K110D is Pentax's entry-level DSLR. It has 6.1 Megapixels . The K110D is youngest of three sibling cameras in terms of specifications. It differs from the K100D only in lacking an in-body image stabilization system....
, and the Olympus E-400
Olympus E-400
The Olympus E-400 is a digital single-lens reflex camera launched by Olympus on 14 September 2006, using the Four Thirds System lens mount standard....
, and is competitively priced against high-end bridge camera
Bridge digital camera
Bridge cameras are cameras which fill the niche between the single-lens reflex cameras and the Point-and-shoot camera. They are often comparable in size and weight to the smallest Digital SLRs , but almost all digital bridge cameras lack an optical viewfinder system...
s (the D40 and D40x do not have live preview, unlike bridge digitals). It was launched accompanied by a new small kit lens, the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II.
Despite having been on the market since late 2006, the D40 held some benefits over its newer competition such as the Nikon D40x, D60
Nikon D60
The Nikon D60 is a 10.2 megapixel Nikon F-mount digital single-lens reflex camera announced in January 2008. The D60 succeeds the entry-level Nikon D40x...
, and Canon Rebels. Because only 6 megapixels are fit onto the standard Nikon DX format sensor, the sensitivity of each pixel is higher. The default sensitivity on the D40 is ISO 200
Film speed
Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system....
, and the D40 adds a ISO 3200 speed (listed as "Hi1" in the camera menu). The D40 has a very fast 1/500 flash sync, useful for daytime fill-flash
Fill flash
Fill flash is a photographic technique used to brighten deep shadow areas, typically outdoors on sunny days, though the technique is useful any time the background is significantly brighter than the subject of the photograph, particularly in backlit subjects...
. This compares to the typical 1/200 sync speed of other entry level and even some semi-pro DSLR cameras such as the Canon EOS 40D
Canon EOS 40D
The Canon EOS 40D is a 10.1-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera. It was initially announced on August 20, 2007 and was released at the end of that month. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 30D, and is succeeded by the EOS 50D. It can accept EF and EF-S lenses...
with its 1/250 sync speed.
Due of its hybrid electronic/mechanical shutter, it is in fact possible to flash sync the D40 beyond its published 1/500 maximum sync speed up to its maximum shutter speed of 1/4000. The D40x does not share this ability.
The D40 lacks a built in autofocus
Autofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
motor, which means that only Nikon lenses designated with AF-I, AF-S or compatible focus motors can be used in autofocus mode.
Reception
The Nikon D40 was tested by various independent reviewers, receiving generally very favorable comments for its ergonomics and image quality. It received some criticism for some of the compromises its designers made to keep the D40's price and size competitive. For example, Digital Photography ReviewDigital Photography Review
Digital Photography Review is a website about digital cameras and digital photography. The website has comprehensive reviews of digital cameras, lenses and accessories, buying guides, user reviews, and very active forums for the individual cameras as well as general photography forums...
, among many others, noted the loss of the screw-drive autofocus motor and the top LCD panel.
Nikon D40x
On March 6, 2007, Nikon introduced the D40X, a sister camera to the D40. While identical in external design to the D40, it has a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, continuous shooting up to 3 frames per second, and a base sensitivity of ISO 100 (as noted above, each pixel in the 10.2-megapixel sensor receives less light than the pixels in the D40 sensor). It has a flash sync speed of 1/200 seconds compared to the D40's 1/500 seconds. It is otherwise identical.The launch was accompanied by the introduction of a new consumer-level telephoto zoom with vibration reduction, the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S Zoom-Nikkor
The 55-200mm AF-S lens is a medium telephoto zoom lens manufactured by Nikon for use on Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. It comes in two variants:* 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED AF-S DX, released in 2005...
.
Nikon ceased production of the D40X in December 2007, shortly before they introduced its successor, the Nikon D60
Nikon D60
The Nikon D60 is a 10.2 megapixel Nikon F-mount digital single-lens reflex camera announced in January 2008. The D60 succeeds the entry-level Nikon D40x...
.