Nikon D40 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation highlights the Nikon D40 as a highly successful, budget-friendly, entry-level digital SLR, focusing on user experience over pixel count with its excellent 6.1-megapixel CCD sensor. Key pros include low noise at high ISO, a comfortable and compact design, and highly responsive performance, such as fast startup and intuitive handling. However, the review cites significant cons stemming from its stripped-down design, most notably the absence of an internal autofocus motor, which restricts AF functionality to newer lens types. Additional compromises include a basic 3-area AF system, lack of dedicated physical buttons for frequent settings, and no auto-exposure bracketing.

Ken Rockwell highly recommends the Nikon D40 as an lightweight, entry-level DSLR featuring a superior 2.5-inch LCD, excellent low-light performance, and an impressive 1/500 second flash sync speed. Its compact, "air-like" build makes it a favorite for ease of use, delivering high-quality images despite its age. Key limitations include the absence of an internal autofocus motor, restricting autofocus capabilities solely to AF-S/AF-I lenses. Additionally, the camera features a reduced 3-point AF system, lacks advanced wireless flash control, and often requires exposure compensation to manage its bright Matrix metering.

The What Digital Camera review identifies the Nikon D40 as a premier entry-level DSLR for beginners, citing its compact, ergonomic design and high-quality image output as key strengths. It is lauded for user-friendly, point-and-shoot operation, a sharp 2.5-inch LCD screen for settings navigation, and an intuitive "auto flash off" mode that boosts ISO to preserve ambient light. Conversely, to maintain a competitive price point, the D40 lacks a depth-of-field preview button and utilizes a single control wheel, which may limit advanced users. Additionally, the simplified interface requires users to rely on the LCD screen for settings adjustments rather than a top-plate display, and the autofocus system is significantly scaled back compared to previous models.

The Nikon D40 is a highly lightweight, 522g entry-level DSLR praised for its excellent balance with the 18-55mm kit lens, smooth and quiet shutter action, and non-existent shutter lag. The author highlights its exceptional battery life, fast write speeds, clear rear LCD info panel, and impressive high ISO capability (up to 800 ISO) which delivers superior image quality compared to small-sensor compact cameras. Furthermore, shooting in RAW allows for substantial exposure and highlight recovery during post-processing, making the camera an excellent, pain-free alternative for casual walkabouts when compared to heavier bodies like the Nikon D200. However, the camera has several physical and technical compromises, including a small right-hand grip that causes larger fingers to bottom out, and a smaller viewfinder compared to mid-range DSLRs. It features only three autofocus points that cannot be locked, making it easy to accidentally shift the focus point via the rear paddle wheel during fast-paced shooting. Additional cons include the lack of a top-plate LCD, no ISO visibility or shooting mode indicator in the viewfinder, the absence of a depth-of-field preview button, and no built-in...

In the Digital Photography School article titled "Nikon D40 – Modern Classic," reviewer Kim Brebach praises the Nikon D40 as an entry-level DSLR standard setter that remained popular from 2006 to 2009. Brebach argues against the market trend toward massive file resolutions like Canon's 18-megapixel sensors, highlighting that the D40 delivers exceptional image quality without creating cumbersome digital workflows. The core of the review outlines several key pros: the camera is highly affordable, weighs less than 500 grams, and boasts surprisingly robust build quality despite its all-plastic construction. The author verifies its durability by noting that his own camera survived over two years and 50,000 shutter actuations without a scratch or mechanical failure. However, the review directly notes some notable cons, such as the included 18-55mm kit lens feeling quite "dinky" in terms of premium physical construction. Additionally, because it is an older model, the lower megapixel count (6.1 MP) contrasts sharply with modern video-capable options of its era, meaning users miss out on modern features like HD video or higher cropping flexibility. Despite these constraints, Brebach concludes that the...

The Nikon D40 is highlighted as a lightweight and budget-friendly DSLR camera that is exceptionally well-suited for travel and urban street photography. Weighing just over a pound, it stands out as one of the lightest interchangeable-lens DSLRs available, making it easy to carry around all day. Despite its compact form factor, the camera delivers professional-grade performance, featuring a 6.1-megapixel sensor, an ultra-quick multi-point autofocus system, an instant shutter response, and a 2.5-frame-per-second continuous shooting drive mode. These responsive capabilities enable photographers to easily capture sharp, candid moments on the move. Pros and Cons Pros: Highly portable, lightweight body, fast autofocus, responsive shutter, 2.5-fps drive mode, and a large 2.5-inch LCD screen. It also includes a versatile 18–55mm kit lens. Cons: Limited lens compatibility; the autofocus system only works with newer AF-S and AF-I lenses, meaning older lenses will fit the body but must be focused manually.

The Nikon D40 is an affordable, entry-level digital SLR designed for first-time DSLR buyers, families, and students upgrading from budget film cameras or digital compacts. Tested as a final production unit by Gordon Laing, the camera blends the 6-megapixel sensor of its predecessor (the D50) with the intuitive menu system and in-camera retouching options of the higher-end D80. It packages these internal features into a very light, compact, and solid plastic body that offers excellent ergonomics, a decent 2.5-inch LCD screen, and dependable 3D Matrix metering. Standard kits are typically supplied with the DX 18-55mm G II ED lens, which serves as a highly capable general-purpose starter option. YouTube · The primary advantages of the D40 highlighted in the Cameralabs review include its competitive price point, exceptionally light and comfortable body, user-friendly graphical interfaces, and superb out-of-camera image quality. However, the most critical drawback is the lack of an internal autofocus motor. This design choice limits autofocus capabilities exclusively to newer Nikkor AF-S or AF-I lenses that possess built-in focus motors, leaving older lenses restricted to manual focus. Additional limitations...

The Photo Review assessment highlights the Nikon D40 as a lightweight, user-friendly, and highly capable entry-level DSLR with a durable body and excellent image resolution, thanks to its 6.1-megapixel CCD sensor. The camera features an efficient image processor, a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, and in-camera processing tools like D-Lighting that enhance the shooting experience for beginners. However, the review details limitations, including severe chromatic aberration (colored fringing) and significant barrel distortion with the kit lens. The D40 lacks an internal autofocus motor, restricting lens compatibility, and the automatic white balance struggles with artificial light, often resulting in inaccurate color casts.

The Nikon D40 is a highly capable entry-level DSLR for modern budget-conscious photographers, despite being released in 2006. A major pro of this camera is its incredible value; it can be purchased second-hand for as little as £27, making it an excellent, low-risk tool for beginners learning the craft. Equipped with a 6.1-megapixel APS-C DX-format CCD sensor, it delivers surprising image quality and resolution that remains perfectly adequate for standard media platforms, provided the photographer captures the framing correctly in-camera. Reviewer Barry Mountford highlights its versatility, noting that he successfully used this exact model to shoot weddings, sports, and portraits during his early photography journey. However, the camera features several notable cons when compared spec-for-spec with modern alternatives. Its continuous shooting speed is limited to a slow 2.5 frames per second, forcing users to rely heavily on anticipating the shot rather than spraying continuous frames. The maximum resolution is locked at 3008 x 2000 pixels, which severely limits a photographer's ability to crop tightly during post-processing. Additionally, its low-light performance is constrained by a native ISO range of only 200–1600...