The Nikon D40 retains the six megapixel image sensor used in the D50, housed in a body that sets an impressive benchmark among its Nikon DSLR siblings in terms of miniaturization. Body size and weight is similar to Canon's EOS Digital Rebel XTi or Pentax's K100D, despite the fact that many features in the higher-res (and higher-priced) D80 model have made their way into the D40. A couple of changes are unique to the D40, however. Most significantly, the Nikon D40 doesn't include a focus motor in the camera body, saving some cost / weight / size while dropping compatibility for some older lenses. Instead the D40 relies on the fact that recent Nikkor lenses have tended to integrate a motor already. Photographers with a large stock of Nikon glass are unlikely to be considering an entry-level camera anyway, and new SLR users will be unlikely to notice the subtraction of some backwards compatibility. The D40's AF system spec is also reduced somewhat as compared to the camera's top-shelf siblings, with just three AF points (as compared to in the D50, and 11 in the D80).

Other features of the Nikon D40 include a 2.5" LCD display with 230,000 pixels, a new help system accessible via a dedicated "i" button on the camera body, Nikon's iTTL flash metering, and 2.5 frames-per-second burst shooting capability. The D40 also offers RAW / JPEG / RAW+JPEG file formats, shutter speeds from 30 to 1/4000 second, flash sync at 1/500 second, ISO sensitivity from 200 - 1600 with a 3200 boost, and metering courtesy of a 420-segment matrix sensor.

The Nikon D40 will ship from December, priced at $599 with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. (Nikon tells us that the camera will only be offered as a kit, the body and lens will not be available separately.)

Nikon D40
General
Camera Type	SLR
Manufacturer	Nikon
Model Number	D40
Dimensions	5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5" 126.0 x 94.0 x 64.0mm
Weight	475.0 g 16.6 oz
Planned Price	$499.95
Planned Availability	Dec 2006
Image Capture
Sensor Type	Nikon DX CCD 6.24 megapixels (total) 6.10 megapixels (effective)
Focal Length Multiplier	1.50
Aspect Ratio	3:2
Image Dimensions	3008 x 2000 (6.0 megapixels) 2256 x 1496 (3.4 megapixels) 1504 x 1000 (1.5 megapixels)
Image Quality	3 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, SLR type, eye-level penta-Dach-mirror
LCD	2.5", 230,000 pixels
Playback Zoom	19.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Interchangeable Lens
Lens Mount	Nikon F
Focusing System	Nikon Multi-CAM 530 3-Area Phase Detection with AF assist lamp Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	200 - 3200
Shutter Speed	30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure Modes	Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes	3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	External - Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset, Manual
Internal Flash	Guide Number: 12 Modes: Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync.
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 3.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	portrait, landscape, child, sports, close up, night portrait, no flash
Self Timer	Yes, 2 to 20 seconds
Time Lapse	No
Storage
Recording Medium	SD/MMC, SDHC
File System	Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	CCD-RAW, RAW (.NEF), JPEG
Connectivity
Video	Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer	USB 2.0 High Speed
Other	DC input
Power
Battery Type	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	EN-EL9
Product Bundle
Software	PictureProject
Battery / Charger	1 x Proprietary EN-EL9 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory	0.0MB
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	Yes, Optional ML-L3 wireless
Operating System Compatibility	Windows, Mac OS
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