Autofocus is supported only with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses, which are equipped with an autofocus motor
The Nikon D40 Interchangeable-lens Digital SLR unites the brilliant performance of world-famous Nikkor lenses and the practicality of a remarkably small and light camera body. It boasts handling and performance advantages that do away with the frustrations often associated with compact digital cameras, making it ideal for anyone who wants to capture spectacular digital pictures without fuss or complication. It features a high-resolution 6.1-effective-megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and a highly advanced Nikon Image Processing Engine. Furthermore, Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II assures accurate exposure control even in difficult lighting conditions, and an AUTO ISO feature makes the most of available light by automatically setting the camera's light sensitivity from the available ISO range of 200 to 1600.
Equipped with a specially designed 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens, it is light and compact, making it easy to carry anywhere. The camera's design also incorporates fewer potentially confusing controls and other distractions, allowing anyone to take breathtaking pictures while eliminating the need to "learn" photography.
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | 23.7 x 15.6mm 6.24 Megapixel RGB CCD |
| Effective Resolution | 6.1 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | Ia (sRGB), II (Adobe RGB), IIIa (sRGB), Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, B&W |
| Image File Formats |
Compressed NEF (RAW) JPEG (Fine, Normal, Basic) Exif 2.21, DCF 2.0 and DPOF compliant |
| Recorded Resolution |
Large (3008 x 2000) Medium (2256 x 1496) Small (1504 x 1000) |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount |
Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.5x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Supports Nikon VR Lenses |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 530 autofocus module with AF-assist and detection range of -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 68°F), Focus area can be selected from 3 focus areas |
| Focus Modes | Autofocus (Instant single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status), Single Area AF, Dynamic Area AF, Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority, Manual focus (M), Focus lock |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO Selectable ISO (200, 400, 800, 1600) |
| Shutter Type | Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter |
| Shutter Speed | 30 - 1/4000 seconds, Bulb |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Exposure Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering system (3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted, Spot); Exposure Metering Range of 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering), or 2 to 20 EV (spot metering) |
| Exposure Modes | Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program, Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Aperture-Priority Auto (A), Manual (M), Exposure Compensation ±5 EV in 1/3 EV increments), Exposure Lock |
| White Balance Modes | Auto (TTL white-balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade) with fine-tuning and preset white balance |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes (Auto flash with auto pop-up P/S/A/M: Manual pop-up with button release) |
| Effective Flash Range | Up to 59' |
| External Flash Connection | Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal, and ground contacts and safety lock |
| External Flash Control | i-TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor, TTL Auto aperture, Non-TTL Auto, Range-priority manual, Flash Compensation (-3 to +1 EV in 1/3 EV increments) |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/500 second |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | 0.18 seconds |
| Shutter Lag | Less than 0.1 second |
| Time Between Shots | Less than 1 second |
| Burst Capability | 2.5 fps continuous |
| Self Timer | 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No (time & date recorded onto metadata) |
| Memory & Power | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatible Memory Cards |
Secure Digital SD card SDHC card |
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| File Size |
|
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| Battery Type | EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (7.4V) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Adapter | EH-5 AC Adapter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 (High Speed) |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control |
ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (optional) MC-DC1 Remote Cord (optional) Camera Control via PC with Camera Control software (optional) |
| Video Output | Yes (NTSC & PAL) |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows System
Macintosh System
|
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Fixed-eyelevel penta-Dach mirror type with Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V and built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7-1 to +0.5m-1) |
| Viewfinder Info | Focus indications, AE/FV lock indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures, Flash-ready indicator |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | No |
| LCD Display | 2.5" low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD (230,000 pixels) with brightness adjustment |
| Information Display | Shooting info can be displayed on Color LCD |
| Language Options | Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Playback Options | 1 frame, Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments), Magnifying playback, Slide show, Histogram indication, Highlight point display, Auto image rotation, Text Input (Up to 36 characters; stored in Exif header) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 3.7 x 5.0 x 2.5" (94 x 126 x 64mm) without lens |
| Weight | 17 oz. (471g) without battery & lens |
Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens:
I am an amateur photgrapher who wanted a good digital camera (i.e., not a point & shoot that delays 2 seconds before actually taking the picture!)
I originally bought an Olympus e-500, and HATED it. It took forever to focus -- particularly in low light situations. So I sold it on ebay and got this camera after much research.
The focus is great. The set up is easy. And I love the lens it came with. It's really one lens for almost every situation from wide to zoom.
For more professional types, the fact that other Nikon lenses will not work with this camera might be an issue. But it has not been an issue for me.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens:
I bought a D40 and used it for about 10 days with 2 new Lexar 133 2G SD card. Within the 10 days, I took pictures with the card and suddenly the camera said that my SD card was not formatted and could not be used. How come, I had been using it with about 50 pics already in the card. I changed to the second new Lexar card. The same happened. After taking about 50 pics, the camera said that the card was not formatted. All the 100 pics were lost. I guess the problem is with the camera. I do not believe that both of the new Lexar card died that way.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens:
If you are even thinking of this combo. Don't even hesitate.I started my journey with a D40x 18-55/55-200VR.[...] However, after a couple of months of use, I found the 18-55 too short for many occasions. I was swapping lenses far too often. In addition, I found the 55-200VR, albeit a great lens, to be a little short in reach. I found the distant subjects to be just a bit too far away.I also had some reservations with the D40/X/60 lack of focus motor. The solution found me when I saw the D40/18-135 combo. [...]The D40 may not have the megapixels but has all the IQ and then some. The new lens combo gives me outstanding image quality from 18-300mm. [...]
Comments about Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens:
Where to start, I don't know.After having searched and read reviews for complete 2 months, I finalised my decision to buy D40 with 18-135mm lens. I bought it from B&H in Nov end. I compared almost all cameras like D40x, D80, Canon xti, Pentax k100, K10. But finally it was D40.And I am very happy with my decision after having lot of confusion about which cam to buy and whether I will sacrifice picture quality somewhere if I buy D40.I shot around 1500 pics in last one moth and every picture is awesome and no problem at all in any of the pics. Quality is also superb. Only problem I encountered was lack of autofocus points. When I tried to shoot particular object keeping other objects as well in focus for the same pic, it was not possible for me. Though its not that important, but just to mention for those who are concerned about this.Recently, I had my Florida Trip completed, the quality of pics I got was wonderful and camera response was also very quick and lens and cam did well in low light conditions also.As read in previous review, the battery life is very solid and it lasts for around 600+ pics.I am totally satisfied with the performance of D40 and got saved from wasting unnecessary amount on high end camera being advanced amature. D40 lacks one more feature, ie. autofocus on prime lenses, but which is crap and should not be considered.I will forcefully recommend this cam to anybody who is looking for just to move from point and shoot to semi PRO kind SLR, its the best deal to buy, without sacrificing the quality of picture.
Expertise: Advanced Amature
Problems Encountered: 3 point auto focus is not enough, need some extra.
Items I Recommend: 4 GB memory card
Comments about Nikon D40 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens:
Consider this: The Nikon 18-135mm lens (sold separately) costs $330 brandnew. When packaged with a D40, you're basically buying thelens for $330, and getting the D40 body for $350! That ismuch better than buying the 18-55mm (approx. $100) andgetting the D40 body for $400. This may also be better thangetting the D40 with both the 18-55mm and 55-200mm for $650,since for $20 more you basically combine the two nice lensesinto one lens of even higher quality. I don't mind the 65mm(100mm film equiv.) difference between the 55-200mm and18-135mm, because I own a Canon 70-300mm lens and find thegain (in zoom) from 200mm to 300mm to be incredibly small,despite the numerical difference.Camera Performance:The D40 is small, but very fast! I was constantly bursting10-30 frames at a time (JPEG) to freeze runners step by step. The biggest shock by far was the battery life! I expected itto die after the 480th picture of the day, but after 585shots and 7 hours the battery life displayed full charge!(Note: I would turn the camera off when I wasn't shooting,so maybe if I left it on it would've died, but that's juststupid!)RAW images are stunning. 10 MP is overkill, so just forgetabout the D40x. Use Adobe Photoshop CS2 (or CS3/ thelatest). I didn't ever bother with the included software.The 18-135mm lens focuses quickly, precisely, doesn't huntCompare:The Canon Rebel XT and XTi cameras feel like toys. My filmRebel Ti feels more solid to handle.I never got to handle the Pentax K100D and K10D. I wanted tovery badly, although I'm glad I didn't since my worry aboutbattery life was wrong and my need for frame burst provedmost valuable.Overall:I'm a 20 yr. old guy who needed something light to run with,a lens better than my old cheap Canon lenses and freedom toshoot unlimited (good-bye film!), all bundled in anattractive yet professional body.I love my D40.
Expertise: Advanced Amateur
Problems Encountered: The 18-135mm lens has a plastic mount. Would've preferredmetal, but it's still rock solid attached to the metal bodymount.
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Canon Rebel Ti, Canon 70-300mm lens, Sony W70
Items I Recommend: 8GB SDHC card
Displaying reviews 1-5
DX lenses are NOT recommended for use with 35mm, "full-frame" digital, or APS SLR cameras