After a short life, the D50 can earn some respect thanks to the new D40, which is a little less ambitious. However, this camera should allow Nikon more latitude in terms of price on a market that is becoming more and more competitive. 

 

Despite its entry level position, the D40 looks rather good. The camera body is reassuring and of quality construction. Even compared to the Canon EOS 400D, the D40 has better finishing touches and especially better handling. Despite its very small size (Nikon’s smallest numeric reflex), the handle is big enough to assure a good grip.

Clearly destined for beginning photographers, Nikon has simplified its new camera to a maximum. The interface has been reduced to a strict minimum. On the back, there is no more than 6 buttons, a selection pad, and a dial on which you will find the classic exposure modes of P,S,A,M, Auto and 7 digital vari-programs. The left side has a programmable function button and a second one for the flash. The most obvious simplification is found in the menus. To set the different parameters, forget about the LCD on the top of the camera, everything happens in the back. By default, the LCD screen displays most shooting parameters such as image quality, white balance, sensitivity, burst mode, autofocus mode, and a light meter. All of this can be easily adjusted by simply pressing the « Setting » button. Options are presented on the screen and there is text help for those who become lost. Unfortunately, the other adjustments are hidden in menus that are too complicated for the average mortal. As for the viewfinder, it’s small though relatively bright.

In practice, the D40 is quite nice to use. Startup is almost instantaneous, and the camera can be considered reactive. The new autofocus module does well in low light, but the three autofocus points lack a bit of flexibility in the framing of more original shots.  The D40 inherits the D80’s very fine algorithms in processing images and the result is that photos have a quality largely superior to that of the D70 and even the D50. Noise control has definitely improved and it’s very discrete up until 400 ISO. At 800 and even 1600 ISO images are usable. At these values smoothing is very significant, but allows 10x15 prints without any difficulty.  Automatic exposure times are relatively good for classic scenes, however, matrix metering sometimes has problems with subjects that are heavily contrasted.

With the D40, it seems that Nikon was torn between simplicity and evolution. While the new menus noticeably simplify use, this camera is still too complex with a large quantity of information to manage. On the other hand, as a second camera, the D40 may be a little too limited. There are no gridlines, depth of field indicator, or bracketing. In addition, the AF system seems too narrow for reflex use. It might have been a good choice to simplify this product even more to make the price more attractive. The D40 is rivaled by the Pentax K100D (which also offers efficient optical stabilization) and the Pentax K110D, which is 100 Euros less and with equivalent performances. Photographers who have a slightly larger budget may not hesitate in investing in the Canon EOS 400D for barely 120 Euros more.