If you're ready to step up to an advanced-level digital camera, but you're not ready to pay $1,000 or more for one, Nikon might have a solution for you. Nikon calls its D40 model an "entry-level" digital single-lens reflex (SLR) model. It's not anywhere near the most powerful digital camera you'll find on the market, but for an intermediate photographer seeking the look and feel of a professional-level camera, the D40 delivers a great deal for less than $600.

Nikon sells the D40 both body-only and as a "kit," which includes a rechargeable battery and a basic lens that offers a zoom of about 3X and limited wide-angle capabilities. You can use some other Nikon lenses with the D40, but you'll have to buy them separately. One note: The D40 camera body doesn't include a focus motor, so any auto-focus capabilities must be built into the lens; such lenses are far more expensive than manual-focus lenses. You'll also need to purchase a memory card before using the D40.

The D40's response times are excellent. You can shoot your first photo a fraction of a second after pressing the power button. Shutter lag is not noticeable most of the time. We found shot-to-shot delays to be less than 1 second in most cases, although testing suggested that delays can extend to a few seconds when shooting with a flash over a long distance.

Unlike some digital SLR models, the D40 offers an automatic mode. You also can choose from several scene modes, or you can fully control the photo by using manual settings. This camera is a good option for those who are looking to learn more about photography because of its many manual-setting options.

The D40's 6.1 megapixels of resolution will be plenty for many photographers, but its pixel count certainly lags behind those of other similarly priced models. Most of those lower-priced models that offer more resolution, however, cannot match the image quality and sharpness that the D40 provides. You'll receive sharp, vibrant photos with this model, regardless of the lighting conditions. The D40's noise reduction setting improves photo quality in low-light conditions. We'll take a high-quality 6.1-megapixel output over an average-quality 8-megapixel output every time.

Even though you cannot use it to frame photos, the D40's 2.5-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) is very sharp and bright. It's great for reviewing your shots or for scrolling through the D40's various menus. Unlike most digital SLR models, the D40 isn't confusing to learn to use; Nikon has made a sensible menu structure with this model. We appreciated the D40's optical viewfinder, which Nikon says shows about 95 percent of the frame. It also has a focus slider.

The D40 weighs in at around 1.5 pounds with all of its necessary components. It is a comfortable model to use, with a good handgrip. It certainly won't fit in your pocket, but it is noticeably smaller and lighter than most digital SLR models. Considering its size and feature set, you almost can consider the D40 as a "lite" version of an advanced digital SLR camera. Professional and experienced photographers will almost certainly want more power, but if you're an intermediate photographer looking to try an advanced digital camera for the first time, the D40 is a smart choice.


Pros: Good value, great performance, LCD is sharp and bright, image quality is excellent, small for a digital SLR
Cons: No auto-focus engine in the camera, might not have enough features for advanced photographers

Warranty
1 year, limited