Nikon Australia has just announced the D40X, big brother to its entry-level offering, the D40. It might be more of an incremental upgrade than a ground-breaking offering, but if the 10-megapixel digital SLR is anything like its little sister, it's building on a good thing.
Upside
Almost identical in design to the D40, the only visible difference is the chrome badge that displays the camera's model number (the D40 has a black badge -- ooh-er!). The dimensions remain the same (64mm high by 94mm wide by 126mm deep) but it's 20 grams heavier at 495 grams. I think we can deal with that.
The D40X is also faster than the D40. In terms of continuous shooting, we see an increase from 2.5 fps up to 3 fps. Also, battery life claims to be longer, with 520 images per charge as opposed to the D40's 470. Both of these features are more impressive when you realise that the resolution has increased by 4-megapixels.
In addition to the camera, Nikon has announced a new 3.6x lens, the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED. Featuring Nikon ED glass elements, Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Vibration Reduction (VR) -- which reduces image blur by shifting lenses to compensate for hand movement -- this lens works with both the two D40-series cameras and the D80.
Downside
Despite Nikon's push to educate consumers that digital photography is not just about the megapixels, the D40X -- like several of the other new dSLRs we've seen recently -- makes the jump up to a 10-megapixel resolution. However, given that the D40X is aimed above the entry-level market, those more serious about their shooting might find the increase necessary.
While keeping the same design as the D40 is not necessarily a bad thing -- after all, if it ain't broke don't fix it, right? -- it doesn't help the D40X stand out from the myriad of models out there though.
Outlook
So, to recap, Nikon has given us a new camera with everything we liked about the D40 while making it faster at a higher resolution -- at an affordable price. Add to that a new lens which incorporates Vibration Reduction to help eliminate those shaky shots. It sounds good to us, but we'll have to wait until we get our hands on a kit for testing before we can give you our bottom line.
The Nikon D40X will be available from April 2007 at a recommended retail price of AU$1,399. Pricing of the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED lens is yet to be confirmed.
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Tommy Wood
29/07/2008, 04:32 PM
rating
8/10
While not sold as a pro camera it can produce pro results.
Pros: Quality of kit lenses far superior to Cannon. Make it an excellent buy
Cons: Could have closer Macro ability
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nikon camera
24/05/2008, 03:16 PM
rating
7/10
Nikon D40X is simple camera with simple functions. This is not suitable for professional photographers. Good results of photos. Attractive design.
Pros: Attractive design.
Battery timing is also good.
Cons: Nothing special in cons.
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kt.mccarthy
13/04/2008, 06:20 AM
rating
10/10
A fantastic camera, My dad has the cannon EOS 400D and wishes he had got a nickon!
Pros: Easy to use! Great for first time SLR buyers.
Cons: Viewing screen times out quickly, but this can be programed to stay on for longer in the settings.
Lenses are expensive.
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X_SHOOTER
05/11/2007, 08:38 AM
rating
3/10
Used one of these on the weekend and was greatly dissapointed. Pentax K10D is far superior camera at similar price point.
Pros: Mode selector (sport / landscape /night shot) for novices
Cons: having to hold a button while using scroll wheel for functions
slow to access drive mode menu
small with "toy camera feel" (just like 400D)
no seperate LCD (for metering/ shot count/ quick setting check)
More expensive lenses (need of VR)
Menu dependant
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aim54x
26/08/2007, 10:07 PM
rating
10/10
@Firebugs, totally right bout the autofocus motor, but i would like to point out that tamron and tokina lenses will still fit, and if you learn how to manual focus it will be no problem
the live view feature is also available in the newer olympus DSLR's the E410 is in the entry level sort of price range, but you will be limited with choice of lens in the long run
Pros: light weight
quick
beautiful images (I invested in the 18-135mm lens)
easy to use
great price
crisp LCD
Cons: no liveview - it would be welcome bonus for ppl who are used to compact cameras
3 point auto-focus - although it still shoots better than the EOS400D which has 11?
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http://firebugs.deviantart.com
16/07/2007, 01:37 PM
rating
10/10
@rajesh, it DOES have aautofocus motor, but instead of it being housed in the camera body it is inside the actual lens, this is not really a problem unless you wish to use 3rd party lenses (sigma, tmaron), but the upside to thisis that the body of the camera is smaller and more lightweight, This should not deter you from purchasing it
@Max, the reason that you can't use the LCD to take photos is because it is a SLR (single lens reflex) camera, these work buy using a mirror on the inside to block the image from the censor and direct it up into the pentaprism on the top and into the view finder ,
If you want to use the LCD for taking photos try looking at "point and shoot" cameras that anot SLR's but more of snapshot ones, or there is the other option of buying a high end professional DLSR (EOS 1d MIII) which have the 'Live view" feature which enablesyou to be able to look throught the LCD (but with some major restrictions), and most high end DSLR's are upwards of $10,000 AUS
Hope this helps.
Pros: n/a
Cons: n/a
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rajesh
20/04/2007, 05:25 PM
rating
7/10
can you tell what difference does it makes if the camera is not having auto focus motor which is missing in D 40x?
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max
14/04/2007, 11:47 AM
rating
9/10
This is my first digital slr, and I am extremely happy with the nikon, it's easy to use and is easy to travel with because its so light weight.
Pros: light weight, easy to use, massive viewing screen.
Cons: viewing screen times out if you don't press a button after a few secs, so you have to keep pressing the viewing button if you want to look at an image for a while. also i'm not sure if this is true but it seems you can use th elcd screen to take a photo which quite annoying.
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