Weighing a hair less than 1 pound, 10 ounces with the kit lens attached, the Nikon D40 digital SLR camera isn't much heavier than the typical amateur-oriented megazoom model, and the overall design is comfortably balanced and compact.
When shooting in manual exposure mode, the exposure compensation button shifts the rear-dial function to aperture adjustment. The "info" button duplicates the "i" button on the back of the camera, and so it seems a bit superfluous. However, when pressed in conjunction with the aforementioned button, the camera will revert to its default settings (though the custom settings will remain).
If you're just starting out with a digital SLR, the D40 helps with the same scene modes, dubbed "Digital Vari-Programs," as you would find on Nikon's Coolpix point-and-shoot models. You can also shift into automatic mode and let the camera drive.
Unlike most dSLRs, the D40 has no second dial on the front. Instead, it has a single dial on the back. This camera is designed to rely heavily on the single, integrated-control display on the back.
Whether intentional or not on Nikon's part, the three options in the camera's metering system-- 420-segment matrix (left), center-weighted (middle), and spot (right)--deliver enough significant differences that new photographers can get a clear sense of what each scheme does. I find many entry-level dSLRs' evaluative (matrix) and center-weighted modes will meter too similarly. These shots also emphasize the rather cool auto-white balance.
The D40's continuous-shooting performance in the field didn't feel quite as zippy as our Labs' testing shows, but that's because I prefer to shoot raw+JPEG whenever possible. Even with that overhead, it generally managed to capture the sequences I wanted.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Though this shot didn't come out quite as sharply as I'd hoped, the squirrel's fur is remarkably noise-free for an ISO 800 shot.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Many of the D40's shots showed the saturation characteristics of a snapshot camera--just a bit too vivid. Since this shot was taken at ISO 800, I think the bump in saturation worked a bit against the noise suppression.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Beyond ISO 1600 Nikon simply provides a "HI 1" mode, which is about ISO 3200. As long as you don't crop in too far or print too large, the high ISO photos are quite good.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
Note: Software was used to adjust exposure for easier viewing.
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