The Nikon D40

Nikon is a trusted brand in the digital camera industry. Some of the high end Nikons are staples of quality digital photography. One model in particular, though a little pricey for casual picture-takers, is a favorite among professionals and industry insiders: the Nikon D40.

The Nikon D40 is a 6.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. Pictures are taken in JPEG or NEF (RAW) format. The camera's ISO equivalencies range from 200 to 1600. It has both programmed and automatic focus modes and exposure settings to ensure the very best photographs regardless of distance or lighting. It uses a Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm lens.

A sturdy camera, the Nikon D40 weighs in at one and a half pounds. Its physical dimensions are 3.7 in x 5 in x 2.5 in (HxWxD), making it a hard camera to fit into tight spaces, but also a hard camera to break. Users like the Nikon D40's natural feel. It fits right into the photographer's hands and doesn't feel clumsy or bulky.

The Nikon D40 uses SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, or SecureDigital (SD) memory cards. It comes with A/V and USB cables, as well as a shoe cap, strap, eyepiece cover, dust cap, body cap, lens cap, and eyecup. All of this hardware makes the camera sound like serious business, and it is. This is no child's toy. The Nikon D40 stands at the point where digital cameras start to get expensive. Its users would pay a higher price still for such crisp, clear photographs and easy-to-use extra features. This is one camera that's worth the cost.

User sentiments are overwhelmingly positive. This camera is touted as the next step after mastering point-and-shoot. When the beginners get serious about taking great pictures, the Nikon D40 will be waiting for them. Customers insist that the camera is easy to use, even with all the extra features. You certainly don't have to be a professional to take professional-quality photographs with the Nikon D40 digital camera.

User complaints are minimal. Some customers don't like the fact that the D40 has only three auto focus points, while Nikon's D80 digital camera has 11. There is also some concern over the way the D40 tends to wash people out in indoor photography, though this is easily remedied with the use of the camera's "warm" photo editing tool.

True Nikon enthusiasts lament the fact that the D40 can only use auto focus lenses that have their own built-in auto focus motors, thus preventing the use of older Nikon lenses with this digital camera. These complaints are rare, though. Far more often, users say that they haven't had any problems at all with the camera, and would pay the somewhat hefty price all over again.

The Nikon D40 sells for about $500 US. It can be found online or off, anywhere digital cameras are sold.