Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera Review
By Alex Burack
Reviewed.com Editorial Staff
September 05, 2007
Nikon’s 6.1-megapixel D40 sprung into the market near the end of 2006, just in time for shopping season. With an impressive $599 price tag that includes a generic 18-55mm kit lens, the camera’s entry price is perhaps its most revolutionary element. With a strong emphasis on Scene modes, in-camera editing, and an expanded Help menu, the D40 makes its mark primarily as a feature-laden point-and-shoot with lens interchangeability. Nikon omitted some key performance and handling elements – most likely to keep the cost and size of the camera down – that will surely be missed by seasoned SLR shooters. In the D40, Nikon has put forth a small, affordable DSLR that will be loved by point-and-shooters and likely looked down upon by more advanced photographers.
Nikon’s claim that “anyone can operate this camera to great success” may be true. The D40 packs a hearty collection of in-camera editing options: D-Lighting (which brightens the shadows and mid-tones in underexposed images), Red-Eye correction, cropping, resizing, and filter effects help lure point-and-shooters away from their automated compact cameras. These adjustment options are designed for direct printing, assuming users would prefer to make corrections in-camera, rather than utilize a more-powerful software application after the fact.
In place of film stock, the Nikon D40 captures images with its 23.7 x 15.6mm CCD sensor, which yields a surprising amount of detail for a 6-megapixel camera. However, it does so with a heavy amount of sharpening applied to JPEG files. This helps photos appear sharper right out of the camera, but makes it difficult to further sharpen images in a software program without introducing artifacts that degrade the photo. Digitally-imposed sharpening affects the apparent detail in an image by increasing contrast around the edges of objects. This, however, is not the same as “actual detail” captured by the sensor and optical system.
Photo enthusiasts may be turned off by the camera’s eye-catching color palette. Reproduced colors are oversaturated by SLR standards, yet fit comfortably within the range we typically see in point-and-shoot cameras. The D40’s rendered colors lack the tonal accuracy of competing models, like Canon’s Rebel XTi and Pentax’s K100D. Consumers upgrading from a compact camera may prefer the D40’s slightly-embellished look. It’s clear Nikon has intentionally boosted colors that contribute to flattering landscapes and enliven skin tones. However, we contend that accurate is best. Users can always tweak colors later to their liking, but it’s almost impossible to bring errant colors back to their original hue.
Internally, the camera’s noise control system is where Nikon’s engineering shines. The D40 is able to manage noise well throughout its ISO range, with subtly increasing noise reduction that doesn’t overpower the image. In general, the more noise reduction that’s applied, the more detail is lost. It’s always a trade-off, but few manufacturers do it well at this price. The D40’s design makes for effective low light shooting and is ideal for nighttime street scenes when users will have to boost the ISO or extend the shutter speed.
Photographers in fear of missing that perfect, fleeting moment should get practicing as soon as the D40 is cracked from its packaging. This Nikon has two to three times more shutter lag than its competition. This will frustrate consumers looking to toss aside their point-and-shoots and leave the agonizing delay behind.
The Nikon D40’s 2.5 frame-per-second burst rate is slightly slower than Canon’s Rebel XTi and XT, though it can far outlast them both with a 100-shot buffer. Make no mistake, the D40 is a long distance runner, not a sprinter. If you’re looking for a faster camera for sports or action photography, it’s going to cost about double the D40’s list price.
Standing slightly larger than Canon’s Rebel XT and Rebel XTi at 5 x 2.5 x 3.7 inches, the D40 weighs less than both at just over 17 ounces. This should be favorable to users looking for a convenient camera to tote around without feeling that electric burn on the back of their neck or wrist following a day of shooting.
Within its condensed frame, the D40 houses a collection of options that make it easier for point-and-shooters to step up to an SLR. The camera features Nikon’s Help menu, which provides explanations of the various settings and puts them into context. Nikon also added a visual component to the graphic interface to help users understand what’s going on inside the camera. For instance, a virtual iris opens its blades on screen when users open up the aperture for a shot.
Conversely, there are a few critical elements omitted from the D40 that previous SLR owners may miss. The absence of an informational LCD screen on the top of the camera places more reliance on the rear LCD and menu structures. Nikon has also left off an internal focusing drive and accompanying mount connections that all previous Nikon DSLRs included. The motor compensates for older lenses that don’t have one built in, enabling non-AF-S or AF-I lenses to be used with autofocus functionality. This shouldn’t pose much of an issue for most consumers looking into the D40 as a first DSLR, though.
All previous Nikon DSLRs packed at least five autofocus points in the frame, while the D40 has just three. This reduction should be of some concern to all users. Focusing was slower than its competition and more cumbersome, though it handled its own in low light. Pentax’s $599 K100D, however, sports 11 autofocus points, with 9 of them being cross-type. This basically means they’re sensitive to contrast in both horizontal and vertical directions, and is generally more effective.
Controls on the D40 are vast and scalable. The camera can be fully automatic to fully manual. Manual controls, though more difficult to access than previous Nikon DSLRs, are all included. The D40 retains Nikon’s Image Optimization suite, which allows users to tweak sharpening, color, contrast, and set the color space. There are also preset Portrait, Vivid, and Black & White modes, among a host of others. The D40 is at no loss for options and settings.
Nikon’s D40 marks an interesting deviation for the second highest-selling DSLR manufacturer. It represents a focused effort to replace the compact camera in every point-and-shooter’s bag. Though the camera is light and compact, it houses an exorbitant amount of features and options, spread diplomatically across automatic and manual lines. Image quality is not quite as impressive as other models in Nikon or Canon’s arsenal, yet still produces eye-catching images right out of the camera. For those looking to take their first steps into the SLR space, the $599 Nikon D40 poses a strong value and a versatile platform to grow into the medium.
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