Nikon D40X Review and Assessment
Nikon D40X Review and Assessment
Summary
If you're looking for an affordable digital SLR from Nikon, that gives you fast and reliable performance, then the Nikon D40X is your DSLR. With a street price around $600-$800, you get a high ISO, 3FPS(frames per second), 10MP(megapixel) DSLR that can use a wide array of Nikkor lenses as well as third party compatible lenses. This is a great camera for anyone considering using the camera for personal or business usage! Should you want something more powerful, like the D200 or D2X, you can upgrade and continue to use your collection of lenses and flash accessories!
Quality Nikkor Lenses!
The Nikon D40X is compatible with a wide range of quality Nikkor lenses, covering a good range of focal lens. The Nikkon 24-85mm is a great walkabout lens to just have on the camera, as it covers an equivalent focal length of around 36-130mm. Great for wide street views, portraits, or groups shots!
For those interested in closer shots, aiming at further subjects, or just getting better background blurring, you can definitely invest in the 70-210mm long zoom Nikkor.
For those of you interested in Macro photography, give the 105mm Nikkor Macro a try! You'll love the high level of detail, especially when captured with the D40X's 10MP sensor!
SD/SDHC Compatible Flash Cards For Storage!
What good is a camera without film? In this case, Secure Digital memory cards. The D40X is capable of using standard SD cards, however, it also supports the larger and faster SDHC cards that are currently available, allowing you to make use of 4GB and 8GB sized cards!
4GB Cards
8GB Cards
Just be aware that for you to be able to read the cards without using the camera as a card reader, you will need an SDHC card reader capable of reading SDHC cards. The one included with one of the 4GB cards will do, so if you plan on buying a bunch, buy one card with the reader and the rest without. I've had great results(read: fast!) using the Adata card and the Sandisk Ultra II cards.
Assessment of the Nikon D40X
Having had a few hours to shoot with it, I find it to be a bit small for my hands. That is the case with all of the Canon Rebel digital cameras. Cameras that fit my hand well, include the Nikon D200, the Konica Minolta Maxxum/Alpha 7D, and any of the Canon 1D* line of cameras. So, my hands would be on the larger side. If your hands fit on a Canon Rebel, or other smaller DSLR bodies, then the D40X will be just perfect for you!
The response of the camera from power on to shot-to-shot was amazing. I wish I had this kind of performance in my current DSLR, the 7D. The buffer worked wonderfully with my ADATA 8GB Secure Digital SDHC Memory Card 8 GB, and was instantly recognized when plugging into my macbook pro.
All in all, if the camera body was a bit larger, I would definitely buy this camera as a 1-1 backup camera for my current camera. Given the low price for the 10MP image output, it's a steal, especially if you plan on upgrading to the other Nikon cameras or already own a good deal of Nikon glass.
Nikon D40X Stats and Specifications
Stats and Specs
Like it's bigger brother, the D200, the D40X is an instant startup and almost no shutter lag DSLR. This camera is FAST!
Specifications come from Nikon's USA product site for the Nikon D40X DSLR:
- Type of Camera: Single-lens reflex digital camera
- Effective Pixels: 10.2 million
- Image Sensor: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 10.75 million, Nikon DX format
- Image Size (pixels): 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
- ISO Sensitivity: 100 to 1600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600
- Storage Media: SD memory card, SDHC compliant
- Storage System: Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression; JPEG: JPEG baseline compliant
- File System: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
- White Balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor); six manual modes with fine tuning and preset white balance
- LCD Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and brightness adjustment
- Playback Function: 1 frame; thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); magnifying playback; slide show; histogram indication; highlight point display; auto image rotation
- Delete Function: Card format, all frames delete, selected frames delete
- Video Output: NTSC or PAL
- Text Input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi selector; stored in Exif header
- Compatible Lenses*: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor: 1) AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported; 2) Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus; 3) PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus; 4) Other AF Nikkor*¹/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II; 5) Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; 6) IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used *¹ Excluding lenses for F3AF
- Picture Angle: Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length
- Eyepoint: 18mm (-1.0 m-1)
- Viewfinder: Fixed-eyelevel penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1)
- Focusing Screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
- Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approximately 95% (vertical/horizontal)
- Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
- Viewfinder Information: 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
- Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module with AF-assist (range approximately 0.5-3.0m/1ft. 8in.-9ft. 10in.); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20 degrees C/68 degrees F)
- Lens Servo: 1) Autofocus (AF): 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; 2) Manual focus (M)
- Focus Area: Can be selected from 3 focus areas
- AF Area Modes: 1) Single Area AF; 2) Dynamic Area AF; 3) Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority
- Focus Lock: Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
- Exposure Metering System: TTL full-aperture exposure metering system: 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor; 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame; 3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
- Exposure Metering Range: 1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering); 2) 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: plus or minus 5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
- Exposure Lock: Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
- Shooting Modes: 1) Single frame shooting mode; 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 2.5 frames per second*; 3) Self-timer mode; 4) Delayed remote mode: 2 s. delay; 5) Quick-response remote mode *Approx. 1.7 frames per second with Noise Reduction turned on and approx. 1 frame per second with ISO HI1
- Shutter: Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3, bulb
- Sync Contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec.
- Flash Control: 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor, i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-800, SB-600 and T041; 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens; 3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27 and 22s; 4) Range-priority manual available with SB-800
- Flash Sync Modes: Auto, Portrait, Child and Close Up modes: 1) Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight; 2) Night portrait mode: Auto, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight; 3) Landscape, Sport mode: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight; 4) P, A: Fill flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction; 5) S, M: Fill flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction
- Built-in Flash: Auto, Portrait, Child, Close Up, Night Portrait mode: Auto flash with auto pop-up P/S/A/M: Manual pop-up with button release Guide number (ISO 200/ISO 100, m [ft.]): approx.17 [55]/12 [39] (manual full 18 [59]/13 [42]
- Flash Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
- Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal and ground contacts and safety lock
- Self-Timer: Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds
Remote Control: Via optional ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control
Power Source: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9; charging voltage (MH-23 quick charger): 7.4V DC, EH-5 AC Adapter (available separately; requires optional EP-5 AC Adapter Connector)
- Tripod Socket: 1/4 in. (ISO1222)
- Dimensions (W x D x H): Approximately 5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 inches
- Weight: Approximately 1lb., 1oz. without battery, memory card or body cap
Included Accessories*: EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-23 Quick Charger, UC-E4 USB Cable, PictureProject, DK-16 Rubber Eyecup, Camera Strap, BF-1A Body Cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap.
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
- Optional Accessories: ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro, EH-5 AC Adapter, EP-5 AC Adapter Connector, EG-D100Video Cable, Semi Soft-Case CF-DC1, Speedlight SB-800/SB-600/SB-400/R1C1
- Notice: Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. March 2007 (c) 2007 NIKON CORPORATION
- OS: Certified for Windows Vista(TM); Mac OS X
 | Nikon D40 / D40x Laminated Field Reference Card asin: 1934148091 |
 | Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras asin: B00005LE74 |
 | Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens asin: B000NOEDGK |
 | Introduction to the Nikon D40 / D40x asin: B000NY114W |
 | Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight Flash + "The Speed of Light" Nikon School DVD + NiMH Rapid Charger with 2700mAh Rechargeable Batteries - for Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D70s, D80 & D200 asin: B000O5QH4E |
 | Nikon D40x - JumpStart Guides to Nikon D40x (A Tutorial DVD) author: JumpStart asin: B000P20CUG |
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